outdoors

amazing aimée • dance portraits

beauty & boudoir, dance, outdoors

I had just done portraits for Aimée’s son Marco, & she asked about doing some headshots for a project she is working on–choreography to the poetry of Rumi.  I was so excited by the idea of creating portraits that would be interpretations of Aimée as the poetry–romantic, magical, mystical, earthy, sexy, dramatic.  I had such an inspired session with her–and was so impressed by how game & courageous she was to move & expand into these different versions of herself. Make-up artist, Lizette Perez, created two distinct looks for Aimée, & she embodied both with such ease. Between locations, Aimée &  talked about Life–and in these portraits, I hope that she sees what a butterfly emerging she truly is…This post features a few from our first segment, which included a hike up a hill–a perfect metaphor for just the beginning of our visual, poetic, & collaborative journey…

…wood nymph…

…mesmerizing gypsy…

…simple poetry…

…shimmering crescendo…

marco • kid warrior

little ones, outdoors

Marco & his mom Aimée are true free spirits.  My photo sessions with them are always spontaneous & led by Marco’s interests & energy.  A year ago, he dressed himself in camo and a motorcycle helmet, as well as took me for a dip in his jacuzzi, dressed in a wetsuit & life-jacket.  This year, he acquiesced to a white polo shirt & khakis for a parade of weapons (including bow & arrow, sword, marshmallow shooter, & a “real hammer”), as well as for an impromptu climb up an orange tree.  And, like last year, he gave me a run for my money shooting him on his trampoline…doffing his preppy outfit for just striped undies.  I was so excited to shoot him again this year, & this is why!

kathy • boudoir session

beauty & boudoir, outdoors

Kathy is that stunning woman you envy for her beauty–and then she tells a totally low-brow, dirty joke & tells it well, & then you love her!  She was so fun to shoot, because she didn’t take herself too seriously.  She’s undeniably gorgeous, so no matter how much we laughed in-between shots, she made my work look good!

coy + dangerous = the perfect Eve

the rice family

outdoors, we are family

I was incredibly honored when Nikki asked me to do her family portraits, a gift for her mother’s 60th birthday.  I met Nikki when she was my student teacher, & for a year, we shared three beginning & two advanced high school photography classes.  Nikki’s presence brought sanity & humor to my day–always beginning with the Mountain Dew she would be drinking before 9 AM.  She & her husband Dave officially spell their last name with an “!”.  They are two of the wittiest, most exuberant, most prolifically creative people I will ever know–and they are a perfect match.  When I asked her about her family, so I could plan the shoot, she described them as “Pacific Northwest people” who were lovers of board games & the Mariners.  She also wrote, “We tend to be a bit goofy. Shocking, I know.” I couldn’t wait to meet them & do their portraits!

So, I scoured nearby places for a Washington State kind of feel, & we ended up with an easy-going, down-to-earth, just a little bit goofy, super fun, outdoors session.  Her parents were so warm & friendly, & so clearly, affectionately, romantically still in love after decades of marriage–such a inspiration.  And Nikki’s brother Jesse and his fiancée Pari are in the midst of wedding planning–so exciting!  I had a great time–and I think they all did too…