ADORNit Blog Guest Blogger

Yeah, that's me! So excited to get the opportunity to guest blog over at ADORNit! Go check it out!

I was lucky enough to meet most of the ADORNit Girls at Seattle CKC in November, where Carolee generously hooked me up with some great products to play with. Thanks, ladies! I had a lot of fun and look forward to creating even more.

Last, but not least.

Here's the most recent photo shoot I did, and the last of my run here on my blog. Likely I'll be back to more papercrafting to share here soon, with photography thrown in now and then.

This family had a good time. I know there were apprehensive participants, but when I allowed some sillyness (and not by the expected youngest member), the shoot ended up going really well. They were up for lots of different locations and poses. We had a great time!

You can read and see more about this family on their blog here.

Special.

This is a special family. And the day I took these pics seems like forever ago... and yet just yesterday. These fabulous people have been through so much in the last 6 months. These photos were taken at just the beginning of a journey they never wanted to take.

I'm happy to say they look even more happy and healthy now-- and we pray for that to continue!

How Fast They Grow.

I swear I was just on the island of Saipan taking this little gal's newborn shots! These were taken to commemorate her 18 months.

We had several fun locations to try-- when I started thinking about it, there were all kinds of creative spots in this tiny little town that has been a part of my entire life. It was so fun to look at it through a lens and see it in an all new way! (And I'm thankful that my brother is always up for creative photo shoots!)

Aren't they just adorable?

All in the Family

Do you recognize the location? It was my favorite spot for a few weeks... until the leaves fell and left a not-so-scenic spot. Until next fall...

We had fun at this shoot-- I even had a couple of my kids with me to help get some sweet smiles out of their cousin. I've found that strategic plan to pay off more than once!

I loved their colors with this. And can you believe the inspiration piece was sweet little one's red jacket that mom found at a thrift store? Amazing. Read more about her frugal finds on their blog here.

We love family, and I love shooting them too!

Family of Four.

For this next fabulous fam I went scouting for a new location and found GOLD!!! My tunnel of trees. I fell in love with the locale and had fun making the pictures in my brain become a reality with this lovely family.

As big Coug fans, they wanted to encorporate their alma mater/employer into shots, but not with the obvious "everyone else does it" photo next to the cougar sculpture. I think the railroad tracks at the edge of the university suited them well.

What do you think?

Kylie Genevieve

My sweet niece was born in August and I was lucky enough to get to shoot her newborn shots. :) She was getting a bit "old" for the sleepy newborn shots, but we managed to get some pretty cute shots of her.

Isn't she beautiful? Of course, I'm biased. :)

Honorable Mention

A BREAK FROM MY REGULAR PHOTO SHOOT FEATURES:

(But it's still a photo post... I sure hope you like looking at my photos!)

Have you heard of the Spokane Ag Expo?Yeah, I didn't figure you have. But I remember attending the show at an early age, and now I send my own kids with Dad and Grandpa.

It's the big event every year for local farmers. Products, networking, business, services, big equipment... and I found out this year, photography. When I heard about their photography contest, I knew one of the many great shots I've taken of my family's life on the farm should be entered. Up to 4 entries were possible, and I sent three of my photos in.

Whaddya know, I received an honorable mention for my favorite of the three! The top three entries got cash... but I get mentioned and a ribbon. :) Still an honor, for sure.

First shot: the Honorable Mention

Second and Third shots: My other entries

But also a challenge to myself-- I gotta shoot for the cash! Next year, I'll be entering again. I already have three new photos picked out. And that 4th entry? I plan on taking many more shots between now and then to pick another new entry.

Focus and click! :)

Three Kids.

I was a bit nervous for this shoot-- three busy kids that I needed to catch in still motion. :) But there was no reason for me to be nervous, it was a ton of fun!

Thankfully, they were in great moods. We had a lovely location (Sunnyside Park) where kids could run and I could chase them with my camera (knowing there were decent backgrounds for photos in several directions. :). They also had a brilliant, patient, fun mom who brought skittles to help entice smiles. (She knows I love candy. I figured she brought the skittles for me too in case she needed to bribe me.)

And we got some great shots. Perfect lighting, outfit changes, great attitudes (because they're great kids). It was a fun evening!

Next Up: The Zweigle Family!

Tina celebrated an extra special birthday in July, so she deserved an extra special gift. I offered to take their family photos.

They had never had their family portraits done. You can find lots of fun shots of their crew together at places like Disneyland, but no formal portraits. It was no surprise that they made the adventure FUN!