Washington Barn Wedding at Lucy's Garden
Mauna Kea beach
This is my most favorite place in a world, so far, to spend time with a family. This beach has everything my family need to relax and be entertained for the whole day. This beach has a great shade under the trees. Waves are big enough for boogie boarding, but not too big for my toddlers to swim on their own. View on a way to the beach is terrific.
There is a great hike on a left side of the beach. With trees to climb and caves to explore. At the beginning of the hike you will find a small rocky beach where you can find shells and other sea treasures.
Sometimes hard winds take the sand away from the beach but its only for the short time
Remember there is only thirty parking lots so if you want to take a spot be an early bird.
Mauna kea underwater world
Hi there
Lately I have been working on a personal project and just want to share some of the photos and detail of the actual process. If you have seen a photographer with two ladders climbing blooming trees and bushes in Vancouver aria, that me! I had an idea of photographing color patterns in nature, plants in particular. My daughter Ariel loved that idea so two of us are driving around Vancouver hunting colors and patterns. The end result of it supposes to be a body size frame on our wall with colorful images from black to white. We committed ourselves to do it from spring to next snow day in winter. It was a fun time so far, Ariel is very patient and doing amazing job. We are looking for a color blue now so if you happen to know where we can find it please tell us! Enjoy some colors on this rainy afternoon.
There is few more beaches coming up soon, but I wanted to share few photos that represent the other side of our vacation. Especially when our kids were younger it was a little high maintenance during traveling. Every mom and dad wants to give the best they can to their kids. There were time when we were potty training under any circumstances, we were concerned about our family diet, we wanted to educate our kids take care of themselves and other life survival skills. We wanted our kids to enjoy the sand and sunshine but we also wanted them to look for opportunities to serve the family. Vacation with kids can be stressful but if we look around for opportunities to learn together, to serve each other, your vacation can be priceless time with growing your relationships with kids. Daily life is very busy, packed with events and deadlines, so I’m always looking forward to our family time-out, when we can take a closer look on how we love and where we don’t.
Here are some fun photos that maybe don’t look like your dream family vacation :)
On our first visit to Big island we didn’t know if we will like it or not and didn’t want to spend much on it. We found a very nice tickets price but could not find a place to stay. We ended up renting a three bedroom condo was kind of last minute deal very affordable. It was big enough for us, and only few minutes from magic sand beach. This condo was in a neighbor hood where local people live their everyday life. So it was a little rustic to me, but we mostly only needed it to stay the night pack in a morning and leave to new adventures.
Rainy day will challenge you to entertain your kids. Library it is.
Nap time will hit your kids after swimming unexpectedly.
Yes we do dishes ourselves
Our first stop – Costco!!
We love to explore new territories but getting to the car and back can be tricky.
Kids are always hungry
Be creative if you got stuck in airport.
No TV on vacation, watch nature.
Than we come home and miss our great time and we do it again!!
Magic Sand beach.
This beach also called white sand, if there in any sand of course J it’s a great place to enjoy the waves. If you are coming to swim with kids under 10 do put life jacket on them until they will feel comfortable with the waves. Even on calm days some waves are strong and dangerous. Our family has seen more rocks than sand on this beach but we come only once a year. Here are some photos starting May 2014, the only time we enjoyed swimming there. We newer found sand since then L but it’s just our luck, I hope during your visit you can see beautiful blue water, waives and turtles. BTW my husband thinks it’s the best place to snorkel. As a mom I personally always feel stressed there even when my kids in life jackets. I love to come here to see sunset but water is for locals.
May 2014
May 2014
May 2014
Begging of June 2014
May 2016
May 2016
One of the best educational places on Big Island for kids is Paradise Meadows Orchard. We found it on our way to South Point and were very happy about it.
There is everything your kids might need chocolate, picnic tables, animals, very interesting and detailed tour around the farm, fish pond and more! Owners are very friendly. We have been told about huge moth that makes bananas (my life will never be the same). We learned how fish tank makes garden water all good without any chemicals. Megan, let my daughter, who also is into art, sees her studio and observe some paintings she is working on.
