Define Yourself

Worth (More Than) Her Weight in Gold

2011-05-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

     Take a seven day old baby and place in her a hundred year old, hand-scraped bowel, and put that bowl on a vintage scale, and you have one little gal that is worth more than her weight in gold!

   I have taken many an infant portrait in my career, but this is by far one of the most rewarding shoots I have created. I think the combination of an adorable infant baby girl, mixed with a little bit of vintage, some new backdrops from LemonDrop Stop Faux Wood Backdrops, and topped off with a cute little bunting from Giggleberry Creations and the magic just happens!

     What I have enjoyed, as of late, is the thrill of the hunt! The thrill of finding that perfect eclectic piece (i.e. the vintage scale in the shoot) and seeing what unfolds when you start placing that tiny little newborn on the set. The combination of the new life with the eclectic vintage piece(s) is such a surprise for the soul and a treat for the eyes, who couldn't help themselves from giving a little smile?

    Enjoy these scrumptious little morsels for the soul. Little "R" is perfect in every way, from the tip of her tiny little nose to those teeny little fingers and toes. Little "R" will be a regular feature on our blog so check back and watch her grow through her first year.

And as always...stay at peace!

Peaceful Field of Poppies!

2011-05-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Spring in Colorado has it's ups and downs weather-wise. Hot, sunny one day, snowing the next! You just never know. However, one thing you can count on is the gorgeous flowers that grow along the highways, especially if you are heading up to the mountains.

Poppies are one of my favorite flowers, so imagine my surprise when I came across these little beauties sprouting up in an open field. Only a few steps off the highway and I was able to spend some time getting up close with these glorious orange flowers.

Next time you are driving around, stop and take time to smell the flowers and shoot a few too. You'll be glad you did. Peaceful poppies to you!

Tiny K

2011-05-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

      This little gal is already three months old and she is wide awake, alert and ready to smile at the quick! Get her mom in her visual area and she will smile from ear to ear. I was able to round up some cute smiles but not as authentic as the "mommy smiles!"

     I photographed K when she was just a preemie at her Nana's house, but now she's out and about town and ready for shoots. All decked out in her Easter finest, I was able to get some serious shots (my favorite kind) and some full-out smiles. Mom and dad wanted a few with their little princess too and I could see the love in both of their eyes as they posed and gazed upon their baby girl.

    I am looking forward to keeping up with the growth of this little darlin' and can't wait until our next shoot!

Around the Farm

2011-05-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

It was a windy day, but when you have a boy, and a red-head at that, who cares about the wind? Not him! He trucked around without a care in the world, exploring all there was to see at this great little farm-like location. The little farm area was filled with everything from wagons with large-spoke wheels to chickens struttin' their stuff in the chicken coop. This little guy enjoyed everything BUT the chickens. The interest level was pretty high regarding the chickens, until the rooster decided to bellow his morning call and cock-a-doodle-dooed just a bit too loud for this little guy. He ran for cover behind the protection of mom's legs. Luckily I was able to capture this tender moment of mom comforting her son. After a bit of TLC, he was back in action and searching for more interesting places and things.

Chickens aren't so scary when they are just walking around and clucking are they?

A favorite rock was kept as a bit of a security piece for most of the shoot! Why not?

It's not always all fun and games on photo shoots. Sometimes it's just too dang hard to sit still, especially if your rock has fallen behind the stairs!

Recovered rock and we're back in action...all smiles again!

Not sure about that rooster mom! He's a bit rowdy and "cocky." (Pun intended)

The end of the shoot and playing hide and seek is getting some great laughs! The sticking up hair is the best!

Here's to another great red-head and another great photo shoot! The start to an excellent warm season of shoots!

Session Albums for Seniors

2011-04-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's almost that time of year again? Graduation! Moms and dads have that bittersweet feeling inside. One minute you are so proud that your "baby" has made it this far and is graduating, and another minute you're thinking, "My baby is graduating, leaving home, and going out into the real world...OMG!"

This was how I was feeling this time last year. But no worries parents...it gets better. The feelings of loss and missing are replaced by feelings of bliss when you see your child find new, life-long friends, tackle classes, and learn to budget their money and stay organized...ALL BY THEMSELVES! And it does happen! So just be patient!

In the meantime, there are ways to keep memories alive and close to your heart. Peaceful World Photography has amazing albums to offer this season. Hard cover session albums feature 20 or more pages of your favorites from your senior session PLUS a full cover spread of your favorite shot from the session. All pages are full color and pop off the page when placed over a soft and delicate black and white portrait of the same image in the background. The pages are silky and have hinged bindings that provide an elegant look and feel. So stunningly beautiful...even for you guys out there! Grandma would love this gift! So let me know if this is something you would like to own. Orders are currently arriving within a week of ordering.

Try to hang in there parents and seniors. This should be a celebratory time in both of your lives. Live it up (safely) and enjoy each moment that life has to offer you. The real world is just around the corner...be ready for it when it arrives! I know you already are.

Peaceful World Photography Meets Organic Bloom Frames

2011-03-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

     After stopping by and visiting Organic Bloom's  facebook page for the past few months, I finally made the leap and purchased my own  frames.  I was wonderfully surprised when I found a large box waiting  for me on my porch one afternoon.  

     Unwrapping all of my gorgeous new frames was almost as fun as Christmas  morning!  Ten frames were simply wrapped in brown paper, surrounded by  newsprint.  Each one I opened was better than the next. 

    Now the fun  begins, placing frames around the house and my photography studio,  filling them with happy smiles and fun moments we have captured of our  family over the years.

     If you are interested in filling your walls with frames that are not  only beautiful, but are true pieces of art, please contact Peaceful World Photography.  Frames can be  sold with or without having a session with Peaceful World Photography.   Below  are the styles of frames that are available and the different  choices of the 2011 color palette.  Many samples are available to view at the Peaceful  World Photography Studio.  Come by and visit us!

Be Inspired! Business Card Buzz

2011-03-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

     Inspired by Skye Hardwick Edmond's Soultographers blog posting titled Snazzy Product Photography, I decided to set out to create my own little product shoot, using some of my child portrait business cards and stickers. In her blog, Skye promises that being a product photographer would be easy and she was right.  Not only was it easy, it was a lot of fun and the creative ideas were endless.   

