What a perfect day and perfect setting! One of too few this fall, unfortunately. I had the opportunity to photograph the Dagnen family - mom, dad and their 7-year-old twins, Logan & Blaise - at Mt. Baker Park. Talk about photogenic! Logan and Blaise are very comfortable in front of the camera. Mom and dad are the creators of Braincandy Kids - award-winningl videos for children (www.braincandykids.com) - and the twins have regular roles in the videos. I highly recommend checking them out - if they can draw my 3 & 1/2 year old in and keep him interested for half an hour, just imagine what they might do for your little one!

Meet Jake and Jack - cousins. They are normally separated by thousands of miles. Jake lives in Seattle; his cousin Jack lives in New York. But for a few days, and certainly the length of our photo session, these two were very, very close. They shared a wheelbarrow, an adirondack chair, the grass, the fence, a bed and finally, a crib. And unlike most siblings who share many things, these two cousins had a blast and couldn't have been happier in each other's company. I couldn't have been happier in their company either!

Both of my "babies" are starting to lose that baby look. Where did it all go? Here's Hayden and Sylvie (3 & 1/2 years and 11 months old, respectively).

My dear, dear friend Eva married the man of her dreams this past August. At first, I was excited to attend a wedding as a guest and close friend, especially since I could be there with my husband and two little ones. But then Eva and Dean asked if I would consider being their wedding photographer, and when I thought about it, I couldn't imagine NOT doing it! Eva planned and designed the event to the letter, with the help of Michelle Engvall of Married with Michelle. And she called on the talents of friends, including the boys of Dudley Manlove Quartet, who kicked things up a notch at the reception. The setting at the Farm Kitchen on Bainbridge Island could not have been more idyllic, the weather could not have been more cooperative, and the love and joy on Eva's and Dean's faces could not have been more apparent. It was a perfect day. Absolutely perfect. (Here are just a few favorites.)

Alisha and Jeremy are engaged! We spent a perfect summer evening in Redmond capturing their fondness and affection for each other. But it wouldn't have been complete without their dog Cowboy, who took the opportunity to cool off in the pond. I can't wait to capture their wedding day next year. Congratulations to you both!

This was the other nice day of the summer (see below) and one of the coolest weddings I've ever photographed. Lara and Brett were wed at Brett's family's house on Bainbridge Island. Brett was one of the most expressive (emotional) grooms I've ever seen (Lara, you're a lucky woman!). I love their first look photographs by the tree. The setting was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, the food was divine, everyone had a wonderful time. To top it off, Lara & Brett made their supercool exit by seaplane! Waving to them as they flew back over the house on their way off on their new life together was one of my favorite wedding moments ever!

What a gorgeous day in August! (One of too few this summer.) Lisa and Jacob tied the knot at the Kiana Lodge on Bainbridge Island, one of my favorite venues. I love the sheer joy expressed on their faces all day. It was a true delight. I also had the opportunity to work with Michelle Engvall of Married with Michelle for the first time (and then two weeks later), and she is a fantastic wedding coordinator! If you've considered hiring a coordinator, even just for day-of management, I highly recommend it! You have more important things to do (like smooching that new hubby of yours). Here are a few of my favorites of Lisa & Jacob's day.

This is Emmett. Don't you just want to grab him up and squeeze him? I honestly have the best job in the world when I get to spend my time meeting little ones like this! I have many more great images from the day, but only have these four resized to fit on here. My favorite is the last photograph of Emmett and his mom, where they are both cracking up (mom behind the sunflower). It's different and technically not a great image, I suppose, because you can't see mom's face and Emmett's kind of blurry because he's moving. But isn't it an amazing, spontaneous moment between these two and for that reason, I think it's perfect.

Summer days are slipping away - here are some of my favorite photos (memories) of my son Hayden from this summer.

Summer days are slipping away. Just a quick look back at some of my favorites photos (memories) of my daugther Sylvia this summer.

Meet the Hayters - I have been photographing them for the past few years, starting when their son Liam was just an infant. Now he's an energetic, silly 3-year-old and they have a daughter, Paige, who's 1. We spent time together at their grandmother's house in Edmonds. It was a wonderful visit with old friends (Sean, Prima and Liam), and with new friends (this was my first time meeting Paige, and Liam found a friend in the garden - see the photos below). I especially love the image of Paige under the tree. With her blue and white dress, and that wonderful tree, the image reminds me greatly of an illustration of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. To my old friends and new, I hope we get to spend more time together soon!

Bodey and his mom and daddy are sure to become one of my favorite families to photograph. First, they are all gorgeous. Second, Bodey was one of the easiest babies I've ever worked with - sooooo laid back and easygoing. But most importantly, they were so enthusiastic about working with me, and loved my approach to documenting their life as a family! What can I say? They made it sooooo easy!

If Ava isn't the living embodiment of a Kewpie doll, I don't know who is! (If you don't know what a Kewpie doll is, I feel really old now, and you'll have to look one up online.) Those big, brown, soulful eyes. Rosy cheeks. Little doll mouth. And that swirl of hair on the top of her forehead. She's drop-dead gorgeous!!!