JFP photo blog

Little Miss Serious { Issaquah Child Photographer }

I have had the pleasure of photographing this adorable little girly since she was just brand new.  It has been so much fun getting to know her and her momma and watch her grow and learn new tricks and develop her little personality.  But here's the thing...when you are one and you are in a new, interesting place, maybe your mom's (and my) funny tricks are up against some steep competition.  So we played and had a great time and mom and I did every funny trick we know, but we left knowing we had a pretty serious little girl on our hands that day...

How adorable is her serious face?

 

This is one of my favorites...her eyes are totally smiling and she is just being goofy.

 

A little momma snuggle.  

 

I think there might be a little mischief in those eyes.

 

My favorite of the day....total heart-melter....

 

  

There's that smile...well worth all the singing and dancing and animal noises!

  

Superwoman { Issaquah Family Photographer }

Now usually I like to tell you all about how adorable, charming and funny the kids that I photograph are.  And these girls are no different.  In fact I've known them so long, I might even think they are more adorable/charming/funny than usual. BUT today I am going to tell you how amazing their mom is.  (and their dad's not bad either).

Would you ever, in a million years, guess that she ran TWENTY miles that day?  I mean, I consider myself a little bit of a runner and can truly not fathom running that far in the first place and then still being able to stand up for photos, never mind look absolutely gorgeous.  They are both in training for a full marathon that's right around the corner, and that's a BIG deal.  I'll be ringing my cowbell for you guys!  (PS.  How much do you LOVE her boots?)

OK, their girls are stinkin' adorable too...

 

You know I absolutely adore the squishy faces of love.  They really do like each other that much.

A few more favorites....

 

 

 

 

The happy (and ridiculously photogenic) runners.

 

How cute is that?   

 

On the Sixth Day { Sammamish Newborn Photographer }

 

 Remember that adorable belly?

Well....

On the sixth day post-belly he looked a little something like this:

 

Sweet.

{  And I got to snuggle him!  Jealous?  }

 

Serious.  

Snugly.

 

Loved.

 

 

Together.

 

Guy time.

 

  {  Apparently, this morning I was feeling adjective-y.  }  

 

Thanks for sharing your newest little man (and the bigger one) with me for the morning.  That is truly my idea of a perfect morning!

 

 

 

 

My Boy

Today my baby is TWELVE.  Not that I am biased or anything, but I think he is a particularly fine specimen of the adolescent boy.  I am so excited for him as this year is turning out to be one of his favorites so far.  Middle school is just his thing.  First of all, he gets to play in a band EVERY day...he truly couldn't ask for more out of life.   Here's a little recap of a few of the things I love most about him....

 

1)  He is a musical genius (in my humble opinion).  He plays the saxophone well enough that he got moved up to seventh grade band..nicely done.  And he is in the middle of composing a ballet, among other things.

 

2)  He's pretty darn sporty...soccer, cross country, and snowboarding are his sports of choice.  Oh, and I can't forget fishing.  (Sidenote:  look at the size of the feet on that kid!  He is going to be a giant.)

 

3)  This is the child who makes me thankful for Google EVERY day.  When there is something he is interested in/obsessed with (currently: composing for a choral group, I believe) he asks 8 million questions (none of which I can answer) and I send him straight to Google.

 

4)  He is an all around good kid.  The little kids love him (once they get over his large size and loudness).  He does stuff like make me coffee and Toaster Strudel, for Pete's sake.  He still hugs me (though admittedly, not in public...he reserves the side hug/arm around me for then).  He wasn't even embarassed of me when I had to scrimmage with his soccer team.  AND, he humored me  nicely for these photos.

 

I couldn't be prouder of him or more excited for where life will take him.  Happy birthday kid!  I love you and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present EVER!
  

Lucky Me

"Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good."

(I know there are at least 3 of you faithful readers out there who can name that movie and are probably singing the song now.  Sorry if it gets stuck in your heads all day.)

 

You know the saying, "what comes around, goes around"?  Well, I must have done something right as a kid to end up with a son like I've got.  This is what I found this morning when I came downstairs....

Not only did he make and pour my coffee (which he has been doing ever since he has to be up so early for middle school), but he made me some of his special "birthday-week-toaster-strudel".  I am actually getting teary eyed thinking about it.  In case you didn't know or don't realize the significance of this, toaster strudel is a hot commodity around here, so the fact that I got ANY is pretty substantial.  The fact that he made them for me out of the goodness of his heart (and that I didn't have to nag/bribe/threaten him to get any) speaks volumes.  Perhaps he is buttering me up for tomorrow?  Because as much as I love sharing a birthday with him, I do tend to get a smidgen bitter about having to get up at 5:00 on my birthday to make his birthday breakfast...luckily, he likes what I like and even though I could probably get away with making toaster strudel, I will valiantly whip up a feast in honor of his big day.

