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Happy Birthday, Kailyn | {Tacoma Child Photography}

chelle — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:49:51 +0000

Kailyn came along with her mom and aunts for their sister session on her birthday…and you know we weren’t going to let that go unnoticed!!! She is my friend, Mandi’s daughter and she KNOWS I love photographing her!! So, she came prepared! :)She is also VERY loved by all of her Aunties!And….I found out that she loves to climb trees! Every time I turned around she was in a different one….She has those amazing freckles and gorgeous eyes….I love her sweet spirit. She is always so warm and friendly…even though maybe a tad bit shy, she always waves at me at church and gives me that cute smile! Who knew a water spicket would become a great prop!Such a cool shot!
11…the last years of her youth! haha! Not really…but she is heading into the teen years soon! There’s that winning smile!Happy Birthday, Kailyn! I am so glad you came and came prepared!! You are so right…I do LOVE you! :)

Sisters!! | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:53:57 +0000

I had the pleasure of spending a morning with these four beautiful women a while back! It was a morning of laughter and love….This was a surprise shoot for their mom for Mother’s Day! How could any mother not LOVE something like this…the true gift of seeing their daughters grown and closer than ever! I hope to get a gift like this one day! Did I mention there was a lot of laughter….each of these ladies is uniquely funny-but put them all together and I am surprised we got ANY shots where we weren’t all laughing!!Not that you can tell, but Mandi leads this group….But, I had to ask cause they all look so young! I happen to get to call Mandi, Friend! She is a lovely friend to have! Always so warm and caring. I am blessed by her!Next in line is Jamie! When I asked the other girls how they would describe her they all said artsy, compassionate, and mothering! She might be slightly more reserved than the others, but she was still so open and charming!
Mandi and Jamie are the big sisters of Mary and Dee…twins! Did you already guess that?Mary is the oldest of the two…although, Dee was quick to make sure I knew it was only 3 seconds!!! haha!! I have had the privilege of having Mary on the blog before with her family…so, it was a treat to get to shoot her again! She is the teacher of the group…and I have to say, she was the one who would get everyone back on task when they would start to get distracted by having too much fun!! :)
Dee…the baby of the family! She cracked me up! She loves to make people laugh and had her sisters in stitches! All so beautiful! I have to say that sessions like this are so fun for me because I SO love to capture relationships that are so full of love…but, I did go away with a twinge of envy. Never having a sister it is a relationship I can’t relate to, and I think it would be such a wonderful blessing to have. Someone who knows everything about you, accepts you, loves you, and walks through it all with. A woman who doesn’t even need to say words to get her point across because she already knows what you are thinking and feeling. A sister! Don’t get me wrong…I wouldn’t trade in my big brother for anyone else…but, it is different than having a sister! But, I think these ladies know that what they have is beautiful!All of them share those gorgeous blue eyes!!! Their parents must be gorgeous to have had four such beautiful girls!Can never leave out a little bit of drama with some black and white…..What a beautiful day we had for the shoot, too!! Gotta love the blooming apple orchard, too!! Such a spring filled look!And, while they also share their good tasted in jewelry….
…they were slightly divided in their taste in coffee! :)
I love these images of them just sitting around doing what girls do best….sharing life and coffee!Sharing life and talking about the next chapter….
…which is going to be their new niece or nephew!!! Congrats, Mary on your pregnancy!! Can’t wait to capture that journey with you and Brett! Ladies! You were such a joy to hang out with! Thanks for getting all dolled up and for all the laughter! I hope your mom was surprised and blessed!

