Tag Archives: Kitsap County Photographer

Reflector Light – Winter Lighting Challenge

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The challenge this week was to use a reflector in a portrait, something I rarely attempt when photographing animals (something about the giant, floppy, shiny thing can really freak them out!), and decided it would be preferable to have an assistant or at least a human subject! This week, however, I was helping my friend prepare to put her house on the market – I was running out of light today and neither of us wanted to pause long enough to get presentable, so I took some liberties with the “portrait” part of the assignment. I found these cuties to be willing and cheerful models, and will definitely be breaking out the reflector for future sessions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitsap County Photographer, Mary Eklund, 2014, Port Orchard Photographer, Portrait Photography, Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island, Child and Family Photographer, Real Estate Photography, Pet Photographer, Reflector Light, Winter Lighting Challenge

Evolution Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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I really, REALLY hate to say goodbye – but that seems to have been a big theme for 2013. Family, friends, neighbors – it seems like everyone is moving. It is no surprise that April and Markus Franz are moving, as he serves in the US Navy, but I am devastated nonetheless! I first met April and Markus and Dobby in Lisa Ridens’ {Affordable Dog & Puppy Training} puppy class, held at Woodside Animal Hospital, after bringing home a particularly difficult youngish used dog. Dobby was only 4 months old, but ridiculously attentive and obedient, while my wingnut was, well, being himself! I was juuuust starting my business at the time, and got up the nerve to ask Lisa if I could solicit the class for volunteer models to build my portfolio (thank you, Lisa!). It was a class full of beautiful puppies, but April was the only one who took me up on my {free} offer. From that first little puppy shoot, the Franz family grew and evolved along with my fledgling business. It has been fun to go back through the sessions and see their family and my photography evolve and change. We did the last shoot less than two weeks ago. April’s mom was really looking forward to a maternity shoot, but since baby Franz isn’t scheduled to make an appearance for 4 more months, you have to use your imagination a little bit! I have truly appreciated their friendship. So, happy trails Markus, April, Snuggles, Phil, Dobby and Quint!

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Here is a little trip down memory lane – from the first puppy shoot for Dobby, to a Nebraska homecoming, Dobby’s first birthday, Quint’s arrival, promotional shots for April’s business, Shooting Star Services, graduation pictures from her first training class, April’s new truck, Christmas card pictures, real estate shots for renting their Port Orchard home, Halloween, New Years and Baby Shower parties, pregnancy announcement…Thanks for watching my goonies, and loaning me your boys, for long conversations and good meals and …This photographer is going to miss you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Port Orchard Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Four Foot Photography, Shooting Star Services, Affordable Dog and Puppy Training, Pet Town, Woodside Animal Hospital, Family Photos, Sheltie, Belgian Malanois, Cat Photos, Kitsap County Photographer

Tumbler-ific! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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Last Saturday, I was in Indianola {beaUtiful!} and maybe disturbed Tumbler’s sleep a wee little bit in wanting to capture his portrait. I was rewarded with a giant yawn, and back to sleep he went. The light was so pretty, and he is even softer than he looks! Tumbler was adopted from Kitsap Humane Society and is living the good life with his people in a cottage by the sea. They appreciate and adore him every day. #HappyEnding

 

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Four Foot Photography, Pet Photographer, Kitsap County, 2014, Indianola Beach, Life is Good, Cat Photographer, Gig Harbor Pet Photographer, Bainbridge Island Pet Photographer, Indianola Pet Photographer, Port Orchard Pet Photographer, Kingston Pet Photographer, Poulsbo Pet Photographer, Silverdale Pet Photographer, Bremerton Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Kitsap Humane Society

 

Golden Hour – Gorgeous Light

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If you have booked a photography session with me, most likely we have talked about the Golden Hour – the yummy, warm, golden light that occurs the hour or so before the sun sets. I usually spend more time obsessing about this perfect window during the summer, when we have actual sun to set here in the somewhat grey Northwest (!). However, the Winter Lighting Challenge I have been participating in brought the Golden Hour to the forefront this week, with a Golden Hour Portrait as the assignment. I had a fantastic idea for a styled shoot, which… I will have to complete in the future. Today is the final day to post my submission, so it needed to happen on the family trip to Zoolights, which was tonight, the last night – oooh, a procrastination trend! I am literally down to the final hour, so I will be adding the Zoolights images to the post as I get through them.

