Posted on September 30, 2009
Yet another successful session completed as I am getting ready to drag my tired self off to bed. And I was told it would be impossible… No, not what you are thinking, not that it is impossible to drag myself off to bed, but that it would be impossible to get my Mark Morris senior, Travis, to smile, really, naturally smile for pictures. I had to prove ‘em all wrong! and I did! I am going to share with you my favorite smiley picture of Travis.
How is that Becky (Travis’ mom)? Did I do well?
I had to reach deep into my bag of tricks to pull this one off. Want to know how we got this dazzling smile captured? Are you ready?
That is how I (we) pulled it off. Don’t you love especially the one on the bottom left? That is my fave from the entire session. Travis, I think I will blow it up on a big canvas 
But Travis was suave, regardless of the fact that he partied his heart out the night before, completely forgetting about his session. It was only thanks to his gorgeous Mom that he showed up at all… sleepy and tired (you did not think I was going to tell on you, Travis, did you?) 
Travis is more than a goofy face that you see above, actually he is all but goofy when it comes to getting great images. Check them out.
From barely awake to this… no problem. Charming!
Travis, I think that your parents and your sister will be absolutely smitten by these.
Travis got buff for the football season. Can you say “model material”?
Travis, it was a pleasure. You better be careful now and not find another photographer the next time around no one else can pull off the goofy faces we did!
All the best to you in the coming year and beyond!
If you are Mark Morris senior and want to book an amazing session (just like Travis’), shoot me an e-mail through the contact page and mention “Travis 2010″ to receive 20% off my regular session fee.
Posted on September 29, 2009
Few people in life are are blessed as I am to really enjoy what they do for living. It is hard to describe the rush that I get during shoots, especially when I wake up feeling super creative. I am a very visual person and I see the world around me in the colors that you see in my work. I really do. There are times when I look at a person and immediately think: “I want to photographer her/him.” Such was my thought at the very moment when I met Tiffany when I walked up to meet her at a local Startbucks. She was gorgeous not only in her physical beauty, but also in the way she radiated with so much warmth that was welcoming beyond words.
Tiffany was referred to me by another client of mine and, after looking at my blog and site knew that I was HER photographer. The moment I met her I knew that she was MY kind of bride. Let me explain what I mean by that. There are many styles in photography. Many people gravitate toward what excites them visually, and, of course, what they can afford financially. My dream clients/brides are those that would not look much at the cost of my photography, but rather at the style and the art of it and do whatever it takes to get it. It is a perfect union, you see-they don’t simply need a photographer, they need someone who can play the strings of their heart and give them something that they do not know they want yet. I am the kind of photographer that loves the freedom to create when I am sought after not because of my prices but rather for my talent. When I have the complete creative freedom of the wedding or the session I produce masterpieces. So, when I met Tiffany, from the very first few sentences we exchanged I knew that she was “Elena Bride”–she wanted the art I produce.
Tiffany and I spent about an hour together at our initial meeting getting to know each other. I got to know her sweet yet strong soul–a person who remained radiant despite the hardship she had to face in her life. I also got to hear about her dashing fiance, Greg, who decided to sleep in while we were decided his fate . Tiffany and Greg have been together 8 years now, and the passion and tender love between them still feels as if they fell in love with each other just yesterday. They are planning their wedding 2 years from now, on their 10th anniversary (although I have been trying to convince Tiffany to move it up, so I can hurry up and enjoy photographing their wedding, albeit I have not been successful yet).
The engagement session of these two nearly ethereal creatures was amazing. I think that Greg, although he would never admit to it, was a model in his previous life, or it might be something that he is secretly doing to put himself through college (he just left to continue his education at the University of Washington in Seattle to become a Doctor). Tiffany is a natural in front of the camera too. I think that my Canon has a secret crush on her. You think I am kidding? Check it out for yourself.
WARNING: you might want to stop away from your screen, as it might unexpectedly explode from all of the hotness you are about to behold!
Too bad I am not going to show you more than this… and there is so much more, but at least you get to peak into how these two really feel about each other.
Tiffany and Greg, I can barely wait for your wedding day–you are amazing, and until then, I wish you both all the best and may your love for each other grow stronger.
Posted on September 28, 2009
Another crazy weekend is over and the countdown to our vacation has begun. We are officially about 98 hrs away from our plane taking off from PDX. Oh, the thought of it brings relief to my tired body… I can already imagine soaking in the warmth of Kauai sun, laying on the beach, or soaking in a bathtub uninterrupted…
But before I get carried away I have to tell you something… I had two more wonderful sessions in the last two days, and albeit I am tired, I am also pleased with what I got. Since I have not blogged about other sessions in full yet, I will limit this post to a quick sneak peak also.
I shot a “Day After” session for Nina and Carson, who got hitched a couple of months ago (see their wedding posts by clicking on this link, and this link). Oh, I know, “Day After” sounds like it should be the day after the wedding, but it does not always work out that way. Nina and Carson took off for their honeymoon early the day after their wedding, if not the night of, so there was no way for us to catch up until now. My every single weekend has been packed with sessions (yeah!) of gorgeous people, but this last Saturday I had to fit this gorgeous couple in no matter way. For those of you who live in WA State, you understand that the rainy season is moving in on us and we never know if we will get another sunny day until the Spring time, so we cannot miss a sunny moment.
For those of you who are curious as to why someone would have a “Day After” or “Bridal” session, let me explain. On the day of the wedding the schedule of is normally so packed that the bride and the groom get no more than 15-30 minutes to themselves, and at times less, which makes it harder on the photographer to capture those magic moments that every couple wants. Setting aside a separate day (really only a couple of hours) when the couple can get away from the fuss and the buzz of their wedding day becomes essential for the couple to relax and enjoy each other’s company with no pressure, time constraints or extra eyes peaking into their special moments together. So, if you and your spouse, the love of your life, had never had time for just the two of you to capture your intimate story, you should really consider doing that. Think about it and give me a buzz: 360-355-7370, to hash out all the details and schedule a time for just the two of you… to be you!
Here are Nina and Carson, astonishingly beautiful pair.
Carson & Nina, you rocked it out! The images are so beautiful that it makes it hard even on me to narrow them down. I will post more after my vacation.
For those of you who are interested in a Bridal or the Day after session (although it might have been a few weeks, months, or even years after your wedding), if you contact me by October 15th, and mention “Carson and Nina”, you will get 20% off your session fee.
Posted on September 25, 2009
I know that it looks like I have dropped off the face of the earth… but I am still here! My life has been spinning me crazy. My husband and I are remodeling my Mom’s house and I by the end of this week I would have shot one wedding and 4 sessions [that is in two weeks time] in addition to everything else that has been happening… Yikes! I feel like I have been running a marathon. But not to worry… I am about to take a break in the next few days, and I will catch up on all of my sessions AND all of my blogging. There are tons of gorgeous images to come, so make sure to stay tuned… and while you are at it, say a prayer for me, so I will have enough energy to make it to next Friday.
Why next Friday? Demetrye and I, by this time next week, will be sitting at the airport, ready to board our plane bound for Kauai, HI! We are so excited! But we also have already resolved that we will do nothing but sleep for the first two days. This body of mine really needs to catch on some R&R (rest and relaxation ). However, knowing me you would have guessed that I am taking my camera with me! There are so many gorgeous places there, and I could not live with myself if I did not take advantage of it artistically.
So, check back on Sunday for some sweet images!