My kids loved watching parrots eating and taking. Some of the parrots are shy, some not. If you have some extra fingers that you need to get rid of, stick them to that rainbow parrot cage.
The story of the farm is incredible itself. You can read their story on a web site http://www.paradisemeadows.com/about
It was a great trip I hope our family will come back soon.
ometimes kids get exhausted from sun and need a little break Manini beach was a great spot for us to relax for a day. It’s mostly covered with grass had a lot of shade. Kids like to explore the rocks and even observe turtles from the high rocks
. On your left side of the beach (facing ocean) is a little hiking trail that your kids might enjoy.
On some websites you can see photos of sandy aria and donkey. We went there spring 2016 and haven’t seen the sand. A local lady that volunteers at the park said that donkey has died in 2014. So we played our toys, walked around to find rare flowers and jump from rocks. Tell your boys a story about brave Captain Cook you can see his monument on the other side of the beach.
Water is a little blurry for snorkeling because warm water mixing with cold water. But you can still get decent underwater photos.
One of my most favorite places for breakfast on big island is Punalu'u bake shop. It’s located on the Big Island, midway between Kailua-Kona and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I enjoyed my freshly baked apple malasada, my girls liked the strawberry one. Punalu’u bakery has a great gift shop, beautiful garden, and live music.
If you want to try real Kona coffee I would visit a “Kona coffee and tea company”. It’s a short walking distance from Ali’I drive in Kona downtown. I felt so cozy inside with all the wooden tables and furniture. Coffee taste absolutely great! It a little more expensive than other coffee places because its 100% Kona coffee. We left our car by the coffee place and took a walk to the water front to enjoy the sunset.
This is our family second favorite beach on Big Island. We call it “Teddy beach” because it’s right next to two hills that we call teddy bears. Beach is perfect for big waives lovers.
Depends on a time of the year you can find a little lagoon for your younger kids that protected from big waive by rocks. Toddlers must be supervised 100% of the time here. Sometimes water covers the entire sandy aria unexpectedly, taking back towels toys and your favorite sunglasses.
Mornings are quieter I would say, but there is plenty of parking so we usually go there when we know that Mauna kea and Kukio beaches parking lots are full. There is no shade so bring your umbrella. It’s also good beach for snorkeling you can find some fun underwater creatures.
Our whether condition kept me home for more than a week. Snow storm and freezing rain gave me an opportunity to do some projects that I always wanted to do but newer could find time for. In next few blog posting I’ll tell you about my favorite place – Big Island. I will post mostly about beaches and fun things to do with children. We picked Big Island as our family vacation place about 4 years ago. Our reasons for that? It’s "in country" vacation place, straight easy flight from Portland, cheaper (for large family) than other islands, big enough to not get bored with. It also has our favorite store – Costco that gives me same menu as at home, and I don’t have to be creative with our food, that makes my grocery shopping fast and simple. We rent same place every year, and rent minivan while we there (by the way second cheapest car to rent).
Today I will show you photos from the beach that is one of the best for mixed age kids. It is Kukio Beach also known as Four Seasons Beach. Our children age is from 10 – 4 so we have to be creative to meet all their preferences.
It's sandy baby friendly part, no big waves.
Very safe for toddlers
It’s the best place to see Turtles and learn snorkeling
Second part of the beach, great for snorkeling.
To find hermit crabs and turtles keep going to your right (facing ocean) pass grassy aria, hike through rocks and enjoy. It’s the second part of the beach great place for kids to explore.
Beach also beautiful for sunset and a great place for family photos.
We experiencing snow storm for almost two days now. As A mom of 4 kids I’m only hoping my dryer can hang there for a little longer. Our kids are coming home only to get some food and then running back outside. While children stuffing their tummies I dry wet snow gear, getting new pairs of socks and putting some lotion on their rosy chicks.