    The first step in creating a Biz Shoot (that's what I am calling this business card shoot of mine) is to find a location.  I have loads and loads of memorable items around my own home that I wanted to pair up with my business card, so I began my search.  First stop, my ball of string that sits on top of my bedroom wardrobe. The simple ball of string is such an important item and a huge part of who I am.  When I was a child, my Gram would tell me that I could have the world on a string.  As an adult, this memory popped up often until one day I found a large spool of string and created my own little "world on a string."  I collected many items that meant the "world" to me and pinned them safely onto the string and viola, my world on a string!

     For the biz shoot, I removed many of the personalized items and kept only the button off of my Gram's favorite jacket and another large crochet button given to me by a dear friend. The music sheet features the Beatles song, Strawberry Fields, that is the featured song on my website and also has special meaning to me.  And of course, my little business card that my husband designed and surprised me with one day!  

    Mini Biz Shoot One-completed!  Another version that also features my business sticker is shown below.

     The next shoot I decided to do took a different twist.  I was looking for some color, some pinks would be great!  I came across my new Giggleberry Creation bunting.  Their buntings come in so many beautiful colors, and the one I recently purchased had a variety of pastels and florals.   I chose the pink tones and created this little jewel shown below. Also present in this product portrait are my two special buttons to remind me of two special people that have loved me through the years. 

     As I glanced around my bedroom, I spotted one of my very favorite items, a small bird nest that cradles a tiny red heart.  I purchased this small token in the San Juan Islands last summer, on my 20th wedding anniversary trip with my husband.  The entire trip was a surprise, and I had no idea where we were going from one moment to the next.  I came across the small red heart first and found the bird nest later.  I paired them together to created a "love nest," the perfect remembrance and token to bring home of our trip together. When I placed the business card next to the nest, it was a cute, little scene that will always put a smile on my lips when I look at this portrait. 

     Wow!  Three mini shoots and I haven't even made it out of one room yet.  Next stop, the living room where my all-time favorite nonliving thing lives...my old, upright!  This piano is so very special to me, and it's story alone could fill these blog pages.  But for now, the short story.  

     A TRUE STORY:  One Christmas Eve there was a little girl named Missy (I grew out of that name by fourth grade) who took piano lessons twice a week and loved every second of playing.  However, Missy could only play at her piano teacher's home because she didn't have a piano of her own.  Pianos were too expensive, so Missy only dreamed of having her own one day.   During the holiday break, Missy got the chance to sit on Santa's lap and requested only one thing for Christmas, a piano.  Santa told Missy that pianos were very big and heavy and he wasn't sure if he could fit a gift that large in his sleigh, but Missy knew his magical powers were strong, and she had no doubt that her dream of having a piano would come true.  Missy also told Santa that the piano didn't need to be new, she'd take anything, even a very old and worn out piano.  Christmas Eve arrived, along with a snow storm in rural Maryland.  Missy peaked out her bedroom window long into the night, waiting for Santa and hoping for her Christmas wish to come true.  Eyes getting heavy, Missy finally fell asleep, leaning on the windowsill, nose pressed against the freezing window.  A loud thumping noise from the backyard woke Missy up, and as she looked out the window, Santa and three of Santa's (rather large) elves were hauling an enormous upright piano through the small gate, up the brick path and into the back door.  Santa's bright red jacket was covered with snow as he pushed the piano into the house and disappeared out of sight.  Thumping and banging could be heard downstairs, but Missy fell asleep quickly, anticipating the exciting morning ahead of her.  Her dreams were filled with ivory keys and musical notes that night, not sugarplums.  

   The next portrait was taken on top of my beloved piano and posed with another favorite object, my great-grandfather's (my Gram's dad) original Kodak camera.   He purchased this camera the day he adopted my Gram.  I also have the very first portrait of her taken with this camera.  The portrait usually sits right next to the camera, but was temporarily replaced by the business card for this mini shoot. 

     The last shoot I set up was taken right above the piano.  Leaning on the piano, I have an old, wooden window frame from the original farmer's house from the town where I currently live.  He grew Broom corn and the town was named Broomfield after this farmer.  Hanging loosing from an old ribbon, that was in a bouquet I carried at a friend's wedding, is a grapevine wreath entwined with tiny leaves...also a gift.  I carefully perched the card and sticker in the center of the wreath and started snapping.  Not expecting much of anything, I was pleasantly surprised by the quaintness of this shot.  I added a bit of texture, and created another happy result for me and my products.  

     So, Skye was right, product photography is fun AND easy!  Not only was I able to create some fun product photography, I was able to relive some wonderful memories, inspired by so many people who I have loved, and have loved me back.  Thank you Skye for the inspiration.  My hope is that perhaps I'll inspire someone out there too. If you would like some help with inspiration, contact me,  I'd love to chat with you!  In the meantime, keep your eyes (and mind) open.  You never know what little memory you might trigger when you start looking around at the things that belong to you and that you love.  

Pleasant surprises are everywhere...

                         you just have to be looking!

 Peace and Love,

Melissa 

Credits: 

*All frames and textures/overlays used in this posting are by Florabella Collection 

*Business cards and stickers/designs printed by Black River Imaging

*Business card design by David Spencer 

Photo props:

*Music stars in piano shoot by Pottery Barn

*Plastic apples by Target

*Spool of String by Hobby Lobby

*Buntings by Giggleberry Creations

Ideas inspired by Skye Hardwick Edmonds of Work of Heart Photography (my photography muse and virtual FB friend) :)I truly thank you for your Workbook

Delicious Light

2011-03-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous, brilliant, warm sunshine mixed with blue skies, blue eyes, and a winning smile and that equals one happy photographer!

I awoke this morning to delicious light streaming into my kitchen windows, bathing the tiles on the floor in a glow that resembled the color of honey in a hive.  One of my dogs was already outside, warming himself on the wood deck, while my younger pup lay basking in those streaming rays of sunlight that flooded into the room.  Not a sound could be heard, except a distant bark from the neighbor's dog.  My dogs barely lift their heads, not a warning bark I guess.

