JFP photo blog

Seriously Adorable { Seattle Baby Photographer }

I met the cutest, funniest little one last week.  She's just nine months old, which is one of my favorite ages ever.  She is absolutely fascinated by everything around her...a total scientist in the making.  She studied every detail of every new thing that came her way.  She was very serious and intent about it all too.

She's just a little doll!

 

Love those big, serious eyes she's giving me!

 

Do you get a feeling that there might be a little mischief behind those cute eyes?

 

Love those little legs!

 

Funny little tongue!  She's like my kids were...poking her tongue out at everything, especially when it's funny!

 

Cute little family!  Thanks for coming over guys...I had a ton of fun being a complete goofball!

PS  The holiday cards for this year are up over here.  I am in LOVE with them!  Dying to know which ones you all like the best....  The holiday session special info will be coming soon...hopefully by Wednesday, so start checking your calendars! 

Hip Travel Mama

Well, you all know I am a sucker for a good vacation...and I bet some of you are too!  My talented friend (and cool neighbor responsible for outdoor movie night) has a great blog with tips on making traveling with your family fun & fabulous!  (Also found on facebook here)   Not only should you check it out because you will learn a ton (great destinations, the right questions to ask before booking anything, where to eat, what to eat, and way more!) BUT today I get to be a guest contribultor...woohoo...I feel famous!  Here is the link to the post....be sure to grab a snack and a drink and read your way back through as many posts as you can.  Beware: you will immediately want to book a trip to somewhere fabulous....Greece is the newest addition to my travel wish list now, thanks to Anne!

And just a few fun summer slip & slide shots from the other day at the park (because really, what's a post without pictures?)

 

 

 

  

   

Don't you wish you lived in our neighborhood???

Now run on over to Hip Travel Mama and get ready to plan your next vacation!  
 

Super Star { Issaquah Child Photographer }

When I'm gearing up for photos with the 1 - 2 year old set, I get myself prepped for lots of running and jumping around, singing songs and making goofy noises.  This time was no exception.  I was ready to go.  And guess what?  I didn't need any of it!  This little man was a true super star!

Adorable!

We met down by my favorite bridge and luckily I brought along my trusty little chair.  I only wish all sessions went like this one...except for the fact that it was impossible to stop shooting.  Every shot was a keeper and he was the ultimate super model, sitting cutely in the chair, making faces.  This does however, create a problem.  How does one narrow down the hundreds of fabulous photos into one reasonably sized gallery??

 

 

Funny little monkey!  I love this one because I have one of my baby doing exactly this, on this chair, when she was one.  Just a little limit testing.

 

Squeeeak!  Love him!

 

All done and goodbye.

Thanks for such a fun morning guys.  Hope you enjoyed the zoo!  More photos, lots more photos, coming your way soon.

The Rest of the Story { Issaquah Baby Photographer }

The first time I photographed these guys it looked something like this.....

  

Well, guess what happened? 

 

A BABY!! 

It seems like they still like each other...and quite a bit!

 

Another favorite of mine from their wedding....

 

again...

Neither boy is particularly impressed by all the love surrounding them.  

Love those eyes...so serious.  He was working his "Blue Steel" pose for us quite a bit that afternoon.

 

I just want to squeeze him!  Do they come any cuter than that?

 

  

I think he's starting to get the hang of this super-modeling stuff...

 

Ahhh yes, the full on belly laugh!  Love it!  Love, love, love this age for those!

 

Sidenote:  apparently, July is Montana month around here.  These guys are the 3rd (of 5) families from Montana I get to shoot this month.  2 more coming your way soon!

 

Camera Geeks

So yesterday, spur of the moment, I rounded up the troops and we headed out to the beach.  We haven't done anything spntaneous and fun yet during summer vacation, so it was time.  AND, one of our summer goals has to do with some photography lessons for the kids.  So not just kids packed into the car, but as many cameras as we could lay hands on (alright, that's an exaggeration, we have another one Henry could have used, but he opted for his sketch pad).  Anyway, here is some of our summer fun.......

(please pretend that the watermark says something like MFP as I cannot take credit for most of these photos and actually she wanted to guest post but now it's 10:00 and she asleep)

 

 

 

I think I might have a new facebook profile photo.....do you think I need to pay her for the rights to use it?

