Macy's Holiday Parade in downtown Seattle

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I tried to lay low this weekend, and spent lots of time with my family and friends. So, today I'm finally catching up on my blog.

On Friday morning I went to the Macy's Holiday Parade to take photos of Rachael, Moniqa and the Kentridge High School marching band. This is another one of the events that the friends have elected to have me attend as part of their senior year story as part of my Personal Photojournalism package.

On 4th Avenue on its way toward Macy's the band had the sun to its back. The light was amazing, and it was casting these really cool shadows on the pavement and rim lighting on the the Santa hats. I was able to do some really fun silhouettes, as well as the first photo on this post with the fun shadows and highlighted leaves. I love this time of year!

Thanks to Moniqa, Rachael and their families for another great choice of events, as well as the Kentridge High School band director Dave Baldock for allowing me to tag along again. If anyone from the band is interested in seeing the gallery of photos please send me an email.

Sarah, Travis & baby Madelyn

On Wednesday night I stopped by the Pursell house to photograph Travis, Sarah and Madelyn. I transformed Nana Connie's rec. room into a studio, and four-month-old Madelyn did great under the studio lights.

We started off with Madelyn wearing her new Christmas dress on her tummy. I was really hoping to get one of her with her hands together, but she preferred the flying baby pose. I really want to pinch those cheeks!

Madelyn wasn't big on smiling for me, but one is all you need sometimes. She really looks like she's asking for a fist bump. Yo, baby.

Travis arrived midway through our session with an armload of outfit changes. In true dad fashion, he didn't come up with many matching outfits, and most of the clothes were either too small or too big. Madelyn wasn't interested in changing her clothes more than once anyway and she looks stunning in her jeans, blue shirt and matching bow.

A big thanks to Travis, Sarah, Nana Connie & baby Madelyn for the teamwork that makes for a successful session.

The Rainbow Center's 7th Annual Black & White Gayla

UPDATE: Photo booth and all event photos are now posted! Order Here

Last night, Sarah and I photographed at the Rainbow Center's 7th Annual Black & White Gayla in Tacoma. I roamed around for all the candids and auction highlights, and Sarah worked the photo booth on loan from my friend Rachel of Bayne Photography.

I will be posting all the shots from the Gayla as soon as possible and there will be a link from the "online ordering" section of my website. Prints or digital copies of the images will be available starting at $6, with a portion of sales being donated to the center.

The spirit of the event was inspiring. The Rainbow Center's mission is to "eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by providing education, resources, information and opportunities for empowerment to individuals and organization with the south Puget Sound area."

Coming out to raise money for such a great cause and celebrating this week's passage of Referendum 71 were the ingredients of a Gayla to remember.

Laura at Magnuson Park

Last Wednesday, I met up with Laura for a quick shoot at Magnuson Park in Seattle. We found a nice woodsy spot and the light happened to be amazing, considering most of the week was gray and blustery. My favorite part about my job is meeting up with people who aren't used to getting their photo taken. Laura wanted some shots for a contest she is entering, and seemed to have fun being in front of the camera.

Thanks Laura for driving to Seattle from Chehalis, I hope you enjoy your photos.

The Daykas at the beach

Yesterday I met with the Dayka family on a beach near Fauntleroy Cove. Last year I donated a session to a school auction, and they were the winners. It was really nice to meet them, and we focused on getting some candid moments of their family on our walk, as well as some posed shots for the family christmas cards.