If we’d been playing a drinking game during this newborn portrait session (yes, I fully realize this would be a bad idea in actuality) where saying the word “cute” meant taking a swig, I would have had the worlds worst hang over the next day.

There’s nothing like it.

My hands have been itching to get off the keyboard and into some paint lately. Last night, I couldn’t hold them back any longer! I think I like the paintbrush better than the painting, but it felt so good to push some color around. Some news along these lines, a darkroom is currently under construction in my house (many thanks to my sweetie and his huge biceps moving walls around). I can hardly wait!!!!

Maybe it was the sunshine, or the park full of picturesque spots, or the cute-as-can-be newly family of 3, but I could not stop shooting on the day depicted below. We must have wandered around Discovery Park for over two hours, soaking in the amazing Seattle weather, watching the dog bound through the tall grass tongue wagging, and, well, if I do say myself, enjoying each other’s company. Family portrait day happy happy joy joy!

When your friends start yelling “you’re a tiger!!” don’t be afraid to get down on the ground in your lacy white dress and roll around in that silly grin that has been plastered to your face all day. Nothing is more beautiful than a bride having fun on her wedding day and, let’s face it, you’ll neither wear nor part with that dress ever again. Let it hang in your closet with memories of good times stained to it.

It’s a gray day here in Seattle (surprise!) and I needed something tropical. So, I dug up the pics from our trip to Curaçao, the land of turquoise waters and tiny (& $$$$$) beers, last spring and have been gazing at each one with big sighs in between.

This photo is everything I love about photography. It’s a simple moment frozen in time that your whole being can return to each time you look at it. There’s nothing like staring at your newborn baby. Nothing. Makes my toes tingle just thinking about it.

August and September weddings would be impossible (baby due at the end of August…), but shooting Coco and Daniel’s wedding at the ever-so-gorgeous Amy’s Manor near Lake Celan at the end of July while 9 months pregnant – definitely possible!! Luckily, Coco and Daniel shared my confidence (they’re just awesome like that). With my sweetie assistant, Josh, by my side and my mom waiting in the sidelines just in case, I strapped on my compression socks (nerd alert!) and headed over to Lake Celan for an amazing weekend with an amazing couple and their amazing family. Sneak peek below.