She just laid there. Quiet. Unmoving. Practically comatose and completely unresponsive to my charm. Not my typical client at all. I was already starting to perspire. I had heated the studio up to 82 degrees or so, and we had the soft rhythm of womb sounds playing in the background. I was *this* close to laying down beside on the big fuzzy Pottery Barn blanket she had come in with...

I wasn't sure what to do next. Like I said, not my typical client. She wasn't nervously awaiting coaching from me, or wondering whether she should look at the lens or not for this shot, she just laid there. Quiet. Unmoving. Practically comatose. But I was already in love.

This was, by far, the most peaceful photo shoot I've ever done. Maybe that's because mom and dad were there, and so attentive to her every need. With just 9 days of practice, they handled her with such care and love. I think I could get used to this.


Congratulations Susie and Graham, you've created quite a beauty :)

I don't really advertise this thought... nor do I warn my couples of it beforehand... but, I actually demand quite a bit of my clients. I do this for their own good, of course, and with them in mind. In my opinion, the best photos are ones that show off a smile not meant for me and my lens but perhaps instead a twinkle in the eye where only a loved one knows just what that spark, or just that smirk, truly means. For it is him and for her that this snapshot is truly for.

Whether my clients are comfortable having their photo taken really doesn't matter. All that matters is that they bring every ounce of love for each other and a bit of an open mind to their shoot. Yes, obviously, we'll be around as well, shooting, talking, laughing, but we have a knack for doing our thing best so that they can do their thing best and enjoy each others company while we take care lighting, aperture, ISO, yadda, yadda, yadda.

We had so much fun with Emilee and Dan a few weeks back. Weather a bit cool didn't bother them one bit, it just gave them a good opportunity to hold each other a bit closer while we strolled the waterfront and the city. And when Emilee confessed their love of scrabble, I just had to have them bring it along. We started off with a drink (or two) at Trellis, and then continued around town. The owner of the local Slip even caught them dancing in his patio space and invited us all in for a beer on the house. Talk about some good karma :) Beautiful couple, beautiful light... what more could we have asked for?

Emilee and Dan... thank you for giving in to our demands. You seriously brought IT to the shoot, and Jake and I are so excited for your wedding this Fall. If you're family and friends are just half the sweetness of you both it's going to be one fabulous wedding. We can't wait!

{ooh, and I must mention that Emilee's gorgeous hair & make up were done at Salon Gem in Kirkland - ladies, your engagement shoot is a perfect time to get your trials done!}

I was SO excited for this wedding. A bit of that nervous, tingling-in-my-tummy type of anxiety that only comes when I just want to do so well for our clients. We always aim to shoot work that we are proud of, but it really means nothing at all unless are clients are as equally pleased. We know that a wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we are always so honored to be chosen as a couple's photographer. Lucky for me, I have Jake by my side to shoot with me, relieve some of that burden, make me laugh, and share in the excitement of it all.

We had the opportunity to get to know Stephanie and Thomas over the last several months, and just knew this would be a great wedding. They are such a sweet, sweet couple, and all we wanted was to do right by them through these photos.

Stephanie & Tom, we are so happy that your wedding brought us together and that we now consider you not just clients, but friends. I hope these images are a nice welcome home from your Mexico honeymoon!

A huge thanks to everyone who made this wedding a success:

Bridal Hair & Make Up: Lindsey Watkins
Flowers: Aria Style
Dress: I Do Bridal (dress by Maggie Sottero)
Band: Craig Lawrence Band
Ceremony: Bastyr University Chapel
Reception: The Garden at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Photography: Joey Nicole Photography

Enjoy the photos!

These two are a force to be reckoned with, in the best way :)

I would describe their love for each other as nothing less than explosive... full of passion, excitement, and fireworks. They laugh together, tease each other, and love, love, love each other so much.

Amy and Michael, we had so much fun roaming Belltown with you at your engagement shoot. You guys are so fun, and we can only imagine how great your wedding next year is going to be!

Back in our days at UW, living at the sorority, I probably wouldn't have believed you if you told me that one day I would be shooting Rachel's wedding. I just hadn't tapped into my creative side quite yet at that point in my life. I had more important things on my mind like chapter meetings... midterms... boys... But, I am so happy that our lives have come together in this way, at this time. Rachel and Ben going to have a beautiful wedding this Fall with lots of personal touches, and we are so looking forward to it!

The engagement shoot is so important on so many levels, one being that it really helps us get to know the personalities of not just the Bride and the Groom, but of them as a couple, their chemistry... what makes that tick. All of this adds up to great photos.

While I hadn't seen Rachel in quite awhile, she was just as I'd remembered her, a total sweetheart, all smiles, and gorgeous. Never having met Ben before, he presented as her perfect match. There's a certain feeling that these two emanate when they're together, and it's one of a deep love. They can sit quietly and contently, get talk without speaking, and even break out in dance. When there's no music :) From smiling, to posing, to laughing, and kissing, we had so much fun wandering Belltown with them.