I headed out into the yard  with my recently purchased cloth buntings from Giggleberry Creations in hand.  I spent breakfast gazing through the kitchen window, wondering where I could string these little darlings.  I found just the right two branches for their debut.  Now for a subject!  It was only 9:30 a.m., and I knew my hours would pass slowly by until my teenage daughter would be awake.  First day of spring break would keep her under the warmth of her comforter until close to noon.  No worries, buntings all by themselves are fun to shoot too!  The trees are still bare and the grass is still wearing it's dry, winter coat but the blue spruce is covered with new growth.  A sure sign that spring is very close.  After a few shots, I heard the pitter patter of teenage feet on the kitchen floor.  Fortunately for me, it doesn't take much for me to convince my daughters to model for me, in fact, all I have to do is mention a model shoot and they are off choosing fun clothing combinations.  

     A few moments later, we were out back outside and geared up for some fun poses, the warm sunshine kissing our cheeks and noses, and the wind running through our hair.  What a perfect Colorado day for being outside with camera in hand.  There's nothing like waking up to a gorgeous, sunny warm day, filled with crystal blue skies and birds singing in trees.  

Expecting Bliss

2011-03-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

There is just something about an expecting mother that makes me smile. The glow in her face, the happiness that comes from within, and the gentle waddle to her walk. A tenderness surrounds her, and as the life inside continues to grow, so does her beauty.

I have been taking portraits of expecting mothers for years, and each and every pregnant woman is as unique and as special as the baby that will soon be born. Many mothers-to-be feel self conscious about their "baby weight" but as the portraits I have captured are presented, the smile on their faces makes me smile too. As they see themselves transformed by this new life that is so prominent in their portraits, I see first time moms turn from a person into a gentle protector before my eyes and seasoned moms remember with tenderness the feeling of having a new little soul in their lives.

If you are expecting your first child get ready! Everyone you meet will warn you about sleepless nights but what they don't tell you is unconditional love. Unconditional love that you are going to feel once that new life arrives! There is no feeling in the world like the feeling of motherhood, knowing this new life is yours to love, to take care of, and guide through life. It's a huge responsibility and a tremendous gift. Treasure each and every little moment and count your blessings for each and every little finger and toe. Life is precious.

All images are copyright protected by Peaceful World Photography.  Please do not copy or re-post images.  

All frames used in this posting are by Florabella Collection.  Visit their website and facebook page to view and purchase their amazing textures and actions.  

Teeney Tiny Wee Ones

2011-02-02T10:20:00.000-08:00


Images are Copyright protected by Melissa Spencer (Peaceful World Photography) - do not copy, edit, or re-post.

     When I photograph newborns I am always so amazed by their flexibility, tenderness, and size. This wee one in particular was a preemie and quite tiny but now that she has had time to blossom in this world, under the watchful eyes of her loving family, she is growing and thriving. How exciting!

     This little gal, adorned with glamorous hair bows was perfect in every way. From her tiny toes up to her little eyes and button nose, an angel on Earth. Sleeping so peacefully, we felt guilty when we moved her from one pose to another. However, she was a trooper and I was able to capture many tiny and authentic infant moments.

     Lately I have been going to client's homes to photograph their infants. With the cold, Colorado weather this is perfect and babies of all ages seem to be more comfortable in their own homes. Surrounded by their own toys, blankets, pets, and people they love, I am able to capture their true spirit.

     If you photograph babies, one tip is to stay low, get in close and let them be the infant they are. It's a brief moment in time so enjoy this precious gift you have been given, the gift of a tiny life to capture and share with the world!

Pro Headshots for Any Occasion

2011-01-31T20:03:00.000-08:00

     Images are Copyright protected by Melissa Spencer (Peaceful World Photography) - do not copy, edit, or re-post.

       In the past few months it seems like I have taken more head shots than ever before in my photography career. Even infants are getting head shots taken (and baby bum shots too) for upcoming model/talent searches here in Denver.

     This head shot was taken at a local favorite of mine. A free-standing building that is just perfect for photographers. The bricks and columns make this charming little find perfect for weddings, senior portraits, family portraits and of course...head shots! What's even better is is that this hidden treasure is surrounded by huge, old Cotton Wood trees and there is a small creek and winding path near by as well. Just a perfectly, peaceful place.

   When my own daughters were only four and two, and we had just moved to Colorado from Florida, I found this little gem and snapped off a few (dozen) Easter portraits. Years flew by and it was senior portrait time and I remembered our special place. We went back to our find, and recreated her pose at age eighteen. This time a bright future and sparkling light of hope reflected in her eyes.

   I saw a lot of hope in this young lady as she posed too, without a coat on a cold January day. She braved the elements to get her perfect head shot.

     If you are considering head shots, get outside! Don't stay inside and stand beside a dreary black or white backdrop. There are too many wonderful little finds out there in the world.   Go look for them. Or, better yet, find a photographer who already knows where they are. :)

    If you are looking for head shots please contact Peaceful World Photography 303.483.5878 or visit our website @ www.peacefulworldphotography.com

New to the Colorado Cold!

2010-12-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

One thing I can say about Colorado families is that they are up for any type of weather. Rain, snow, heat, wind. If Mother Nature arrives with any of her fury, we Colorado families are ready to say, "bring it on!" This family however, is from sunny California, where warm weather prevails and temperatures don't nearly reach the lows we get here in Colorado. But, despite the cold temperatures we had in November, this California couple bundled up their precious little girls and themselves and headed up to the Boulder mountains for a real Colorado family portrait.

With breathtaking backdrops and a beautiful family, you can't go wrong for holiday portraits. These two little cuties didn't even flinch at the wind nipping at their cute little noses and ran around twirling and dancing like two little snowflakes. Mom and Dad were a little more sensitive to the Colorado cold and were in more of a hurry to get back into their warm SUV.

After a lot of laughs and some dancing in the fields, two rosy cheeked girls were ready to warm their chilly, little fingers in red mittens. Topped off with hats to match, these precious cherubs were a bundle (literally) of fun to photograph.

