When we talked about scheduling a senior session for her son, Kris was very matter of fact in telling me he really didn’t want any taken, and only agreed to it for her. No worries, I’m in! I don’t know what I was subconciously expecting – attitude, snarkiness, subterfuge – but Hayden was the exact opposite. Sweet, funny, charming, polite, even in the face of my goofiness – I could have photographed him all day (except it was mercilessly cold!). Now I’m trying to convince Kris and her husband to raise my little beans – I should be so lucky that they would turn out to be such fine individuals! Graduating in South Kitsap High School’s class of 2013, Hayden plays lacrosse and is headed to EWU in the fall. Love him!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Casey Girl!
I was so thrilled to receive a call from Casey’s parents, inquiring about a birthday photography session for their girl, about to turn 4. I always get excited about an upcoming session (and a doggie birthday party? Yes, please!), but this was a relief as well, since Casey’s mum had called Four Foot Photography the year before, I called back and left a message, and then did not hear from them again. This happens every once in a while, and I know that sometimes people change their minds, etc, but it always leaves me wondering if I did/said something wrong (artist-types can be a little sensitive!). Turns out, they had taken Casey to a studio for her 3rd birthday portrait – they have her portrait made on her birthday every year, isn’t THAT awesome – but we had met at PAWS of Bainbridge Wagfest, and they wanted a pet photographer for birthday #4, so it was my turn! Casey’s birthday is February 10, and I arrived at their beautiful Bainbridge Island home, balloons in hand, to meet the dog of the hour. A cake had been procured from a doggie bakery on the other side of the water, where Casey goes to swim therapy once a week, since having surgery as a young pup. Now my clients, bar none, are people who genuinely love their pets and value their place in the family. Casey’s parents impressed me even further, with the planning, care, training and spectacular life they are giving her. She is, as Standard Poodles are, VERY smart, and they keep her intellectually stimulated, as well as exercised, socialized and loved. So without further ado, I give you, Casey’s Fourth Birthday:
I had such a great time, I know I am being greedy, but I hope they call me next year! Your parents love you, Casey Girl, and so do I.
Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Doggie Birthday Party, Dog Photos, Standard Poodle, Bainbridge Island, Pet Photography, Kitsap County, 2013
He’s Here!
We’ve ALL been waiting, and I got word over the weekend that Baby R was on the way! After my birthday session with Casey, the spectacular Standard Poodle, I headed from Bainbridge Island to Tacoma to meet Little Mr! He is stunningly perfect, and his momma and daddy couldn’t be more proud. Here’s a little sneak, no name yet – we’ll be doing a newborn session soon!
It was quite an honor to be invited to the hospital to meet the baby and hear his birth story. Thank you Rob and Pattie for considering me for “weird auntie” status. Love you guys!
Newborn Pictures, Lifestyle Photography, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Photographer, Pierce County Photographer, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor Photographer, Family Photos, 2013
Alexis & Peyton
Seriously, could they be any more adorable? I think not! I had the opportunity to photograph Alexis and her sweet boy, Peyton last summer. They were so gorgeous I almost couldn’t stop – I love, love what I do! Here are a few of my favorite images from their session:
Karlee & Victor!
Awww! 
I was suspicious today that something was up! It has since been confirmed that Karlee and Victor are MARRIED as of Friday, February 1st, their 4th anniversary. Again I say, Awwwwww.