Our neighborhood is a great place to try all kind of snow activities. We even tried dog sledding, which was very special.
We lost some trees on our street. My personal heart breaking loss is my curly willow tree that I planted as a tiny branch. In a few years it became a beautiful strong tree. Last night it didn’t bear the heaviness of snow. It seemed so strong… It didn’t gave away a branch, but fell all together leaving roots behind. I have about two hundred portraits left for me and a little branch that I will save inside till spring.
While I regret my loss God giving us beautiful sky to rejoice. City lights adding more drama to our streets and makes them look so adventures.
Current weather condition - happiness
Katie and Daniel Belly bump
I know we are so use to scroll down our smart phones to catch up with everybody and everything. But
this evening I’m glad I have my big screen to stare at this beautiful face. I meet this girl yesterday for a
first time, she came out of the car very shy and quiet. No makeup. Simple outfits. Just her big eyes. Every
time she faced the river God sent some wind to play with her hair, it supposed to rain that evening, but
clouds moved away and sun shined. My heart trembled that I had a privilege to work with such a
beauty. We had no fancy props, she said: “all I need is one photo”. She thanks me million times; she
said: “you made me feel so beautiful”. Can I say I was completely shocked and amazed? I think there is
nothing more gorgeous than a young girl, with no modern or trendy additions. Lowly and modest just as
God meant women to be. Please stay as you are, don’t let this world to steal your treasures. You do
have many in your heart. I saw it in every photo. Your heart loveliness is shine. Thank you million times,
thank you. Thank you Lord only You could create this tender, delicate princes.
If you can imagine one very happy couple, beautiful Washington outdoors, and wedding at the barn, that would be February six for Alex and Eva. It was a very cheerful and happy wedding day. Every detail was organized by Inessa Nichols Design team, and made it so simple to move from one location to another. We were so honored to be a part of your wedding and wishing you Alex and Eva that you keep your joyful positive mind-set all your life.
Ceremony Battle Ground Baptist Church
Reception Lucy's Garden
The most treasured time in our life is when we still can hold kids in our arms. Don't let it slip away from your daily live.
I'm very happy to share some photos of these beautiful ladies, and most of all Julie's photos. This post is about her daughter Emily, but in all of these photos I see her beautiful heart. Julie is very talented and always pushes herself to the limits when it comes to help her friends. I never had a chance to share with her how much I adore her feminine and tender look. She is reminds me of lady from the old book, always with flowers, always smiling and happy, always wearing a dress and newer hurry. I hope one day I will be a little more like you Julie. Happy birthday to Evelyn.
Intelligent, fun and feminine.
I always wanted to do some city photos at night and finally found the best model for that. Olga was easy going very good at posing for me, and understanding my idea of these photos. Olga is my best friend; we used to have long conversations till morning on our sleepovers. We ran around our home town many times together. And we had many adventures after dark. Now we grow up, both of us had kids, and life style that we have now doesn’t really look like our young years. But every time we get together we like to go for a walk around the city. This time it turned out as a mini session for Olga to remember that our spirit don’t have to get old and we still can have some adventures.
Christmas is a very special time of the year because families get together even if they thousand miles apart. I’m sure I don’t appreciate it enough now while my kids are little and always around me. We get together around the table two times a day and spend so much time together that sometimes I feel like I need a break J But what could be a better gift on Christmas for parents, when their grown up, independent kids coming back home for the holidays. I hope you will keep this tradition through the years, and may nothing stop you from that. Merry Christmas for the Kulla family.
Just a bundle of joy :)
Introducing Chandler Jameson Ditterick. 8lbs 5 oz 21" long. Congratulations to grandparents Ron & Pegi Ditterick. It was an honor to me to capture this first moments of life , sweet face and beautiful family.
It is very special when all siblings get together from different places around the world. Especially when there are twenty two of them. I want to say special thank you to Lida who organized all of this. This was an honor to me to capture this moment when your all family is here in WA. I’m sending prayers with Andrew, stay safe in Korea and thank you for serving our country. I hope you will come back home very soon to hug your sun and your beautiful wife Veronica.