Ashley | {Life Christian Academy Senior-Class Of 2012}

chelle — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:41:08 +0000

Back in the fall I was on my way to Pt. Defiance park for a family session and I decided on a whim to stop at the little coffee shop about a block away from the park. It is not one of usual coffee stops, but they have great coffee. I am SO glad I stopped that day because this beautiful young lady came to the window with her beautiful laughing eyes to serve me. I very rarely EVER approach someone and say…”hey….you should have me do your senior photos!” But, I knew she would be a blast! I left my card with her and an hour later I heard from her mom! I was thrilled!
We waited until some better light…and we definitely got it! It was gorgeous afternoon…warm and bright!This is a new location for me! I have amazing friends who scout out locations and then let me in on them! This one actually came from a fellow photographer! She knew I would love it! Ashley loved it, too!Ashley loves to laugh! We tried some serious faced images, and we did get some, but I can tell that she is just a joyful girl who LOVES to have fun!! It suits her!
She is graduating from Life Christian Academy! CLASS OF 2012! We actually started down at the glass museum….basking in the sun!
Ashley was wearing her Life Christian Academy Cheerleading sweatshirt the first time I met her. That was her main sport throughout high school, but she also played a little bit of fast pitch!I loved this series….all the faces of Ashley! :) And, a little glass museum drama! Love!She was completely laid back and go with the flow for the whole shoot…I have a feeling that is how she approaches life! Although, she has two jobs right now…so, she is also a hard worker!
AMAZING BROWN EYES!! Brown eyes happen to my favorite…probably cause of my girls! I just think they have so much depth to them!I had more images of her laughing than anything!! :)Can’t you just see the joy?These pillars will soon have water coming out of them…which is great summertime fun for everyone, but this day it just wasn’t quite warm enough!Which meant we got to use them as props a little easier!I love her shoes! She didn’t want to do too much with her pom poms…but, we couldn’t let them sit the whole session out…so, just a little shout out to her cheerleading days!We also had the privilege of having along Ashley’s best friend, Alex and her daughter, Avery! Such a cute little girl and her beautiful Mama!!! It was fun to have them along!The flowers are starting to pop up all around for spring and Ashley knew she wanted lots of green….Love!…beautiful smile and sun!I am loving the green grass fields right now! This is why we suffer through the rain for so long…We found another cool staircase that really headed into nowhere….Tacoma is full of amazing places like this! Whenever Ashley would look at Alex…they would both crack up! Having friends along makes everything more fun!Ashley…I am so grateful that you took my card that day and called me! I was right! You are a beautiful, fun, and charming person who I had a blast shooting! May you have many adventures as you leave high school!!! Blessings!

Abby | {Decatur High School Senior-Class of 2012}

chelle — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:20:03 +0000

The next gorgeous senior is up!! Abby is a senior at Decatur High School! CLASS OF 2012!One of the first things Abby told me about herself is that she LOVES to laugh and is super outgoing….She didn’t exaggerate at all! She laughed and the rest of us laughed along with her! She looks beautiful when she laughs!We had a beautiful day and some lovely locations…a couple of new ones, and a couple of favorites! Gotta love a girl in cowboy boots!She has an elegance about her, don’t you think?Abby wanted train tracks. To be honest, I don’t do train tracks very often for the sheer fact that they are dangerous! But, we had a couple of people with us during the shoot who were keeping an eye on either side of us! I love this image!We had so much fun that I had a hard time going through and picking out my favorites…they were all fun!Lovely!After a bit on the tracks we saw a very SLOW moving train coming…so Abby climbed up on a huge piece of cement and just chilled for a minute…and of course, laughed!
Then, once we were in the clear she and her best friend, Michaela, headed onto the tracks again. They tried that serious look….for a second! :)Then it was off to a safer part of town! :) Abby is a confident girl. Easy to talk to, and has a twinkle in her eyes that is fun to see!High energy always makes for a fun shoot…and she had her friend making faces at her behind me the whole time, too!! :)Love this shot!We managed to get another friend shot with both of them looking at me….
…but, again, that only lasted for a second!
I just LOVE the old buildings we have around Tacoma…and I love it when my seniors choose them for a background! It just adds so much texture!Classic!Notice that Abby has some dainty freckles as well! It is the year for freckles! I hope it stays around a long time!Abby also had her gorgeous mom along! They are beautiful together!!One last stop as we were losing some light….Abby has been a three sport athlete throughout high school! Three sports! That is a lot to do to keep up with a job and school and social commitments….. She does it all gracefully!All the stars on her jacket are different awards or competitions that they have won in soccer, basketball, and fast pitch. I love that she has incorporated her faith into her jacket….it is obviously a huge part of her life, and with a verse like Phil 4:13 to help her through…”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”….she is going to be a strong, successful woman!Abby….thanks so much for coming out with your mom and Michaela! I had a blast meeting you and am excited to see where your life takes you from here on out! Happy Graduation!

