I've Moved!

I have a new blog!!! I'm so excited about this change. For months I have wanted to provide a bigger, more enticing viewing experience to those of you who check in regularly, and for those who are here for the first time. For my techno-saavy friends, you'll be glad to know the new site has a RSS feed enabled, and I didn't have to do a thing! I'm thankful for the free service Blogger has provided, and I will leave this up as long as they allow me to so that you can come back time and again to see your favorite images from the past.

Be sure to bookmark my new blog site here: Lorraine's New and Improved and Totally Rad Blog

Oh, and when you drop by, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Hayley's Senior Session in Downtown Seattle

Yesterday, Ashley and I had the fun of hanging out with Hayley to take her senior pictures at the Olympic Sculpture Park and Pike's Place Market. We were so thankful that it didn't rain on us as was forecast for the day... in fact, it was an absolutely beautiful afternoon. The only thing we didn't plan on was the blustery wind. It was whipping up in every location we selected.

I loved this sequence of Hayley by the beach, but it was sooo windy that it was hard to get a decent shot without her hair flying everywhere. For this shot, Ashley handheld a scrim over Hayley to shield her from the bright mid-day sun. It made for a wonderful soft-light portrait, but the wind was making it hard for Ashley to hold the scrim in place. I'm going to have to try this again sometime on a non-windy day.

There is a very cool orange wall in the alley at Pike's Place. The natural light makes this a perfect spot to use...and once again, the wind whipped up to give Hayley the windswept look. I think she looks great!

Hayley is a beautiful young woman. I love this serene look for a portrait.

We had to get some final shots in front of the market sign. Hayley looks like a model here - too cool!

Hayley, it was a pleasure to meet you and to spend some time learning about your life and dreams. I am confident that you will find a picture within your images that will be carried about in a wallet many years from now. Blessings to you!

Kevin and Amanda's Wedding in Lynden

My nephew Kevin tied the knot with his bride Amanda last night in a beautiful ceremony in Lynden, Washington. Amanda and Kevin were blessed with much support and love from family, friends and their community. We began the day photographing Amanda at a friend's house for the getting ready shots. The home was so lovely and provided wonderful backdrops for photos, including the local golf course which was in the back of the home.

We love taking "first glance" photos. The curved pathway and rounded arbor provided a scenic spot for Kevin to meet his bride.


We were blessed that the rains held off until later in the evening, giving us opportunity to make use of the beautiful trees and outdoor surroundings for some special images. Thank you, Lord!


Okay, try this one with the one you love...kiss and smile at the same time. It's probably harder than it looks!


I've long admired other photographer's creativity when it comes to photographing detail shots such as rings. Determined to think outside of the box, we scoured the home to find just the right spot to take a picture of the rings. When I saw these angels on the bookcase, I thought they'd make a nice placeholder for the rings. Maybe it's a little cheesy, but it was fun nevertheless.

Amanda and Kevin were the first couple to get married at the new sanctuary of North County Christ the King Community Church, the place they met and their home church. They began their ceremony with a time of praise and worship...

Following the ceremony, the worship center was re-arranged as a reception area with a dance floor. Here Kevin and Amanda dance their first dance as husband and wife.

Let them eat...pie! The couple chose a non-traditional dessert with an assortment of pies instead of cake. Their favorite sat atop a creative pie stand that Kevin constructed for the occasion...

I am so glad we brought along our video light! When the guests began dancing, it was so dark in the reception area that using flash just wasn't working well as the cameras couldn't achieve a focus. Switching to the video light was the perfect solution, and we got some great images as a result. Here are Amanda and her sister Theresa leading one of the conga lines...

Kevin and Amanda made their exit literally through a cloud of sparkler smoke.

Kevin and Amanda, we pray that your marriage will be blessed with all that you need - love, laughter, fun, friendship, peace and joy. We love you both...congratulations!

Matthew's Senior Pictures at Robinswood Park

I've known Matthew and his family over ten years - just about the time we joined a newly formed homeschool co-op, which led to a number of shared classes with my girls over the years. Let's see...if my calculations are correct, Matthew must have been about seven or eight years old at the time. Wow! So it was my pleasure to hang out with Matthew and his mom today as we took a few photos (well, a few according to my count...) for his senior session. Matthew has such a great smile which comes easily and naturally, that to ask for a more serious expression or contemplative look almost seemed out of place.

