Dan pulled out his old camera.  I’m pretty sure this camera came along with him when we moved in together in 2000.  He picked it up, turned it on, and snapped a photo.  The batteries still worked.  Film may be a little grainy after all these years but I’m guessing images will still turn out.  Just so simple.

At the same time, my daughter recently made the statement that we don’t have any baby photos of her.  We do have some on the walls and more than we can count on my computer.  We have fallen really behind though on keeping a printed photo album like we did for years and years.  Mackenzie will be four in less than a month.  I last updated my printed album when she was about 3 months old.  This is something that I definitely believe it and will get back to… this winter.

I just found it very interesting because there is a little part of me that misses film.  I do love the ease and instant gratification of digital though.  This isn’t meant to be a which is better post actually.  Just a reality check to remember to make prints.

Clients buy digital packages a lot these days.  I strongly encourage clients to at least do the little upgrade to include printed proofs in their package.  In fact, I sell the printed proofs just slightly over cost because I really really want everyone to have them.  So whether it be personal shots taken with your iphone, or professional photographs, I encourage you to make some prints, even 4×6 for an old fashioned album or photo box.

There is just something about sitting down and flipping through a book…

Here is a personal photo of the beach at Manzanita, Oregon, on a foggy morning.

These photos are a result of a team effort between myself and Emily Hall. Emily, located in Oregon, photographed the wedding for my clients, and I handled all the editing. It looks like it was a fabulous day at Jenkins Estate in Beaverton, Oregon. It’s a historical estate and park, covered in tall trees, bridges, and neat buildings. Emily did an awesome job telling the story of Cheryle & David’s wedding day.

Thanks Emily, and congrats to Cheryle & David! Hope you are enjoying your new home in Phoenix, Arizona!

In December, when we decided to relocated to the Washington DC area for my hubby’s job,

I introduced the couple to my friend Emily Hall, and we decided we’d all work together. Emily photographed the wedding for me, and I am “working my magic” as Emily’s puts it on the raw files.

Cheryle & David – I hear it was an awesome wedding, and I wish I could have been there. I am really glad to still get to be a part of it and work with you! Here is a tiny little teaser. Love the green converse and green bridal shoes!

Emily – Thank you for being an incredible photographer and friend!

The road got flatter as we headed to Sacramento, with not much to look at but dirt hills. My game of “what do you see” got old pretty quickly. We sang may verses of “the wheels on the bikes/ bus/ car/ truck”. Driving through Sacramento we lost sight of hubby’s car,

and did not see him for quite some time. The traffic got thick and stayed that way. We made a silly route mistake and headed back to far west, following 5. I think this added almost 2 hours to our day. Then there was the scary rest area as the sun was setting.

Dark and quiet, hours later, I drank coffee to stay awake on the highway covered in semi-trucks and aggressive drivers. This was not the California I knew. I was used to highway 101, visiting beaches, and the neat neighborhoods of San Francisco. When we finally pulled off I5, 20 miles to Bakersfield, after 10+ hours on the road, I was thrilled to stop at the first road side hotel.

Road trip rule #5: Don’t eat tuna from a gas station (broken)
Road trip rule #6: Stop at crowded gas stations not rest areas if you may not be in the best part of town (broken)
Road trip rule #7: When AAA and your gps tell you something, listen! (broken)

We drove out on a dark rainy afternoon, the day after Christmas. Our cars were packed so tight that we could barely find room for a water bottle. I got Mackenzie all setup with toys and books within her carseat reach, and followed Dan. We already had two stops

to make, Uhaul to buy walkie talkies, and Fred Meyer (btw, we miss you and your on-site daycare while we shop) for a bike lock. Our bikes were tied to the back of hubby’s red Taurus but we packed the key to our bike lock in our Relo-Cubes.

Not the best start.

As we drove south and started heading up in elevation, snow threatened. I pictured I5 south to be this interstate with flat wide lanes all the way (probably due to growing up in New Jersey taking the turnpike and parkway). Our goal was to make it to Ashland but scared of hitting bad weather on a dark mountain highway, and a crying kitty in hubby’s car, we stopped in Medford.