So, you might be a brave Colorado family who weathers the elements, but I have to admire the Californians who get out there and give it the old "Colorado try." Now if only we can get a few Floridians....hmmmmmm......

A Growing Family

2010-11-27T07:59:00.000-08:00

Mix a warm, fall Colorado day with a wonderful family and what do you get? Portraits where you can feel the love.

There is nothing more special than a loving family, unless that family is growing and this family is awaiting their newest member (who has already arrived by the time this blog is posted!). With two beautiful children and one on the way, what could make a family happier?

When you have a family consisting of an older brother and a younger sister, it's called the "Million Dollar Family." Add a new baby sister and you can't even put a price tag on that family. Big brother Milo made sure that his sister was laughing and having a great time during our shoot. You could feel the love between these two siblings as they tousled and wrestled and played in the warm Colorado sunshine. Giggles and laughs could be heard from little sis as her big brother gently "took her out" several times. In the end, I was able to capture a touching moment when the two siblings lay down in the grass for a (very) brief moment to rest.

In today's busy world, moments like these are few and far between unfortunately so make the most of your time with your family. Get outside, let the warm sunshine envelop you and touch your skin and let the cool breezes blow your hair and tickle your nose. Let the chilly fall winds turn your noses red and make your ears tingle from the cold. Time goes so fast...don't let it slip away from you.

Families Embrace the Fall Weather

2010-10-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Families Embrace the Fall

Nothing brings families closer together then a fall portrait! Cool, crisp days, the sun shining on everyone, lots of people you love gathered together, coordinated outfits, and what do you get? A great time AND a great family portrait that will be cherished for years to come.

This family combined all of the above and came out in full force to have their family portrait taken. Four generations of family love proved to be a fun time for everyone, including the family dogs. Creating a lasting memory is hard to do but that's exactly what this family did, right up to the very end of the shoot, when even Great Grandma and Grandpa were jumping on the count of three!

Taking time to gather family may seem like a task that you aren't ready to undergo. I admit, it takes time, effort, careful coordination of outfits, planning, plotting, and much more, but in the end...everyone is laughing and smiling and remembering past times together, all while creating new memories.

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. ~Joyce Brothers

Forever Friends

2010-10-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a great friend. And...if you have a great friend, you have a rare gift. Friends come in all shapes, all sizes, all ages, and all types. But, the best friend is a true and lasting friend that travels alongside of you down life's path and never leaves your side. Well, they might leave your side for a bit, friends do fight sometimes, but a true friend will always find their way back to you. Or, you will find your way back to them. A true friend will always come home, which is in both of your hearts!

Students Excited to Blog in the New School Year!

2010-08-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

This past summer I blogged with a sampling of fifth grade students that I have taught or have a connection with over the years. It all began when I started to blog about my photography and one of my former students was interested in reading my blogs and began asking their teacher if they could go to the library every day during center time and read my blog. My audience suddenly changed from a photography group and people who were interested in taking pictures, to this child. This former student. This 10 year old who was interested in reading my blog.

I asked myself, is this about my photography or about staying connected with me? Hmmmm, it got me really thinking. So, I asked her. She said she liked the idea of being able to sit down and read about something I was doing and feeling like she was still connected to me in some way. As a teacher, this is a dream come true. Don't we all strive to stay connected with our students through the years? I know I do.

So, this student got me thinking...(again with the thinking) What if there were other students out there who would like to stay connected and blog WITH me. Not just read my blogs but I could read THEIR blogs! That night I tore home from work like a mad women (good thing there were no cops that ticketed me for speeding because I was definitely on a mission to get home and fast) and contacted several students about this idea. They were all excited about it but we had to get permission from parents, find a safe blogger site, yadda, yadda, yadda....

Finally, we were all online and blogging like professional writers. We were also commenting on one another's blogs and making suggestions when people were going on similar vacations or places we had been before. We all blogged about where we could meet up and decided on a park in Broomfield and had a picnic and just talked (in person) about all we had learned about one another. It was fantastic! Then, that same brilliant little girl who inspired all of this asked if we could do this during the school year, maybe even IN school! Another incredible idea. However, I was going to be in three different schools working this year and how could I ever get alllllllllll those students and alllllllllllllll those teachers organized and get this great idea off the ground. Summer ended....school started and then the fun began.

About a week into school, I started meeting with teachers and as we were talking we shared ideas about writing and low and behold, the idea of blogging came up! Imagine that! A fifth grade group of teachers at Skyview Elementary, in Adams 12 School District, wanted to blog with their students. I contacted the district tech staff and asked for a safe place to blog and she got back to me that day with tons of great information about how to safely set up a blog with students.

Now, Skyview 5th graders are blogging. Well, they are learning how to blog. Blogging IS writing and writing for an audience is hard work. You have to choose the correct words (I have backspaced many, many times and have re-read, many, many times to get this blog ready to publish). My favorite part about blogging is when I get to hit the big button on the bottom of my blog that says, Publish Post! How rewarding to know that many, many people might read my blog and respond to it. I always love when I get comments and great feedback. I get excited when I get comments that are specific and don't just say, great job or nice writing. I want details people!!!!

So, if you want to know how to blog and think you're up for the challenges and rewards of blogging give us a shout! Read our blogs, they are awesome and you'll learn a lot about writing and a lot about the 5th graders at Skyview Elementary School and there amazing teachers who are teaching students how to live as a writer in the 21st Century. An extra bonus is that you might just reconnect with someone you knew from the past. For me it was a former student I taught when she was in kindergarten named Nayomi and another student I taught when she was in third grade named Shianne. Writing keeps people connected in this big, wide world. See you out in cyper space...

Day 7-Hanging with Katie and Heading Home

2010-07-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

I love the ferries but traveling back isn't always has exciting as traveling forward and today we waited, and waited, and waited in ferry lines. I guess the novelty of the ferry has faded for us, because on our first leg leaving Friday Harbor we spent inside looking at photos on our computer. We never did find the internet connection but we enjoyed sorting through yesterday's photos on our ride. We land on Whidbey Island and travel alllll the way across that island to get to the next ferry that will return us to Port Townsend. We stopped and grabbed some lunch at one of the local fish places for lunch and grabbed some salmon sandwiches. They were more than delicious and gone in no time.