Amanda | {Stadium High School Senior-Class of 2012}

chelle — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:38:06 +0000

Amanda is graduating from Stadium High School here in Tacoma! Class of 2012!Such a naturally beautiful young woman with amazing freckles!! I was so glad to hear that she did not want anything done to them in post editing! She loves her freckles as much as I do!! After a few shots near the pond at Pt. Defiance Park, we headed into the woods so she could show her school spirit for her future school of Humboldt State College in the Redwoods in California!Yep…she is super excited about becoming a Lumberjack!! She should feel right at home among the trees since we have plenty of them here, too!
We even were thrilled to find some flowers in bloom back in the Rhododendrum garden!And, since modeling is SUCH hard work, she rested a bit! :) We had a little deer as company in this field, but he took off when he saw that Amanda was laying right where he was eating! :)It was such a gorgeous morning….the sun was shining and we had just enough of a breeze to make it fun!If you guys are at all like me…I am soaking up every ounce of sun I can while we have it! I am ready for more! Amanda was enjoying it!I love her gorgeous green eyes! They set off her freckles perfectly! I asked the all too familiar question…”Where did you get your red hair?” She chuckled and said, “From my head!” Perfect answer that her Grandmother taught her early on! I loved it!I have to mention here that Amanda’s dad is a professional photographer, but has been serving in the Navy for some time and has currently been overseas for 2 long years with only a couple of weeks leave….so, I was honored to step in and take her senior photos for her, even though I know he would have LOVED to be here to do them himself! THANKS SO MUCH for serving, Brad! We pray for a quick return for you!Then…it was finally time! She squealed when it was time to head to the beach! She obviously loves the water…which will make her studies of marine biology even better for her!She even walked into the ice cold Sound!Love this image! So much joy!We had the privilege of have her mom, Sheri, along with us! She is SO proud of her daughter….even shed a few tears here and there! I can only imagine how it will feel when my Selah Layne is graduating and moving away! It takes a super strong woman to be a mom!We also found another little friend for her…..Lots of big smiles! Love!And, we did a little bit of drying off….So beautiful!As we were driving out of the park we decided to make one more stop…it was somewhere I hadn’t been before, but I know I will go back! Lovely!Amanda and Sheri! Thanks so much for choosing me to help celebrate your senior year! I am honored! I know you are going to do great in California! Congratulations! Class of 2012!

The Arkills Family | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:13:47 +0000

It seems like my sessions seem to go in phases…lots of families, then lots of births, then seniors…..but, I am mixing it up a little bit today! In the midst of all my seniors, I get to share this beautiful family with you all today! This is the Arkills Family!
These girls are beautiful, sweet, charming….and quite hilarious!! I love to see sisters that love to be together! Kelsey is the oldest! And, I think she likes that! :) She is also a budding photographer….which I LOVE! I love to see young people who want to see the world differently….and Kelsey is going to do that! I had fun giving her some tips…and we even talked about doing a mentor session this summer! I look forward to it!

Miss Lauren has a little bit of mischief about her, don’t you think? I can see it in her beautiful eyes! She has an infectious laugh……that she shares easily with her twin sister Elise! Who may be a little more reserved…but, still got in on all the fun! I think we might have some Daddy’s Girls!
These three were giving me all kinds of funny faces and laughing poses…but, we decided to try an “Abercrombie” shot…..
Which immediately turned into laughter again!!! I love girls!!Bobby and Jenelle stood and watched so proudly! And, who wouldn’t with three beautiful girls. But, we weren’t about to leave them out!Bobby is the Executive Director for Youth For Christ, which I have had the pleasure of working with on several occasions over the last few years! It is an organization that I believe is doing so much good for the kids in our communities! I have photographed a couple of golf tournaments that were so fun and raised a lot of money for the cause, and worked on some images for newsletters and publications…which is what brought us all together on this day. It was time to show off his gorgeous wife and family, and grab a few shots of him, too!Bobby and Jenelle have a sweet countenance together!And, while I was focusing on their parents I kept hearing little giggles and whispers behind me…as the girls were setting themselves up for what they hoped would be there next shot!! It was brilliant! And, then swung around the other side to see the laughter! :) I could’ve spent a lot of time with these silly girls!Bobby and Jenelle are blessed parents, and these girls are lucky daughters!Bobby, Jenelle, and girls! Thanks for coming out on a chilly day to see me! I was glad to finally meet the whole family! Many blessings to you all!!!

