Tag Archives: Mary Eklund

Kitsap County pet photographer, capturing lifestyle images of your clawed, pawed and hooved critters in Port Orchard, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bainbridge, Bremerton, Belfair and Gig Harbor, WA.

Where the (my) past meets the (my) present…

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When worlds collide…without going into a ton of detail and outing my friend for the ah-MAZ-ing person she is, let me just say I have had the opportunity to help her get her parents’ home on the market, stage it and photograph it. It was so much fun! No that I am taking credit for it, but she has an offer just a week after listing it (helps that it is a beautiful home on the lake). See the listing here  If you don’t know, I spent MANY years working in a real estate office in my prior life, mainly in print and web advertising, but in the last few years had the opportunity to work on virtual tours and video tours, which is a large part of how I got back into photography. When the company I worked for was taken over by a larger company and the economy took a dive, I was working part time and primarily from home, and was deemed expendable (in a really abrupt, disrespectful manner, but hey, I am almost over it…). I started Four Foot Photography the year before, and really don’t know how I had time to do both! I always thought my rather extensive real estate experience and love of photography would be a good match, and this experience proves me right! I have added a real estate gallery to my website, and hope to pursue that avenue further! If you are a Realtor or know one….hint, hint…

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Real Estate Photography, Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island, Mary Eklund, Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Real Estate Photographer, Grays Harbor Real Estate Photographer, Port Orchard Photographer, Real Estate, HDR Photography, 2014, Homes for Sale

Winter Lighting Challenge – Spotlight

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This week’s winter lighting challenge was shooting in the dark with a spotlight – super cool! I used a flashlight app on my phone, and had a story book concept – unfortunately my daughter has a bit of a cold, so we only had a few minutes, but it was fun to play with the spotlight for some extra drama. She has enough of a sense of humor still to give me the crazy eyes – wait for it…The “boom boy” holding the spotlight was my son, best photography assistant ever! I give you “Red Riding Hood and The Big, Bad Wolf”:

 

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Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Photographer, Photography Awesomesauce Winter Lighting Challenge, Port Orchard Photographer, Children’s Portraiture, Red Riding Hood, Spotlight, 2014

 

Winter Lighting Challenge – Twilight

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This challenge is really firing up my creativity! For this week, images needed to be recorded during twilight – the soft, diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, either from daybreak to sunrise or, more commonly, from sunset to nightfall. It was a tricky week for me to be shooting, schedule-wise, so I was excited to see that twilight could also be in the morning – and last night we got a few inches of SNOW, which always gets my photographer juices flowing (I’m not alone, as evidenced by Facebook today!). We took our kiddos to see the Lego Movie Friday night, which was a big treat (expensive!), as they both had good reports at the dentist (also expensive!), and the sky was just GORGE. I was so unhappy I didn’t have Big Momma with me, but made do with the cell phone, and I am tempted to use one of them in the challenge!

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Yesterday I had the singular pleasure of attending Mr. Evan’s first birthday party, and I just happened to have Big Momma with me (oh and maybe I snapped off a few frames!), and I happened to be at the party at twilight, and it HAPPENED to be a lovely home with a jaw-dropping view! I had only brought one lens, but I like these, too!

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Last night it started to snow after I got home – I checked the almanac to find out when morning twilight would be, and snuck out in my jammies and boots (with my four footed escorts, natch), and here are my top picks from that safari:

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Of course, I spent the rest of the day photographing the snow on plants, kids on snow, husband on sled….how fun, and what a great way to start a week that is booked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Photography Awesomesauce Winter Lighting Challenge, 2014, Snow, Kitsap County Photographer, Keyport, Port Orchard, Silverdale

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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Wednesday I took my kiddos to help socialize some puppies (optimally puppies should be introduced to 100 people before they are 12 weeks old – this can be hard to do when they also shouldn’t be out in public before they are vaccinated) in foster care that are almost ready to be adopted. It is great to know that these 7 (7!) little fur bundles were not at all fazed by my 2 foots. Yup, I’m all about sacrificing for the good of the animals…Did I mention we got to play with PUPPIES?!

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I love, love to photograph animals of all ages, breeds, colors, temperaments, and also feel strongly about donating my time and abilities to rescue organizations – the opportunity to do both, and with 7 puppies…oh my! (Had I actually been planning to go this nutty cuckoo, yes, I would indeed have brushed my daughter’s hair!) So maybe I just HAPPENED to have my camera along….

