JUST BECAUSE : LEILANI | Tacoma, WA

4 MONTHS OF BLISS

My little Handsome, you're 4 months old today!
(I know, right - ALREADY?!? That's what Mommy thinks at every birthday, and will probably always think when it comes to you and your sisters).

It has been 4 months of pure bliss, my sweet boy, and I have loved every moment so far.
(I can't wait for more!)

Your little smiles and giggles light up my day like you'll never know.

You are our constant reminder to notice and appreciate all the seemingly little things in life...the things that seem to fascinate your little mind so. I can watch you for hours and be completely content. I love the way you stare at your hands as you learn to grasp things, the way your whole face breaks into a smile when someone smiles at you, the way you look at all the things around you when you're outside, staying very silent, as if taking it all in and enjoying it little by little.

And more than anything, I love the way you recognize me, and start kicking with excitement, cooing away when I walk into the room, or just within your gaze. I get just as anxious :) - and inside, I'm kicking with excitement too ;).

You are WITHOUT A DOUBT a Mama's Boy, and frankly, I hope you always will be.
(without the silly, negative connotations people tend to associate with that, of course)

You bring us HAPPINESS in ways we could never explain.

Thank you for being (one of) my little piece(s) of Heaven on Earth.

Do you know how blessed I am to be your mama?
SO blessed, I thank Heavenly Father every chance I get for it, and for you.



I love you SO very much, Son!
~Mommy
xoxo

UNCONDITIONAL : MOTHER - DAUGHTER | West Seattle, WA

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.
- Author Unknown

There is truly something special about mothers and their daughters. When Angel contacted me about doing some photos with her mom who just reached a milestone birthday (the day after mine!), I was so excited to get together with them. She explained that they like to get them done every so often, and I thought there couldn't be a better idea than that! It's wonderful to see the bond between a mom and her daughter, even as grown women. Their friendship and love is obvious, and so great to witness.

Being the mom of two little girls, I can only hope that we share a similar relationship when they grow up and become mothers themselves.

Thank you, Ladies, for inviting me to take these photos! xoxo

ENGAGED : ERIN + CONOR | Seattle, WA

Erin and Conor were models for Natalie Norton's Envision | Seattle workshop earlier this month. The stunning couple is recently engaged, and were so much fun to work with. As luck would have it, meeting the bride-to-be was even meant-to-be for me -- Erin is currently working on designing a new logo for me. She's uber talented, and can somehow make sense of my incoherent emailed "visions" of the design, and produce just what I was thinking!

We shot this session at two different times during the day in downtown Seattle, and the light was just perfect. The gorgeous couple is Anthropologie-styled, looking like they belong in a magazine!

Erin and Conor, best wishes on your wedding day, and in all the years to come!

ENVISION | SEATTLE : NATALIE NORTON WORKSHOP

Years ago, I lived in the small town of La'ie, Hawaii. I was a college student still finding my way, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Fast-forward almost a decade, and here I am - a mother, a wife, an accountant, and an ever-aspiring photographer, living in the Northwest. Little did I know that in that small town of La'ie, was a woman who would also become a photographer - an amazingly successful one - and that it would be thousands of miles (and many years later) from Hawaii's North Shore that I would meet her, learn from her, and be inspired by her.

I'd first heard of Natalie Norton, the photographer, a couple of years ago when I'd come across her blog. I'd bookmarked it, and became a regular reader. Natalie and I have mutual friends, and I'd heard only the nicest things about her. Her blog is a showcase of beautiful images, and her posts are well-written and heartfelt. It isn't difficult to read through her blog and not feel an instant connection to her - she is open and honest, and her words are moving and real.

So when she tweeted that she would be hosting a workshop in Seattle, I jumped on it. I was 9 months pregnant with my son, about to go on maternity leave, figured my baby would be around 2-3 months old once the workshop rolled around, and I decided it would all work out. I knew I'd probably be on hiatus from my photography business for a little while as I tried to find some balance with a new baby, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity.

The Envision | Seattle workshop was, in essence, just what I needed. Hosted at Hotel Max in downtown Seattle, I enjoyed an insightful, fun day with Natalie and an awesome group of photographers. Natalie was just as open and honest as she comes across in her blog, sharing so much of herself and her business philosophies with the group. She is as beautiful inside and she is out, and I'm still so thrilled I was able to attend her workshop. We photographed the Prang family, and the stunning Erin & Conor, recently engaged (photos to follow!).

To say the very least, I left feeling motivated and driven about my photography business, inspired to envision the possibilities!

Thank you Nat, for everything!