The discarded things, the tiny moments.. how light hits, how hair falls.
How time outside is magic for anyone noticing.
a snow day
Making the most of a modest amount of accumulation, our youngest still maintains the can-do spirit around the cold, excited for even the lighter of dustings. Plus, she didn’t have school today. Nothing to be mad about here.
I’m trying to be better about catching family moments, instead of just creating artful representations around our goings on.
My, how the turn tables… years ago my goal was to see things differently, share things differently. The big hope was to create art, less personal to our family, but more universal, around nature, life, and belonging. This goal has been firmly accomplished and solidified.. I’m proud of the work, happy to convey the mystical around this world of ours. BUT.. in a striving for balance, I do hope I can also photograph moments for what they are this year.
And, so, this is our almost nine year old, on the cusp of adolescence, seen from the porch, working the hill with a vintage Radio Flyer. She’s loving every minute of it, despite the lack of detail and monochrome edit.
Bold
Clover Point Park, Victoria BC
Sisters
…let's give it up for sisters
And all the things they do
Not always so wonderful, but
We'd be lost without you
So keep doing what you do.
-Saint Motel
Look Up
A quick perspective shift,
weight and weightless in meer seconds.
The lightest ease of that transition is lovely, no?
Three Sweet Kids
Strong personality exists in this space.
Unpredictable dancing.
Uncontrollable laughing.
Tears and conflict that ebb and flow.
But always
We look out for each other.
Siblings are something special.
A fun, quick, traditional portrait session in a field in Bellingham, with these three lovely kids again. <3
As they grow, this trio continues to be a joy. They are a lively bunch, still funny, still happy, and still willing to have me photograph them, with plenty of breaks for hugs and sweet conversation.
Spring Family Session at Memorial Park
Hold on to me
enjoy the ride
we spin and fall
and run and rise.
I’ll be here with you
but know.
I’m working on the art of letting go.
A nice day for a quick session at Memorial park with Felicia and family. Felicia is a fellow Bellingham photographer, and friend, find more of her here. https://feliciamarie.us
Woodstock Family Session
May we be this for our children:
A safe place to land
where our silliness is acceptable,
our turmoil relatable,
our selves never abandoned.
Thank you Bouchers, for letting me photograph you and your growing littles, once again. :-)
Gill Family at Whatcom Falls
Wild and wonderful and full.
Constant motion, and a never ending supply of feelings from moment to moment.
Photographing a family with young children is dynamic, and silly, and physical in the best way.
Thank you Gill Family, for letting me be a part of this sweet season of your lives.
Blushing Willows Spring Session
Spring has been beautiful, colorful, bright, and just lovely.
Fitting, because these photos feel like all of that. This momma and her girls feel like all of that.
Mothers Day is coming up, and I wish any biological moms, god moms, people who have mothered children, even if they haven't birthed them, a time of being appreciated.
Here's to Mom's who work hard, who pursue their dreams, who sacrifice those dreams, who don't sacrifice, but still find a way to be there for their kids. Who set the example for their children. Who embody the many variations of feminine strength. Not of perfection, but of progress. A massive shout out to those who don't have children, but care for them like they were their own. Who wipe up, clean up, build up, and hold the place together. Who are inconsistent in parenting because they are human, but never in love.
Have a great week, ladies.
****Thanks for meeting up again, Haley! (see the Fall session here) A spring momma session was in order, and you gals were awesome. Everyone else, check out Blushing Willows Boutique ( @blushingwillows on Instagram), she's got a great business.****
A Wild One
She came, she saw, she devoured. This lively lady had quite the birthday. You'll see what I mean if you keep scrolling.
Happy Wild One Little K!
365 Photo a Day- Month Two
Our February was
2 Birthdays, lots of Treats,
Several Archival posts, and a new place for my work on Etsy.
This Month's 28 images:
A Good Time in the Fall (in the Spring)
Being young is a wild and wonderful ride. It contains constant new experiences, running the full spectrum of emotion. It's messy, it's fun, it's intense, and ultimately rewarding. Hopefully, with guidance and love, childhood is something we look back on with fondness. I have a feeling these kids will.
Siblings
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you.”
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
He's a creative, thoughtful artist, and she's an energetic, industrious princess. With a sibling relationship, there's so much potential. You have an accomplice, an adventure buddy, and a forever friend. It's a special bond. These two have it for sure.