Sometimes I'll find something unique about a location that catches my eye and ask the person I'm photographing to be flexible...and today was no exception. I loved the dry grasses in the field, but had no idea what lay beneath - or if it was mucky from all the rain. I'm so glad Matthew was a good sport and walked out into the field. His efforts were rewarded and no harm came because of it!

Thank you, Matthew and Marta, for having the patience to stick it out with me until we exhausted Robinswood Park and the surrounding areas of Bellevue to get just the right image for your senior pictures. I think our time together was successful...I hope that the image you select will be a blessing to your family now and in the years to come.

Family Session at Golden Gardens Park

Every family has their share of formal pictures taken in a studio setting - our included. But how many have had the fun of going out to a park, a favorite place (or even staying at home) where real life happens to get images taken that capture the fun, the messiness, the laughter and the personality that sums up your family? After experiencing a session like that ourselves this past summer, I was very excited to begin these "lifestyle" sessions for other families.

So Sunday morning we hooked up with our very good friends, Joshua and Sheri, and their four beautiful girls to have some fun in the sand at Golden Gardens Park. They were such a fun family to photograph, and I hope that for the girls it felt more like a play session than something they had to work hard at...at least, that's how it felt for us! Here are some of my favorites from the day...


Joshua and Sheri had just returned from Hawaii with their girls from a family vacation, and brought back the "Do Not Disturb" sign from their hotel room. Natasha was so funny holding the sign for me - she kept peeking back to see what her parents were up to!

Joshua is one blessed dad...

Real life - I love this image! From the sisters sharing a laugh to the littlest one sticking out her tongue, to mom and dad walking at a safe distance behind the girls, it all works for me.



Joshua and Sheri, this photo session was three years in the making - I'm glad it finally came together! I hope that these images will bless your family for years to come. We love you guys!

A Throwback to the 1950's

A 1950's themed Swing Dance - what better reason to hit the vintage clothing stores, find period outfits and get made up to re-create the looks of our mothers and grandmothers? Oh yeah, and have a photo shoot to document it all! Having two teenage daughters to play with made this so much fun. Gabriel and I were blown away at how incredibly gorgeous and true to the era Ashley and Alyssa looked after getting their hair and makeup done and stepping into their 1950's party dresses. It was an amazing transformation!

There is something very captivating about the Hollywood glamor shots of the late 1940's and early 1950's, and I knew I wanted to re-create this look with the girls. We found a very dark, narrow hallway and used our video light to provide the source of illumination for these shots. I think we came very close to capturing the look and feel of the era with these images...

Before the party started, though, we made our way to downtown Seattle for a photo shoot. We were disappointed to get kicked out of one hotel for now obtaining prior authorization, so instead we walked along 5th Avenue and - doing things the right way - asked permission to use the lobby area of the 5th Avenue Theater. It actually was cool to use their billboards as a backdrop...





When it got too cold on the streets, we slipped into the Hilton to warm up. Fortunately, we were allowed to take a few quick pictures inside, and found it interesting that the furnishings were actually more retro and like a 1950's interior than the hotel we started out with.


Onto the party...a gymnasium filled with 200 teenagers, live music by Route 66, a big band creating sounds from the Swing Era, fog machines, soda fountains...it was a great evening!

Nicole's Senior Session in Redmond/Duvall

Last week Nicole and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful winter day to take her senior pictures. We started out at Trilogy in Redmond - a place with very cool outdoor surroundings. Okay, truth be told - the surroundings were actually very cold! Nicole was a good sport and we only had to come indoors a few times to warm up. I'm always excited when I get to photograph in a new location, and this was no exception. It provides a challenge as well as a variety to the images we're able to create. I had to drag Alyssa away from her camera to hold the scrim over Nicole to shield the bright sun for this image in front of the waterfall. Thanks, Alyssa!


On one of the King County Park paths that runs behind Trilogy...

We next went back into Duvall, to hit some of my favorite places where I knew the light would be just right. I love this old barn, and the images we created there are some of my favorites.

Nicole, I hope that your senior pictures will be a blessing in your life not just now, but for years to come as you remember this important year in your life and the person you were created to be. Blessings to you!