laughter

Merry Christmas

Wishing you an amazing Christmas and Happy New Year.... 

Here is a little gift for today- the Christmas Story told by my kids and friends:)

http://vimeo.com/56290546 

my boys

I was feeling reminiscent last night looking through this blog.... I am getting close to relaunching my new blog and website- and was feeling sad about the loss of this one... I clicked back to the first couple blog posts from 2006- Cannot believe how much has changed- this career- my style and skill- and really just life. I looked at these two photos of my little ones in awe of who they were and who they are becoming. 

Jadyn and Caleb age 2 and 4

Jadyn and Caleb age 8 and 10

whistler arts council

i had the honor of teaching another photography summer course through the whistler arts council at the lake house on alta lake. i love doing it... it renews my love of photography every time... i remember in my teaching my love of light, of capturing moments. here are a few photos from the day! xoxo

thanks to my friend julie for coming out to help and her sweet kids... and thank you to Peggy from FrostBites for bringing out, and lugging in her snow cone machine! 

xxoo

 

i did not have anything to do with this....

they got up... a normal day and then they got dressed... 

i was walking the dog... and they found me on the trail on the bikes.... to show me the new "looks"

i really had nothing to do with it... 

or did i?? maybe i did... gosh... i hope so, come to think of it. 

i hope the way i am raising them, loving them... caring for them, speaking to them... i hope it is all has something big to do with them being creative, and unique and strong and individual. i hope the friends we are choosing to have- the people we spend time with- the music we listen too... the way we speak- gosh... i hope it is investing into these little men. 

becasue as much as i can pretend to act how i think i need to act- to be slightly embarrased by my eight year old in underwear and a cape- i am going to be a whole lot of honest right here right now- i am beyond proud... like moved to tears proud of them- the little one who does not give a %*@& what anyone thinks about him- completely enthralled in his imagination and world of being super caleb- with the super power of tape hands and a nemesis of metal- friend of the sharks (found on his underwear) and arch enemy of our friend josh. and the old one- who loves style and fashion and clothes and shopping- and buttoning up and tucking in his shirt and who is brave enough to wear it out becasue he likes it- not because he is trying to fit in- but becasue he is so secure in himself- and then this same boy who in the same breath can be so passionate about adreneline- snowboarding and skateboarding and new tricks- he is just... secure in his own body in EVERY way and I find myself impressed and a little jealous. 

i took this photo on my phone. not set up- just a moment in my life with them. and it is my favorite photo to date- because it tells me i am doing a good job as a mom. i have a lot to do with this, and them. and i wonder if i walked in that idea a little more... i wonder what more could come- i have taught them to be confident and secure- and so need to walk that out myself and say it. i am a great mom... come on... look at these boys:)

by popular demand....

because evidently there simply were not enough posted the first time:)

part two of the smith kids. xo

smithys

amazing light + some of my favorite kids in the whole wide world

i could not be more thrilled. xo

bentlily

I love everything about this girl... if you are not following her or getting her daily poems you should:)

XO

 

A lesson in seasons I always wonder how people live where there are no seasons no summer to teach them to boil over with opinions no fall to learn the artistry of old age no winter to remind them to be quiet no spring to be lavish with new ideas as the summer blasts her last swollen words I understand that this is her way of grilling me what makes you think your euphoria should be tamed.

 

whistler father daughter dance

waa waa.... i don't have a little girl to send ot the father daughter dance:)

so to be as much a part of it as i can without being the creepy boy mom sneaking into the venue to watch and feel sorry for myself i stalk my friends with girls and take photos as a guise to feel a part of it! 

xo- some friends... some dancers, and some little siblings:)

my little one

he is divine to me. 

happy mothers day to all of you who love yours. 

xo

australia friends

we met this amazing couple in Yasawa Fiji when we were photographing the YASAWA resort. 

and we got to reconnect with them in Australia- so very very fun to meet Jack.... oh my goodness they love love love this little boy.
and he is truly divine... these smiles are all the time with him- amazing. 

cannot wait until they come visit in whistler- i want to continue to photograph this little one for years to come! and maybe we will get dad in the next ones- he was golfing with Chad! lol

xo

australia friends

we are just catching our breath from our trip to australia... we came home to a little bit of crazy with BUYING A NEW HOUSE! actually it is not even a new house... its our first ever house... and it is really old:)

becasue i am a little bit of crazy i am blogging the journey! 

http://www.rainbowmansion.tumblr.com/

i am settling into photos again in the midst of painting and demolishing my house and I am catching up on photos from OZ

 

our favorite part of the trip was our time with friends... friends who know us, love us, teach our kids to surf, let us sleep in their house... and eat all of their food! friends who stay up all night talking becasue we only have a few night. 

