S-fam and some funky sunshine

You know I love it when a plan comes together.....

I like it even better when plan B far exceeds what I had going for plan A!

I had a jam-packed 3 session afternoon one Sunday-  and was headed for another location- but drove past it on the way home from session 1- and it was WAY too bright.... so I called an audible and plan B was quickly hatched.....

It was  roadside and crazy busy- and it was hands down some of the most magnificent light I've ever shot in..... 

It was hazy and sultry and soft.... the honking cars and trucks with cat calling were just an added bonus, LOL!

Add to this sweet location a family of rock star good looking folks and you get some awesome shots!

{Is it wrong that  I want to blow up the 3rd and 5th  from the bottom for my own wall????}

S-fam you four were so incredibly easy and fast- I don't think I've ever completed a full family session that quickly- e-vah!!!  You guys totally owned it!

Thanks for playing with me!

Xoxo Didi V.

Out-takes are sometimes the best of the bunch....

Jen & Jenny's big day

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There is an industry joke about "Uncle Bob" - the loving and well meaning wedding guest(s) who inadvertently pops up and into the middle of the aisle with his iPhone and blocks your shot of the first kiss, or the first dance, etc..... It can be frustrating if you are the paid photographer, but you know they are just excited for their loved one.

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So most of you know- I don't typically shoot weddings- I love portraiture.  

 But.....Once in a while I will assist for my friends Jenny (Jenny GG) and Jen (Jen Wade)- who are crazy popular Seattle wedding photographers. 

 

They have been wonderful and generous mentors and I am fortunate to call them friends.  I was honored when they invited me to their September reception back in January, to celebrate their frosty December morning elopement.

 

We were laughing about how do they choose another photographer to capture your big day when you ARE a wedding photographer and you know sooooo many people in the industry????  

{Tough task- glad it wasn't a decision that I had to make....}

 

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And then- they arrived at the solution- for their friends and family- photographer or not- to bring their best "Uncle Bob" effort on their reception date.  They will have so many different stylistic views of their day- it should be crazy fun when all of the photos trickle {or flood} in!

 

So here is a quick glance of my view of their day- which by the way- was sublime.  The amount of care put into every single  DIY detail was..... amazing.  It was absolutely lovely.

 

The love and warmth amongst the party goers was incredible.

{oh yeah... and did I mention Mary Lambert stopped by to sing "She Keeps Me Warm" }

{swoon}

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Thanks for inviting me girls- I had a great time!

xoxo Didi V.

 

 

Eastside G-Fam

What a great way to spend a lovely PNW summer evening.... playing in the setting sun and blowing bubbles with the G-family.... Adore this family with a capital A!

xoxo Didi V.

The Sparks family

You remember my handsome friend Cody, right?  Well meet the rest of his beautiful family!

We caught some good laughs and some  sweet light at sunset a while back at Howarth Park.

A whole lot of good looking happening in this family, that's for sure!

Thanks for coming back to play with me folks!

xoox Didi V.

NAP and Lake Schools could use your help....

I'm asking for a little blog love this week... My good friend and neighbor Kristin has put together a proposal for a $50,000.00 grant from the Clorox Company to help fund summer programs for the kids here in Lake Stevens.  It is NOT school specific- we just want the kids of our community to have some great opportunities and experiences this summer that are painfully lacking here currently.

You can vote two ways everyday!!!  Help us make a difference for the kids in our community!  Look for Summer Discovery Camp Grant or by city and look up Lake Stevens, WA.

With much love and graditude..... Didi V.

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It is so simple to vote for our kids! click on the link below and register, and text "clorox2414" to #44144


Clorox Power A Bright Future Program - Summer Discovery Camp Scholarships VOTING PHASE

www.powerabrightfuture.com

Clorox is giving schools a chance to win school grants. Vote for your favorite entries between 10/24 and 12/9 at http://powerabrightfuture.com/!
 
You can also join the group and follow our progress on facebook:
 
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php#!/pages/Summer-Discovery-Camp-Grant/184954834918610

Olivia II

No- you're not seeing double nor are you  losing your mind...

Yes, you did just see a post about the same adorable little girl further back.... 

Miss Olivia was lucky enough to have visits with both sides of her family just a couple of weeks apart so were were able to catch the fun with more grandpas and grandmas!

She is one adored and lucky little girl for sure!

Thanks for asking me to join you guys- I loved seeing you again!!!

xoxo Didi V.

The Gaggle of girls

And speaking of beach photos that I am crazy behind in posting.....

{I'm pretty freaked out how fast summer came and went and how little I got out and did with my family}  Just in case you were wondering if I ever get out from behind this computer...... I did manage to grab my two daughters and my two nieces and head to Jetty Island for the afternoon with my Sis-in-law Heather.  A little pic-nic action, some photos and lots of swimming, splashing and sand... everywhere.... 

But they had fun- and so did I.

Ahhhhhh- the Nez-T Plunge....

The girls have been on vacation visiting my family for the last week & a half. Part of their visit traditions is their swim lessons- in the same pool I took lessons in as a kid. Needless to say- they are having a ball!!!! We got to watch them Friday, as the thermometer kept inching up over the 100 mark- they had the best seat in the house!

We are missing our babies- but know they are having a blast!

The girls of summer......

...or at least the little "Girls of Summer"! :)

The usual suspects around here were almost all present and accounted for yesterday in the heat of the 4th of July gathering that unfolded in our front yard.

There were buckets of slosh-balls, water balloons, super soakers, hoses and sprinklers- and all the kids were soaking wet and screaming giddily all afternoon- it was great!

Gabbi and those eyes... playing super-model for me- cracks me up!

Oni and her "color co-ordindinated to match her tankini" water balloons-turned horns....

Gabbi & Lorin- otherwise known as Peas & Carrots.....

Halle and those A-mazing eyes

Samaya and that hair- attention all hairdressers- THIS is the color we're all trying to achieve!

Syd- another one with stunning eyes- they are almost turquoise..... soooooooooo cool!

And sweet baby Grace..... not to be left out of the poster girls for summer fun. Sister found the hose and had a grand time!

There is more- much, much more to share- but I figured I'd break it down by category for y'all!

Hope you all had fun yesterday!

xoxo Didi

Nobody ever said......

Nobody ever said being a Super Model was easy..... especially when you're just turning one! J and her parents came to play with me earlier this week. We had plenty to giggle about as little Miss explored my yard, bubbles and her fascination with a mini container of baby treats that she just couldn't get enough of!!!!

This is going to be one independant and beautiful little girl as she grows up- she knows what she wants!

Those eyes & lashes and that soft wispy hair, just make me melt!

This is a quick preview for now-look for more from this little one soon!

Hope you are all well and looking forward to a rockin' 4th- enjoy the weather and those you love. Be safe!!!!! xoox Didi