Dear Friends Getting Hitched

Our dear friends, Sally and Ricky got married a couple of weeks ago and I was so honored that they asked me to photograph the big shindig! It was so much fun! Right from the first moment it was apparent that Sally is the ultimate party planner! Every detail was so beautiful and thoughtful. Everyone who was there knew that their love for each other shined through these lovely details. Congrats to both of you! 

                                                  Love you guys, Julie and Frank                                                     

I just love getting together with this lovely family. It is truly my honor to get to be a part of folks' important life events. D & A got married a few years ago and for the life of me I cannot remember where the ceremony was held. I do remember the love and fun that we all had at her aunt's home for the reception, however. A few short years after that, their little girl was close to being born and they wanted to capture those last weeks of pregnancy. We didn't cut it too close to the delivery date, thank goodness and got a bunch of fun images from that time. They are so amazing to be dedicated to scheduling 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, 1 year, 2 years, etc. portrait sessions to show their little darlings growing and changing so quickly.

This session was different from some of the others that we've done with them. It was quite a trek for the baby but they were all troopers and we had fun in the snow, once we found it! It started out being 50 degrees in Enumclaw and I had hoped for snow near there. Not! A few miles up the road and viola! 

Happy New Year to all my friends and family! Please write, stop by, text, or call often! Love you all!

Got to chatting with my greatest critic (daughter, Erica) and found some long lost images that we both agreed were what we loved! Sometimes in Seattle, the sun does not shine. These images were taken on a sunny shinney and hot afternoon. Gotta love the sparkles here after a good rain. And blue eyes, love the blue eyes!

This sweetie was a lovely photography assistant for me for a few years. She's in college now and while I miss her terribly, I'm so happy for her!

Photo Safaris (portrait specials)

Senior guys clothing and prop ideas (for fall)

Fall colors provide a great backdrop for any portraits. I'm only focusing (yes, pun) on seniors here but family, kiddos, and pets look so wonderful with natures amazingness around them! We have some specials coming up in the next couple of months so check our website for dates and locations. You'll be seeing samples of them soon too. This season will be spring's beautiful backdrop!

Check out the guys' ideas for simple outfits and props. They worked out handsomely!


www.buellphoto.com

Valentine's Day

Why we don't celebrate Valentine's Day: First of all, I don't mean to criticize those of you who do celebrate this wonderful day. No, it is not a religious standpoint that keeps us from honoring this day. It is simply that we care and lift each other up EVERY DAY. I can't explain to anyone who has never felt the quickening of a heart at thinking of her beloved but that is what happens to me every time I think of my husband.

It's not easy to put yourself second when you want to do something and your spouse wants to do something else. But it is always worth it. My life is so easy because he works so hard!

It wasn't always so wonderful. Raising kids is a wonderful time in a marriage with lots of hard work and laughter and bonding. But, it was hard on our relationship as a couple. Our time, talent, energy, everything was spent on the kids. There wasn't much left for the two of us. It is easier now that our youngest is driving and we are a little more able to spend time together, just the two of us. So we decided a few years ago that because life is short, we would make it great for each other! We started by walking together to get back into shape and while we walked, we talked. About. Everything. It was a time of great growth. Not always pretty, but so necessary. Honesty.Transparency. Did we really think we could hide stuff from each other? We've been together since high school for goodness sake. We are soul mates. In the heat of battle we never forgot that we were meant to be together. We still walk (and run but not well) together and talk all the time and our workouts have morphed into some pretty grueling weight training separately. But the reason is that we want to have as healthy a life as possible going forward so that neither of us should be a burden to the other. That may not be possible as accidents can happen, surely. But we take care of ourselves now.

A surprising and fun thing that happened along the way is that we now can laugh at ourselves and gently at each other.

We see so many marriages dissolving around us and feel it is important to share our story. Hang in there and make a commitment to each other while it still is possible. Forgive. Be Honest. Move forward on a new track. Laugh. Get in shape. See the world. Travel. Make memories.

With God and family sweetly supporting us as a couple we continue to learn and grow how to be good to each other and the world around us.

Thank you, sweetie! Have a great day!

And to the rest of you, Happy Valentine's Day!

New York, Baby!

Oh my goodness!
What a wonderful time we had working in New York City
last month!
I didn't think it was on my "bucket list" until we got there!
We did all the touristy things that one must do: Empire State Building,
Statue of Liberty, Carnegie Deli, Times Square.
We left a few things undone so that we can go back with
the kids and visit some more attractions.

The highlight of my trip was getting to shoot portraits
right in Rockefeller Center! The place was transformed in minutes
from a sidewalk cafe to an amazing banquet venue and back
again with no trouble at all. Wow, the staff was amazing and
so quick!

We headed to a Yankees game and seriously didn't know
how I could cheer for a team that I've always disliked.
But, I did! If I can change after so many years, anyone can.

Another big change for me, and if you know me, you know how
much I hate shopping. Well, I have to admit that it was pretty
amazing getting to shop and buy stuff on 5th Avenue! Again,
what a transformation!

If you've never been there, you must go at least once.
It is the city that never sleeps and we didn't either. I noticed
that I sort of quit taking pictures once jet lag caught up with
us. The bags under our eyes just couldn't be retouched!
It was so worth it!