 

I adore this photo for her eyelashes!

 

We did actually take a few shots that didn't have cameras in them...

 

Cute.

 

Grumpy.

 

   

 Happy.

 

Sweet.

And now for something you don't see around here all that often...

 

Not to shabby for a 9 year old...I think I have found my new personal photographer. 

 
   

Guess who might just still like me just a little bit??  Please don't tell his friends.

 

 

Alright, sorry for the photo overload...we just had the best time and took a ton of photos that I love!  Happy summer vacation! 

Game Faces On

I am one proud momma bear.  After many weeks of training my girls ran their first kids' marathon while we were in Montana.  A kids' marathon is really cool.  You get  certain number of weeks (12 or 16 or something like that) to run the first 25 miles of the marathon.  Then on race day you get to run the last 1.2 miles of the race with a ton of other kids (and your mom too, if you want).  Here are my runners getting ready for the race....

Awesome Run Wild Missoula tattoo and fierce, snarling game face.

 

 

I wouldn't get in their way if I were you.

 

You think she's tough here, you should see when she has to be goalie in her soccer games (well, once she gets over her abject terror...she is ferocious).

So many favorite parts of the race...lots of cheering fans with signs just for them, cool t-shirts and goody bags, and a free ice cream cone at the finish line!  What more could you ask for?  (me personally?  I'm hoping they will run with me again!)

 

Lucky Me { Seattle Baby Photographer }

I am the luckiest girl around.  Not only do I get to play with adorable, squeezy little babies and call it a job, but I get to meet the very best people ever!  This family makes my heart happy.  They are all completely terrific and are just the most adorable little family....and as I've gotten to know them over the last 2 years (since big brother was a tiny baby...can you believe it?) they have moved from being nice client type people to being my good friends.  See what I mean...lucky!  Well, they brought the troops over on Saturday morning just as my family left to go camping for the weekend....all that means is that I got to spend a very pleasant Saturday hanging out with some of my favorite people and then editing photos to my heart's content all afternoon.  (and then I went to the "Grease" sing along showing....alright, I know none of you are surprised by what a big geek I am.)  Anyway, here are a few of my very favorites for now.....

Who's just a little bit ticklish?

 

Oh, to be so bendy and have such soft, cute feet!

 

Doesn't he make the BEST faces?  And don't you just want to squeeze him?

 

Such a ham!  You would never guess he's not even 5 months old with all that personality. 

 

I love that he's holding onto his mama's hair.  My kids used to do that all the time too.

 

That dad, he's a funny guy!  

 

The grand finale, the best pouty face ever.....

Oh that lip.

And I didn't even get to the family and sibling shots yet....more soon, I promise. 

 

One { Issaquah Child Photographer }

This little cutie is the cousin of the girly from the post below.  Their moms are two parts of triplets.  I think that is just about the coolest thing ever...I mean, I know they didn't have any control over that or anything, but what an interesting way to grow up and what a close bond they have now.  Their girls are also equally attached to each other...to the point of distraction.  It was so cute to see.  This little miss had to be removed from our presence so that Miss {h} could even think about anything else.  When it was finally Miss {b}'s turn she turned on the charm, though I'll tell you, her momma & auntie were true champions and  came up with all kinds of craziness to get a smile (and a giggle & a full on belly laugh) out of her.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Eeeek...I just wanted to scoop her up and snuggle her!

 

Thank goodness for funny a mommy & auntieworking their magic behind me!  One can be such a tough age to get smiles out of as they are pretty distrustful of strangers....especially ones with big cameras.

 

Still one of my top ten favorite places to shoot....how little (and stinkin' adorable) does she look in that big doorway with those cool log ends? 

 

Then we wandered over to this fabulous old wagon and she had the best time exploring all around.  I love the face she is giving me here.

Then I got a chance to play a little...I mean, when will I have a chance for this shot again?

 

or this?  (which is absolutely one of my favorites)

 

Are you all tired of hearing me say how much fun I had with all these guys?  I really do love my job and especially the chance to meet such adorable kiddos and their super nice moms (& dads too sometimes).