We we arrived at the ferry, we had missed the one we had intended on catching so we sat, and sat, and sat in line. Well, we actually parked the car in line and the car had to sit and sit and sit in line as we took a hike to the local bunkers. They were quite amazing and kids were having a field day running all over and playing war games. There were huge drops off the sides of these bunkers and I would be frightened if I had small children running around. There were enormous canons back from WWII and the entire place was amazing. We had left our camera gear packed for the return trip, not expecting to come across anything so cool. A giant field held kite fliers and picnic peeps having their lunch and we crossed it to return to our car as our ferry time approached. Back at the docks, we spot an ice cream stand (more ice cream) and get our last fill before the diets start tomorrow. The ferry comes into view and we load onto the ferry...front row. This time we stay in the car with our front row view and just relax as the ferry carries us, our car and our endless amounts of luggage back towards Port Townsend. We arrive safely and do a bit of shopping around Port Townsend. I am in search of a Buddha from my mecca (tee hee) and come across some cute little pocket Buddhas for the girls and an interesting female version for me. In another store I come across some prayer flags and quickly grab those up for the future new backyard (smile). On to Katie's house.

We drive around the bend to Katie's and Leo and Stella greet us. Katie has made reservations for us at her favorite Italian restaurant so we can cleaned up and head back out for dinner shortly after our arrival. A pianist plays during dinner and the food was delicious of course. A small, quaint place and the owners were both there serving up a fantastic meal. Back to Katie's and we visit with her as she shares stories and some of her recent sketches. One last night in the cozy cabin before we head home tomorrow. We both sleep so soundly.

In the morning I take another outdoor shower (I love Katie's outdoor shower) and we head out for breakfast at the local diner (not a greasy diner) called the Spruce Goose that is located alongside the air strip at the International airport located in Port Townsend. Quite funny! There are pop tents set up next to small planes were pilots sleep when they get in late. Love it! Breakfast was yummy and Katie's company is as great as the food. We do a bit of hiking to some local bunkers and then head out to the Port Townsend Farmer's Market. The local fresh vegetables and fruits look incredible and people are flocking the streets downtown to get their weekly fare. If only I were not leaving today, I'd buy up a lot of the fresh berries.

After a bit we all know it's time for real life to hit and we head back to Katie's and pack up our bags. Katie heads out to the airport to pick up a friend so we say our good-byes, promising to come back and telling Katie to come out to Colorado for a visit soon. I snap up a few last shots of Katie's sanctuary and off we head towards Seattle.

As we drive back towards the airport we reflect on our amazing trip, sharing highlights and stories about our favorite parts and both agreeing that the biplane tour was our favorite part. We agree and promise to keep this relaxed feeling with us through the year and as we head back to work but we know we will never feel the relaxation we felt on this trip...how can we?

A fast flight home and we are greeted by Amanda and Kelly at the airport. What a great sight to our eyes! They are excited to see us and the whole ride home is sharing stories about our trip and their week of freedom! The boys (Hunter and Guinness) are too excited when we walk in the front door and go crazy with their doggy greetings. In no time Hunter is crashed out on the family room floor, at peace now that Dave (his hero) is home once again.

Ahhh, home again, home again. A vacation of a life-time and Dave is the most amazing man. There are no words to describe how much I love this man now and forever. What will he come up with next? Hmmmmmm......

20th Anniversary Trip Day 6: Touring San Juan Island & Whale Watching Tour

2010-07-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Our last full day here on San Juan Island provided some relaxation. After another good breakfast at the inn and conversations with the other couple (newlyweds and oh, so cute), we headed out for our next adventure. It's amazing how well Dave knows this island already and he leads us straight to the Sculpture Garden. We drive up and an immense field, surrounded by trees and located across from a large lake, awaits us. As we enter the garden, there are paths carved out in every direction. We choose a path and start soaking in all the art with our eyes. Being Dave and I, after a few sculptures we have to start messing around. Don't get me wrong, we both truly appreciate art but with each piece we decide we need to bring forth our own interpretations. We laughed out loud during this excursion. After about an hour and a hundred photos, we headed out!

Our next stop: The Alpaca Farm. Oh my goodness, these gals are just adorable and their babies are even cuter. There were tons and tons of them but we made our way over to the mommy and baby section and were fortunate enough to get to watch the farm woman feed one of the young. Apparently the mother of this young one wasn't producing enough milk so she had to hand feed the baby with a bottle. It was precious. After she fed that babe, she brought over another baby and let us all feel it's soft coat. Under the top layer is a curly layer that is the mark of a great alpaca. They were shearing some of the gals and guys in the barn but it was difficult to see much. The boys in the fields were frolicking and fighting with one another. Dave raced back to get the zoom lens and got some great, up-close shots of them. There was a shop attached and they sold so many beautiful items made from the alpaca fur. After a few more dozen photos, we headed onto our next stop: The Lavender Farm!

The Lavender Farm was stunning. Imagine rows and rows of purple plants, of various colors. I didn't realize there were so many varies. As we weaved in and out of the rows of lavender, bees hummed their little songs and worked hard as we snapped our photos. These types of shots are great when working with depth of field and blurring out backgrounds, zooming, etc....a photographer's dream for getting unique and creative. They also had a shop and if I lived closer I would have packed my suitcase full, but I was afraid the fragile stems and delicate flowers would bend and break to pieces by the airlines.

After our lavender adventure, we head back into town and have a satisfying lunch at the Blue Crab House. It's a unique little restaurant, where you order your food in two main areas and then go find and seat. When your order is ready, the servers shout out your name until they find you. Quite different and fun! The great thing about this restaurant is that it overlooks the ferry docks at Friday Harbor so we could see the various ferries coming and going. People and their dogs streaming on and off on foot, bicycles, motorcycles and cars.
A bit of shopping in the town and we are ready for our 2:00 adventure. Another surprise. I am thinking since it's been such a relaxing day, we would be getting massages but oh no, more adventures for the Spencers with a whale watching boat tour on the Odyssey, one of the largest whale touring boats. Dave was quite worried that I'd get seasick so he chose to the bigger boat that seats 90+ people but only 40+ were going so there were plenty of seats for everyone and room to move around. We chose to sit outside on the top deck and had the perfect seats for sailing. Off we went...in the wild blue yonder (I've always wanted to say that) and although it was choppy, I felt pretty good.

