Monthly Archives: May 2009

Happy Memorial Day

Hope you had a fabulous three-day weekend where ever you were able to celebrate Memorial Day.

I was lucky enough to sneak back into town on Wednesday night (after a week in LA) only to sneak right back out for a mini-escape to Birch Bay on Friday night. If you’re not familiar, Birch Bay is just North of Bellingham, just South of Semiahmoo. It’s a tiny little community that includes tide flats (with famously fabulous clamming/crabbing,) water slides, the “C shop” (candy store + cafe) and several other little food joints scattered amongst condos, vacation rentals and cabins like the one Olivia and I stayed in.

We enjoyed ice cream cones and fetch on the beach, fresh lilacs and plentiful sunshine, homemade french toast and seafood pasta on the deck at CJ’s, cold Blue Moon during the day and warm fires at night, sunset stone skipping and afternoon movies… decadent indeed.

Because I find myself working, or thinking about work nearly all the time, it’s actually rather hard to come back from weekends like this one and focus: my brain has a chance to rest and decides maybe that’s a lot more fun than constant productivity. Ahh well… Every once in a while it’s incredibly satisfying to get away for the weekend with absolutley no obligation to photograph, write, organize, design, consult, or really be accountable for anything at all beyond meals and sleep.

Here’s a few glimpses from our weekend – hope yours found you relaxing in the sun too!

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The d+d studio goes to the… humans?

The studio was all abuzz this morning, as an editor, two photo researchers, a stylist, a model, a designer and I all gathered together for a 1/2 day of shooting. Can you believe it – all of the above were humans!  No dogs to be found (well, except for the official “CityDogs” – Scout and Ziggy who waited patiently on their side of the office before they were allowed to venture in to hunt for crumbs from our tasty food bites.)

I can’t share any of the details of the project just yet, but what I can say is that we had a blast rockin’ out to the “photoshoot” itunes playlist, scarfing macaroons, veggies, anitpasto goodies and fresh fruit like nobody’s business and creating some FABULOUS imagery for this book project. The good news is – the book is on a fast-track to release so you’ll be able to learn about it AND buy it here before the holiday season (which, if you’re not familiar with the publishing industry – is INSANELY fast turnaround…)

All I can tell you for now, is that our model was the beautiful and wonderfully expressive Carolyn (who, if you’ve seen the Vagina Monologues here in Seattle lately you would recognize from her performance of the “Flood” monologue.) The costume choices were over-the-top wonderful, the stylist was a hoot, the food was delish (thanks Thriftway for pulling through on my crazy requests) and we finished an hour ahead of schedule which means we all got a free hour in the West Seattle sun. Yay!

I should mention I flew in late last night with little time to prepare for this gig and I am soooo glad it all went off without a hitch. You can bet as I can share more info – I SURELY will :)   For now, I will leave you with some awesome candids of Jessica posing for the light check before our model stepped up to the plate :)

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Star + Kitty Mo

I love this time of year. I love being surprised again and again how late the sun stays up and how abruptly the weather turns so lovely and how we all tend to smile just a little bit more when the rain and gloom have vanished. I love noticing lilacs and tulips blooming, cherry tree petals sweeping up the street and trees that were dark skeletons, filling with supple bunches of leaves. Ahh Spring in the Northwest!

What I especially love about this season is the outdoor, on-location photo shoots I get to indulge in: boats, beaches and backyards, parks and porches – a million perfect spots with a million juxtapositions of inspiring backdrops and “props.”

Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph the lovely Jamie, her husband and their furry family members: Star and Kitty Mo. Jamie warned me that that feline might be a little aloof (as felines often are) and it would be great if we could somehow get her in a few shots, but that the chances were slim. I had to laugh when I arrived because when I stepped into their oasis of a backyard, Kitty was lounging lazily on a vivid mosaic table, sunning his underbelly and pawing at the air. I giggled out loud as I noticed Star carrying around her gigantic new “baby”, over-sized fuzzy bunny that dragged on the ground as she pranced around with it in her soft retriever mouth. “Oh yeah” I said sarcastically – “these guys are going to be realllly hard to photograph.” ☺

The whole shoot was charmed. The sun sat low in the sky, Star pranced and posed with her baby, occasionally stopping to share some licks with her humans or to give me a beaming golden smile and Kitty Mo was a downright camera hog – walking between my lens and whoever was in front of it just about any chance he got.

There were hug piles in hammocks, “keep away” in the grass, rests on the deck and lots and lots of kisses. All in all, a perfect day, a perfect little family, and a downright perfect shoot. *Swoon*

Thanks to Jamie and her crew for providing such a magical place for photography and thanks to the almighty weather gods for blessing us with the perfect lazy May afternoon.

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Did I mention that Jamie is a wonderful, amazing, talented and delightful artist?  No?  Well now I have!  You MUST check out her gorgeous jewelry designs at: Laughing Raven Design or on Etsy. Be sure to check out her robot, dog and wonder woman themes. SO awesome!!

You can also find her at the Best of the Northwest, the Seattle Kennel Club Show and a variety of other local art events. To find out where you can find her creations check out her “news + events” page.

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El Norte: A “Weekend Getaway” sneak peak!

Olivia and I just returned from whirlwind trip up North for the “Deluxe Digs” and “Weekend Getaway” articles that will appear in the Summer issue of CityDog Magazine. We can’t tell you exactly where we were yet, but rest assured, after these features… You will MAKE time to go visit!!

During our adventure we did a lot of walking, romping, dining climbing, watching, waiting, sniffing, exploring and photographing- we found all kinds of fun, quirky and delightful places and spaces. After visiting three hotels in three days, topping it off with a Mother’s Day visit to Whidbey Island, we were both tuckered out and ready for our own bed in West Seattle!

I cannot wait to edit all these images, the weather was fantastic: sunny and warm complete with blue skies and white puffy clouds. This article will be a must read, and will include boats, books, waterfalls, trains, feasts, sunsets, eagles and a LOT of local pooches.

Enjoy the sneak peaks from our escape… Be sure to stay tuned for more teasers from the upcoming issue due on news stands the first part of June.

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