Happy birthday Miss {b}!  Have a great party this weekend!  

Laugh and the World Laughs With You { Issaquah Child Photographer }

While we were gone this last weekend I managed to sneak in a few little sessions with some adorable little girls in what might possibly be my new favorite shooting locations.  Let me know if you are interested in driving eight hours, one way, to go shoot there!  (Alright, I'm totally kidding, but it did make me want to go exploring in our neck of the woods a little bit more....and just so you know, I'm always up for a new adventure, so if you've got an idea for a great new spot...shout it out!) 

This first little cutie has the energy of your typical 2 year old (A TON) and she kept me running around and sweating (it was hot) so it was absolutely fabulous when she decided to take a run through the giant sprinklers.  She thought it was pretty funny too....

Doesn't she have the best smiling eyes?  Are you grinning yet?  Her joy is pretty contagious...

 

Squeak!  I love that one!  I just want to tickle her and hear her giggle.

 

So this session, and her little cousin, who you will see on Friday,  were supposed to be "mini - I'm on vacation" sessions...which basically means we allotted a shorter shooting time and I promised the moms at least 5 images in each of their galleries.  Well ha ha on that idea and good luck to the moms.  Apparently, I am incapable of controlling myself when it comes to adorable kiddos in fabulous locations.  They are going to have their work cut out for them when it comes to choosing time.  No way am I going to have to do all the hard work....I already had a hard enough time narrowing it down to something like 25 shots.

 

This park had some super cool buildings/train tracks/wagons etc...etc...I'm in love!  And this little cutie knocked on most of the doors looking for her "pop"....too cute....she was sure he was in there somewhere.

 

Then we stopped off at another little park on the way home.  This mom did such a great job scouting locations...I am eternally grateful for all her hard work. She made it a breeze to shoot in a town where my landmarks are the Coldstone and the campground...not exactly the most scenic of places.  And she has totally inspired me to get off my rear and explore more around here.  I mean, I know Montana is especially gorgeous and everything, but I'm guessing we can come up with some equally fabulous places around here too. 

 

Besides running through the sprinklers , my favorite part of the afternoon was hearing little Miss {H} laugh.  In the car, in between parks, she was cracking herself up so much that she got to that "it's hard to catch my breath" stage....which of course, just made me laugh harder.  She is just full of joy.  Thanks so much for such a fun afternoon and for showing me some really beautiful places!

The Newest Addition { Seattle Newborn Photographer }

There are seven of us cousins.  We are a pretty close bunch.  Pretty persuasive too.  We have finally convinced every one of us to live within the greater Seattle area.  The last ones to make the move decided that they should do it with a 3 week old in tow....that's some tough times.  I am happy to report that they have pulled through fabulously, or at least they were still standing when I saw them.  I had the chance to spend the morning with them last week documenting their newest addition.  He is absolutely adorable, though I will warn you, if you have the option (they didn't...remember, they were not even in the same state when he was born) do try for newborn photos in the 7-10 day old range.  This little man was wide awake for a good portion of the morning and gave us a run for our money though mom and dad were true champs handling everything he threw our way...which did  include on exciting, poopy mess which resulted in someone having a shower and everything getting changed!  Here are a few of my favorites....

 

 

We got so many great family shots!  I LOVE when not only are parents willing to be in the photos, but they are excited about it!  These guys are clearly smitten with their little guy (and who wouldn't be?) and that is so fun to capture.

 

The safest places on earth.  (above & below)

 

 

Calm, glowing new mama.  (I'm pretty sure I always look frazzled and exhausted.)

 

Look at those blue eyes!

 

So you know that I absolutely adore this shot.  So much personality.  I'm pretty sure you can tell exactly what he was thinking about me.

 

And since you know I like to save my favorite for the end....

 

  

Guess who loves his daddy?  Hee hee!  Love that one!!  Thanks for such a fun morning guys...can't wait to see you all again soon!

 

PS  Happy weekend everybody!  We are off to the wilds of Montana for some fun, some photos, and some running (none of which are mutually exclusive as clearly one can do all three at once when there are toddlers involved))..cross your fingers for us about the running part....full report coming sometime next week.