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.

Tasha at Lake Meridian Park

All week Tasha and I have been anxiously watching the weather forecast, hoping that we would get a break in the rain for long enough to shoot her senior pictures this weekend. Today we walked around Lake Meridian Park in Covington. This weekend the fall colors are probably at their peak, since we all know it's not long before our Northwest wind and rain leave us with six dark and gray months.

Moniqa and Rachael's swim meet

Yesterday I attended Moniqa and Rachael's swim meet vs. Tahoma High School. This was another session that goes along with their senior year story. At the end of the year, I'll edit their favorite images into a storytelling album.

Moniqa, Rachael, and their teammates come together in the shallow end of the pool for a cheer before the start of the meet...

Rachael completes the butterfly leg of a 200m relay...
Rachael chats with some teammates between heats...
Second from left, Rachael, judges the diving competition with a panel from Kentridge and Tahoma...
Moniqa and teammates sit on the side of the pool to cheer during the diving competition...
Moniqa competes in her events...

The team does another cheer at the end of the meet...

The hippest part of school

When I had the idea of documenting high school students throughout the year as part of senior picture packages, I wasn't sure if potential clients would go along with this concept. But tonight, your personal photojournalist was in action at Kent's French Field watching the Chargers take on the Federal Way Eagles.

Rachael and Moniqa were in the stands with the band, and I caught a few of David who was down on the field with the team.

What's fun about this package is catching moments that otherwise would just fade away. It's not like the yearbook photographer is going to hang out with you and your friends all night. I don't want to just take posed photos of you with your flute or trumpet like many photographers, but I also want you to have photos of you playing the flute, or scoring a touchdown, any of the many things that make you who you are.

These are your stories and I'm your photographer for life.

Kentridge Seniors: David Ward

Yesterday Kentridge High School senior David Ward, his parents, and I went for a nice walk in Renton for his fall senior portraits. We walked along the Cedar River Trail and stopped at the Renton Memorial Stadium for some great shots in his football jersey. He's on Kentridge's offensive line, and I'm going to look for #72 this Friday when I attend the game to photograph Rachael & Moniqa in the marching band.

His family is participating my personal photojournalism package, and I'll be photographing them for several sessions throughout this year. I'll share some more photos soon, and I can't wait to see which photo he chooses for the yearbook.

Rachael & Moniqa: A senior year story

Yesterday I had my first session with Rachael and Moniqa who are both seniors at Kentridge High School, and also best friends. You will be seeing more of them on this blog throughout senior year since they're both participating in my Personal Photojournalism package. I'm looking forward to shooting photos of them in action at their swim meet and witnessing more giggly moments like this.