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Kitsap County Photographer, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Zoolights, 2014, Photography Awesomesauce Winter Challenge, Mary Eklund, Portrait Photographer, Pet Photographer, Child Photographer, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Senior Photos, 2014

Tank ~ the English Bulldog

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I LOVE it when people gift my services – 1) I am an avid gift-giver myself 2) It is so thoughtful to gift something you know someone will treasure, especially if it is something they would not have done for themselves 3) I get to meet really awesome people and pets… But enough about me! In September I had a display booth at the PAWS of Bainbridge Wagfest, as I have each of the last 3 years: 2013 , 2011 – I will have to search for 2012! I met Derek, who was helping his friend at another vendor booth, and we talked about doing a gift certificate for another friend’s birthday. Derek and Tara surprised their friend Jessica on her birthday with a session and print credit for her English Bulldog, Tank. The day Jessica and I set up for the session was rainy and cold, but Jessica wanted to give it a go, so we met at Silverdale Waterfront Park. Tank is adorable, as is Jessica, and they were stoic about the weather, so we ended up with MANY fun images to choose from. Tank’s quirky characteristics, like his Dalmatian-spotted ears and fabulous underbite, Jessica credits to puppy mill breeding, and though her rescue dog’s health issues have cost her “enough to buy a new car,” her love for her companion, and his adoration of her makes it all worthwhile. Here are some of my favorites!

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Pet Photographer, Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Kingston, Belfair, Kitsap County, Pet Photography, English Bulldog Rescue, Silverdale Waterfront Park, Kitsap Lifestyle Photographer, Mary Eklund

Merry Christmas! Winter Lighting Challenge – Bokeh Shapes

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This week’s challenge had to do with creating shapes by manipulating the aperture. I bought this teeny Nativity set made of beans on Etsy a few weeks ago, “Holy Frijoles!” I knew I wanted to photograph it because, c’mon, it is so stinkin’ cute! I thought it would be neat to put stars in the sky, and am fairly pleased with the result. I am learning so much by doing! Great to get outside the old comfort zone. I have another blog post planned for before Christmas, so don’t mind an early holiday greeting!

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Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island, Kids and Families, Port Orchard Photographer, Lifestyle Photography, 2013

Mason ~ South Kitsap High School Senior – Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I LOVE photographing High School Seniors! There is just something about the place where childhood meets adulthood that is nothing short of magical, and gets me all verklempt. Sweet, childlike vulnerability lingers just under the surface of this confidant, exuberant, full-of-life and filled-with-possibilities-and-promise honest to goodness grown-up. The air around them feels tinged with excitement, their parents’ pride at a job well {if not nearly} done is palpable. It is my great honor to document this time for both senior and family. It makes me happy. That is all.

Mason, South Kitsap High School Class of 2013. I know Mason’s parents to be hard working, tireless and giving, and their children are the ultimate beneficiaries of lives well and thoughtfully lived. Mason is very accomplished at audio/visual work, and as you will see from his attire, has firmly chosen the next step on his life path! It will be a treat to see what this young man brings to the world.

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Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Photographer, Senior Pictures, South Kitsap Senior High School, Class of 2014, Custom Portraits, Port Orchard, Manchester State Park, Four Foot Photography

 

 

Painting with Light

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Ooh, this week’s lighting challenge was a fun one! Way to fire up the creativity – I enlisted the help of my 8-year-old, and we have great plans to do this again! He had some great ideas – moustache! octopus! stick figure! and enjoyed getting to trigger the shutter for once. I know this post is heavy on the psychedelic lightsaber battle, but they had trouble choosing a favorite. The 6-year-old liked having Princess Leia hair…

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Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Winter Lighting Challenge, Painting with Light, Week 7, Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island Photographer, Child Photographer

Pictures with Santa! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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I was fortunate to meet Beth Rivard at the Mason County Humane Society‘s Pets in the Park event this summer, and then again at Gig Harbor Midday Rotary Club’s Harbor Hounds in September. Beth works with the Prison Pet Partnership, and wondered if I would be interested in photographing their Pets & Santa fundraiser…WOULD I?! Yes!

Saturday, December 7th was the date chosen, and what a great time I had! The pavillion at Sehmel Homestead Park was a great, HEATED venue {hint, hint…I would L-O-V-E to photograph a wedding there!}, and there was terrific volunteer and board member support, Santa was at his best! Thanks so much to Prison Pet Partnership, their grooming and boarding clients, and some special Four Foot Photography clients, it was a successful first for the Prison Pet Partnership and Four Foot Photography. ALL proceeds benefit the Prison Pet Partnership. My supportive friends at Mud Bay Gig Harbor provided $5 coupons for participants, and print product pickup will be at their amazing retail location, 4816 Point Fosdick Drive NW Suite 102, Gig Harbor. Already I am looking forward to next year!

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Gig Harbor Pet Photographer, Kitsap County Photographer, Child and Family Photographer, Pet Photography, Santa Pictures, Pierce County, Sehmel Homestead Park, 2013, Four Foot Photography

Backlighting at night

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This was not what I had planned for “backlighting at night”, but we lost our power not one, but two nights this week, so this was the perfect opportunity! Kiddos and I built a fort and luckily one of the lanterns held up – we are apparently without much in the way of flashlights (which may be largely due to having a six and an eight year old in the house). While the shots aren’t technically good, I love the emotion. Hopefully I will get a chance to create the image that came to mind with the assignment!

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Kitsap County Photographer, Kids and Families, Pet Photographer, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Winter Lighting Challenge