This fall in Bellingham has been one for the books, colorful and lingering. I'm so thankful I was able to photograph these two back in October during full vibrancy and pleasant weather. Mom wanted a Fall session with pumpkins and color and I was more than happy to oblige. We're friends with these littles and their parents, and the opportunity to shoot this special time was a treat :-)
Thank you Kidd Family, for being such warm and generous friends! And thank you for the chance to photograph your children!
Halloween in Bellingham 2.0
Get ready, this is a long one, folks. ;-)
Bellingham does Halloween right. It's been a while since I could get excited about the holiday, but now that we have a safe, fun, simple, family-friendly place to take the kids, I'm hooked. I've always loved this time of year. Trick or treating in Fairhaven is like going to a neighborhood where everyone knows each other and gets really into the holiday. And it starts pretty early, which is super helpful for those of us with young kids.
Eliza was very funny with the whole event. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but about halfway through, she looks up at me after getting something in her bag and says, "more?" She had a great time. Don't worry though, didn't give this little owlet any of the candy. She doesn't even have all her teeth yet.
We saw several of our friends out this year, some pictured, some not. Charlotte, of course had a fantastic time, but seeing so many of her friends was icing on the cake.
Charlotte and Charlotte (aka Goldilocks).
A fairy and skeleton share a hug!
David S. Pumpkin's everybody! If you have any questions, look up SNL season 42, Episode 4.. I can't guarantee any answers, but that entire episode is pure gold.
Eliza thought our neighbor-friend's skeleton costume was hilarious. She wasn't bothered by it at all, the little hoot.
A carebear brigade, made up entirely of middle school aged boys.
Guys^^^^ The mom was a golden ticket, unfortunately hidden behind Wonka in this candid shot. Don't know these people, but based on the costumes, I kind of wish we did!
Candy from a storm trooper. Umm, YES!
She's done with trick or treating, and we got the photo to prove it!
This Halloween was magical. Watching The Great Pumpkin, trick or treating in Fairhaven, pizza delivery when we got home, pumpkins painted (instead of carved, because 4 and under) and Stranger Things 2 after the girls went to bed.
A fantastic way to start the holiday season!
A Mom & Her Girls
This is Haley. She runs an online clothing company (Blushing Willows Boutique) out of Lynden Washington, just north of us. I met her via Instagram, and we decided to collaborate on some photos two weeks ago. The fall colors were a perfect backdrop to this sweet mom, her little girls, and a few of the cute products she has to offer.
These photos really show just how affectionate these three are. They're a smiley bunch, full of sunshine, without even trying. I find their positivity absolutely magnetic, and hope to work with them again to get more great lifestyle photos.
Thanks for working with me Haley! I LOVE these photos :-D
Sheng Family
This is Sheng, family of 5: husband, wife, grandmother, child, and pug. They're in a fun season of life, with a shy little guy who likes bubbles, balloons, and snacks (don't we all?). I had a great time at Larrabee State Park with these folks.
Thanks for letting me photograph you, Sheng Family!
PNW Kids
In this season of our life, there's space for them to explore. And if this place didn't give us anything else, this would be enough.
Being a kid in the Pacific Northwest has its perks.
Baby M Comes Home
Bringing home a new baby.
It's a true definition of adventure. Parenting isn't an easy job. It's never-ending, expansive and full as more little folks are added. New babies create a time of exciting adjustment, sprinkled with sleep, playtime, messes, hugs, diapers, half consumed cups of coffee that have been microwaved 27 times.
Babies alter the lives of those involved forever. A mom and dad have kids now, not just the one. A little girl becomes a big sister. The family has expanded into something very different and just as wonderful.
As hard as it can be to take on more in parenting, these new little people are a rich ingredient to a fruitful life. They're something to be cherished and cultivated. As a parent, you have the most important external role of shaping this person...your person. Watch how life, how these little lives, have such a big impact on your world.
Parenting is a hard job, but such a worth while one. And I do love documenting it :-)
Jaxon
Jaxon. 12 weeks (ish).
He was such a gentleman, well-behaved and friendly, with so many smiles. AND to top it off, content to just sleep when he needed it.
Babies. Happy Babies. They spoil this photographer.
