Sanford Family

On a chilly afternoon I ventured to Matanuska River Park near Palmer with the Sanford family. Maybe chilly is too mild of word. It was cold! But it was a beautiful. We had to work quickly because we were all starting to freeze. I even had to take a break to run to may car and thaw out my fingers because I wasn't sure I was actually pushing my focus button. The images turned out great, thanks to the adventurous clan. Thanks, Sanfords, for risking your digits for the shoot. And for a fantastic post-Thanksgiving feast.

Here are a few favorites. Click here for the entire slideshow.

Christmas Party with Santa

Before the Christmas season gets too far behind us, I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite shoots of December. I spent the evening with Santa... Santa Steve and Elf Stephanie. They were amazing with the kids and adults.

Karla Delong of Karla Delong Weddings coordinated the event for KLEBS,and did an awesome job juggling all the details. Jan Prescott's Alaska Dream Catering did a fantastic job with adult and kid-friendly food. And we were all entertained by the talented Joe and Lona D'entrone, All in all a wonderful Christmas party.

Here a peak at the fun we had.

Happy New Year!

It is just crazy to me that 10 years ago we were worried about Y2K and welcoming in the new millennium. But here we are at the starting line of our 2010 journey. Alaska welcomed the new year in at chilly below zero temperatures. But the coldness allowed for a crisp clear day. I took a drive that I have taken many a new year day, up to Hatcher Pass. It was nice to sit in my warm car and gaze at the beautiful, shining world and think about the past year and dream about the future. Here was my view on New Year's Day at noon. Not a bad view with which to ponder life.


Looking back at 2009.
This was such an amazing travel year that took me through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Brazil, Alabama, California, Idaho, Montana, England, and landing back in Alaska after a 3 year departure. In 2009 I walked on perfectly wind-shaped sand dunes, touched ancient cactus, hiked through the jungle in search of monkeys, picked tropical fruit, swam in the Amazon, gazed at the perfect shade of red ever to adorn a mountain in Sedona, drove thousands of highway miles pulling a 23 foot camper trailer, had high tea at Princess Di's house, took an elevator deep inside Carlsbad caverns for a spectacular site, saw the Rosetta stone and several mummies, wore a beautiful bridesmaid dress for a dear friend, toured the home of Henry the VIII and his unfortunate wives, photographed an uneasy volcano at 2am, soaked in original paintings by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet, and picked blueberries with an incredible view... just to name a few.

The biggest change in my world this year is that I get paid to use my camera! Starting my own business has been an amazing journey of learning and growing. So I must include in my review of the year... photographing blushing brides and handsome grooms, stylish high school seniors, sweet babies, and fantastic families.

However, with all of my travels and experiences this year, I cherish the time I spent with my family and friends, old and new. The many, many games of Hand and Foot, stories, shopping, hiking, laughing, sledding, talking, eating, crying, swimming, photographing, listening, learning and sharing. My life is rich because of you. Thank you for sharing your life with me.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

More than 10 years ago this evening I sat on the tatami mat floor of my little Japanese apartment and poured my heart onto paper. I wrote about childhood memories and Christmas. They were thoughts and memories that were flying around in my head as I had my first Christmas in Japan and away from any family. I was bit teary-eyed and very sappy. Just two pages of memories and thoughts and I was done. A simple ode to the holidays and love of my family. Then I decided that I wanted to share it with my mom because I knew she would love it. My siblings and parents were on a road trip together to see extended family. So I made an international phone call and got a fax number. Later that day I was able to talk to them and learned that they read it out loud to everyone and made them cry. Not what I expected, but it made me feel like I was a part of the family from far away.

Tonight I was driving home after a Christmas Eve party with dear friends and began to feel a bit nostalgic for my family and Christmases past. This triggered the memory of my Japanese Christmas so many years ago. I have had many Christmas experiences in new places and with new people. Each year seems to be different and memorable.

With only a few more minutes left this Christmas eve, I am wondering where I will be next year and who I will be celebrating Christ's birth with.

Merry Christmas! May you know God's richest blessings this year!

Snow, Snow and MORE Snow

When compared to Valdez, who was smothered with more than 6 FEET of snow this week, the nearly 2 feet we received, was minor. But still, I had to shovel snow 4 out of 5 days this week. And I didn't shovel today because I am really hoping that I can just get plowed out and not have to do it by hand. I did shovel a path to the wood pile and to the front door. My car plowed the top 4 inches or so down the driveway. Maybe I will get a photo of my snow paths for you in my next post.