On Sunday afternoon we did mini session for my beloved friends from camp Morrow. I don’t do normally mini sessions, but this afternoon it was so cold that it naturally happened to be mini session J As always kids did just awesome by looking at this images I can’t even remember how cold it was. Thank you so much Brenda Chip and kids, I hope you got some hot chocolate by fire place that evening.
This was a beautiful morning on a Christmas tree farm. Getting ready for the holidays and celebrating new addition to the family. The puppy named “Lady”, I hope she will be a good friend to you Jerie.
I know it is fun to shop on a black Friday morning, but instead of setting my tent at Nordstrom Rack front door, I set up a teepee at the garden, hid toys and chocolate there, and waited for a beautiful family to arrive. It was so cold that I prayed to God for at least one family photo. To my biggest surprise all the boy did great for one hour smiled and had fun! Dad and mom rocked the photos as well. I’m very happy to share these photos with you, of my friends from the Dallas. I meet Janelle at the woman’s retreat and her story touched my heart. I’m glad we became friends and looking forward to meet your family Janelle again.
Friends and family gathered together to celebrate baby boy Hudson. We all pray for safe and fast delivery. May God bless you Sarah, what a wonderful mom you are!
Our friend Jeri was so kind to not just open her house to celebrate Sarah’s baby but did all this beautiful decorations and provided crafts. Thank you it was very blessed afternoon.
It is really hard for me to describe Andrew and Marianna’s wedding day in a few sentences. All I can think about is “many blessings” and “beautiful”. As simple as it sounds. God hold the rain to the very end of the outdoor portraits, and decorations inside the reception venue were just stunning. Andrew and Marianna were surrounded by best friends and loving family, joy and happiness all day long. I couldn’t imagine better day to start a family. God bless you Andrew and Marianna.
The scent that lingers, the trail left in water, the impression made in space after something or someone has been and gone.
And that’s probably all I can say about this images. Only one thing I want to add - a prayer. Prayer for Samuel - God please give him a long happy life just like he is happy right now with his puppy. Let him run and rejoice all good things that you giving us every day. Wind and sun and big grass fields. Bless Samuel abundatly Lord.
If you are looking at this images now please say a prayer for Samuel.
Thank you.
Welcome to the world precious baby Zoe. I want to tell you that you are so blessed; you have a loving family around you. Your mother is so tender and has beautiful soul. You have a big brother that is so gentle to you. I looked at him when he gets to hold you, and I saw joy and happiness in his eyes. You also blessed with sisters that will share their heart with you and will be your friends forever. You are beautiful little girl, I so happy to know you. May God bless you so good.
I love capturing the beauty of pregnancy and the miracle of the baby growing inside. Nikki with her belly just looks fabulous. They have beautiful family and God blessed them with a little boy this time! Lets rejoice with happy grandparents and proud dad.
Our North West weather has surprised me this year. We had beautiful warm fall with rain boll colors around us. Trees looks stunning, it’s warm and cozy, just a perfect time for big family session in a garden. I had so much fun through the session and at home looking at these images. Kids did so well, and all the parents were so patient. Thank you Lauren to inviting me capture this sweet faces.
Long long time ago we did a hike through the woods to capture this beautiful moments. Andrew and Marianna are very outdoor people, so they felt so comfortable. At the end of the session as a special blessing we met very friendly cowboys that kindly let us add their horses to the images. We are so thankful! Congratulations to happy couple.
For folks who think that posting engagement session after the wedding is to late ill say – later better than newer J
Photography class for moms.
I will be taking 3 mornings in November to teach photography basics. This class is for Moms who wants to improve their photography skills and learn more about their cameras. We will be talking about manual mode, using right lenses, understanding light, and more.
We will learn how to make a beautiful portrait of your child; we will edit and print together. You will be inspired to work on a personal project and creating memories for your family.
