What I’m Doing – Christmas Minis November 17th

I am firmly on the team that believes that Christmas (except music) should wait until after Thanksgiving.  However, it is necessary to plan so I am announcing Christmas Mini Sessions on today’s blog.  For the past few years, Christmas Mini Sessions at my studio on Main Street Battle Ground, have been very popular.  Mini Sessions are fast paced, fun and involve holiday treats! What could be better than that?

If you are a newsletter subscriber you already know the details.

November 17th – 

20 minute sessions

5 digital images

$199 (tax)

A $75 deposit is required to hold your spot with the balance due anytime up to the day of the shoot.

Christmas minis are perfect if you are looking for a way to show off your family for holiday cards or gifts. The dress code is whatever you want! Feeling like Christmas jammies this year? Want to show off in your finest clothes? Want to wear a Santa hat or bring your sweet pup? This is your chance to show your personality or just look pretty for the camera. 

I have begin working on this years backdrop. This week I scored some gorgeous birch branches and a wooden ladder…. I’m not sure what it will look like but I can’t wait to find out!

What I’m Photographing

Fall Family Sessions –

Have you seen our stunning Fall colors! Some of the trees seem to be glowing! I get so excited having such an amazing backdrop to work with this time of year!

Sunday morning we were in the Pearl District with the Alexander Family.  Sunday morning’s in the Pearl district are perfect! Free parking until 1pm. The streets are quiet with the locals taking their pups out for their morning walk. The variety of backdrops is endless! Gorgeous Fall colors, cool buildings with bright colors, brick walls, views of bridges and water. 

Sammy’s Flowers is one of my favorite stops. They are always happy to let me take a few snap shots in front of their gorgeous display! Jeff and I always head out to one of our favorite breakfast spots after the shoot so it really just feels like a fun morning in Portland instead of work! 

After breakfast we headed to Planet Granite for a couple hours of climbing and then on to our next shoot in NE Portland.

Jake is my last Senior of this Fall season. He is a former classmates son.  His mom Tammy and I graduated together a long time ago and I am amused that all these years later I have the opportunity to photograph her son. 

We began his session at his home in NE Portland so I could photograph him and his piano. I told him to begin playing while I shot. Oh my goodness it was gorgeous! Goose bumps covered my arms! 

I asked Jake how long he had been playing assuming he would say since he was 4. He began 3 years ago! Oh my goodness I could not believe it! He truly has a gift! Chemistry is his other passion.  We then headed to Laurelhurst park where the colors were on full display! I really enjoyed our session.  I have no doubt Jake has an amazing future in store for him!

What I’m Reading – Learning to See – Elise Hooper

 

I am a huge fan of Dorthea Lang’s Photography. She is best known (at least by me) for her photography during the Great Depression. While I recognize her work I don’t know anything about her. This is a novel based on the facts that the author knows about Dorthea and then she just fills in the other stuff to create a story (historical fiction). So far I am really enjoying it. I haven’t had as much time to read lately so my pace has slowed down considerably. 

Google her – click images – I find her portrait work very moving! She has an amazing body of work! 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal Check – Tulips

Every Spring I am so disappointed in myself that I didn’t take the time in the Fall to plant bulbs. Bulbs are my absolute favorite! So it is an overwhelming disappointment every Spring when I realize that once again I didn’t plan ahead.

Not this year baby! I planted 150 bulbs! So while I’m enjoying Fall, I’m ready for Spring! 

My {Current} Favorite – Butternut Squash

Never in my life have I bought, or prepared Butternut Squash. While I can cook, I only like to cook when I FEEL like it. Sunday evening after our last session in Portland Jeff had the brilliant idea to go to  por que no? for dinner (an awesome idea). I ordered Jake’s bowl (which is funny since I had just photographed Jake) which had among other things butternut squash in it.

I was inspired when I went to the grocery store and saw Butternut Squash. Having no idea what to look for in a good one, I just grabbed the nearest one. Naturally, I Googled how to prepare it and even called my Mom to ask about how firm it was and how do I tell if it is ripe? 

Bottom line – it was AMAZING. Like seriously I’m cooking it all winter! 

 

What about you? Have you discovered anything new lately? I’d love to hear about it!

Oh and hey if you want to sign up for Minis just email, text or call and I will put you on the list!

Shelly