Selah Layne Is SIXTEEN! | {Tacoma Teen Photography}

chelle — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:07:47 +0000

My beautiful Babygirl is 16 today!!!! I can hardly believe it!! I couldn’t love a person more! This is what we are calling a “fake” shoot! Between our extremely busy schedules we have just not been able to fit in a photo shoot…and Selah Layne has some plans for her birthday money that made her want to wait till after her birthday….but, being a mom-I wanted pictures NOW! So, she humored me and ran out late last night as the sun was going down….Really…I just wanted to document this huge step in her life!! DRIVING!!! I remember when I was sixteen how easy it was for me to take that test, get my license, and start driving. I am telling you it is way harder as a mom to hand your daughter those keys and say, “Drive safe!” She is going to be fine, though! I trust her! And, thanks to her Dad and Stepmom, Jill…she is riding in style!! So, I could get all mushy here…but, that’s not her style so I will just tell you that this girl is such an incredible woman…you really should know her! :)She’s unique and quirky…and I love that about her!At any given time she has this verse written on her. She is holding out hope that I will agree to a tattoo of it….but, I am even more stubborn than she is! :) Ink will have to do for now!She has always been the most beautiful girl…even when she was fuzzy haired with a little mouse voice. Always beautiful!And, always hilarious! Her Aunt Jen used the word FEISTY for her…and I have to admit it is perfect!But, she is a genuine soul who loves people and wants to take on the worlds problems as hers in order to be part of the solution. I am so proud of this girl!! I am proud of who she has been and who she will be!! HAPPY SWEET 16, SELAH LAYNE!!!!

Devon | {Tacoma Teen Photography}

chelle — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:34:40 +0000

Beautiful Devon. Anyone remember her from the same time last year? If not, take a look here! I can’t believe it has already been a year since I met up with her last. And, to be honest-neither one of us imagined that this shoot was going to happen….but, I am SO glad it did! Devon started attending SOTA, or Tacoma’s School Of The Arts High School this year as a sophomore. She LOVES it and is always so positive when she talks about it. A couple of months ago she asked if she could include me in a film project she was doing based on the topic, “Sustaining An Art Based Career In A Falling Economy”. Wow! Quite the topic and quite an honor to be a part of it. We spent some time at my home doing the interview and then she came out with me on a different day to film me doing my job….if you can call it that! :) So, as I mentioned in yesterday’s post featuring Sophia…we had along an extra couple of people-one being the beautiful Devon and her trusty video camera! Talk about intimidating! YIKES! But, more about that later. While Sophia was changing or getting ready at each location I got to use Devon as a light tester…and after this first, straight out of the camera, shot….I was reminded of all the fun I had with Devon a year ago!So…we decided to do a little bit of playing throughout the shoot…and, then we did a little more after the shoot! What an incredible show of character for Devon that she was willing to model and stand in front of my camera without knowing about it, planning any outfits, makeup, etc…..This is Devon just being Devon-and I am just floored by her unique beauty and style!The wonderful thing about shooting an impromptu, just for fun shoot is that I can play with different ideas, lighting, poses, and even editing….and Devon inspires me to play. Knowing her background as an artist I know that she takes risks…and she is going to be fine if I do, too!! Someone left a comment yesterday on Facebook about Devon’s freckles each being perfectly placed! I completely agree! I am in love with her freckles! I am so glad to see that she doesn’t try and cover them up because they are just beautiful!Devon has grown in confidence since the last session….…and I just love how she is more than willing to laugh at herself (and me)! :) She has a beautiful laugh!One thing that hasn’t changed? She can strike a seriously fierce look….
…but, it always is followed by a beautiful, and playful, Devon smile! I just love it! (I know…I say ‘love’ a lot…but I just do!)My oldest daughter is so envious of Devon’s outfits. Every time we see her she is looking so eclectically cute! Her mom was telling me that all she wanted for her birthday was high waisted Guess jeans…and I saw her in them…she looks better than we ever did in the 80′s when they were the rage! They are even acid washed or stone washed…I could never remember which was which! Her beautiful hazel eyes set off by her freckles….gorgeous!
Devon never questions me in my directions. She commits to them 100% even when we both know it’s a pretty far out there try! But, even when they don’t work out, I typically get a beautiful laughing picture…which is always my favorite!!I “yellowed” this one up a bit to give it a little vintage vibe. I don’t do a whole lot of harsh editing usually…but, everyone once in a while a particular image just calls for it. Devon was so excited when she saw this door that we just had to use it!!Another unique one….I just love how so many spots in Downtown Tacoma mesh nature with industry and architecture! Another risky edit…I think it paid off!!! I love this one.

If I was a themed photographer I think it would be incredible to do an Alice In Wonderland theme shoot with Devon…she has such a wistful presence yet strong. I have decided a yearly shoot with Devon is a MUST! She has a couple more years of high school and it would be fun to have a “through the years” post on her…don’t you think?LOVE!
We had some fun with the sun which was so wonderful and warm that evening! I wish I could say the same about tonight as I get ready to go watch my son’s baseball game in the cold wind….but, I enjoy it when I can! Devon…I am honored that you wanted to include me in your project. I hope that it all works out and you get a glowing grade!! Preferably an “A”! :) I am also SO glad you were willing to step in front of the camera while we were out….You are one of my favorite subjects and even more than that I love getting to know you better each time. I am quite impressed with you and pray blessings for you! See you soon, Sweetie!

