Becca & Shane

Celebration time.... The day had finally arrived.... a year in the making- Shane & Becca's wedding day had finally arrived. Every detail was arranged and staged, the bridal party and their parents were the picture of calm- It was about as relaxed and tranquil as you could imagine- especially on a wedding day! It was almost too good to be true- the only thing that even remotely ruffled a feather was that no-one had seen the cake lady yet- and she arrived moments after the comment came up.

Could it be-- I really was the only one who seemed like she felt stressed out???? Of course- that may have been due to the fact that it was about 106 degrees at noon when we were trying to get the photos taken of the bridal party, before all the guest arrived.... and it was 106 outside- and I was afraid the bride's make-up would melt or we'd all just burst into flames from the overwhelming heat! The sun was blaring down- and everyone who wasn't wearing shades, was all squinty.... and the hotel was actively watering or had just watered all the grassy areas......my heart began to race- "where on earth will we take their photos??????" In a last second decision- I went to the front desk and asked if we could use the lounge area for photos- It was decorated nicely and had a full run of skylights- lots of light..... they not only agreed- but helped me clear out all the furniture to one side so we could utilize that space for the posed portraits! Problem solved! All my worrying was for not!

The outdoor ceremony was very short and sweet and everyone filed quickly back inside to the air-conditioned reception hall. The cake was gorgeous- and it was divine!!!!

A great time was had by all- both families were a joy to work with- and I couldn't be happier for Becca & Shane! Congrats guys!!! xoxo Didi

Marcos

I had the opportunity to meet up with Marcos in the 111 degree heat on Saturday evening... He's a local musician in the Valley who's looking to take his career to the next level- and needed some photos to match his music.....

Marcos is married to Denise- who I've known since I was probably 6????? A long time for sure... (shhhhhhh don't tell anyone how old we are tho- ok!!!!) So I was thrilled to see her again and meet her sweet man.

I kept joking that between him and the heat- we were all going to burst into flames!!! He's a handsome drink of water, huh? (and she is still SO super cute- but this session was all about him this time around- next time we get his better half in the pix!) :)

So folks... if you listen to country at all- keep your eyes and ears peeled for this guy.... hopefully coming to a radio station near you soon! Take a listen.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfUEggasXwI

or

http://www.myspace.com/marcosjdominguez

Thanks so much for choosing me guys- I wish you much luck in this next step!!!! xoxo Didi

Riding off into the Sunset...

So- did ya'll wonder if I'd fallen off the blog-o-sphere? :)

I took a working trip back home to central Idaho over the weekend. Big Daddy & I headed to my folks' place (kids were already there with g'ma) on Thursday night and it was crazy busy the whole time!

I'm working backwards here- as the "W" fam was my last shoot on Sunday- what fun to re-connect with Jacquie and meet her handsome boys!!! We've known each other since we were itty-bitty kids and as we graduated from high school and moved on... well.... life happens- and you lose track of folks. Thanks to a certain networking website- I've been able to connect with so many folks from back home and I've loved hearing from everyone! When I had posted I'd be home to shoot a wedding that weekend and would be booking a couple of portrait sessions, Jackie was the first to respond with a 'yes please'. :)

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Don't they look like they should model for Wrangler Western Wear??????

And on my list of favorite things... sunset on the Camas Prairie- during harvest time- there's nothing prettier- and the smell- oh- the smell of the fresh cut wheat and hay......mmmmmm.

(love this shot in sepia just as much as I do in color....)

This shot was originally planned to be on their horses- but it was over 100 everyday I was there- and it was just too hot to trailer them up to see me as well..... so we improvised. They are one good looking lot of cowboys (and cowgirl who still actively rodeos)!!!!

Need I say more about these boys and their eyes?????? wow!

Guys- I'm soooo glad I got to hang out with you Sunday- it was great to see you all. Thanks so much for choosing me! xoxo Didi

Bluest eyes I've ever seen......

This a senior photo from a few years ago.... and I've known this girl- (who is now a gorgeous woman) and her family, for most of her young life.

And NOW- I get to photograph her wedding this weekend!!!! I'm so excited!!!!! (and so sad... this means irrevocably- that I'm getting old..... sniff-sniff.....)

I went back to peek at her photos so I could map the topography of her face- remember what features I want to showcase... research- it's the benefit to following families over the years. :)

And once again- I know you're all shocked to hear me say this... but it's those eyes- and those freckles- on porcelain skin and silken hair..... she's gonna make a stunning bride!

