This month, Keith and I got to go to our favorite photographers convention in Las Vegas. We really just needed to refresh and renew our creative MOXY along with our motivation for the business! I thought Keith would be benefiting most from this trip, being newer to the game. But I was wrong!  I learned so much about myself and the new tools out there to help me stay on the right track! Here are a few of my favorite lessons learned in Vegas:

#1 I really need time away and time off with my husband. Working alongside my man is a blessing, oh yes, we get to spend a lot of time together. But even though we get to shoot together, edit together, raise our children together…we can sort of forget to take time off and just BE together!! Between our intensive seminars, we found creative inspiration and learned ways to work better together with a little priceless US time.

#2 We both learned to take risks. Try new things, learn new tricks. Do something that stretches you and pushes you to new levels. Keith has been my assistant photographer and editor for a few years now, and has been trying new things with video and montage clips! We are having a lot of fun with these!!

#3 Remember why you do everything. Is it worth it? I always want my answer to be yes. I love my job and the life I live as a photographer. But when it comes down to it, everything I do is for my family. It’s for my three daughters and the love of my life. I work hard so I can enjoy a wonderful life with my family. The past couple of years have been overwhelming as the business has been blessed, but I’m learning to value my time just as I value your memories!!

#4 It’s OK to be sexy! While learning techniques on posing in Vegas all day, I was also getting dressed for dinner and dancing at night! I got to get dressed up and remember how fun it was to be sexy again!! As a working woman & busy mom, I can forget when I spend my third consecutive day in sweats and a ponytail editing in the office. One of the nights in Vegas, Nigel Barker {of America’s Next Top Model} taught us a few fashion photography tricks and hosted a fashion show. I learned about ways to get your models or brides to feel a little sexier, too!! Because that’s what we all want, right? To feel HOT in our photos!!?? Well, I want to give that to you and remind you to keep it spicy!!

#5 What happens in Vegas, shouldn’t always stay in Vegas. This year I am taking home  a partner on fire for photography, some much needed inspiration, and a renewed sense of vision. I want to give my best to all my clients, to my entire family and my fabulous friends. I am returning home with stronger passion, greater balance and broader perspective. Everything else, can stay in Vegas…

This may just be one of my all time fave wedding shoot!! This wedding had  style all over!! All the way down to the vintage-inspired Birdcage veil, to the Converse and Tu-tu’s from Bee Bops & Lollipops {our favorite local children’s boutique}!! We met before the wedding for pictures at  TraLa Studios {also located with BB&L} in Historic Downtown Snohomish.  It was a cold day and the little kiddos were pretty cold walking around the town takins pictures here and there, but they sure did do a great job loving each other and the camera! It didn’t hurt that they were being bribes with cupcakes . Kymberly and Adam had their wedding cupcakes at Bite Me Cupcakes in Snohomish and were very happy to be in a warm place with treats!! I already knew this was the perfect stylized wedding and photoshoot that I always want to do. When you come to a shoot with a them and style you are after, you accomplish a vibrant and more commercial looking shoot {which is soo much fun to do!}!! I love it. And I love Kymberly and Adam. Obviously, the camera loves them too, as you can see. We had the best time after the ceremony in Everett and we did a little more shooting before the rain kicked in too hard. There was also a big game on, and Adam was hoping to get to see part of it He did an EXCELLENT job cooperating and posing!! I cannot tell you how easy this makes my job! I’d really love to “stylize” every shoot. Really! Bring a bike and a picnic, BAM! Theres your theme. I hope this couple inspires you to find a little flavor and spice up shoots and wedding themes!! You don’t need a big budget, in fact a bunch of DIY details and awesome pictures are what it’s all about to me! Enjoy some sneak peeks of this beautiful couple’s wedding day, and check back for more with these two soon!!

I just got back from LA shooting a family photo event, and two of my favorite models! Erica and Griffin are such a beautiful couple, and needed some updated shots for their careers {she is a fit model, he is a recording artist} so I just had to share some shots of my beautiful friends I had a lot of fun with these two, shooting in the fabulous Laguna Beach and Santa Monica. If you would like to have me shoot for you at your location of choice, remember, no location is too far! I have great deals for destination shoots and photo-events, just contact me for details

What an honor it was to work with Un Amore Designs  to do this amazing promo shoot of Nic’s custom painted KitchenAid Mixers! Is this retro look not perfect? This ain’t yo momma’s KitchenAid! Nic got the best hair and make-up artist around, and even found this perfectly poppin’ yellow dress from Salvage Life! We used the fantabulous Urban Light Studio  to shoot in and I  just loved everything about it. I will definately be back to shoot there in the near future…stay tuned for more!!