chellenicole.com

The Pooley Triplets | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:48:54 +0000

The Pooley Family is up today representing the last of our Mini Sessions For A Cure! It was such a fun experience to meet so many new people and to hear why they decided to step up and help raise money for breast cancer research! Including the Pooley family! Desiree contacted me just days before the mini’s took place and asked if I still had room for her three kids…triplets! To which of course I said a quick and excited, “YES!”

They are such cute kids!
And, so unique.And, so full of joy!Jacob, Ryan, and Rebecca! Fun times three!Can you imagine having three five year olds at the same time? I bet they keep mom on the run, for sure!I love the sparkle that each of them has!And, they know how to laugh with each other.Oh, MOM! Love times three!Desiree wanted just a casual look at her kids…what could be more casual than seeing a mom playing with her kids….love it! She might have her hands full, but I know her heart is even more full…of love for these three little blessings!
Desiree and the kids decided to dedicate their shoot to someone close to them….Rose! Thanks, Desiree for bringing the kids out on such short notice and helping Stacey to meet her 3-Day walk goals! I look forward to the next time!!

Thanks again to everyone who came out to help us raise money and awareness for breast cancer research…it such a horrible disease that touches almost everyone. Let’s keep fighting it!! THANKS! ~Stacey and Chelle

Wendy and Gloria | {Tacoma Family and Individual Photography}

chelle — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:09:58 +0000

Wendy! A woman full of joy! I could tell it from across the parking lot as she walked to meet us for her mini session! Her eyes just sparkle with it!Wendy came out to support Stacey in our Mini’s For A Cure! It was so wonderful of her. But, she also wanted to get some beautiful images of herself to send to her husband who is serving our country in Afghanistan for his FOURTH tour of duty! WOW! Thanks, Steve for all you do for us!So fun!I don’t get a whole lot of time to chat with people when we do mini sessions, but I LOVED hearing the story of how she and her husband got together, and I can’t wait to meet him when he gets home…and hopefully, we will have some couple images to show you when he does! :)

Wendy also brought along her mom, Gloria! So cool!Gloria was nervous…I could tell. But, she lights up just like Wendy does! The eyes say it all, don’t they?! In the in between times when I was not focused right on Gloria…she could be found in the very corner of the parking lot where there was one tiny sliver of sunshine! Hahaha! It was FREEZING out there…but, you wouldn’t know it from the images!
A mom and daughter relationship! Such a special bond. It is something that really can never be replaced. There are women who can sometimes step into the role and fill a void that may have been left for many reasons, but having your mom near you is a priceless feeling. I am so incredibly blessed to have my mom with me, and I cherish her more every day! She is my greatest source of strength…and you can see here that Wendy feels the same about Gloria.Of course, they did quite a bit of laughing together, too!Love!!! You never get to old to love on your mom! Oh…I just realized as I am writing this that Mother’s Day is around the corner….what a great time to capture some memories with YOUR mom!! Want to? :)Wendy said there were too many names to write on the board in memory of people in her life who have fought or are fighting cancer…so, I told her to write a message instead. When she flipped the board around I thought it was PERFECT! Cancer does suck! So…for all those people who are fighting-keep fighting! There are so many people who want to help you fight! Including Stacey and I, who thank all of you who came out to raise money for her 3-Day walk! We are getting to her goal, one image at a time! :) Thanks, Wendy and Gloria! It was a pleasure to meet the both of you! One more Mini For A Cure session tomorrow….kind of sad to be done! :)

The Stolle Family | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:57:17 +0000

The Stolle Family has been waiting so patiently to see their gorgeous unique little family up here on the blog, and today is their day!! YEAH!!! They cracked me up from start to finish! Love to have a family with such unique style and strong love in front of me!When Jennifer emailed me it was only a couple of days before the mini session date…her first words were…”I have pink hair…do I have your attention?” Hahaha! She definitely did! But then when I met her, it was her smile and love for her family that kept my attention!Jim and Jennifer! LOVE!That love of theirs has brought these two little “J’s” into the world….Jillian….with blue eyes and an independent spirit!She is a girl on a mission and one who knows what she wants! Sometimes when our little ones are independent as toddlers it can be perceived as a weakness…however, I tell you that I pray for the traits that I see in little Jillian for my girls everyday! So, parents who may struggle with that toddler age…think of how you want your girls to be as teenagers and young women…and mold and guide them with that in mind! Jillian was funny! When she would laugh she would cover her face! Such a great image!
At one point I said, “Hey…go sit by your brother!” Thinking maybe she would do it…but, she surprised everyone by going right to him and leaning in to give him a tender kiss! She loves her big brother! Big Brother, Jason! (are you seeing the thread of “J” names here?) I think he wanted me to think he was a tough guy…but, I still see that cute and adorable little boy inside those sparkly eyes! (shhh! Just don’t tell him I told you that!)And, he had no problem hanging out with his little sister, too!! They are going to be great friends!So…Jennifer, Jim, Jillian and Jason! Thanks so much for coming out on such short notice to help raise some fund for breast cancer research! You guys were a blast to hang out with and I sure hope we get to do this again sometime!! Blessings!