So- stay tuned for the barrage of photos from this weekends travels.

'Til then- TTFN xoox Didi

How does your garden grow????

No cockle shells here... in fact- what are cockle shells anyway???? And my pretty little maids- are on vacation with their grandparents....... But while I was out watering this evening- I thought I'd take a few shots of the pretties we're trying so hard to keep alive in the heat. :) The colors of this hydrangea caught my eye- in my neighbor's yard... if I were to re-marry Ron- these would be my wedding colors- they make me sing!

Another eye-catching pop of color was this day lily- also next door... I hope that by now, most folks know me well enough to know- that if there is something pretty to be photographed- I just wander like a little kid with ADHD- in a bad way.... pretty soon- I look up and wonder- 'how the heck did I end up over here?'

This delicate looking white bloom- is some weird variety of yucca- it was here when we moved in- and I keep threatening to dig it out and get rid of it- but the blooms are really nice- for the whole 48 hours that they last.... and then it looks spinney and out of place the rest of the year..... we shall see if it gets another stay of execution.

I love the little sweet pea vines curling up to say hello to the petunias in the planter boxes out front.

When I look at this clematis that is running rampant up the trellis on the side of the front porch and threatening to take over like that mad plant in the Rocky Horror Picture Show... I can't help but wonder- do plants posses an attitude? No- really- try not to laugh too hard at me- but you look at a bloom like this- and it just looks snooty- upper crust- (insert tight Brit accent here)

Anyhoo- I hope you take the chance this week to stop and smell the blooms around you and enjoy this awesome summer sun!

xoxo Didi

Life is short......

Eat desert first! My mom and I have always joked that we should make a bumper sticker that said that! (And when your house is filled with the aroma of rhubarb crisp bubbling in the oven.... it's hard to focus on prepping dinner.) But dinner- was no slouch either.....

Since the kids are gone, and I'm taking a few much needed days off to get my head in the game, we got to fix dinner together tonight. It was light and healthy- packed full of flavor- and good for you. Ron makes his salmon in a pouch on the grill- and makes this sweet savory sauce that goes over the top- it's more of a light garlic/caramel- and it's like nothing you've ever tasted!

And then there's the corn... this has so much flavor punch- that you have to taste to believe!!!! If- and I say IF there is any of this left over- it's MONEY on a salad the next day!

Hope you all had a great day in the sun!

xoxo Di

Those eyes

I know I've said this before- but this family has a collection of the MOST amazing eye colors-ever!

To say that they have blue eyes... is just.......so generic. How about, sea-glass, green, slate, turquoise, cornflower, denim, cloud, azure, cyan, indigo, steel, ice, grey, silver, sapphire, cobalt.....I just love eyes in general- on almost all of my photos- It's all about the eyes.... the window to the soul..... the color and texture, the sparkle, the laugh lines....

I babble too much some days.......(anyhoo.....you'll happy to know guys- your pix are finished!!!! Yeah! :)

and the band plays on....

I'm diligently working on every one's photos this week. Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for choosing me!!! The vibrant colors of summer are matched only by the vibrancy of the people I photograph. I am truly blessed to know all of you! :) Since Sam is an actress and vocalist- I decided to put together a little collage of her smile- because it- and her laughter is absolutely contagious!!!!

And while I love everything I shot of Sam last weekend- this shot right here- is worth the price of admission- absolutely stunning!!!!!

Thanks again for making my "job" so fun! xoxo Didi

Out of the Ashes.....

Have a look folks... this is quite possibly going to be the artwork for this young lady's debut album.....

My girl Amy has had an amazing couple of years- and persevered through some devastating life hurdles. She has rediscovered herself- and her music. She's writing and playing again- and has the time booked with the recording studios..... so stay tuned on where you can hear more from her!!!! She also just graduated from massage school......(and having been one of her lab-rats... I can tell you, she's good!)

Today was magic- and I'm so excited to be a part of this process. Thanks soooo much for choosing me- and being my lab-rat when I'd say, "hey- can you climb up on that thing in a ball gown and heels????" You Are A Rock Star!!!!! - I absolutely love working with you! xoxo Didi

****also- A very special to the folks at Sherman-Clay of Bellevue, WA who graciously let us invade their impressive showroom for some shots with one the largest Stienway & Sons Grand piano- that either of us had ever seen!!!!****

Cute!

This is cutenss in a jar!!!! I'm trying to finish up baby J's pix today- and had to share- I LOVE her eyes!!!!!