The ride out took almost an hour but our guide pointed out the various wild life and provided immense information about the whale pods. I learned so much about the Orca way of life. They are very social animals who life in a Matriarchal society (the best kind of society but they way) and can live well into their 100's. If you want to read more about Orca's lives click here: Orca. You can also google it, along with San Juan Islands to get tons of interesting information.

Once we got to our destination, we saw quite a few Orcas from different pods. They were a bit away so we brought out the zoom lens. I did fine until we stopped and then I had to dismiss myself from the photography because trying to stand, focus through the eye piece and rock was making me a bit queasy. I sat back with a guy who was also a bit queasy and we chatted and watched the whales as everyone ooohed and ahhhed like it was the fourth of July. The guide said they call this oohing and ahhing, Orcasms. How funny!

On our way back into land, I almost lost it (twice) but held back because had I decided to let loose my lunch, I may have hit several of the participants on the lower deck so I just faced the wind, looked forward, made Dave give me tons of water and had a snack and I survived. We met a very nice couple and their daughter on the way back and chatted with them the entire time. My fellow sick mate also sat with us and exchanged Colorado stories as he had once lived there. We all showed off our tats and told their meanings and exchanged information so we could share pictures and keep in touch. It was a great way to spend a day.

When we returned we grabbed some dinner at the same place we lunched, grabbed some local, home-made ice cream and headed out to some state parks to see if we could spot some eagles. We found the nest but didn't see any of the eagles but did see a young red fox asleep by the side of the road (no, it wasn't dead...I checked). After that we headed out to the Lighthouse to watch the sunset. What a beautiful little lighthouse and you could actually climb to the sop. The ladies who worked there were so informative and gave us great information about the pods that swim by. It was around the same location where out boat went today.
We found a great resting place and starting shooting tons of sunset shots with the lighthouse included. Standing alone on the edge of the shore, the little light houses only job is to beckon boats. It was a perfect ending to our final day in San Juan. Tomorrow we sail back on the ferry all the way to Port Townsend to Katie's beautiful home.

Our final night in the hot tub and we watch as satellites go by. I even saw a shooting star. It was easy to make a wish tonight! One last night to sleep INN the Woods and then we are off, back towards our life in Denver. However, we still have a night with Katie and that outdoor shower is calling my name...

Day 5: San Juan and Orca Island and a Plane Ride! OMG!!!

2010-07-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

Who would have ever thought that when I woke up this morning that I would get on a biplane by 4:00 the same afternoon and fly over the entire San Juan Islands? I sure didn't!

The day started out with a scrumptious breakfast at the B&B and then we headed out to our next destination...Orca Island. Orca Island takes about 45 minutes to get to by ferry from Friday Harbor but the time fly by as there is so much to see. We sat by a local lady on the ferry and she shared the gossip and tales of several of the islands we passed by. It was interesting to hear stories from a local's point of view.

Once on the island, we headed over to Moran State Park and hiked around. We headed straight up to Mount Constitution where we could get a bird's eye view of the islands. It was quite impressive. There was a large tower we could climb so we headed up and got some great scenic shots up there. After that adventure, we headed back down we came across one of the most beautiful and serene waterfalls I have ever seen, called Cascade Falls. It wasn't huge or rushing like some we've seen on this trip but it was tranquil and tucked back into a canyon that no one seemed to travel down. People could be seen overhead looking down into the canyon at the fall but when we got to the bottom, it was quiet and our own little paradise. We took several photos and hung out for quite a while down there and then headed back up to our next destination.

Our 4:00 "surprise" destination time was approaching so we headed out to do a little shopping. Orca Islands are known for their artisians so we popped into a couple of shops and found a few treasures. A little bird's nest was a fun purchase after I found a little heart to put inside the nest, making it a Love Nest...get it? (tee hee) and we also found some wonderful little glazed pottery tea cups for our green tea that we love to drink. The artist had put finger impressions into the pieces and each one had it's own feel. Dave and I tried them out and each found our perfect one that our thumbs fit in nicely. A quick stop for ice cream in waffle cones, shots of flowers in the ice cream park and off we headed for the "surprise of a lifetime" as Dave so lovingly called my next surprise.

We drive a short distance and it looks as if Dave has made a wrong turn and will make a turnabout in the airport parking lot but wait, no, we are heading towards a small hanger. Holy Shit!!!! is all I could manage to say. I actually think I was in shock for about ten minutes. We meet our pilot who kindly snaps some photos by and around the small, three person biplane in we go. It's a tight fit and I am glad that I haven't put on any additional pounds at this point (other than the ones I HAVE put on). Dave goes in first and has a nice, protective side of the airplane to lean into but I am subject to no side and a great fall if I happen to lean out too far. Strapped in, helmets and goggles on, camera straps wrapped tightly around our wrists. The pilot does some checks to see if we can hear him through our headsets and we give him the thumbs up to head out. Down the runway he races and then up he climbs, well over 1,000 feet above the islands. I get tears in my eyes thinking about the man sitting next to me and how much he must love me to go to the lengths he has gone to continually surprise me. The smile doesn't leave his face and those shiny white teeth of his are all I can see when I look at him. He squeezes my right knee, beaming with happiness the whole time.

As we glide above the islands, our pilot narrating for us, I can't believe how lucky I am to have met this man 22 years ago. I have to give some credit to my cousin Chris for introducing him to me, possibly the best thing anyone has ever done for me...other than this plane ride.

Day 4: Leaving Port Townsend and Arriving in Friday Harbor

2010-07-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Leaving Port Townsend is hard because I just love it so much but knowing that we are heading into the San Juan Islands is quite exciting. Having never been there, I am anticipating so much and know that I will be happily surprised with each event Dave has planned.

