My cousin, Tara, met a fabulous French exchange student in Redmond back in high school. They are now married with a beautiful family and live in France. She’s here visiting for a month. She is so outgoing, friendly, happy, grateful, welcoming… the ultimate hostess even when not at her own home. Tara is simply a wonderful woman.
I went with Tara and her friends for a girl’s night out. Her friends are fabulous. We are having a great time. They have so many great life experiences to share, so warm and friendly. I feel very welcome and having a great time watching them interact. I don’t follow reality shows but I can see how they can draw you in. Being part of even a small piece of the pie or someone’s life is intriguing. It brings me out of my own realm and lets me learn and grow from other people’s stories. This is the school I could get straight “A’s in just by sheer fascination. My motto has always been, “everyone’s a book and all you have to do is ask a few questions then listen to the stories that roll out.”
Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story? Here is Mary’s version of her true love with none other then her groom, Kainapau.
Kainapau and I met through casual friends surfing. We became best friends and I never thought we would end up together or even be getting married…. after a year or so of friendship my feelings grew and one day I realized I was in love with Kai! I guess you can say I was a little aggressive and definitely pursued Kainapau. We started dating September of 2009 and my life has been nothing but smiles. We went to Switzerland for a few weeks to visit a girl I went to school with and it was an amazing trip! We snowboarded, drank wine and ate lots of cheese. Towards the end of the trip; after a long day on the slopes Kainapau asked me to come out and look at the view. We were staying in a swiss chalet that had a panoramic view of the swiss Alps and there was snow everywhere. I followed him out and we were holding each other saying how beautiful it was. A few minutes later he stepped away from me and started acting strange then he said “You know I love you right? And one day I want to have little bambinos with you…” I started laughing and then he reached in his pocket and said “Mary one day will you marry me?” I was in complete shock! And then he had a ring on my wedding finger before I knew it! I started fumbling around saying “what? What?” and then I said “YES! YES! And now… I’m marrying my best friend 
and I’m so HAPPY!
Now this is what I call a party! These two lovebirds know how to have fun and will have a marriage full of love and laughter for years to come!
It’s interesting how photography had changed me. I now watch moments unfold then try to anticipate my favorite part then capture it to share with that person to show them all the joy the rest of the world is seeing in them.
IE.. Just now when my client kissed his wife and instead of putting the camera down after getting the kissing photo I held in in anticipation and, yes! There they are beaming with happiness!This sweet family made our day…cutest little boy!
This is what real love looks like.
This wedding was on a Friday afternoon but felt like a Saturday. Everyone was energetic, happy, hugging and laughing. When engaged couples ask my advice on having a friday wedding I think back to Jenn and JD’s wedding and say, “go for it!” People, young and old, were holding hands and dancing in a big circle surrounding another big circle of dancers. They hoisted the couple into the air while sitting on chairs. Jenn’s eyes got wide at first with the fear of being dropped and then with excitement. Everything had a personal touch. Her chef friends cooked up a delicious storm in the kitchen. His sister painted a picture we took during their engagement sessionon a large canvas. I went zipping past it and thought, “oh cool, a print of ours” then I realized it was a painting…oh my gosh, amazing. Such a talented lady and a thoughtful gift to give this sweet couple. His aunt, Stacey, gave a heartwarming ceremony. And we all ate Mike’s Amazing Cake, hooray! It was the most perfectly flawless cake I’ve ever seen and tasted, oh-my-gosh, delicious. I only know this because one of the guests kept insisting I try it. I rarely eat wedding cake but this time I caved under pressure and and so glad I did. http://mikesamazingcakes.com/ What a fabulous end to an unforgettable wedding.
Cheers! To a fabulous couple. May you live Happily Ever After Jenn and JD.
This cute couple is still crazy in love after 10 year of marriage. Yep, the ceremony was actually a vow renewal. They have two kids together and they still look young and refreshed. I will have to find out what their secret is! This couple defines the word “hip” right down to her flower tattoo on her arm. 



These series of three photos really tells a story that I didn’t realize was happening at the time. These two dogs are not from the same litter but still are siblings. Here is their big moment, their first family photo. Mom and dad are all dressed up and looking nice and asking big things of us like, “sit” and “hold still for 2 seconds”. It’s not easy being young pups as we are but we’ll do our best… and yet still have fun. The yellow puppy is Jasper. He not only looks like Scooby Doo but is full of character like him too! In this first photo everyone is smiling and posed perfectly but Jasper just can’t help but make a silly face for Brandon, the photographer. (typical little kid, so cute!)

Here’s Jasper sticking out his
tongue at Bella and Bella saying, “Mom! Jasper’s
making faces at me!”

Sorry friend 
I love the fact that these two are always so genuine and just themselves. I have enjoyed spending so much time with them and sad that the process is over. Thanks for sharing your magical day with us!
Cheryll and Freddy’s wedding at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, WA
Sherry is kind to everyone around her and Phil has a quiet spirit about him. It works between them and it is apparent to their family and friends that surrounded them on this beautiful day in October in Leavenworth.






Brandon and I had loads of fun working with Jolie and David along with their friends and family at their wedding in San Diego. It’s so fun to work with couples who are so in love. It’s a contagious feeling!



We love our brides… especially ones like Kelsy. Check out this juicy tidbit about the magic of love between Kelsy and Chris written by the bride!
Chris and I are polar opposites….he’s the outgoing type and I’m more reserved. With that being said, I have never found someone who I work so well with. It’s completely true what they say…opposites do attract! I like to think that we’re a very spontaneous couple. Nothing shows that more then our honeymoon to Greece. We deliberately didn’t make any reservations or firm plans, and completely “winged” the whole trip. We have never had more fun. We have so much fun together and strive to find the most off beaten trail when we travel or have a day off. Now the weird quirky stuff….if one of us gets a song stuck in our head, we’ll both start bustin’ a move. Little shimmy-shake of the shoulders in the car….ya know, completely normal!