So, I haven't blogged on here in a couple of weeks now, which probably flies smack in the face of the essence of blogging. But it's not because I haven't been working. It's because I've been working...A LOT! It's the peak of wedding season, and also family portraits. And of course, if that were not enough, my laptop computer (which I realize I NEED to survive these days) conked out on me. Okay, it started doing really funny stuff, and I couldn't control the cursor. My husband thinks it's due to my letting our 3-year-old use my laptop computer and he got it "too sticky". I don't buy it - simply because you should see how good Hayden is on computers! It's freaky. Whatever the cause, I'm without my main computer, so bear with me. Because it's also the peak of wedding season. So I'm doing my best to turn out your albums and get your photographs in your hands, and return your phone calls and emails. I really am! These are just a few random images from this busy, busy season. Most are on my laptop, so there's a lot more to follow.

No, not my husband, but a client of mine. He surprised his wife recently with an album of new photos of their two beautiful daughters for their wedding anniversary. She was out of town when the photo session took place, and had no idea that he had hired me to do a new session. She found out when he presented her with a beautiful pale yellow Heirloom album full of photos from our time together at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. Way to go, Mark! You know the way to a mommy's heart! (Hint, hint, Honey!)

Here is tiny little Dominic (who seems tiny to me, because my babies were never this little. seriously.) I photographed his sister Collette when she was a newborn - now she's a strong-willed toddler in a pink tutu and ballet slippers. How time flies! That's why I love my tagline "Stop Time". Because they really do grow up that quickly. Because time really is fleeting. Trust me on this. Welcome to the world, little cutie pie! You're going to be a heartbreaker.

Wow, this has been one busy summer, but I'm loving every minute of it. I'm averaging about 10-12 portrait sessions per month, and 3-4 weddings. To me, summer is about kids (well, it is now). Or should I say that summer is best enjoyed with kids or acting like kids. Like these 2 & 1/2 year old twins, Andrew and Hannah, and their 5-year-old cousin Jack. We gathered at their grandparents house on Mercer Island, and I documented them playing with bubbles, eating lollipops, feeding the ducks on the dock, climbing trees, and Jack even got to sit on the carousel horse in his grandparents' living room. How cool is that?! Ah, summer has finally arrived.

This was my first time meeting Alex and Drew, 9-month-old twin boys, and their mom and dad. What a fantastic family! I've said it before, and I'll say it again...what could possibly be better than a beautiful, chubby little cherub? TWO, of course! And just look at their hair! (I know quite a few jealous men.) Here they are in portraits that strip them down to the bare essentials - their personalities! (By the way, the one of mom Sara cracking up is just after one of the boys peed all over her leg.)

I just had to post a few photos of our 3-year-old son Hayden in our backyard last night. He is such a wonderful, lively spirit! I love our little nut. Here he is doing what can only be described as a naked creative dance. He loves the camera - can you tell? He is always asking me to take his picture now. Good thing for me, huh?

I was so happy to get a call from Stacey and Rom, whose son Orlando was around one year old when I first photographed him. (Those first photos are all over my website.) Stacey and Rom are such hip, laid-back and respectful parents! I hadn't heard from them in a couple of years, until the other week, when they asked about booking a session for their new son Mica. I jumped at the chance to hang out at their Leschi home again, and photograph their family of four in all of their "hipness". Here are just a few of my favorites (which will soon be all over my website).

The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), of which I am a member, just announced its Quarter 1, 2007 image contest winners. I have entered their image contest a few other times, and never placed within the top 20. Competition is fierce! This is an international organization of incredibly talented, professional photojournalistic wedding photographers, and the winning images always blow me away! I am thrilled to announce that I (finally) placed among the Top 10 (#6 to be exact) in the Creative Portrait category for this image. It's from Lyla and John's wedding at the Lake Union Cafe on March 31, 2007. It absolutely captured the style and feel of their wedding, so I am very proud of it. You can check out all of the winning images at www.wpja.com. Hooray!!!

Seattle weather is nothing if not unpredictable. Thankfully, McKinley and her parents were easygoing, and willing to go for it! So despite the chill, the wind and the threatening rain clouds, we headed out onto the beach at Gene Coulon Beach Park in Renton. Hey, it looked great and as an added bonus, we were the only ones there! (The last time I photographed McKinley was one year ago when she was one or two weeks old. Don't let anyone convince you that the first year doesn't fly by - trust me, it does!) Thanks for being such good sports, family - the results were well worth it.

Meet Gabe & Ethan - fraternal twins and cutie-pies! (Just don't ask me to tell you which is which.) Their parents Melissa and Charlie invited me to their home in Sammamish, and the boys were so agreeable! (Melissa found out about me on the E-MOMS website. If you are the parent of multiples and you don't yet know about Eastside Mothers of Multiples, you should definitely check them out.) Anyway, I love this family photo overlooking their house and the neighborhood, where Mom and Dad were urged to reconnect for a moment. (Oh, hey, I remember you!) It was also my idea to move a mirror that they had in another room onto the bed, and let the twins see double for a while! (Sorry, I couldn't resist using at least one bad pun.) Congratulations (twice) Melissa & Charlie!

My father-in-law is visiting from Iowa, and today we went to the strawberry festival at Biringer Farms. Here are a few photos of Hayden picking strawberries with his grandpa, daddy and sister Sylvie. I love the photo of the three generations (gee, which gene pool do my kids swim in?).

For family photos, I usually use one of our digital cameras (we have a Nikon D70 and a D200). I have a strained relationship with digital photography. I understand its appeal when viewed on a computer monitor (it's like looking at a slide on a white table - bright and luminous), and Photoshop actions are fun. But when it comes to printing digital images - yuck! They don't even come close in my book to those shot on film. And I'd rather put framed prints on my wall or look through an album than at a computer monitor. The "switch" to digital may be inevitable, maybe not. I'll keep playing with it, and maybe someday, I'll change my mind. We'll see...what are your thoughts on digital vs. film? Drop me a note and let me know.

I've received a lot of requests for updated photos of my baby girl, Sylvie. So here she is in a few quick digital photos. The girl loves to eat, in case you couldn't tell. My favorite is the one where she's sporting the Elton John glasses!

I have a new best friend (apparently). Five-year-old Ethan was such a gracious host! At the end of our two hours together, Ethan was hugging me and asking me to stay for lunch. His three-year-old sister Alden asked if I wanted to have ice cream with them. Even though I didn't have time that afternoon, I promised them that when it was time to view the proofs from our first photo session together, we would meet over ice cream. The two of them couldn't have looked more perfect that sunny day in their yard, in pale shades of green and pink. The bow in Alden's hair was a perfect touch, though her mom told me that it was there to cover a big bald patch where Ethan had cut Alden's hair off just days before our photo session! Now that's ingenuity! I'm looking forward to our ice cream, and reviewing these sweet photographs together.