Beautiful – Times Two

Ashleigh and Alexis are twins. Identical twins actually. I knew it was going to be hard for me to tell them apart when I first met them. James, Alexis’s boyfriend, confided in me that it took him two weeks before he was able to tell which one was Ashleigh for sure. You see there is this little mole on Alexis’s neck… Whew, okay, I can look for that.

Also, Ashleigh is the one with a quick smile and easygoing temperament and Alexis is the more serious one with a competent nature. Thankfully too, a few years back they decided to part their similar hair differently, Alexis to the left and Ashleigh to the right. That is your clue to be able to tell them apart in the photos below.

It was sweet to see that they get along seamlessly with consideration and kindness for each other.  And there is never a lull in their conversation as they take animated turns talking! One idea leads to a comment or an idea from the other. Like their thoughts are streaming to each other before the words get out. Often glancing to see the expression on the other for additional cues. Their reactions are instantaneous. I felt like I was a second behind the conversations because they seemed to already have communicated before they spoke.

Alexis and Ashleigh, it was a delight for me to photograph the two of you for your senior photos.  You both have style and grace, together and individually.

xoxo

It’s a wrap! Thanks for your help James and Maddy … and Bruno

Hint: Mothers Love Memories

Still Horse Crazy After All These Years

Going to the NW Heritage Spring Show in Monroe, WA, a week ago with my Cousin Dina brought back a lot of memories and feelings that apparently never die—we are still horse crazy!

We felt like kids again oohing and ahhing at which ones we liked best. Dina picked the winner of the first show (8:00 am – yes, we were serious that gray, rainy day). Dina and I have always been a little competitive when it comes to horses. We are 2 ½ years apart in age, with me being the older, wiser one when we were growing up. Or so I thought. We spent time in the summer together and after the first day, the novelty would wear off and we would start acting like sisters.

We still reminisce about the biggest fight we ever had—that lasted 3 years. Something about how a horse sounds when it is trotting . . .

My friend Janice, from high school days, who is not a horse person, joined us for a long overdue visit since she lived nearby.  She wanted to see the pretty horses. Her favorite was the “velvet looking” dark grey with the silver mane and tail, the vertical image below. I have to agree that this one had the most unusual, stunning color of all. He looks like a hand-carved carousel horse; mane and tail waving like a flag, neck arched, nostrils flared.

After Dina picked the winner of the first show, I kept my mouth shut. But later in the day, I noticed something very interesting: The horses that I couldn’t keep my camera off of were the ones winning. Even before they entered the ring. The man on the horse at the gate won two blues in his event. The two girls from behind showing their “numbers” each won a blue in their class. My camera knew the winners! After contemplating this I realized the judges were looking for the same thing I was in an image; horse and rider were one, both performing their best with energy, beauty and perfection. They just looked good.

I do admire the Arabian breed, but I truly love all horses, and actually all creatures. My favorite horses real and not real: Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, Flicka, Mr. Ed, Little Black, Sundown, Brilliant Vision, Turbulator, Secretariat, Ruffian, Zenyatta (did I tell you a friend of mine flew to California just to say good bye to Zenyatta?), Budweiser’s draft horses (I love their commercials!). And Blue Hors Matine, a phenomenal performance that tears me up even on the umpteenth time watching it. She was special.

Bling.

OK. Who Wants to Snuggle the Bunny?

Easter’s coming, so of course that means bunnies. We thought we’d round up a few well-behaved bunnies and then round up a few kids dressed in their Easter finery and take some quick portraits. Before the ribbons and bows come undone and the maryjane shoes get scuffed. Before all the little boys wiggle right out of their fancy pants.

So hurry, reserve your spot! And tell all your friends: The bunnies are coming!

April 21, 22, 23 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Crystal Quick Take Special

Why I’m Horsing Around This Weekend

I’m off to an Arabian horse show this weekend.