We pulled over in a rest area about 30 miles before the town. This was my first road trip with gps and a cell phone that worked pretty much everywhere. Wow, what a difference! While hubby was using the restroom, I looked up a hotel on my phone, called and made a reservation. After doing this it just hit me how much technology has changed things.

The little one had fallen asleep so I let hubby watch her as I checked into a Motel 6, and then we carried her in. Of course she promptly woke up to run wild in the room, snack and watch her Dora dvd. Luckily we had a first floor room with parking right outside. It turned out I packed so disorganized that we had to bring in about 8 trips worth of stuff!

Hubby and I have taken three cross-country road trips together now, and countless 12-14 hour journeys. These are some of the things we try to stick to.

Rule 1: Pack one bag for everyone that can get you by for 3 days. Then change to the next bag. Broken
Rule 2: Don’t leave after dark! Broken
Rule 3: On short nights, go for inexpensive motels… splurge on the nights when you are driving shorter days and will have time to enjoy.
Rule 4: If you are coffee addicted like us, do not under estimate being able to get that first cup in the morning (and maybe breakfast) before packing. Semi-Broken: Not very good coffee

And don’t leave your Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered espresso beans in the car overnight in freezing temperatures… they will never be the same.

More to come…

Shelby, Tim, and Sidney invited me to their home for portraits last weekend. They were so much fun to work with, and it’s always great to see my wedding clients again. It was raining hard outside so we decided to stay indoors for the session. I think the intimacy of their home really adds to the photos.

How do you prepare for a newborn photo session?

1.  Schedule the session for less than two weeks after birth.  Usually, it is best to find a photographer during pregnancy, and book a tentative date.  I have my clients tell me when their due date is, and then send me a quick email or text within a day or so after the birth.  We aim for scheduling when the baby is between 5 and 10 days old.

2. Newborn sleeping and eating schedules are usually unpredictable and pretty much around the clock.  I suggest choosing a time of day that works best for you.  If you have other children, after their breakfast or after nap-time may be ideal.

3.  A couple hours before the session, start putting your baby’s diaper on loosely, to avoid any red marks.

4.  Think about location.  Outdoor photos can be beautiful but with the Portland climate this isn’t possible for many of our seasons.  I suggest doing the portraits in your home.  This is usually the most relaxed for both you and your little one.

5.  Mom and Dad are usually part of newborn photos, so give yourself some time to take a shower, blow dry your hair, and put on something besides your most comfie sweats, unless you really want those in the photos. (Yes, I realize these are not easy tasks to find time for when you have a newborn.)

6.  Be sure to feed your baby right before the session, milk makes them good and sleepy, and sleepy newborns are best for photos.

7.  During the session, feel free to take breaks whenever you think your baby needs one.

I have a thing for unique downtown areas. The town I went to college in, New Paltz, NY, has a cool downtown area that goes downhill towards “the Gunks” (Shawangunk Ridge). It’s lined with funky shops. The town my hubby grew up in, Morristown, TN, has a two story downtown! There are sidewalks above the shops.

Back to our adventure in Hillsboro. I had asked a friend if she had any suggestions for where to look for wooden dollhouses, and she suggested Let’s Play.

As a mom who doesn’t like a lot of noise (kid noises are okay, it’s the electronic noises that drive me bonkers), picking out toys is difficult. I do not want to deprive my little girl of toys but also believe in creativity and games that use the imagination.  When we walked into Let’s Play, both the little one and I were incredibly happy.  It was filled with creative toys, wooden, original, and the electronic ones were few.

My daughter played with the dollhouse on display, and then moved onto the toy train set.  Around every corner, there was another toy open and welcoming play.  Eventually we made it up towards the counter, to find an amazing play kitchen filled with Melissa & Doug food.   I chatted with the woman working while Mackenzie made tea and microwaved some ice cream.

Customer service was excellent.  Every question I asked received a detailed answer, with enthusiasm.  When we needed a restroom, we were shown to a large beautiful one just behind the books section.  “This is comfortable, like ours at home,” is what Mackenzie had to say about the large changing table.  I was pleasantly surprised by the waterfall style sink, and was excited to show it to Mackenzie.

We smiled washing our hands, payed for our tea set, and headed out, with definite plans to return again and again.