Here's an idea that you might not find in a bridal magazine or on the bridal websites. It's a guest book that is a little different, completely personal, and just the perfect art piece. Derek McClenahan designed this guest book tree for his very good friends as a wedding gift. Guests left a thumb print and wrote a personal message around the mat. It was so amazing and such a great idea.

So I challenge you to rethink the typical guest book. Do you know someone who is an artist? Use your creativity and make something that will be a piece of art.

We had a very busy Saturday. We shot an engagement session earlier in the morning that was all the way across Seattle and then we drove to the Queen Anne area to do an engagement session with Jocelyn and Mike. We had never met them since they live in eastern Oregon so I was super excited to get to finally spend time with them. As soon as I jumped into the conversation I simply just fell in love with their warm and laid back personalities. Right off the bat they warned us...as many couples do....that they are not photogenic. I told them that I would guide them through the process and help them get comfortable with us. The funny thing is that it was all a sham. Maybe they didn't know...but they are so photogenic it wasn't even funny. Jocelyn would give me her best angle, adoring eyes, and then move into a bunch of different poses as if she was a seasoned veteran. Mike knew exactly how to be himself in front of a camera. If he ever read this he would die laughing because he was terrified and not so sure about this photo shoot thing. It still amazes me how some people struggle in front of a camera and some people just know what to do. They just have that it factor. ...ME. I don't have that special something that makes me stick out in pictures and so I choose to be on the other side of the camera. Jocelyn and Mike have that IT factor.
I am so excited to shoot their wedding and can't wait to be a part of their celebration!!!

Thank you Mike for getting through the session. You were amazing.

I first met Nikki at a wedding that we were shooting last year. She was the stunner who stole the dance floor, danced all night long and gave us amazing photos with every snap. Christian was there to, but in a totally different way. Christian had pulled us aside to discuss photography. He was adorable and super sweet and completely knowledgeable about all things techy. By the end of the night I realized that Christian and Nikki were dating and completely in love. They reminded me of Eddie and I. I am the outgoing one who loves to dance and just really let loose at weddings, while Eddie is that super sweet guy who is sitting off to the side making small conversations. I love that about him and it works really well for us.

All the memories of that evening came rushing back to me as I snapped my first picture. Nikki was so gorgeous and she knew exactly how to look deep into the camera. She is the perfect compliment for him since she almost saves him from having to be the center of attention. Christian would just stand by her side and just look at her as though he couldn't love her anymore. It was the perfect combination. They are getting married in Arizona next March!!





Seriously! She knows exactly what she is doing!





These are my favorites. You guys have THEE most amazing eyes! Your kids are going to be beautiful!

Baby photo shoots are unlike any other kind of photography out there. You can't plan out a time line or think of different poses that will work in a specific location. Sure you can plan different ideas...but that's all they are...ideas.
For Jaycee it was easy. She is an absolutely gorgeous baby who was a little on the sleepy side. As we danced around her capturing every yawn, smile and wrinkled nose I kind of laughed to myself. I realized at that moment that this beautiful little bundle of preciousness completely controled the photo shoot. If Jaycee wanted to crawl then that was the new idea for the moment. If she wanted to chew on her tutu, then that's what we were capturing. I guess we could have posed her, but that's not really our style. I like capturing Jaycee just as she is. And as she yanked a big fist full of daddy's hair I realized that it was working. It was cute.

Jaycee was so fun to capture and I am so thankful that her parents gave us the opportunity to capture these moments.

I had no idea that Eddie captured this moment. It totally tickled my heart when I saw it.













Like I said...she was swimming and so that became the pose of the moment.

I've said it before. A wedding photographer could easily drop their cameras and become a wedding planner. Not to say that what a wedding planner does isn't outrageously important. It's just that we spend time with every vendor and know stinks and who totally rocks. We visit every location under the planet and know which ones yield to great pictures and romantic settings. We see every idea imaginable and know exactly what you can do to make your party die. We spend every moment with the bridal party so we hear who stinks at their jobs, who forgot to turn on the A/C and who forgot to bring the correct flowers. We here it all and record it all. Eddie and I were discussing that we should start adding tips and great ideas to our blog as we come across them. We both giggled at the idea knowing that we always have high hopes for our blogs and then they never come to fruition.
So, here is a cute idea...if it's your kind of thing. Alison + Chris provided koozies for everyone of their guests. I like that they provided something personal and something that will last a long time. I always thought that wedding gifts should be something that people will continue to look at for years to come as a thank you for being a part of their lives. So, I challenge you to find something for your wedding that is completely you, completely personal and something that can actually be used or treasured for a long time.

I knew as soon as I walked into the room where Nicki was getting ready that things were going to be different at this wedding. The first conversation that poured upon my ears was a few stories about the Boston Marathon. Nicki had ran it just a few weeks prior to the wedding. She wore special nail polish on her battered toes to cover the bruises that the road left behind. I thought, "what kind of woman is tough enough to do that so close to a wedding?" And then I remembered that Nicki was in the Navy. Kyle too for that matter. They are two very refined, polite, intelligent and just classy people that seem like they have found the perfect love to compliment them as a whole. As the reception began laughter sprung up form every corner and people were making crazy faces in the camera at every opportunity. The Navy boys put handkerchiefs around their heads and starting throwing water over the dancing guests. They were hilarious and a blast to photograph. I guess Navy kids work hard and play even harder!
After they got married they had two weeks together and then they were set off back out on duty for 2 years....apart!!! Nicki will be out at sea doing various jobs and Kyle will be stationed in Ireland.
Nicki and Kyle, we are so honored that we got to spend your wedding day with you. We are privilege to have you serve our country and we hope to hear about your travels as they happen. As Eddie put it, "When I am around them it makes me feel like I want to do something in this world as special as what they are doing." To me that is an amazing effect to have on someone.







The Navy boys. Don't forget them..you'll see more of them.



We slipped off to the golf course to get a few shots.













Nicki's parents were so amazingly cute. They kept looking at each other all night as though they were new lovers who just had to get one last glance. I just pray that Eddie and I are still looking at each other like that after 30 years of marriage.











And so the party begins...!











I love this photo! I could just sit here forever looking at all the different reactions. I love that!







Because Kyle + Nicki were overseas right up to their wedding we traded a engagement session for a trash the dress session. Here are a few images. This waterfall was closed to the public, but Kyle called in a few favors, told him he was in the military and freshly married.....and viola! A private waterfall all to ourselves.















Nicki + Kyle exchanged vows at the Cottage Lake Presbyterian Church in Woodinville, WA.

Cottage Lake Presbyterian Church
425.788.1569

Their ceremony was at the gorgeous Bear Creak Country Club.

Bear Creek Country Club
425.883.4770

They also had an AMAZING guitarist that I would love to recommend to everyone....I'll try and get his information for you!