Laurie and Julee-Beautiful Sisters! | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:54:04 +0000

Wow…the last few days have flown by! You know the phrase, “when it rains it pours….”? Of course you do, cause everyone knows that it is a true statement! It doesn’t even have to be big things…just lots of little things that can just make you start to feel like a hamster running the wheel! I have a very strict commitment to take certain days throughout the month to just rest and kind of go “off grid”. This weekend was one of those times. As much as I love my computer and all the fun projects that are in the works on it…sometimes it is so good for my soul to be away from it! I always seem to come back so refreshed and ready to hit it again…And I am thrilled to start of our week with these beautiful women.

SISTERS! Laurie and Julee! They came out to celebrate their love for each other, and to celebrate LIFE!You may remember seeing Laurie here before with her boys…she is a beautiful woman who knows how to celebrate life.She herself has fought cancer and won!! She has been in remission now for eight years…and you can just see that she loves to live her life to the fullest! I had the privilege of growing up with Julee and Laurie! We all went to church together out in Gig Harbor when we were all kids! I remember being jealous of how pretty they were then….nothing has changed! ;)I love to see that they are still close as ever and loving each other with that special sister bond!
Julee…So gorgeous.I haven’t seen her in forever….but, I have to tell you that at the first laugh the memories flooded back!! Do you know those people whose laugh is SO contagious? Julee’s is just that, and the minute I heard it again I couldn’t help but laugh right along with her as I slipped back to being 12 and hearing her laugh then!!It is such a strange feeling to see people that in my mind are always going to be kids…and knowing that we have all grown up, had children, lived life, and have gained so much life knowledge. Julee hasn’t lost any of the sparkle that I remember.
Neither of them have! Such beautiful sisters.More laughing!Laurie and Julee…I can’t tell you how fun it is to see the both of you! I know it was such a short time, but, I am grateful for every minute of it! You are both so beautiful! LOVE!

Jennifer and Adam | {Tacoma Family Photography}

chelle — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:01:53 +0000

Jennifer and Adam came out for family photos to help support Stacey and the 3-Day walk. Jennifer is a close friend of Stacey’s and a fellow survivor! And…she is beautiful! So photogenic, don’t you think?I love her peaceful smile.Adam wasn’t quite sure about having his photos taken, but boy does the camera like him!Gorgeous eyes!They brought their dog along, too…but, it was a little too much excitement! These dirty parking lots make for a lot of fun for one little dog!! He just wanted to explore!Adam also had his cousin with him for a few fun images! Cousins! Not quite siblings, not as distant as a friend….such a fun relationship to have!Adam!My favorite of Adam…a completely candid moment when he thought I wasn’t paying attention to him! Such a cute smile!Some more of Jennifer….I couldn’t resist taking so many because she is so easy to photograph! Which, to be honest, is the hardest part about mini sessions…limiting myself to less images than I normally like to take! There were so many lovely images of Jennifer.Beautiful!Peace.I was so blessed to have Stacey hanging out with us the whole day to meet everyone who was helping us raise money…and, so for the two of these survivors, it only seemed fitting….! Thanks, Jennifer and Adam, for coming out to support Stacey! What great friends you are!!

The Geiss Family

chelle — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:38:08 +0000

Photography has given me many opportunities that I never even dreamed of. I love everything about it, except maybe the “books”! :) But, my most favorite part is the relationships…the friends that I get to see and make. New and sometimes, old. Tracy and Erik are classmates of mine from high school! I have not seen them since we graduated-over 20 years ago!!! I can’t even believe that that could be true! For one, I can’t be that old, and two…they don’t look that old!! They look exactly the same as I remember them looking as we all walked the high school halls together!
It was so funny when I re-connected with these guys on Facebook a couple of years ago I was so surprised to see that they had married cause I didn’t think that they had dated in high school, but then, my memory is horrible…. But, I was right. Fate brought them together later….and they do make such a cute couple! They laugh together so easily!
Love!Jordan is their oldest son…and like most boys, he was not exactly thrilled at the prospect of family photos….even though he is incredibly photogenic.However, in the end…I am thinking he had a good time! He is probably even looking forward to senior pics in a couple of years now….(wink!wink!)I love to see kids faces when I tell them to love on each other….
it always produces such huge laughter! They might not be able to fully admit it right now…but, these kids are going to be great friends later in life. I don’t know what I would do without my big brother!Miss Kaylee! The sparkle girl! Not only her clothes but her beautiful big smile and personality!She has so much fun! I bet she just brings life to every room she walks in.She definitely adds to this family!Even though it is a little weird to see my childhood friends, have kids of their own, they sure are a great looking family!
We got a little PINK for the cure on our mini session, too!! Lots of love being sent out to those people who are fighting cancer!LOVE!Tracy and Erik! It was SO good to see you guys again! I love that it seemed like we hadn’t missed any time at all! You have beautiful children! Thanks so much for coming out to see me and for supporting such a worthy cause! Jordan and Kaylee…thanks for all the laughs!!

