New Beginnings

 

As the family becomes settled in the Pacific Northwest, my photography business is also doing the same. I am excited to announce a new space on the internet. My portfolio and a new blog are up! Please have a look around and follow along if you like what you see. This space will soon be password protected and primarily for close friends and family.

Click on over to Focus In Photography! I am so excited for this new start!

Tacoma Bound

Big news, big changes. Andy was offered a job in Tacoma, Washington. That's two states away. We thought about it, mulled it over. Pros and cons, and all of the above. We have actually been thinking about some sort of a move for a long time. And decided it was one of those, "if not now then when", moments and he accepted the offer.

Packing the house, selling off things that we don't want to lug two states away and gifting other things. I have packed a bag of clothes for the kids and threw the rest of their things into boxes with labels. I have done the same for my things. I have filled up several garbage bags with random what is this? stuff that have amassed in the past year and a half. Pack and purge, pack and purge.

We will be renting an apartment for about six months until we can get our heads wrapped around the neighborhoods of Tacoma. Eventually, we will purchase a house if everything seems to be settling in the way we want it to.

The idea of having a big going away part was tempting, but honestly, we knew we wouldn't get to see and talk to everyone in a way we wanted so we are each doing our best to meet up with friends and family before we are north bound.

It's scary and exciting, but mostly exciting. I can't wait to show you a new city, a new state for that matter through my lens. Here's to adventures!!

January 5 on 5

January was both extremely fast and yet, I sort of don't remember what happened all the way back at the beginning of the month. Maybe the best way to define the month would be to call it FULL. Photographically, I had some great opportunities - I got to play with off camera flash. I hung out on a fairly big photo shoot, results from the day will befeatured in some large name magazines. I spent the day twirling an umbrella, cutting up apples, being a good assistant the photographer, models and stylist. I went on two epic and super silly photo walks with a great group of local photographers. Andy and I got a four day get away visit to Tacoma, WA. I was asked to do photos for The Nest. Owner, Tessa outfitted the boys of Vokab Kompany before their show at the Brew Haha and had me come in and photograph the chaos and fun. 

Personal projects for the new year, I started two new 365 challenges and a 52 week challenge.One of these has caught on like wild fire over on Instagram, and I now have well over 60 people "Shaking it Out" with me on their iPhones and androids. I was asked to be a part of a fantastic group of photographers for a new blog project called The Hours. We are only a month deep, but we have caught the attention of the Flickr blog and Tracy over at Shutterbean.

February has a ton of promise and excitement both professionally and personally. I am looking forward to the whirlwind I know it will be. If you are local, I would LOVE to have you come see me and my work at one or both of the group art shows I am participating in this month- February 6th head down to Never Ender for the Broken Hearts Collide Group show at 6pm. The second show will be February 8th at Atelier Beauty Bar. Help them celebrate their grand opening at the Launch Party and Art Show. I am also working out the details for a workshop that involves packaging and washi tape. More news on that soon!

Now, on to my favoirte photos from January!

Off camera flash with Austin

Part of the Off-Tract blog photo session. 

Lights of Tacoma, WA

Burke and Robbie finding their way at The Nest.

Mad love for the Yashica that we found while exploring American Flats with the Photowalkers of Reno.

Now head over to see what Adriana has going down for her five favorites this month.

Photowalkers

I have been fortunate enough to find a great group of photographers here in Reno. A few weeks back, four of us hiked in 3 miles to see a frozen waterfall. There were so many laughs, a few falls (ice and mud and backpacks full of photo gear really don't play nicely together). The trip was so fun that we started plotting a second adventure.



On Sunday we drove up to Virginia City and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then kicked up some dust and caravanned into a spot known as American Flats. Oh, and did I mention that part of the goal for the day was to get some killer bubble photos? I will let the images do the talking. Thanks again to a great group of people willing to be silly and awesome at their craft.

And when your with other photographers its, "Shoot or be shot..."

Comparing Android to iPhone.

I like it round, and big....

Quick draw

 Triangle Pose - photog style.

Reynolds Family - Family Photo Session at Lake Tahoe

It's always a mix of complete excitement and a bit of nerves when friends ask you to capture their family photos for them. You want them to come out amazing, because they are not only clients, but people you know and love. Not that I don't want all of my clients to have great images from our session, but the pressure is just a little bit bigger when you might actually see the people again afterwards.

When my friend Amy contacted me about doing some snowy family photos I was super excited. Amy and her husband Z are fellow Truckee kids and we were roomies in college. There are some very good memories of dancing around the kitchen while making dinner, late nights and great live music.

It has been over ten years since I have seen these two and the first time meeting their sweet girl. What a fun way to reunite. Thank you to Amy and Z for braving the icy temps, we couldn't have asked for a prettier day out there on Lake Tahoe.

The Hummel Family

What a fun afternoon. This family is not just clients, but also good friends. Our kids used to go to day care together and Mr. Hummel happens to be my husband's boss. That said, I usually wind up laughing until my face hurts when I hang out with them. Last Sunday afternoon was no different. The kids had a serious case of the sillies. And by the end of the session, it had worn off on everyone, just how I like it. You guys are the best! Thanks again for trusting me to capture these moments for you.

Golden Family Moments

It was a golden afternoon. By the number of other photographers out that day, we had obviously picked a popular location in town. We managed to find a few spots of our own and let the fun begin. I love how Reno has pockets that make you feel completely transported to another place. It's not all sagebrush, look at those golden aspen trees! Thanks again Darian and Maurice, I had a blast spending an afternoon with you and your littles.

Watching siblings laugh and giggle together is one of my favorite parts of doing family sessions.

Sweet moments like this one melt me every time.

Could I have asked for a better looking crew? Seriously, you guys are gorgeous!

All Aboard With the Wheeler Family

 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with a fellow Reno Moms Blog contributor and her family. We brainstormed on ideas for a family session and decided on a visit to the Western Pacific Train Museum located in Portola, California. I had a blast being led around from train to train by the littlest "Train Guy", Conductor Z. From what I hear, he hasn't stopped talking about the fun we had. Truth be told, I can't wait for the chance to go back either, little dude!

Thanks again to the Wheeler's for making the drive and braving the wind with me!