 

Check back for his birthday photos tomorrow.

2 Minutes { Issaquah Child Photographer }

In a continuation of yesterdays post....I did actually check the time stamp on this batch of shots and, yes really, 1 minute and 53 seconds.  Talk about an adorable and expressive little man.

 

Telling a story.

 

What a smile!

 

Love those eyebrows!

 

Looking to see if there is anything inside the camera....

 

Is he not the funniest little guy?  Love him!

The Boys { Issaquah Child Photographer }

That's what I hear a lot.  "Hey mom, the boys are at the park."  "Hey mom, can the boys come over?"  "Hey mom, we should save some of these cookies for the boys."  (Sadly, we are much too piggy for that to actually happen very often)  Anyway, you get the picture.  These boys are a favorite around my house and handily, there is one of them for each of my kids, but I'll make you guess how they pair up and it is definitely not in any kind of age order.  If you are a regular reader here at the blog, you will recognize them as they are high on my list of "favorites to photograph" though it may be getting harder to recognize them as they are getting bigger by the minute.

amount of energy used by me being goofy:  lots

mental & physical toll on mom getting three boys in clean shirts with clean faces and combed hair out the door:  very high (well done mom!)

Getting  photo of all three of them being adorable:  priceless

 

 

Love those 2 shots....fabulous, real smiles...though you know me, also very much love to get a little "personality"...

 

LOVE that face and it is one you see a lot from him...I think it's his "you are a ridiculous adult" face, though maybe that is just the sentiment for me (well, I am pretty ridiculous).

 

And then there is that face.  Yes, he is his father's child and you're welcome for your laugh of the day.

More adorableness from the little man tomorrow. 

Happy Monday!  

Memories { Seattle Child Photographer }

 A long time ago I had a daughter who turned four.  This is the dress she loved with no end.  She wore it for her four year old photos and also did lots of twirling.  Where, oh where, does the time go?  Well, the fabulous gown has been handed down (don't you LOVE hand-me-downs?) to her cousin (or first cousin once removed or second cousin or something) and she chose it for her four year old photos too!  And guess what...it's not the only thing she has in common with at least one of my girlies...check out those curls!!!

 

and she brought her little brother who just turned two....

 

and she loves him, me thinks.

 

Ummm, hello holiday card.  I mean, they are 2 and 4 and both looking at the camera and the photo is in focus...what more could you ask for???  Oh right, that they are absolutely adorable.  Check!

 

 

And then we went and played outside at the park for a bit as it was almost like summer out there, well at least it was for a few minutes.

 

 

Thanks for coming over to play guys!
 
 

 

Girl-i-fication

{Alternately named:  The Trouble with Target}

So the big guy now has his own bathroom.  I know, I know, not terribly interesting, BUT it inspired the girls and I to "girl up" their bathroom.  Weirdly, this has been something they have been wanting for awhile.  Seriously.  Every time we are in Target (which is not infrequently) they drag us down the bathroom accessory aisle and ooh and aah over all the cute things while their brother makes gagging noises in the back of his throat.  Therefore, they were beyond thrilled to give him the boot and claim the bathroom as their own.  Here's what we came up with that they could agree on and that I gave the final stamp of approval to....

 

There, now don't you all feel inspired to go and paint your bathrooms?
 
   

Putting the Labor Back in Labor Day.

Camping is hard work....hence the labor part of Labor Day weekend.  Well, at least for me.  I am not a camper.  But these guys are...and man oh man did they have a good time.  Just a few (or a ton) of snaps from our fun weekend camping on the beach (thank you to my aunt and uncle for letting us invade your personal heaven!).

Lots of exploring and climbing.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a TON of fishing.

 

 

 

It's hard work, I tell you.

 

And the biggest catch of the weekend....

 

....the elusive lynnie-fish.

 

Best pout of the weekend...hands down....and just so you know, he's faking for the camera.

 

Best camping dog ever.

 

Best bunny-shaped shell find.

 

Best sock/boot combo.

 

Best "running to tackle his auntie" grin.   

 

Good times all around. 

 Now, back to the rainy, cold school & soccer season.  Must go and find my rain boots now.