We arrive at the docks in Port Townsend and board our ferry to Whidbey Island and then drove across the entire island to get to Anacortas, which will take us to our final destination of Friday Harbor on the San Juan Island. What a trek but the worth every penny and minute of our day because the sights are incredible.

We arrive in Friday Harbor and head straight to our resting place for the next three nights. Inn the Woods is tucked literally in the woods and is surrounded by enormous red cedars and Douglas firs. The lake across the street is filled with laughing boaters and children playing. We drop our belongings and get the quick tour and then head back to Friday Harbor just in time to get a front row seat on the deck of Downriggers Restaraunt for the next ferry arrival. The help is friendly and gives great advice on what to have to eat. I get the fresh halibut and Dave decides on the the smoked Salmon fish tacos. Both great choices.

After dinner we stop by some of the shops to see if we can pick up anything for the girls but the stores are dark and their owners have all gone home for the evening. Friday Harbor apparently shuts down early. Tourists wander the streets, heading back to their places of rest for the evening but Dave and I head out to Lime Kiln State Park to watch the sunset. It's quite amazing and we are able to get some pretty amazing shots of the sun setting over the water. A golden-orange tinge in the sky reflects on the water and as the sun sinks, the temps drop and we huddle close and watch as the sun slowly lowers itself behind the mountains and like that...it's gone. Just like day four. The big "surprise" is tomorrow. I can't even begin to imagine what it will be because of the amount of activities I see people participating in. So, until tomorrow....Day 4, goodnight. I know that after a dip in the hot tub on the deck back at the inn I'll be sleeping soundly tonight.

Day 3-Snoqualmie Falls-Arriving at Katies in Port Townsend

2010-07-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

I don't think I even moved all night! After the steam sauna and cool night air, we climbed into one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in and fell asleep to the sounds of the raging river. Hershel delivered breakfast to our room in the morning and what a breakfast it was! An egg frittatta, potatoes and delicious muffins. We ate in our room since the weather was a bit misty outside and watched the river make its daily journey.

Once packed up we were back on the road and ready to see our next stop. Destination: Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie falls is enormous and the amount of power the water generates is amazing. You can click on the link to find out more about the details of the falls. They freeze in the winter and tourists can walk closer to the falls on the ice. The hiking trail to the bottom is under construction so we don't aren't able to get too close but our perspective was wonderful enough.

After the falls we head over to Tweeds Diner, the spot where Twin Peaks was filmed. Famous for their Cherry Pie and they Cup of Joe. We split a pie, but passed on the Joe and took a few shots of this once famous diner. Twin Peaks holds special memories for Dave and I since it was once one of our favorites shows to watch with good friends each week when we were first married. Seeing all the local places in person was fun and there are actually twin peaks in the town!

After poking around the North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls area, we headed for our journey to Katie's house. This is the only portion of our trip I knew about and was excited to see our good friend Katie, a wonderful friend and excellent hostess. On our last trip to see Katie, last summer, we got quite lost but this time it was smooth sailing. Katie and her dog Stella greeted us as she heard our car arrive and we unloaded, once again for the next night. Katie has a unique home that sits on around 7 acres I believe. She has beautiful gardens of all kinds, including a non-pesticide veggie garden. We stay in Katie's cottage that is so sweet. I call it my "run-away" place because if I was ever in need to run away from life, that's where I'd run to.

After a wonderful Thai dinner (night 2 of Thai, but you can't have too much Thai food) with Katie in downtown Port Townsend we headed back for a good night of sleep. The cottage has no window coverings and opens to a large forest. I love this but made Dave trade sides with me as my back was to the open window leading to the never-ending darkness of trees! Dave said changing sides after twenty years might mess up his Zen sleep but he didn't seem to have any issues as deep breathing could be heard shortly after his head hit the pillow. Day 3...resting comfortably at the end of the day in Katie's cozy cottage. What could be better? Day 4 perhaps?

20th Anniversary Trip-Day 2 Mount Rainier and North Bend

2010-07-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

I think when you overeat the night before, you tend to wake up with a grumbly and hungry belly. At least for me that's true. I prepare for the day ahead, not knowing anything about our plans except that first portion will be spent hiking around Mount Rainier and taking more photos. Breakfast is complimentary so we don't have high hopes but are happily surprised when a breakfast buffet is spread before us in the dining room. Endless supplies of breakfast everythings are awaiting us. The best tasting scrambled eggs I have ever had, potatoes, muffins, juices of all sorts, yogurts, etc, etc, etc. With happy bellies we begin our next journey.

Day two leads us back into Mount Rainier National Park. It led a lot of other people into the park as well. With sunshine galore and a perfect view of the usually hidden mountain, hoards of people swarm into the park. Once in, the crowds disperse and it doesn't appear to be crowded at all. We do a wonderful, short loop hike to see a cavernous gap that drops down 1,000 feet. The waters roaring beneath us. There are so many waterfall stops and each one appears larger than the next.

After our adventures in Mount Rainier National Park we head out on our next trek, which leads us to a very cozy Bed and Breakfast in North Bend, Washington. North Bend is the home of Twin Peaks, a popular show in the 90's and a favorite for Dave and I when we were first married. The Roaring Rivers bed and breakfast is a feast for the eyes. Situated high above the Snoqualmie River, the B&B is nestled into the side of an expansive mountainside. The grounds are gorgeous and of course Dave and I take advantage of every piece of it. Our room is below the main house and is called the Rock and Roses room and with great reason. When the original builder went to dig out the basement to add an above ground room below the main house, he came across a huge boulder. Instead of moving the rock, they built around it and incorporated the rock into the room. On side of this massive Boulder lives within the room and the other side houses a sauna. Oh my...how great is a sauna? We found out after our delicious dinner at the local Thai restaurant in town. A sauna is so perfect for this area because the night air is so cool and refreshing after a hot steam sauna.

After the sauna, we sat outside in comfy robes and drank in the feast we were provided with our eyes and listened to the sound of the river roaring below and the night birds finding their way home. Day 2...complete.