It is truly breath-taking to be out in the white-covered world, though. And I LOVE a good snow year. It makes for a beautiful world and is lots of fun to play in!




This is the view from my front door... check out the stack of snow on the deck rail!



This is the view out the living room window...with my very Alaskan Christmas tree.



And this is the back deck. You can see where I have been shoveling to get out to the wood pile. This was just before I went out to shovel AGAIN.

Not your normal doctor's office

Office photos are supposed to be stuffy, right?! Not this fun staff from Sleeping Lady Women's Health Care. They asked me to shoot a staff photo and a fun photo for their office Christmas card. We had a blast in their new office that they will move into in the next couple of weeks. And then back in their current exam room. (This shoot made me think of some of the crazy shots we had at RMSP in studio class. Allison would be proud... well, except that I used my Speedlite with a Gary Fong and not a strobe... but don't tell her!)

Enchanted Engagment Session

It was an enchanted afternoon in the snow. Liz and Jordan were awesome models and all around amazing people. We had a lot of fun in Hatcher Pass as we stopped to shoot for awhile, jumped back in the car to warm up and go to the next spot, and then jumped out for a few more shots. They were even game to try to get a shot with the snowboarders and sledders at 16 mile. It took a little convincing to get the boarders and sledders to believe that I wanted them in my shot and that yes, they could go ahead... just don't hit the cute couple kissing.

Here are a few favorites. Click here for the entire slideshow.

Joys and Sorrow

The last few weeks have been filled with many extreme emotions.

A sweet, young, dark-haired beauty that I met when she was a shy 7th grader 10 years ago, passed away. I had the privilege of loving her and walking through a portion of her life with her. As sad as my heart is for loosing her, it is also filled with joy at knowing that she is now perfectly perfect in the hands of Jesus.


A dear friend was able to come to say good-bye with us. When she came, she brought much joy and the answer to many prayers. This sweet sister became a prayer for me nearly 5 years ago. Today, she is the joy of her family and dearly loved.


Today I am working on wedding albums for my amazing clients. The joy I see in the images can almost be touched. What celebration a wedding can bring... so many hopes and dreams.


In it all and through it all, God is good, God is faithful, God is unchangeable, God is love.

Senior in the Snow

Nicole is my only high school senior with snow photos. It was cold. But it was so amazing. The weather cooperated and the night before it snowed enough to have the trees beautifully dusted. We had fun dashing out to take a few photos and then going back to the cars to warm up. Simply breath-taking.

Thanks, Nicole and Jessica, for a great shoot. You are both awesome Alaskan women!

These are a few favorites. Click here for the entire slide show.

Flamingos in Alaska

I was asked to photograph some unusual clients a few weeks ago. Our local Young Life group wanted to advertise a fundraiser to help kids get to camp. Thus, I spent a Saturday afternoon in the company of several plastic pink friends and an awesome assistant, Heidi. We traveled around the Mat-Su Valley posing the birds in key locations. We had a lot of fun creating fun shots with them. Here are a few of my favorites.

An Ode to Snow

We knew you would come. You always come. But why did you wait so long this year? Do you hear all of the cheering for your appearance this morning? Now our world is frosted and so much more cheerful. My fireplace seems more cozy. My day seems filled with more hopes and dreams. I almost don't want to leave my house today... as it will surely mar the beautiful, sparkling landscape. Christmas seems somehow more tangible. Winter adventures are on their way. And oh, the photos that are waiting to be taken!

I am so glad you finally came, Snow!

Friends

I had such a blast with these ladies. Lots of laughter and beautiful smiles. They have been close friends since they were little girls and wanted to have photos together for their senior year.

Here are some favorites. You can check out the entire slideshow here.

Alaska Grown and proud of it!


They really should have a cd out... just so we can put this one on the cover

Check out all of their beautiful, blue eyes.


Thanks for the fun afternoon, girls!

Something New

I discovered these Mini Accordion Albums not too long ago. The more I looked into them the more I loved them! Yesterday, I got my first order and they look awesome.


They are 3x3 (square) or 2.5x3.5 (rectangle)... perfect to carry in a purse or have in your desk at work. Then there are the covers... lots to choose from AND they are magnetic so the book stays closed when you carry it around. They come in sets of 3 so they make great gifts, too.

I think my clients are going to love these Mini Accordion Albums as much as I do!