Kelly Chandler

Michael and Kelley chose Robinswood House in Bellevue for their wedding and I can’t think of a place that would have suited them more perfectly.  This couple had a classy affair with a rustic down home feeling. 

I often witness some pretty special moments.  Michael and Kelley wrote their own vows to share with each other when they saw each other for the first time that day.  They both were very emotional during the exchange of very tender words.

The kids were adorable. 

The ceremony itself was in the perfect setting, complete with decorative touches everywhere.

 This wedding had 2 firsts for me.  It was the first time I’ve ever had a former United States President as a guest at the wedding.  JFK was standing around during photos and right next to the bride and groom’s table during toasts.  He was even on the dance floor later that night.

The other first for me was sliders and french fries.  Kelley and Michael’s favorite food was served (along side two other tables with elegant displays of crab claws, huge prawns, pasta, salads, etc).  I love french fries….so this was right up my alley too.   I thought it was great that Michael and Kelley made this wedding their own.  It was full of personal touches just like this that made it THEIR day!

Another favorite spot for guests was the Sweet Shoppe candy table.  There were party favor boxes to fill to the brim for each guest to take home.  Kelley let me take a few to my kids so they were thrilled the next day.  I think they ate pink milk chocolate maltballs for breakfast. 

Thanks Kelley and Michael for your patience in getting this posted.

I’m making progress on the mounds of photo processing.  4 more weddings to post and I just keep shooting.   The kids go back to school next week so I’m hoping to get caught up between shooting my portrait appointments and next weekend’s wedding.  Wishful thinking I know but at least I know I will make progress. 

This is my “almost put me into a padded room” time of year….trying to balance all the weddings, senior high portraits, and families with kids wanting to get photos before the kids go back to school.  Oh yeah, and then I mix in the fact that I have a husband and 2 kids and I’m trying to be present for them.  I’ve been shooting, downloading, backing up files, cheering at soccer games, carpooling to football, and picking up the camera again the next day.  I usually get my wedding blogs posted in about 1 week and mix in some fun portrait photos too.  Clearly, I’m behind.  I’ve had some amazing weddings to shoot….even had 50 Monarch Butterflies released just after they said “I Do” at one beach side wedding.  My portrait clients have been adorable families and senior high students have been super fun.  Can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to.  However, I really need to edit and process photos for clients before they burst with anticipation and I lose my mind.  So please be patient, keep checking the blog as I will be posting more later this week.

I had the pleasure of photographing one of the Seattle’s most elegant events….Mike and Elizabeth Berg’s wedding.  Their album design is complete and you’ve got to see it.  Click on the photo below to play and enjoy the slide-show!

Special thanks to April Greer for her creative eye and helping me photograph this day for Mike and Elizabeth.

Ceremony: Holy Names Academy     Reception: Seattle Tennis Club

Florist: Kendra Yaples Love Me Flowers

Video: Aaron Horton Productions   Cake: New Renaissance Cakes

Okay, is this the most adorable boy and dog you have ever seen?!   I have no time to be blogging right now but I couldn’t help it.  I had to share this photo.  I’ve been photographing this young boy for years.  Every time I see him, he is more and more handsome.  Adding the dog about put me over the edge.  I wanted to take them both home with me.  Their Mom wouldn’t let me.

Soulumination, founded by Lynette Huffman Johnson, celebrates the lives of children and parents facing life threatening conditions by providing professional photographs–free of charge–of these special individuals and their families. The life-affirming photographs of Soulumination are an enduring, positive record of the child’s brief life, and provide a loving legacy for the children of parents lost to terminal illness.

Having lost a newborn child of my own 11 years ago, I know what a treasure photographs are for parents.  I have recently joined the Soulumination team of photographers in honor of my son, Grant.  I want to give parents something to treasure….a gift, using my skills behind the camera. 

I did my first Soulumination photos yesterday for a family with a young child who has ALL Leukemia.   Going into the session, I took the approach of the session being “just like any other family session.”  This philosophy kept me strong throughout 2 wonderful hours I spent with this amazing family.  I witnessed tremendous love, compassion, and strength between this child, the siblings and the parents.  I held it together until I got in my car and drove away with tears running down my cheeks. 

I wish I could share the touching photos from this session.  I was careful to be sure I captured intimate photos of each family member alone with this beautiful young boy.  The photos of their family and the children all together reflect a special family full of tenderness.  One of my favorite moments was when I asked one of the siblings to come sit nearby and hug is big brother.  He said, “Sure, I’ll do that…he is my best friend in the whole world.”

Soulumination is a 501(c)3 non-profit public organization. Tax ID number 20-2644809.  To learn more about Soulumination or to donate to support this mission, click on the following link. Soulumination

After 15 years of dating, Heidi and Samy tied the knot.  I was really excited for this wedding.  I met Heidi over 20 years ago through her sister Amy, a college sorority sister of mine.  Over the years Heidi has referred numerous friends my way for family portraits and weddings.  It was finally Heidi’s turn and when she asked me to document the event for her I was elated.  From the moment I met Samy, I was enchanted.  He was charming with beautiful eyes that twinkle bright blue (I’m a sucker for beautiful eyes).  Most importantly, he was adoring of his bride Heidi.  

Sometimes, I have to work hard to get brides and grooms to be playful and have fun….with these two the fun stuff came easily.  There was a dog bowl full of water that I removed before Heidi sat down…..but not before she cracked some jokes about how it looks like the dog went pee on the concrete. 

The Monte Cristo Ballroom in Everett recently opened for weddings and WOW what a treat. Fun art (that rotates so you never know what you are going to see on display), beautiful curved walls in the foyer for cocktails and a ballroom that works perfectly for the ceremony and transfers into an elegant dining room.

Heidi’s nieces and nephews and Samy’s grand-kids were all in the wedding.

Congratulations Heidi and Samy.  It was a long time coming…but worth the wait.