This was one of those unplanned-spontaneously-joyous moments. I was on my way to run an errand and decided to make an impromptu visit to my grandparents house. Grandpa was sitting inside napping, grandma was sorting through coupons. The sun was shining outside. It was one of the most spring-like days of March. Grandma hollered for Grandpa in the living room “Gibb! Chantal’s here!” Some what startled he shook awake. “Hello there stranger, long time no see,” he said. This is the standard greeting I usually get from grandpa. Even if I saw him the day before. He’s always teasing me about being a “world traveler.” Anyway, back to the story, inspired by the lovely weather I thought, “Well, I could finish my errands today, or I could take my grandpa to the beach.” So without a moment’s hesitation grandpa and I raced to my car and cruised to the water. (For anyone from California, or maybe anywhere besides Seattle, the concept of changing plans because it’s actually sunny out may seem odd.. but this is literally how I live my life here). I didn’t have my camera on me, just my iphone, so I snapped just a couple of moments from our day. My grandpa and I walked up and down the beach listening to the waves crash and seagulls squawk. His cane pressed into the sand step-by-step as I asked him to tell me stories from his life, probing into my family’s past. After our walk grandpa looked at me sideways with a mischievous smile and asked, “Ice cream?” I responded, “Of course.” So we shared a cone of chocolate chip ice cream on a green bench and soaked up the view for a couple more minutes. It’s a memory I hope will never leave me.
Kristy got in touch with me for some unique portrait photos. To give the shoot more of an “edgy” feel we shot these in the dirty ‘ole University District. I’ve lived in this area for several years, and can’t get enough of the grungy alley ways, great coffee/ chai shops (Trabant!) and the best thai in Seattle (Thai Tom). The sun was setting during our shoot, and we got some really lovely light. She’s using these shots to land her a modeling gig in LA! Yeah, girl. Kristy brought her adorable tiny puppy along, and we hit the streets. I got to hear a little bit about her fiance and her recent engagement. I adore hearing love stories. Hers is truly unique– she hit on her man in a bar.. with the line… “Are you gay?!” Strange coincidence.. after this shoot another friend told me she met her boyfriend by asking the same question. Nice ladies!
More frames from Charlie and Lacey’s beautiful wedding. Congratulations you two. I hope Spain is fantastico!
This was so hilarious. I love the personality in these.
PART ONE:
Lacey and Charlie whispered, giggled, laughed and danced in honor of their love and marriage on Friday night at the Mount Baker Community Center. Documenting the moment Lacey opened her eyes to see Charlie for the first time on Friday and hearing her squeal with joy, “It’s yoooooooou!” was such beautiful thing to witness. They locked eyes and held each other, standing in the middle of a small road lined with old, wise trees. If the sky opened up and poured on them, they wouldn’t have noticed… in the minutes that followed there was no one else, and nothing else between Lacey and Charlie. Their love, so genuine and real in this quiet, private moment, is a memory I hope to keep forever. It was an ah-ha moment. “This is it people– Love.”
Lacey and Charlie are both adventurous and artistic people. She pours out her kindness on others in such a loving manner and really has a handle on what is important in life. She loves God with her whole heart, and since I’ve known Lacey (several years now), her focus has always been to put other people’s needs before her own. She loves anything and everything vintage, and likes making coffee at a cute little cafe called the Spotted Cow. Her laugh is infectious.
Charlie much like Lacey, is the kind of person who fights to put others before himself. A talented photographer himself, he traveled from Hawaii to Columbia and Switzerland shooting photos and documenting life to bless those around him. Always down for spontaneous, and crazy ideas he’s creative and also smart with numbers. He’s working on an accounting degree at the moment.
I’m so excited for the love these two will share for each other and pour out on others together. Please enjoy a sneak peak at some photos from their wedding on Friday night. Many, many, many more to come.
“AWW I look like a bride!” -Lacey
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
It’s a beautiful Seattle day. Today I’m shooting the Mount Baker wedding of two genuine, kind people and couldn’t be more excited. I swear my heart feels like it’s been beating double-time. Lacey and Charlie are a couple so dear to my heart, I literally can’t wait to roll over to Lacey’s apartment and start documenting this day. This morning I’m at my computer sipping on green tea, and listening to Jose Gonzalez . Wherever you are, I hope you’re enjoying your day.
My set of iphone photos for this week. These come from Ballard, Portland, Olympia and Fremont. Enjoy, and have a lovely weekend.