 

Friends like this:

xoxo

australia

finishing up photos from australia... 

and found a new favorite of my yougest- this is just so so so caleb right now. 

i am so in love. 

xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!

Oh friend... You are beyond dear to me... sweet and kind and loyal. Fun and hilarous and adventurous. An amazing mom, wife, slurpee drinker, sour patch kid eater. I cannot imagine life without you in it... love you. And... check your email for your gift:) but here is a sneak peek!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 

xo

 

the beatles

this family loves the beatles... 

i loved this family! 

xo

 

chad

he really is the "better" half... in who we are... in the parenting... and in the way he loves me. 

he is also the better photographer. (although I may only admit that here... just this once)

and he patiently taught me everything about computers and cameras and light... but more then that... he taught me how to see the moments of life and how to capture them because that is simply who he is... he sees the best in people, life and situations... and I know it makes the people around him want to be better people... and to see goodness. 

this winter he has been traveling and photographing the mountains and his own love- winter. 

i think what you see in these photos... is a pure motive...he takes photos becasue he wants to capture something he loves, something he is passionate about. its simple and calm- and i want more of that and this in my life. 

revelstoke, trout, chile, whistler... here are a few of my favorites- now I need to pick the one to enlarge in our house. 

xoxo

Happy Birthday to ME!

In the last 6 years I don't think I have ever wished myself a Happy Birthday before on this blog... 

but this year... I feel a little more like celebrating! I have so much to be thankful for- my boys, my family and this incredible job... so this year... happy birthday to me:)

xo

Here are some photos taken from the talented Carly Bish in Seattle. 

We are getting ready for the new website and re brand- and I needed a little update on the photo front- I also decided that this will be the year that I embrace my big mouth and laugh cause evidently its been 35 years and that big mouth is going nowhere and that laugh- just keeps getting louder! 

love heart

i really love all things vintage... so when asked if I could photograph some recent thrift and vintage finds for an upcoming fundraiser I could not help but say yes and yes and yes. here are just a few of the looks for the catalogue... hope to see you all out for this amazing upcoming vintage inspired night of fashion! 

xoxo

merry christmas

wishing you a merry christmas!

to take the time to be present with your family... your friends... your life. 

to see beauty... wonder and joy. 

to laugh. 

xo

just sharing a few recent snow photos:)

looking forward to another fabulous year photographing fabulous people! xo

india

there are really no words to describe this amazing trip... luckily... there are a thousand photos:)

here are just a couple favorites... and in the works: an indian art show in the new year... 

you'll just have to be a little patient... 

11 years of marriage...

feeling thankful. 

xo

photos by I AM POSER

 

 

this is me

it always amazes me the tension i can live in... 

that the personal part of me is in a state of rest and family.... that the work part of me is in growth and busyness... that i am on a computer all day and yet my heart is yearning for art.... that through the rain there is that ray of sun sending light spots on my office window. that my boys are so tall and so big and yet...  they are still feel so vulnerable and small and sweet... that time is flying past and yet sitting still... that i feel needed like never before by my family and also lonely.  that i want to be creating a home and yet planning to go away. that i am in love and yet that anger sits on the hinge. that i can be passionate and bored... within minutes of each other. that i adore the routine of fall and the smell of pumpkin spice and yet... at the same time... that i am mourning the loss of summer and the taste of raspberries off the vine. that i can feel fulfilled and empty... and strong and weak. that i can feel accomplishment and failure. crazy... and sane... 

today is that day... that i sit... a little uncertain of where to lay my hands, my time... my heart. 