 

The puppies are being fostered and are available through K.A.R.E. (Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education). They have been wormed, had their first shots, and have been bathed, handled, loved in a home with exposure to other animals, men, women, children, and even someone in uniform (great idea!). While we were there, they were extremely good about using the piddle pads! One has already been adopted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Rescue, K.A.R.E, Puppy Pictures, Silverdale, Dog Photos, 2014, Pet Photographer, Volunteer

Kitsap Humane Society Adoptables – Feb 5, 2014 Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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Kitsap Humane Society has an amazing corps of volunteers who selflessly care for the animals in transition, spending time away from their own furbabies, families, jobs and lives on a WEEKLY (and sometimes daily) basis, without recognition or compensation. These folks walk the dogs rain, shine, heat or cold. The dogs get so excited to go outside, not all of them remember their manners, but they all appreciate the kindness that is shown them. Volunteers help clean the kennels and the kitty boxes, socialize the animals, make soft blankets, collect food and funds, it goes on and on. Here are some of the cuties I met on Tuesday:

Be sure to check out the other adorable adoptables {here} on Shelter Buddy. Thanks, volunteers, for all you do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Kitsap Humane Society, Adoptable Animals, Port Orchard Photographer, Dog Photos, Cat Photos, Rescue, 2014, Silverdale, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Kingston, Poulsbo, Four Foot Photography

Fun with the kiddos Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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My models work cheap – the two foots for pretzels and the four foots for Zukes! Once again, here they are helping me with this week’s lighting challenge, which was Off Camera Flash Daytime Portrait. I had a hard time choosing just one for posting in the group – luckily, no such constraints here, I can post my top 5 (or so…). Because I appreciate their cooperation and want them to have fun, they have a lot of input into what we do. Today, we started with a stick horse and it went all Lone Ranger from there.

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I have never been a huge fan of flash, but am digging it off camera with the triggers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Lifestyle Photographer, Port Orchard, Kids and Families, Mary Eklund, Photography Awesomesauce Winter Lighting Challenge, Week 13 Off Camera Flash Daytime Portrait

Woodland, WA Wedding ~ Chris and Liz…MARRIED! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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I had the singular pleasure of being asked to photograph the wedding of Christopher and Elizabeth at The Lewis River Golf Course, just outside of Woodland, WA, May 19, 2013. Gorgeous bride and groom, adorable children, beautiful venue, glorious day? Yes, please! The day dawned clear and bright and went off without a hitch. Liz had carefully created the decorations and everything was lovely, simple, and spoke to them as a couple, from the flowers to the new cowboy boots she wore under her elegant gown. Chris and Liz were surrounded by love, with his daughter and her son, their grandparents, parents, siblings, family and close friends in attendance. The ceremony in front of a stone fireplace perfectly suited them, reflecting their love of family and each other. A low key reception with good conversation, food and drink followed throughout the afternoon. I LOVE weddings, so to spend all day photographing happy, lovely people in a beautiful setting was spectacular! All too soon it was time to say goodbye, and off they went on a surprise honeymoon, to begin their life as Mr & Mrs Cowen. Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Wedding Photography, Lewis County Golf Course, Cowlitz County Weddings, Clark County Wedding Photography, Kitsap County Wedding Photographer

I’m Free….free lensing….

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Aw, I couldn’t resist! This week’s challenge involved a technique I have seen, but never tried before (and that is the point of the challenge!). The idea is to disconnect the lens from the camera, resulting in some crazy, wavy, blurred areas (if you are familiar with LensBaby, that is the general idea). I was VERY reluctant to “do that” to my cherished camera body, but some nice ladies talked me down and I gave it a shot (bad photographer pun!) – now I can’t stop thinking of ways to try this again, it is definitely somewhat addicting (but I will probably use the back up camera body when I get it back from repairs/cleaning!). I really like the “film” look it gave the portrait of Gladys. I was unable to free lens Fabio, as every time I got down on the floor to photograph him, Gladys put her shedding self as close to me as possible. I am also including images I took with the lens attached, so you can see the intention. Can’t wait to see what is in store for next week!

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Kitsap County Photographer, Mary Eklund, Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island, Lifestyle Photography, 2014, Winter Lighting Challenge, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Port Orchard Portrait 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