Yesterday I invited my delightful friend Sofia over to have a little fun with the light kit we rented over the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve done a totally frivolous, just-for-fun (but purposeful) photo shoot. Sofia is one of my dearest friends, and has been assisting me at weddings this past year, and she’s totally drop-dead gorgeous, so it only made sense to invite her over to play with the rented lights with me before they needed to be returned. I wanted to share, and give a public thanks to Sofia for her friendship and all the hard work she put in this past year.

Love you, Sofia, and can’t wait for all the adventures we have ahead!

Happy New Year all! I’m excited to be one step into 2012, and hope you are too! I’m a dreamer at heart, so I spend a lot of time every December in anticipation of the newness that comes with the flip of the calendar…

In celebration of a whole new year before us, this January and February I would like to photograph a few in-home sessions with newborn babies less than 10 days old. I’m definitely going to need help finding the right families for this personal project, so if you or someone you know is giving birth to a baby anytime in the next two months and might be interested in a complimentary newborn session, please put me in touch! I think it may be best to connect with expecting mothers before baby arrives, whenever possible, and all sessions must take place before March 1, 2012 in the Seattle area. I’d especially love to have the opportunity to photograph newborn twins, but singletons are great too. Contact me for further details and please help to spread the word! Thanks a million & Happy New Year!

We’re coming to the end of what as been a spectacular year. We offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us this year, in business and life, in both the big ways and the small ways. There is no way I could mention all of you by name, but in a way, the simple fact that I can’t make a comprehensive list of all our blessings this year that have come because of you both astounds and humbles me. Toward the beginning of 2011, a friend told me she thought this year would be one of unleashing…letting go of the limits we experienced in the past, unleashing our potential, and releasing God’s blessing in our lives. It’s been that and so much more.

Of all the memories that stick with me from this year, I have to mention the courage and strength of friends facing all kinds of hardships who managed to dig deeper still to love extravagantly, give generously, and bravely move forward through their challenging circumstances. You folks (should) know who you are, and you should also know that you inspire me greatly!

I have to mention and thank all the generous families who made our goal of sponsoring a child in 2012 a reality by passing on the word and participating in our Spirit of Giving Portrait Sessions. Thanks so much for helping to make that happen!

I would like to applaud the talented wedding professionals we worked with throughout the year, and especially thank those who believed in us enough to send clients our way. We can’t thank you enough!

For the couples who have invited us to become part of one of the biggest milestones in their lives this year – Thank you for sharing your love with us. I loved how each of your events were uniquely meaningful and beautiful, and I hope the coming years hold just as much meaning and beauty for each of you.

Lastly, the growth we’ve seen in our little family is something I will cherish always. I’m proud of the goals we’ve accomplished, and the dreams that we’ve realized, the milestones we’ve passed, and the adventures we still have ahead of us.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! With love,  Emily

We’re just a week away from Christmas, can you believe it?! This year I’ve truly felt the ‘reason for the season’ near to my heart all season long, and Christmas Day isn’t even here yet. Around our house, we’ve been talking about simplicity, generosity, gratitude, and more while we finish up projects, reflect on the year, and look ahead to the beginning of 2012. I’m thankful for many things, including the two stellar people you see pictured in this post.

These cool cats are our terrific friends Sarah & Angelo. If I’m honest, they have become one of the many reasons we have grown to love living in Seattle. They’ve been constant support, encouragement, and all-around amazing friends to us these past two years since our return to the Northwest. I’m so glad that after seven years of marriage, they still like each other! The Merry Christmas sign was inspired by Pinterest and created by Sarah the morning of their  photo shoot. Fun times! My hope for anyone reading this is to wish you all a truly Merry Christmas, and a holiday filled with meaning, not just stuff. If you’re doing any traveling this next week, be safe and enjoy your loved ones!

The best word I can come up with to describe this couple is ‘delightful’. When we met the first time, I instantly loved them and I’m feeling pretty lucky that come their wedding next May, I’ll get to be there to document it! They’re an easygoing, fun-loving couple, and we lucked out with a gorgeous sunny day for their recent engagement session at Bellevue’s Downtown Park. I had only been to this park once before and I didn’t realize just how much I would love it dressed in fall colors. Congratulations Heather & Tim…this is just the beginning of what I’m sure will be a monumental year for you! Thanks for letting me be part of it.