The Dowdings and Friends! | {Tacoma Mini Session Photography}

chelle — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:58:12 +0000

Jaxon is getting SO big! Already! I am such a lucky photographer that his parents LOVE my mini sessions…it means I get to see him as he grows!! The Dowdings….regulars here! I love his dimples!This is a bittersweet shoot for this family cause Chuck is right now on his way to serve our country with his new orders on a ship in San Fransisco…and for a little while they will be separated. I can’t imagine how hard it will be for Chuck to be away from Autumn and Jaxon, and he will be SORELY missed by them as well! This little guy loves his daddy!Autumn had reserved the first slot of the day…and I am not sure Jaxon was really ready for it cause he is usually a face of joy…but, he still showed us his dimples here and there! Such a beautiful family!Cutie!
Autumn really wanted to share this mini session with her friend, Marci and her family. Marci’s life has been touched by breast cancer and it was a good time to support the cause! Jaxon didn’t mind sitting next to the beautiful, Danika, either….at least for a second until it was time to scoot away. You know how babies are.Ty and Marci love Danika so much. I loved this image…kind of dramatic and passion filled….…almost as much as I love a family image that shows joy and laughter. Marci’s laugh is amazing! Such a cute family.Danika wasn’t sure what she thought of me…but, she wasn’t shy about just looking right at me with her beautiful blue eyes!Love.
I had the idea of having a pink chalkboard available for all these amazing people that came out to support Stacey in her 3-day walk. A little way to send a message either to you, or to someone in their lives….Marci and Danika sent a message of love! So cute! (ps…the chalkboard was made by Shugabee Lane! Jamie painted it special for me so we could use it for this mini session…check out her Etsy store or find her on Facebook! She has some great vintage items and incredible customer service!)

Thanks to all of you for coming out and supporting such a great and needed cause! Every little bit helps so many women! Thanks!!!

The Mikesell Family | {Oregon Family Photography}

chelle — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:12:51 +0000

The Mikesell Family was in Gig Harbor for a week from Oregon and they made some time to have family photos done! It was a gorgeous day for it, too! Grace met me at the door with her gorgeous freckles….…and, her charming personality!Can you guess how old she is?OH! Three is such a fun age! (at least for the photographer!) She told me she wouldn’t share her freckles. And, then when I left her freckles said, “goodbye Chelle”. Love those freckles!She loves her family…and is a great big sister to little Miss Danni!Danni! What an incredible smile she has. She was a little picky about handing it out…but when she did…it shone brighter than the sun!Look at those eyelashes!!!We had her sitting on the log and she wasn’t so sure that was the coolest place to be! haha!But, she didn’t mind hanging out with her sister for a minute!These girls are going to be such sweet friends!Michelle and Landon may feel like they have their hands full right now with these cuties, but I know that they are so grateful for the blessing!Peace!Grace has got Daddy wrapped around her finger.
And, maybe Mommy, too! I loved these next two images. It was such pure joy on Danni’s face to go flying with Mommy….…and to always be greeted by the landing kiss! Sweet moments between a mom and her daughter, captured forever!All the girls were wearing Converse! So cute!Landon, Michelle, and girls! Thanks for carving out a bit of your trip for us to capture these moments together! Loved getting to know you guys even better! Enjoy your family-it is a beautiful one!