i need to get back to writing... and cooking... and the need to do... as i write that out... makes me want to also have a nap, go for a walk... and get my hands in dirt within my garden... yearning to connect to anything outside of myself. 

this is my life... this is my present. i have not shared recently... its just that its all in the imbetween... 

its complicated... and its simple...

this is me: captured by a fabulous photographer in Seattle- Carly Bish

xo

garage sales

my most favorite place to garage sale is in bellingham... the great finds like these rollar-skates and faux fur coat... $4.00 thank you very much top the list... but I also came home with a new mid century style coffee table and side table! add a trip to trader joes and a weekend with my god daughters and bestest friends just top it all off... 

wanted to post just a few photos from our time... i am reminded again to bring my camera out more often and to just photograph life. XO

 

frog fish

we are lucky enough to live next to the most amazing pond... 

as Spring finally arrives... the boys have started to explore it again this year.... to everyones surprise they have found massive gold fish... for the first day our house was full of mason jars with fish... we have since released them back... but continue to fish daily with nets. i am so in love with everything about my boys and our friends fishing in the pond... the rubber boots full of water, the sound they make when they walk... the nets... and dirty faces... the excitement and thrill of finding new things. 

i am feeling very thankful xo

 

 

YASAWA FIJI

In early April we had the opportunity as a family to visit Yasawa Island in Fiji... 

There are no words to describe our time away... it was beyond amazing. The place, food, people we met... our time connecting as a family... all of it. I am so incredibly thankful that we had this experience... especially seeing our boys just fall in love with a culture... and so easily meld into it... I found myself watching them more then watching what was around me... and I was reminded of curiosity, adventure, and laughter and... I don't know... it just made me thankful. It seems to simple to say that... but I think it is just enough. 

so... no words... but ALOT of photos:)

enjoy xo

 

 

ziptrek

i was thrilled to be invited to ziptrek with my new years eve bride and all her closest friends the day before the wedding. it was a gorgeous day and so fun... plus it was perfect to get to know all the girls before the big day! xoxo

happy new year

humbled by another year of photographing people... beautiful on the inside and out. 

love love love my job... and looking forward to another year of photos. 

xo

whistler blackcomb

I am one of the new bloggers for Whistler Blackcomb!

It is very exciting.... I get to talk about all the things I love about where we live... 

About raising a family in Whistler, and about riding on the mountain with the boys! 

I am hoping families who are planning to visit Whistler will be able to use it as a resource when preparing for the trip! And that it will inspire mom's to get active with their kids. 

I just started... so make sure to check it out when you get a chance... 

My plan is to post Friday's! 

XO

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/blogs

http://blog2.whistlerblackcomb.com/

snow and winter, and the "off season"

i have been taking a little break... 

after 22 weddings this year, we are in need of some serious family time! 

and so, in perfect timing with a lot of snow falling, we have been hitting the slopes with our kids and friends... 

it took me 6 years to warm up to the snow and mountain... but something clicked last year...

and now i truly love that this is my life! XO

 

just for fun....

i know i have been a terrible blogger.... 

taking a little time off xo

i thought i would share these photos of a recent dinner party we had to celebrate our ten year anniversary! 

i did not take a lot of photos through the night, but i did manage to photograph the details! 

it was such a fun night, we had people come from out of town and decided to do an indian dinner. chad and i met in india so it felt fitting... we asked pat from the cracked pepper to make dinner... and it was amazing! i strongly recommend having a chef do your next dinner party... it was so nice to not have to cook or clean... and the food... well it was better then i could have made it!! LOL

we also had our friend marcie from Bliss come in and help decorate... i wanted to really treat my friends to a fantastic night, and so we made our living room into "little india". we moved the furniture outside with lights and heaters and hookhas! and then decorated the table with candles, gold dishes and gorgeous florals. i love how marcie took my vision and just "got it"! i think people always think that you only need a planner for weddings... but why not bring someone in to help you with your special event?

in the end it was perfect.... we have walked through a lot in the last 10 years... many laughs... a few tears:)... and along the way we could never have experienced the fullness of all of it without our friends! 

xo