20th Anniversary Trip Day 1: Arriving in Washington State

2010-07-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

As a couple approaches and bypasses the 20th year mark in marriage you (at least I do) begin to reflect on all the years that has led up to this moment in time. I get to thinking about that first time I ever saw my spouse, did I know at that specific moment, somewhere in my subconscious, that this would be the person I would grow old with? There's the first meeting, the first date, the meeting of the friends, the introduction of the parents and family members, the proposal, the engagement, the marriage, the honeymoon, the family, the life...

In celebrating our 20th anniversary this year David decided to surprise me with a trip to the San Juan Islands with some mini stops leading us to our destination. Here is how our story goes:

Day 1: We wake up in our beds in Denver at the crack of dawn to make an early flight into Seattle. We have both traveled to Seattle in the past and absolutely love the area. If it weren't for missing friends and uprooting our children (again), we'd probably live there, but for now we visit. Smooth sailing, pick up rental car, start driving. Oh, and by the way, the entire trip is a surprise to me so I am clueless on our destination spots. We drive and drive, which is perfectly fine with me, because as long as someone else is driving, I love car rides and just watching the world pass by through my rental car window. We see Mount Rainier in the distance, which is a rare sighting because of the heavy cloud cover and misty rain. But today we see it perfectly clear in the way off distance. Should we stop to take a picture, I ask but Dave makes excuses about where to stop safely, etc....

We keep on with our travels and Mount Rainier is getting bigger and clearer and closer as we progress. I start to realize the possibilities of our first destination. The small back roads get windier and the sky gets smaller as the enormous pines grow taller. The car slows down and ahead is a beautiful old Inn. I catch my breath as we pull into the parking area and let out my typical gasp of excitement (which usually startles unknowns but in this case Dave knows he's done good). The Alexander Inn is the name of this quaint inn. Two years shy of 100 years old, this majestic beauty doesn't look a day over 80! It has a long and interesting history and is tucked on a large site, surrounded by trees and ponds. We check in and our guide shows us around. The pond out back is stocked full of trout, she explains. We find our room and settle in. Our room is cozy and furnished with all the authenticity of its time. Visions of my Grams' house keep popping into my memories. They are having unseasonably warm weather so window fans are in each of the windows, trying their hardest to pull in any bit of fresh air. Our hostess tells us not to worry, that night will bring cooler temps. We assure her we know because we experience the same in Denver.

After a delicious lunch served in their dining room and a promise to return for dinner, we head out on our first adventure. Destination: Mount Rainier. The majestic beauty is breathtaking and although it's lower in elevation than were we live in Broomfield, Colorado, this monstrous mountain fills the entire sky with it's form. We stop at all the pull offs to get that perfect shot. Dave is on a mission to capture the very best shot ever taken of Mount Rainier. He's a wonderful nature photographer so I am sure he'll rank amongst the best! Traveling through windy roads and pulling off for various waterfalls (each one larger than the next), we collect well over 200 photos between the two of us.

As we head back to our resting place, we skim through our collection of photos, commenting, deleting, oohing and aahing over the exceptional ones. Cleaned up and ready to fill our hungry bellies, we wait by the trout pond, contemplating our dinner choices, sipping wine and relaxing. The sounds of birds in the trees and the whisper of the pines in the winds. What an amazing first day!

As I crawl into bed that evening and find cool sheets waiting for me, I know that 20 years is only the beginning of this journey Dave and I are on together. It's only been a spec in time compared to all we have ahead of us. I fall asleep, pondering our next destination and sleep soundly all night.

Taking a Step Back

2010-06-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

All photos courtesy of James Quade. Amateur iphone photog and dad extraordinaire.

About a month or so ago I did a shoot for two little gals who were cousins. I had posted a blog about the two of them because they were so darn cute and they enjoyed themselves so much during our shoot. They showed me some new poses and we just had a great time.

The father of one of the girls was with them and he was busy texting or doing something on his iphone during the time that I was shooting the girls. While we walked, we chatted about this and that and as soon as I started shooting, he was quickly back on his iphone. Little did I know, until after the shoot, that he was shooting me, shooting the girls! What fun! I have never had a parent take shots of me while I was doing a shoot. I asked him if he would send them to me because I have very few pictures of myself in action on a shoot. He sent them over to me asap and those are the pictures I am sharing today.

When looking through the photos I realized that a photographer may do this job over and over again but for each new subject, it's a brand new experience and that they are the very center of attention at that moment in time. Gentle care should be taken with little ones. Quiet personalities need a photographer who can be calm and boisterous personalities need a photographer who can have fun and act on those adventuresome personalities. When working with children, the photographer needs to guide them but also let them lead because children will lead you towards great things and towards new discoveries. In the end, a photographer will have much better portraits if they learn to be patient, kind, quite and calm, or fun and boisterous, depending on the client and above all, enjoy themselves. If you enter this career for the money, get out! It's about living in a moment and taking that moment and capturing it forever. Like the old saying goes, A picture tells a thousands words. What words will your portraits tell the next time you go out and shoot?

Little Diva Who Loves to Pose

2010-06-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

There are many children who pose naturally, many who photograph well without even trying to pose and there are even those who hate to pose, but end up doing a great job because they are trying to please me or their mom. In all the years that I have taken portraits of children, never have I seen anyone so enthusiastic about posing for the camera like this little gal!

We started in a big field, down by the pond near my home. I had just purchased two little chairs (remember my posting, Chairs for Tiny Derrieres?) Well, hers (tiny derriere) was the first to sit and pose for me using one of my newest finds. Equipped with an adorable dress, toes and nails painted to match, a darling bag filled with pearls, bracelets and accessories, including a tiara, we began. It was one of the easiest shots I have done in a long time because this little Diva was a poser deluxe. She had all the right moves, all the right poses, and at one point she was directing the next shoot location. She was a natural.

After an hour or more, we (me, my assistant and the mom of the diva) were exhausted and ready to wrap up the shoot. Not this gal, she was ready to keep on rolling. As we made our way to the car, we made a few more stops to grab another few shots and then she unloaded her belongings from my car, including her own car seat and headed for home with mom.

I don't know about her, but I slept good that night and I could only dream of what I would find when I opened those photos the next day and sorted through them. I knew there would be some jewels waiting for me inside that camera. And, I was right!