If you don’t know Karlee, well, you should! Karlee works at the Gig Harbor Mud Bay store, and is truly delightful from the inside out. She oozes joy (did I get that right, Dad?) and is a spectacular human being. She is also the daughter of one Lisa Ridens, dog trainer extraordinaire at Affordable Dog Training, and another great lady you really should meet. Victor I met for the first time when I photographed them for their holiday card, but I know him to be a hard worker and a soccer player, and based on his winning Karlee’s heart of gold, he has to be quite remarkable as well. Karlee and Victor reside in Bremerton with their two adorable Chihuahuas. Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
My Days Do Not Always Go The Way I Have Planned…
So for sure I should be working on my sales taxes/website/organization/laundry today, but I HAPPENED to have the opportunity to photograph a beautiful girl, and am so pleased to introduce Bear! Bear goes into the backstory a bit – she was rescued by Larry and Michelle Ransom, and their boys Jake & Jordan when she was just a pup, found by the side of the road with her momma, when Larry was coaching at Pilchuk Veterinary Hospital. The year I started by business Bear was the 3rd spoke in a pretty tight pack – Jake and his girls, Bear and Jessie, a gorgeous yellow lab. Jake is a pretty phenomenal kid, and happens to be my nephew. It was my plan to do a shoot with the three of them – so adorable. Sweet Jessie, however, was discovered to have cancer and died suddenly at the age of 7, which was a terrible shock. Of course I felt terrible that I hadn’t yet taken the images I could (and still can) so clearly see in my head. Regrets are the worst! This went down a matter of months after my niece, Rachel had lost her beautiful 2 year old pup. The two events in 2 connected families so close together really solidified for me the desire to photograph pets with the people who love them, to record and tell their stories visually, and honor their place in our lives. We all know we have such a short time with our four footed companions, but the truth is, we really don’t know how short that time can be. My own dogs prior to the current furry little monster lived to 19, 18 and 14 1/2 years, but I can tell you, it didn’t seem long enough. So the chance to snap a few of Bear today, who is young and healthy and a sweet, darling soul, lifted my spirits. She rocked her shoot – isn’t she delish?
Lucky Number 7!
My family has had the EXTREME good fortune of living virtually next door to this family of smart, funny, loyal, caring and thoughtful and real people since before I picked up my first DSLR – if ANYONE should be creating the next generation it is these two (and they’ve not let me down, there are now 5 kiddos in the fold). She’s watched my kids, I’ve watched hers, he’s helped us fix and install things that are beyond us, our boys have been friends as long as they can remember, and our 5 years olds have birthdays 5 weeks a apart. If you’ve been following the blog for a while you will recognize the little bean from her 6 month and 1 year photos. This fall, however, I had the opportunity to photograph all seven of them (that’s 14 feet, if anyone is counting!) for the first time, and I think you will agree they are, beyond their many virtues, just flat out good lookin‘.
It is my fervent wish that with these family photographs I have helped to document their story in a meaningful way. Love you guys!Some Favorites from 2012!
Thanks so much for the great year – I so enjoyed meeting such fantastic people and photographing your gorgeous pets! It has been a truly wonderful year for Four Foot Photography, and I look forward to 2013 being full of growth, learning, challenges and an ever-widening circle of people and pets I am lucky to know. I feel abundantly blessed as Kitsap County’s most passionate pet photographer and am seriously jazzed about capturing memories and creating personalized art for your homes, as well as helping adoptable dogs and cats find their forever homes through pet portraiture and social media. Oh, and I have some crazy-fun ideas and beautiful new products to introduce as well… Happy, Happy New Year!
-Mary Eklund
The cat’s out of the bag…
Oh, of course I’m just kidding – no felines were harmed OR bagged in the super-secret super-spy set up that Roper and Levi’s mom arranged as an epic Christmas gift for her husband. I LOVE a surprise, and this one was so much fun! Next time, though, I want theme music… Now that the plan has been executed, the gifts unwrapped and oh yes, dad was surprised and thrilled (I KNOW – can you believe he did not suspect she would hire a pet photographer and that he would be receiving a 20×30 canvas of his dogs?) – NOW I can finally reveal the amazing session these golden boys (and their kitty co-horts) provided.
Aren’t they gorgeous? And just as sweet as they are good lookin’!
I know I’m a weirdo, but…
Yup, it’s true. I loved being pregnant, so it is really fun for me to do maternity pictures. Such an exciting time! You may remember Rob and Pattie, providers for Bear and Barley, those shedding, drooling darlings! Well, it wasn’t my place to say (no longer a secret!), but at Bear and Barley’s session, Pattie asked me if I do maternity photos. SQUEEEEEEE! I am so happy for these high school sweethearts, expecting their first baby next February. We had a heck of a time scheduling, the weather has not been in our favor (and also somebody didn’t look any more pregnant than I do…) – finally the stars aligned and we were able to photograph their maternity session at Howe Farm in Port Orchard. Aren’t they cute?
I can hardly wait to meet the baby!
Maternity Photos, Kitsap County Photographer, Mary Eklund, Four Foot Photography, Howe Farm, Port Orchard Photographer, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor, Baby Photos
Four Foot Photography 