Beautiful Little Finley | {Tacoma Child Photography}

chelle — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:33:32 +0000

I was smitten by this cutie the moment I met her! Finley and I were supposed to meet right around her first birthday, but circumstances just didn’t work out…so, she is now 14 months old…and just cute as a button!Could there be a more perfect outfit for taking some photos right outside the zoo? :) I loved it!
We had a long some very special people with us, one was Finley’s grandma from Texas, Cindy! Such a wonderful thing family is!Love this one with the sun streaming over the wall…We also spent some time down at the waterfront so that Finely could show off her new acquired walking skills! :) Always smiling!And, no matter where she was she would wave at the people passing by….such a friendly little one!I am not sure she understood why were making such a fuss…but she was up for the adventure! One thing about my full sessions is that I always figure in time for a little time for the kids to have a snack or a moment to warm up in the car when it is chilly. It is even a bonus for me when there is a third person to help out with this so that I can convince the parents to jump in front of the camera for a few images! Not only did I have such a fun time with Tim and Carlie, but they are such a gorgeous couple-gotta love that!I have just been loving out winter sun, too! We have had almost as many sunny days as rainy days…that is saying a lot! Sun and laughter….LOVE!Oh, and love and kissing, too!But, back to Finley! Love her eyes! She would just look right into the camera!But, was so happy to watch her parents make her laugh right off to the side as well! Sometimes, I wish someone could film one of my child sessions, just so you could see what lengths parents will go to entertain these kids…it cracks me up!! Finley laughs easily…Such beauty! I was sad to hear that this family is heading down to Texas soon. But, maybe it will mean a trip down there to photograph her as she grows! (haha!)
Tim and Carlie wanted Finley to be the main focus of this shoot…but, there would be no Finley without them, so I am so glad we got some images of them as a whole family as well!!
Thanks Carlie, Tim, Finley, and Cindy for having some fun with me in the cold winter sunshine! Finley is just adorable and you guys are wonderful parents…good luck in all your new adventures in Texas!!

The Murphy Girls | {Gig Harbor Family Photography}

chelle — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:47:36 +0000

The Murphy Girls!!! These amazingly beautiful women were finally all in the same state at the same time! A very rare occasion that definitely needed to be captured! When these ladies convene….it is a hoot full of laughs!!! You may remember seeing Robin earlier in the year, here on the blog…well, she is joined by the six of the most important people in her life. Her girls! Sisters!!! Each so beautiful and yet, so unique! We have many states represented…Washington, Hawaii, New York, California!!! So, one of my goals this year is to keep these posts shorter…(my tech guy is chuckling and rolling his eyes about now-if he actually reads these posts, cause he has been begging for shorter posts for some time! ) So, in hopes to keep this shorter, I have chosen images that feature the gorgeous eyes on each of these women! Alandra is the number one of the six! I remember when I was growing up as Tara’s friend, that whenever Alandra and Athena would be around it was like having celebrities in our midst! She is so tall and beautiful…and hasn’t changed at all! Always has a smile on her face and a kind word on her lips! We are hoping to have a little rendezvous with her family down in Ventura, CA for some family photos soon!And, Athena! She was the cool “edgy” sister! Her gorgeous red hair and amazing freckles! I particularly remember one pair of acid washed “parachute” type jeans that Athena wore when I was young…and I coveted them!! Hahaha!!! She is still edgy even though she is now a wife and mother of two cute kiddos! Tara…my dear friend. She actually cut out after we did group shots for a minute, so I am using one of her maternity images from the day before the sister shoot. I am happy to announce that she is now the mother of another beautiful baby boy, so she is now outnumbered with 2 boys! Dr. Ella Cameron! She came from New York to join the party…actually sometimes, I think she brings the party with her wherever she goes! There is something about Ella that always makes me think that she has a secret script of jokes running in her head as she walks through life! When she isn’t being the best emergency doc around, she has a loving family that she cherishes…her husband and kids were happy to have her back home, I am sure! But, hopefully we will get them all to migrate back this way soon!Beautiful Esther! She left the warm sunny beaches of Hawaii for our freezing cold weather! Huge sacrifice! :) She and her husband were featured yesterday on the blog with their beautiful children. One thing I didn’t mention is that she is an amazing Hula Dancer! She dances with so much emotion that it just draws you in to the story! And, then there is the baby! Elya is a woman to be admired as well!! She is also working in the medical field in the emergency room here in Tacoma, is an incredible wife, and mother of three gorgeous children. Her family is on this blog often! I love them. She also has bailed me out with a couple of emergency coffees when my heart needed it. Yep…hearts need coffee, too, and I am glad that Elya and I agree on that! :)Add in their mom, and this is a room full of beauty, love, talent, brains, compassion, and lots and lots of laughter!These ladies have been an incredible example of family! They are so involved in each others’ lives even though they are in different parts of the world, and different stages in life, and even just different personalities. Their love for each other has never wavered and it pulls them through so much! Family is not always a perfect thing. We are not all blessed with such a lovely bond…but these girls have. They always know that someone has their back! (and with these girls, sometimes their fronts, too!!)
There is a very commonly quoted scripture that talks about an amazing woman whose children will rise up and call her blessed, and these girls do! They love and cherish Robin with all their hearts and it shows!Thanks for all the laughter ladies! I love seeing you all together and was so happy that we could squeeze this shoot in!!! You are all such strong and beautiful women! I am proud to know you!