Shamra and Eric are one of the first couples who hired me to photograph their wedding when I began shooting on my own about 7 years ago. At the time I had 9 black and white images on my website, and I met couples at cafes and showed them hand-printed, silver halide photographs. When they recently asked me to photograph their new little one, Mason, I was simply ecstatic. So precious are each tiny finger and toe, each perfectly formed ear, and soft head fuzz…
Too many monkeys!
While this photo session was originally about Pamela’s belly, it quickly became about Her Sweetness, Miss Thea, as my camera couldn’t magnetically get over her adorability-factor. The proof is in the pictures. So darn cute!!
It’s incredible to consider the love and life and Jacki and Carl, as they married just as World War II was ending. Carl mentioned in a speech that everyone told them “war marriages won’t last,” but to see this couple admire each other with abandon as they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary clearly shows the beat the odds. They celebrated with generations of family and many friends at the Sunset Club, and I was extremely grateful to witness such a dynamic celebration. They dined and danced, and Jacki’s nephew sang a few Sinatra songs with the live band. Their grandson created a beautiful slideshow of pictures from their childhood through their 65 years of marriage, and there was hardly a dry eye in the crowd to see such a collection of images. Moments like these reinforce how grateful I am to be a photographer, and an observer and cataloger of life’s celebrations.
- I love the black and white one. It reminds me of the 50's. What a beautiful shoot!
- Oh I am so in LOVE with this beautiful couple! 65 years is simply inspiring!
- Truly an inspiration - I hope that is Bill and I someday, amazing!!! Gorgeous pics Laura!
I just shot Grant Lee Phillips at KEXP, and I’m quite smitten. During his live radio performance, Cheryl Waters said that his music is “moody and intoxicating,” to which he replied, “yes… I am moody and intoxicated…” Don’t miss his show tonight at Tractor Tavern.
Four years ago today I met and developed a major crush on this boy, and now we’re planning our wedding celebration. To tell our friends and family to save our wedding date, we decided to make a video.
Neither of us had every shot video, or even knew how to use the video function on my Canon 5DII, but we miraculously figured out how to shoot, edit and post a video all within a Sunday afternoon. We filmed each other, then used a tripod for some shots. It was a fun process, and we were surprised at how easy it was to edit and upload if from iMovie. It’s not a perfect video, but we’re pretty proud of it for our first attempt. Our video ended up on a Danish wedding inspiration blog, though my Danish is pretty spotty (Skål!), this blog does have some pretty awesome ideas.
102 days to go…
- That video is SO cool!!! I am glad the kitties made an appearance. You two are adorable and oh so talented!
- This is awesome!! You guys are so creative. Great video!
- Thanks for the kind words. Well, I was impressed - there's such a nice atmosphere in that video, and I felt it could inspire my people out there :) Oh, and I'm very impressed by your Danish so far - it's certainly the most important Danish word to know :)
Last night my fav radio station threw their 10th annual MLK Unity Party at Neumos, and I was lucky enough to photograph a bit of the event. My main boy Kid Hops started the party, followed by Masa, then one of my dj heroes, DJ Riz. The dance floor was flooded with foot-stomping, hand-clapping, rug-cutting peeps who came to celebrate the inspiring messages of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and it was an awesome sight to behold. Much thanks to KEXP for hosting such fantastic events that foster community and give reason to celebrate.
We are now, finally, blissed…
- CONGRATULATIONS!!
- Fun pict! Is that your car?
- Ah- that used to be my bliss-mobile. I still have those plates, but my ride isn't as sweet as the classic Mercedes. One day, that car will be mine again. Oh yes- it will be mine...
- I love love LOVE the makeover! Good job, muy fantastico.
The forecast called for a 90% chance of rain, but I had two photo sessions scheduled for Sunday, so I felt confident we’d have blue skies and sunshine. The weather gods, once again, didn’t disappoint me.
I met with Elizabeth and Cary where they had their first date, and we basically had the entire park to ourselves. They have the sweetest proposal story, which I’ll share soon, but in the meantime, I have to share some of my favorite images from that day. Cary even took of his shoes and waded out into the chilly water because that’s what they did on their first date (which was not in the middle of winter). I can’t wait for your DeLille wedding!!
- So fun!
I can’t keep from getting giddy. Something in my genes makes me a sentimental sap, and I blame my mom for this. This time of year I cocoon myself a bit, slow down my business-work, and work on my self. It’s a universal part of the human experience to celebrate this demarcation in time, to purposefully let go of things that weigh on us, and give greater intention to those that buoy us.
Even greater is this time of reflection because tonight marks the end of a decade. How to quantify our lives from the last 10 years? It’s too amazing, and I can’t keep still when thinking about it. For Y2K, I visited my best friend in Seattle, and DJ Riz spun some funky beats as we entered the new millennium, sans any electronic catastrophes. At the time I was finishing my degree in Journalism/Advertising, working as a copywriter at an ad agency in Reno, and planning to move to Seattle the week after graduation. I didn’t have much of a plan, besides seeing what there was to see. Looking back at the serendipitous string of events that lead me to this moment– sitting at a desk in a home I own with my fiancé, tending to client emails for a business I created from nothing, about to have a dozen friends over to celebrate the new year… my cheeks ache from smiling. It’s not always this rosy, and my friends know I’ve done more than my fair share of whining and foot-stomping this year. But- goddamn !! The possibility of life is too big to contain in our imagination. I wish you great bliss, and unimagined opportunity in every day this new year.
- You are so great Laura! Happy New Year to you and Dave.
- Ah sweet Sarah! You and Justin, and your amazing wedding day filled with music and so many loving friends, is a huge part of what makes me so grateful. I'm lucky to know you.
- I love your blog entries, but this one is motivating. Thank you for sharing, Laura! It was inspiring!
- Love it - thanks for sharing, I hadn't "reflected" yet, but now feel the need to do so! Cheers! Michelle
While I haven’t figured out how to control the temperature, I seem to have fantastic luck with the weather when I have a photo session scheduled, even when the forecast calls for rain. I met up with Her Sweetness, Lauren, and her handsome beau, Jim, in their West Seattle hood on a sunny winter day to play with their fur kids. Winter light is exceptionally golden, and it was easy as pie to photograph these two lovebirds in the park. We then headed to the Market and Post Alley for some urban shots. What I love most about this location is that it’s constantly changing, and I especially love the posters that take over the walls and transform it every time I’m there. I saw a guy in the market making animal balloons, and asked if he could make us a heart. It turned out to be a sweet detail for the final shots. Can’t wait to see you lovelies in May for your wedding!
- Laura! Love these photos!
by Laura
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