June 4 was the PAWS of Bainbridge and North Kitsap annual fundraising auction – this year dubbed the Black and White Fur Ball 2016! With Good Co providing the evening’s music, the gala event at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino … Continue reading
While baking my mom’s crescent rolls Thanksgiving morning, gathering the Pumpkin Somethin’ and the supplemental stuffing I had made the night before, I was scrolling through a photography forum I {very much} enjoy, and the thread was about who was being asked to bring their camera to Thanksgiving dinner, with many flat out refusing, some sighing that it was expected, and a few who wouldn’t dream of not bringing the “big” camera and documenting the day. While I am conscious of not being all up in everyone’s face during the day, I am solidly in the camp that packed a bag and did a little insisting. Mainly, I can never have enough photographs, but also – last Thanksgiving I packed the camera and took some group shots, pictures of the kids and some of the food, but did not get pushy enough to do individual family groups as I had intended (Thanksgiving at my dad’s includes in-laws, outlaws, exes, siblings, steps and pretty much anyone we can squish into the tables). Turns out, my stepmother had a mini stroke that day. She is fine, but it was my last Thanksgiving with my mom, and then my dad had a stroke in February. Around the table, we have lost mothers, fathers, aunts, grandmas and grandpas, have other family members that could not come due to illness or distance. I am so grateful for the ones who were there in person and in spirit, but what I wouldn’t give for some from last year, with my mom and her wife, my sister and my niece, me with my mom and sister. So it was fairly dark, the images are not perfect, pretty noisy, “not my best work”, but I am so pleased to have them. The love is there and it is real. Bring your camera, your cell phone, your iPad. Please don’t turn away from a picture because you don’t look your best (note my daughter with a crazy barrette in her messy hair, food on her face and a thrift store dress – perfection), or are too busy stirring the beans or want to lose 10 lbs. Be present in pictures. Grab someone you love, make a goofy face. Just be there.
Thank you so much Dad & Donna for having the whole crew, whole crew for including me and mine, Marianne for all the planning and organizing, ALL the fabulous women who cooked and baked, Gordon for crossing the pond, John for frying the turkeys, Jake for lending your voice, Marianne for getting my picture with my dad and the great turkey hat dessert with the kiddos. STEPHANIE. Love you all. Oh, and the first couple of images are from our Snoopy inspired Thanksgiving breakfast of popcorn, toast and candy. What? It’s TRADITION.
Family, Thanksgiving, Kitsap Photographer, #bepresentinphotos, #familylove, 2015, Amazing Grace
Last Saturday was the always anticipated Harbor Hounds event in Gig Harbor! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday, there is always a good time to be had, and many different breeds and sizes (and even a cat!) … Continue reading
KHS adoptables! Here are some of the cuties I met at Kitsap Humane Society last week! Some have already been adopted, but even more were coming in on a transfer as I finished up, so your ideal pet is waiting! … Continue reading
Tuesday, June 9 was a beautiful day to go visit some darling adoptable animals at Kitsap Humane Society!
Kitsap Humane Society serves all of Kitsap County from Port Orchard to Bainbridge and coordinates with other shelters in state and out, to facilitate finding homes for animals at high kill shelters. I am thrilled to donate my time and talent to help find shelter animals quality forever homes!
I love to meet with wedding couples to make sure we are a good fit. My favorite part is hearing the love stories, everything that has gotten them to this point. While it helps me document their big day and tell their wedding story in images, selfishly it just lifts me up to experience that joy and devotion (which helps get me through a 10 hour day lugging heavy gear and the many late hours of processing afterwards!). When I first met Jessie, we talked for 3 hours! I love this one so much! When it was time for engagement photos last fall, I hoped Kevin (who I hadn’t met) would be comfortable with me, which was no worry! Kevin is everything I would wish for for Jessie, and I am so buoyed by their love for each other. This is a copy/paste from my email to her after the session, “OHMYGOODNESSILOVEHIM. Yay, you! What a keeper.” Here are some favorites from their engagement session, in honor of their wedding today!
