Sunday, June 29, 2008

Garden Makeover

You will notice a big change to the landscape next time you stop by the studio. Thanks to Andrew and crew of Father Nature Landscapes, we now have a beautiful new front garden for a welcoming entrance and outdoor portraits.

The crew starting work.
View from street, before:

View from street, after:

Front corner, before:Front corner, after:
View from driveway, before:
View from driveway, after, with new entrance path. We will be adding more stone pavers, and maybe an arbor later.
Off the porch, before:Off the porch, after:The grass circle and perimeter:

View from porch, before:
View from porch, after:
Before:After, with the widened path and new little patio:
We put the pond in ourselves a couple years ago, and the immediate area stayed pretty much the same, but with the removal of the overgrown ceanothus behind it, the view is opened up.

Friday, June 20, 2008

YouTube video

I created a quick promotional YouTube video, check it out and post a comment to let me know what you think.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Jessica & Michael's Maternity Sneak Peak

Here's a few sneak peaks from J & M's recent maternity session. This one is so cute, love the attitude and their expressions!She's wearing one of my new shrugs here. Shrugs are great for maternity portraits since they expose the belly.
Bought several new fabrics recently and this one looks great with her coloring. They have a cranberry accent wall in their bedroom too so this will be perfect for their wall portrait.

Friday, June 13, 2008

A Photographers Garden Blog

I just discovered a fantastic garden blog by David Perry who is also a Seattle commercial photographer. A must read if you appreciate artistic, beautiful garden photography along with eloquently written musings about gardens, his work and the people he encounters. A visit is like a relaxing retreat. Photographers Garden Blog

Portrait Garden update

Wow, the Portrait Garden has changed a lot since the previously posted photos, so here's an update. This is the view towards the back, with the arbor and pathway Randy built. It makes a nice passageway, spot to hang plants and art, and the birds like to perch there as they flit about the garden and scout for worms. The Laurel has grown quite a bit since planted as shrubs, forming a nice hedge and home for the birds too as you can hear them rustling about in there, with their songs providing nice background music. We have way too much grass on the other side, but are thinking of creating an island planting bed in the center. I'd like a gazebo back there somewhere too. We'll see if I can talk the resident garden planner into that idea.
View to the right as you pass thru the arbor.

View to the left. The Anne Folkard hardy geraniums have quickly formed a spreading ground cover. There is Blue Fescue grass on the edge of the border, Stewartia Pseudo Camelia tree in the foreground, Meta Sequoia on the left, and our tall Giant Sequoia in the background on the right, which is the one nice tree that was here when we bought the property. The rest of this area was full of blackberry bushes and crappy scrub trees. At the back of the garden, under the tall trees, we have shade plants such as japanese maple, ferns, hostas, and bleeding hearts. The path leads to the back meadow where I photograph portraits in the tall grass.
My roses have started blooming.
The rhododendron is fabulous now, I love the color.




And the wonderful bleeding hearts, faithfully growing back bigger and better every year.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Garden Tours

I was photographing at the Point Defiance Flower and Garden show last weekend when we discovered a garden tour, part of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program. So we checked it out on Sunday and what a treat it was. Three gardens in Orting - The Chase Garden, Homeranch, and Old Goat Farm. Thank you to the hosts! Here's a photo from each, I posted a slideshow of all the photos on my website, GC slideshow. I highly recommend visiting these spots if you get a chance, the drive out is pretty with quaint country views. Old Goat Farm sells gorgeous plants and garden art, check their website calendar for open days . For a bite to eat stop at Route 66 Pizza, the burgers, shakes, fries and onion rings were great.



Here's my newly freshened up pot with the plants I bought at Old Goat Farm, and the celtic stepping stone I just had to have too.



Sunday, June 08, 2008

Congratulations Graduating Seniors!

Congratulations to all 2008 Federal Way Seniors! Todd Beamer, Decatur, & Thomas Jefferson High Schools graduation ceremonies June 8th, Federal Way High School June 9th, Truman High School July 2nd.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Senior Portrait 50% off Sale!


Save 50% off Senior Portrait Sessions for the Class of 2009 when you reserve your session by June 20th. Visit our website to view the galleries and complete information about our services. Choose your favorite session and call 253-838-5204 to reserve your appointment with your credit card. All appointments are prepaid and require a minimum order purchase. Sessions must be photographed by August 30th.