Sophia | {Tacoma Community College Senior-Class of 2012}

chelle — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:05:24 +0000

Yep…I pretty much have the best career in the world!!! I am asked all the time which “type” photography I love to do best…Weddings? Families? Births? Seniors?….etc. There really isn’t any other way to answer it than this…”the kind that involves people!” I just love being able to hang out with wonderful people who light up my world in a unique way. Getting to know them is so much fun for me! And, Sophia was no exception!No one could ever deny that this Tacoma Community College (Running Start) High school senior is beautiful….she is STUNNING! But, she is more than that.She is a sweetheart with a gentle and very shy spirit.…and boy, does the camera LOVE her!She let me choose the locations for her shoot. She wasn’t too particular…so, we went to some of my new favorite spots. With lots of texture and color….a little water and a field coming, too. But, who is even really looking at the background…right?
I know that sometimes these beautiful girls think I am crazy when I pick my locations…but, Sophia never questioned or complained!! I love it!This particular day I was being interviewed and filmed by someone and had a few extra people along for the shoot…it could’ve been so intimidating for Sophia. But, she was still so sweet and real! I have been super lucky with the weather!! I just know God is looking at my schedule when he plans out the rain/sun for the week!! We had another glorious day of sunshine…which is rare, even though I keep saying it here. It’s rare enough that me and my girls are dreaming about moving somewhere warm!
Have you noticed how incredible her green eyes are? WOW!There are just no more words….she is just beautiful!We headed down to the waterfront….it brings a smile to everyone’s face! A prime example of why a lot of us suffer through the rain to live here. The water, boats, green trees and the mountain that was hiding a little bit from us at that moment….Love this one!…and then into one of my favorite lots. In just a few short months this will be brown, overgrown, and a whole different place! But, today it is sporting the green spring look!Another shot of her amazing eyes!Stunning!And….so sweet!One more shot in the field and I knew we had too many amazing shots to choose from! But, we still took a minute to give a little shout out to Sophia’s boyfriend with his school wrestling sweatshirt….Also proving that she can make anything look beautiful! Even just a plain old sweatshirt!! :)Sophia….THANK YOU for coming out and hanging out with all the extra people and everything! You are a sweet and beautiful woman and I LOVE your smile! :) Many blessings on your future!

Baby Haynes Revealed | {Tacoma Maternity/Gender Reveal Photography}

chelle — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:25 +0000

I have been sitting on this session for just a little while so that this amazing couple could tell all their friends and family first…and, last night was the big party! It was a fun party and I was reminded how important it is to have such a large group of support, love, and encouragement as you are going through such amazing and new seasons of life. Isaiah and Latasha are not alone in welcoming their new baby to the world!

This is my beautiful friend, Latasha. Photography brought us together, but she is a friend for life now…camera or not, and it is so fun to watch her be so excited about this new baby! And….as any of you who know Latasha…she doesn’t do anything in a small fashion! :)Isaiah, however, wants me to think that he is way more subdued about this whole baby thing…..…but, knowing him now just a little…I know he is just messin’ with me!! ;) He is quite the joker!So…this shoot is a gender reveal shoot. I will admit…it’s my first, and I am not surprised at all that it’s Latasha. She is an amazing photographer and I understand her wanting to document all her own life in fun images….Our fun began with this innocent little gender neutral piñata! They were so excited to finally break open this thing and tell the world if it was a boy or a girl! We had some gorgeous sun for the event…..Aren’t they just SO cute?!Isaiah was up first with Latasha playing around……he had some hits that really connected….but, I think Latasha was really having more fun!Then, it was her turn!Payback for Isaiah!They took a little break….And, then as they do with everything in life, they decided to face it together!!!One really good swing and all I saw was the leg of that piñata heading right for my camera….
….lots if PINK candy and fluff falling out!!!YEP!!!….if you guessed GIRL, you are so right!!!They are thrilled! Honestly…they would have been thrilled either way. They know this precious child is a gift from God….but, now they get to talk to Little Wisdom Haynes by name! Isn’t that a beautiful name….Wisdom Haynes! I love it.They don’t take this lightly and I know that they will think and pray through every detail of her life, together!CONGRATS, you guys!!! I am so happy for you both and can’t wait to meet her!!! You are both such a blessing to me! Love you!
One more….my beautiful friend….IT’S A GIRL!!!! YEAH!