Happy, happy life to Jessie and Kevin! I am so blessed to have met the two of you. I love your life together, your values and your love for each other. Here’s to your wedding!
Engagement photos, Theler Wetlands engagement session, Kitsap County Wedding Photographer, 2015 Weddings, Rosedale Gardens, Gig Harbor Wedding, Kitsap County Photographer,
What a beautiful day Friday, May 15th was – especially compared to the 2014 Fore the Animals KHS Golf Tournament (really, there was hail!). Trophy Lake Golf and Casting hosted Kitsap Humane Society‘s fundraiser for the third year in a row. There were some awesome sponsors, and by all reports, fun was had by all (present company included!). The canine turnout was excellent this year! In addition to Karris and Rueger, tournament regulars, I met Gus the Frenchie and 5 or 6 other amazingly well behaved darlings (the FFP four foots could never behave appropriately on a golf course!). #KHSgolf2015
Kitsap Humane Society, Fore the Animals Golf Tournament, Kitsap County Photographer, Golf Course Wedding Venue, Port Orchard Golf Course, Kitsap County Golf Course, Charity Fundraiser, Four Foot Photography, Lifestyle Photography, Pet Photographer
Last Easter I sneakily met up with these three darlings along the Port Orchard waterfront, to create the images for a Mother’s Day surprise. I love these three and their momma – it was so fun to have them together, as it was the youngest’s Senior year, and all the little chicks are leaving the nest. I knew this would be EXACTLY the thing their momma would like the best. We were so lucky the weather held out and their mom did not have complete apoplexy about all three of them being late for church! I have been a huge proponent of making images with and of your children (two or four legged), but even more so since my own mother passed. I cannot have any more photographs of/with her, but I can make darn sure my kids get them with me, and yours get them with you. It’s important. Have them made. Print them. #BePresentInPictures
Daniel, Kaitlyn and Alyssa are so much fun, and beautiful from the inside out!
Port Orchard Waterfront, Family Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Sibling Pictures, South Kitsap High School, Waterfront Photo Session, High School Senior Pictures, Kitsap County Portrait Photographer, Port Orchard Marina
Feline Friday at Kitsap Humane Society was bright and clear, but nevermind that, we had a studio-style kitty shoot planned. These gorgeous four-foots hit the catwalk to strut their stuff for Four Foot Photography, and were they ever fabulous! A few were too shy to leave their condos, but they are just as sweet!
Four cats were adopted yesterday, one before I had even finished photographing them! Artie went to a great home, it was such a boost to me to see his happily ever after go down.
Four Foot Photography, Adoptable Cats, Kitsap County Humane Society, Pet Photography, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Shelter Cats, Kitsap Photographer, Mary Eklund
I was beyond thrilled to be asked to photograph the 3rd annual BI Barkery Pet Holiday Photos on Bainbridge Island this year, following in the paw prints of the esteemed Julie Clegg of Bailey and Banjo fame, who was unable to be there this year. If you have not yet been to BI Barkery, it is amazeballs and you need to go! There are all manner of toys and sweaters and gear and wall art and a dog bakery!
Kim Coletti, proprietor extraordinaire, set everything up, staffed and provided the space (and held a blanket when the sun was too bright!) and I donated my time, so ALL monies raised went straight to help the animals at Kitsap Humane Society. Thank you to FFP Clients Rocky, Sam & Bella Anderson-Hollar, Mops & Dudley Minore and Casey Lasniewski for coming out, y’all are STUNNING. Ms Casey was also at the pet pictures with Santa on Saturday, high demand supermodel that she is!
Pet Portraiture, Bainbridge Island, BI Barkery, Holiday Pet Photos, Kitsap Pet Photographer, Pet Photos, Kitsap Humane Society
Four Foot Photography 