Christmas Card Keepers

This year we are offering Christmas cards for the first time! They are exceedingly cool and worth keeping.
By way of Merry Christmas (a bit early, but I want you all to know about this!) I am posting here our combination Christmas card/ad. Have a fabulous holiday season, hopefully with those you love and cherish.
Karen

My Sabbath

Tonight I left my home full of stress and confusion. I've had a difficult fall season - business is great, but I cannot keep up with my normal speed of delivery. For the future, I will adopt the motto that art takes time, and give myself and my clients plenty of waiting room for their portraits.

So back to tonight... my studio is almost finished, my yard and home are in mayhem, and my family is coping. This evening I noticed someone in the front yard and found my friend Jody with her son and a friend raking my front lawn! A great rage of conflict stormed my mind. How wonderful, how amazing, how embarrassing that I need help, how lovely of God to meet my needs through this friend, how come I can't do this on my own? And as I tried to join in and help she put her arms around me and told me to go back to work – inside, on the computer. Tears escaped my eyelids - a rare sight from me, the "strong one." My little son Leo and his friend helped bag the leaves, while inside, I made doctors beautiful. I left an hour later, frazzled and fatigued, for a Healing Network leadership meeting at church. I don't do much volunteering anymore except for leading a support group for grief recovery. At the meeting I couldn't muster enough strength to share a prayer request. Then the lesson began... the importance of taking a Sabbath. And I listened and saw myself, a recent Sabbath truant, on account of work and the studio. No wonder I am so tired.

So join me in taking a Sabbath - maybe on Sunday, maybe just a lunch time away from the desk, strolling down a quiet path. Give yourself time for rest and refreshment. And listen to God. He sometimes speaks in a whisper.

These photos are from a Healing Network retreat last spring. We took an hour Sabbath, and I used my time for a photo Sabbath - away from work, and into creation. Enjoy.

Ages and Stages

One of the many fun things about my job is getting to know people over a period of time. Three and a half years ago I photographed Cheryl, a senior at Lynden Christian. She was awesome - focused, smart, and a blast to photograph. Last spring I had the privilege of photographing her wedding. She is still as focused as ever, heading for a degree in law. Her new husband knows what a treasure he holds. You can see it in his eyes. Congratulations Cheryl & Andrew!

Blog again, Blog again, jiggety jog

I am finally back – after many months of craziness!
In the meantime we have been converting our garage into a studio. We hope it will be done in a few weeks. We really, really hope! We've been living in severely cramped quarters while studio supplies pile up.
On the brighter side, we've had a great time photographing many lovely people. I'm going to highlight some of them in the coming weeks.
Thanks for your patience!
Karen

Budapest Report, part one

We are home after rendezvousing with my daugter Laine in Uzbekistan. The trip brought together that which I love most: my family and travel. Okay, I also love God, but He is always with me!
I have trimmed down my 500 + photos to a few favorites. I'll add more in another post.

"I'd do anything, for you dear, anything..."

So says the Artful Dodger in the musical Oliver. And that's how I feel about my kids. And I'm blessed beyond imagination to fly with my three sons to rendezvous with my daughter in Budapest this week! Laine is studying theatre in Uzbekistan (next to Afghanistan) for the whole school year. It's a tough place to live - see the link to her blog on the right-hand column and you will understand a bit. And I do miss her so! We will stay in a youth hostel near the Danube River. You will see post-trip photos, but for now, here is Laine on San Juan Island last summer, ready to conquer the world.

Why I Photograph High School Seniors

Just look at these young people, shining like stars in the galaxy. They have come so far and will grow so much in the next few years. They are at the edge of an adventure that, God willing, will take them through their retirement RV touring years. I love their fresh spirit, their soul-searching, and their breaking free of childhood fears.
God put a love in my heart a long time ago for teenagers. I worked with Young Life during college and later a youth group at church before my own kids multiplied and called me home. I am blessed to spend time with high schoolers while I photograph them. Looking into their eyes and cajoling them to turn this way and that, their character and light pours out and colors the digital media that becomes a portrait.

Madalen's Many Faces

Madie, age 3, is the proud big sister of Adrienne, born Oct. 28. Madie posed for me with her mom shortly before the big event. Madalen's mom was my teenage next-door-neighbor years ago. Today she is a wonderful woman with a loving husband and two dear daughters. You will meet Adrie soon!

Growing up Fast

Babies come through here three or four times a year and I have the joy and privilege of watching them grow. Bennett is pictured here at six weeks and again at one year. He's been a jolly guy since day one and Leo and I always look forward to seeing him.
Speaking of growing up fast, Leo is in kindergarten now and is pictured here as a pirate dog for halloween!

Twins Double the Joy

These twins bring such joy to me - their fabulous personalities, their loving family, and their family story of loss and love. Their aunt died of cancer before they were born. These girls have brought incredible hope and happiness to their extended family. Thank you God for the gift of new life.
Our own family's gift is little Leo. He was born 6 months after his dad died. Here he is at our final StoneyRidge Farm day - 5 years old and full of love and spunk.

Senior Mania!

As yearbook deadlines come and go, seniors are piling through here to choose their best portraits. Here is a crazy review of this week's senior choices. What a great looking bunch of kids! And they are pretty awesome on the inside as well.