Posted on June 30, 2010
Did you already make plans for the Independence Day? Family time, cooking, grilling, fireworks? How are you planning to spend this great weekend?
Each year, when this time of the year comes around, I am especially reminded of all the reasons I am grateful to live in the United States of America. Freedom abounds here still; opportunities are overflowing and are waiting to be taken. From all the places I have been to I still love USA the most.
My big plans to celebrate? I will actually be working HARD! Each year our church, Kelso Church of Truth, runs a food booth at the local lake [that’s where the city fires off all the cool fireworks]. We raise funds for various projects each year, and this year is no different. We will be making and selling delicious Russian Foods in Longview, WA, AND this year we will also be offering Vegan/Vegetarian options, including my favorite—green/fruit smoothies. So, yours truly [me], will actually be in charge of the vegan/vegetarian food most of the time. I have to make sure that all of the conscious folk in Longview/Kelso WA area get served and eat well while celebrating our nation’s independence and spending time with their families.
Here are some fun shots from previous years’ celebrations.
So, if you are in Longview, WA and need a good bite to eat—come see me at the Russian Food booth, at the lake Sacajawea, by the statue of a boy with a dog.
Happy early Independence Day!
PS: We will be there Friday-Sunday this week!
Posted on June 23, 2010
Who said that business pictures should be boring?
Yesterday I had fun working with my State Farm agent’s {Jessica Mickens–check her out, she will take good care of you! By the way, State Farm is not limited to car insurance only, they are quite diverse: investments, banking, home owner insurance, business insurance… I think the only things they won’t do for you is cook your dinner or watch your kids… but then again, I haven’t tried asking 
}.
We shot a few group images and then did individual shots for Jessica’s new team members: Malorie and Tiffany. They were a hoot! I could not help but snap a shot of Malorie getting her “your friendly neighborhood agent” face on {Malorie, please forgive me }.
And then she turned glam…
Tiffany was all smiles. I don’t think she knows how NOT to smile. I worked HARD to get her smiling with her eyes only… but it worked! [even if for a second 
]
…and… va-va-va-voom! Check out her gorgeous eyes.
So, maybe they won’t pick out the glam shots to go on their business cards [although they really should--HOT STATE FARM AGENTS COMING THROUGH!] or the ones with crazy faces [ahem, Malorie], but I sure had fun sneaking them in.
Thanks, ladies!
Posted on June 14, 2010
Time sure flies by. 18 years ago four little miracles came into our family: Zarina, Irina, Matvey and Aleksandr [aka Alex]. They were cute, cuddly and totally out of this world… and then they grew up! Overnight!
In the last week all 4 graduated from high school and are standing poised to face their future.
I actually got to photograph 3 out of 4 senior sessions for these cuties. Check them out.
Zarina, Kelso High School Senior [more images here and here] 
Alex, Vancouver Senior [more images here]
Irina, R A Long Senior [more images here and here]
Two days ago I got to see Zarina turn over her tassle. What a proud moment for all of us… for all of them!