When I was nine years old I remember going over and over my favorite magazine “Arabian Horse World.” I loved to study the beautiful images of this spirited horse, but I always found that my favorite images seemed to not be determined by bloodlines but they seemed to be horses that were photographed by the illustrious Johnny Johnston.

In my early 20’s I was working in a professional photo lab when a woman brought in two 8×10 prints; one was a dynamic close-up of an American flag billowing in the wind and the other was a head shot of a majestic horse. She asked if we could cut and paste and make the flag the background (this kind of thing was done before Photoshop, too!). I took one glance at the horse image and asked if it was a Johnny Johnston photo. The woman almost fainted. Johnny was from Texas, not a local yet. She asked me how I knew it was a JJ pic? I said because I only knew of one of person who took incredibly beautiful images like that.

She offered me a position to work with her and Johnny on the spot. We both were surprised that day in a wonderful way. Johnny had just moved up here recently, and I worked in the office and on local farm calls, including assisting in photographing Shirley MacLaine’s Arabian horse at J. Z. Knight’s (VP Kahlua) palatial estate in Yelm.

A simple artistic tip I remember from Johnny is to wait for that one moment when there is a spark, a connection. Often it is of an animal being at peak awareness before moving into action. It is there just for a fleeting moment. If you miss it, you’ve missed it. Second best isn’t even close.

After assisting JJ for a couple of years I started my family and photographed children, since that was what I was surrounded by with all my friends seeming to have children near my son’s age. All of a sudden the photo requests came so often I started Crystal Photography on Bainbridge Island in 1993 and have had a studio here to this day.

But every once in awhile, I head out to horse country, to where my heart was first captured—my love of the beauty, spirit, and intelligence of the Arabian horse.

Swashbuckling Fun

I love passion and energy and I had both with my Childhood Dreams Quick Take session with Banning. Banning is 10 and he loves playing combat with his friends. He is a warrior. You can see it in his eyes.

He is also interested in acting and together with his passion for the art of swashbuckling he is enthralling to watch as he demonstrates his skill and well-practiced maneuvers.

If you look closely, his sword is made of wood. Handmade. By Dad. I noticed the loving details as I turned it over in my hand; the sheath with tapered corners (so not to cause real damage), rounded and sanded with perfection, the sword with the authenticity of a carefully crafted hilt. I couldn’t help imagine how Bill felt as he crafted this gift, taking the time out of a busy schedule to support the dreams of his son. Well done, Dad —and Mom—to have the insight to capture this oh-so-fleeting moment in time.

I give you young Luke who has the force within him.

Tender Connection Wins!

Remember Adela and Savannah from last year? Bryce and Catherine drove all the way from San Diego to visit Grandma on Bainbridge Island. They wanted to introduce their two new pink bundles of joy. Twins! Of course they wanted to capture this moment in their lives, to remember forever. I thought something simple and sweet; petals, delicate and poignant, were just the thing. We photographed at Grandma’s place, with gorgeous window light streaming in. Everyone was thrilled with the photos, and this one became one of my favorites.

Last month, at the last possible moment—honestly at 2 am the day before—I had an opportunity to enter a print competition in Seattle Professional Photographers Association. So I grabbed my twins photo and headed to Seattle. The twins and I won a blue ribbon for Best Child’s Portrait and also the prestigious Judge’s Choice award! Below is “Tender Connection.”

Our Quick Take special captured “Childhood Dreams”

We had so much fun. Quick and easy and affordable 20 minute sessions. Stay tuned for the next Quick Take session. We’re thinking about bunnies and chicks for Easter!

Baby girls in pink!

Meet Adela and Savannah. They came all the way up from Southern California to the delight of their great-grandmother Betty. I wanted to post this for their adoring parents to get a quick peek from their session.

Baby Lamb

We visited the Bountiful Farm last week to see their baby lambs. Here is our favorite lamb because she is so sweet and gentle and she loves to be held. Such a fleeting time to capture moments like this. Caia was our model for the day.

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