I will be introducing camera equipment that allows you to take better photos inside your house. We will test local photo labs and talk about differences between them. Also we will look at the simple software that will make photography easier and more fun.
I want to give every mom an ability to enjoy photography in their homes and serve family and friends with beautiful images.
We will work on a project together and share our images in a private Facebook group. Please be ready to do some home work and share it with other ladies.
If you willing to participate this class please email [email protected] to receive your registration form. Or click on a link and fill out the form and email it back to me.
Please find a nanny for your kids for the time of the class. Morning tea and snacks are provided
I could not wait any longer to post these photos to the blog. Can’t believe its October and we still having so much sun. It was one of the easiest sessions I ever did. Part of it because mom has my dream hair :) I loved every photo and every pose it was so hard to stop. Baby girl Stacy was just an angel and gave me all her smiles. It was such a relaxing evening for me; I hope it was the same for you friends :)
Best thins to describe this photo session is to quote my daughter Nancy – “I would love to grow up in this family”.
Happy news: Nersesyan family is expecting their first baby!
Inna is on her last trimester, and couldn’t look more beautiful. For her photos we went to our most favorite beach - Indian Point Loop. Inna and Vadim have few family memories attached to the beach. Inna is from California and their proposal happened on a coast. We thought that this place will be just perfect for maternity photos. Thankfully it didn’t rain and we had an awesome time together capturing gorgeous moments of new journey.
Celebrating family. Cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey.
I was so happy to capture a few moments of Tanya's pregnancy. She is very special person to me. She was one of the first brides I photographed and now she is becoming a Mom. I love to see families growing and it will be so exciting to meet her little baby girl Stacy.
“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
http://www.rocktheshotforum.com/
At Battel Ground garden with Sarah and Ben.
If you are photographer who likes props like I do, you’ll find out soon that you have a storage concern. I don’t own a studio. But I love props so much that I would bring one to every photo shoot. Obviously you will need a prop for every newborn photo session, at least a blanket. And isn’t it nice to have a chair for a toddler so he won’t run out of frame for a few seconds. And may be a red arm chair for maternity photo session when mom gets tired. Photo props make my photo shoots easier and faster, they help me to pose people, they also make my photos unique and colorful. After my first year of photography, I find out that I have more props that I can handle.
So I was so happy when I meet Lauren from “Freckled Flowers”.
She has passion of decorating parties and she loves vintage furniture and decorations. Lauren decorated one of the ladies parties where I happened to be. When I entered that place that she made so beautiful, I thought that I’m in heaven. Imagine all around the room baskets, scales, and backdrops all in one place. I asked her what she thinks of renting some of her decorations for photo shoots, and she didn’t mind. Now almost before every photo shoot I’m stopping by her place, pick up one or two things I need and bring them back after I’m done taking pictures. I don’t need to storage anything; I don’t run around shopping, I can focus on my photos and think of new ideas.
So if you need a prop for one photo shoot only or you like to create unique theme for every costumer, here is my tip to you - find local party decorating business; or give an idea of a new renting business to your friend who likes to shop for vintage\retro home decor. You never know may be your Aladdin's Cave not so far away.
Every pregnant woman wants to look stunning on her maternity photos. I’m personally believed that you look stunning anyway with the baby inside. But sometimes by wearing wrong dress or top you are going to hate your maternity pictures. I want to share with you few stores where you can find a dress for a reasonable amount of money and enjoy your look.
My favorite one: http://us.asos.com/women-maternity/rsry2/?cid=5813&via=top (I love their dresses! True to size and absolutely beautiful. Check out their clearness.)
#2: http://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/ Very cute style, I love their outfits ideas.
And of course http://www.apeainthepod.com/ I think it’s better to purchase their clothing in the beginning of pregnancy because of the price. Their designer’s jeans are so comfortable and look very modern and stylish.
I hope this will help you in your search for perfect maternity outfit for photo session.