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

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

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

Old Dog Learns New Trick (New effect, really…but that’s not nearly so catchy!)

Why yes, my subject IS an old dog (and also a wingnut, a tree, and two spazzed out Washington kids who got to play outdoors for 3 hours in January), and I learned something new! My lighting assignment this week involved something I had never attempted, and like so many of the other weekly challenges, I LOVED it, and am looking forward to perfecting the technique (this would be a great wedding shot – anyone?). For these images, I have a flash placed behind the subjects, and trigger it remotely (new gizmos!). It is all kinds of geeky fun up in here…

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Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Backlighting at Night, Awesomesauce, Port Orchard Photographer, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Wedding Photography, Kids and Family, Mary Eklund

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

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….

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

Tumbler-ific! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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

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

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

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