Gorgeous Gaetana.....

I do so love a great pin-up session! And last night was certainly no exception!

Gaetana is an East Coast Italian girl with all the classic good looks of the starlets of days gone by and the higher education to be envied by most in any decade.... she smart, sophisticated and talented.... and did I mention- absolutely gorgeous????

G has the looks and the persona of the Italian Divas of eras gone by... Sophia Loren, Gina Lolabridgita, Giancarlo Giannini, and even some of the more recent actresses....Isabella Rossalini, Tea Leone.... the list goes on.... but what never goes out style is elegance... and whether that is fully clothed- down to the hat and gloves... or next to nothing- elegance and confidence- is what what sensual is all about.

G- I had the most amazing time with you- can't wait to work with you again. :) xoox D

New Pretties...

* Oni Spice sporting multiple headbands*

My girl Fi Fi at Daydream Believer has been very crafty and busy this summer- she's turning out some seriously cute stuff lately!

Aside from the knit-werks that she's been creating as newborn and toddler props for me....(and I LOVE her long time for those!!!) She has been creating the super versatile dahlia headbands and rose clips for the big girls and the vintage hats and rose headbands for the babes... and they are soooo cute!

She also has some of the coolest/softest infant burp rags ever!!! Seriously- if you have to wear one for 6 months... make it a fashion statement!

You can find her here:

http://ibelieveindaydreams.blogspot.com/

*Baby M sporting the vintage rose hat & headbands*

* Baby B in the infant teddy bear hat*

*Gabbi Spice in the Dahlia stretch*

*Gabbi Spice with a vintage rose clip slid into her loose pony*

*Both the vintage rose and the dahlia come in a variety of colors*

Post Cards from Home Tour

I'm not sure I even had time to mention in all of the chaos that has been the last couple of months that I was invited to show with my famous daddy over the 4th of July in Grangeville!

He was holding his 23rd Annual Geis Bronze Show at US Bank on Main in Grangeville. I and Mallory Silversmiths from Enterprise, Oregon were the guest artists. We had a great 3day indoor event with constant foot traffic- and we all did very well. :)

I feel like my first show was a success- I sold several framed prints, cards and calendars that feature my work. I called my exhibit Post Cards from Home. It features the images that are significant to me about my life growing up in Idaho County- and they were aged out- as if looking back nostalgic... and they become more vivid in color and contrast as you moved toward where I was sitting- in the present- in my crazy and colorful world in Seattle.

I have since received more requests for the calendars since arriving home.... for the images of Idaho County.......so in this first grouping- you can get a glimpse of the feel of that calendar. The next two sets feature the color and feel of the other calendar that I also have stock on hand for, the 2011, 'A Walk in the Park'. The calendars are gorgeous satin finish 10x13 heavy stock papers- on a double spiral binding. {$22.50}

And I also have prints in simple elegant glass only frames (w/ minimalist silver clips ) @ {$25 & up} and 10 packs of cards with my images on them {$15} for the perfect gift! (or treat yourself....)

Bellingham Highland Games

So I know that I haven't been blogging much lately- and I do apologize for that. I have had several trips and adventures this year- and it is so good to get out and see friends and make a momentary break from my office chair.... but that means that I was away from my office chair- and not staying current on client photos.... so I've been diligently working all week and have moved some files off of my open desktop- *yay me!* And since I had a couple of minutes tonight- I thought I'd share my trip to the Bellingham Highland Games. This was their 50th year- and it was one heck of a party!

This event brings out a tremendous variety of people. From the performers to the costumed fantasy player, the bikers, the families, the athletes and those who are simply curious.... this event is a people watching bonanza!!! From the beautiful to the strange, the way over the top eccentric to.... I just don't even know what to say about that sho-lo-mullet-rat-tail stuff..... but it warranted a photo- because I knew for a fact that no one would believe me if I told them!If you have never attended- you should! The competitions, color and pageantry- the rites and rituals... and just the all out fun of it all! Make the trip next June- you'll be glad you did!

The beer gardens are a huge draw as well..... and it was good.... I worked the garden this year with my friends Karlene, Heidi and Jared- we were all sporting t-shirts that read 'Blue Ewe Brew Crew'.... and I wore it proudly. :) I had a ball talking with folks as I took their money and gave them their tickets to beer happiness from Boundary Bay Brewery!

I'd do it all over again....

You know how when you look at photographs of your life and you think 'wow... that was a lifetime ago'.... and yet- it seems like it was just yesterday? That's how I feel when I look at this shot.... 15 years ago today, in Ciboney, Ochos Rios Jamaica, I married the man of my dreams. And I'd do it all over again!

Love you baby- Happy Anniversary- here's to the next 50! (and hoping we're still chasing each other around in our walkers!)

Karmah & Katie

Life has a funny way of coming back around to you, you know?

Such is the case with Katie. As we were driving around looking for places to shoot her senior session last week - we were laughing about the fact that I've known her since before she was born.... which is cool but made me suddenly feel really old!

And there was such irony about all the circumstances that surrounded this shoot- all I could do was shake my head and laugh..... our connections, the locations, the people and time elapsed.... crazy stuff, you know?

It's kind of like I was just meant to know this girl. And to know her is to love her..... and with someone who is so effortlessly beautiful.... I mean really truly.... I've never seen more amazing skin- flawless- and a perfect spray of freckles..... (need I say more about the freckles?????? I LOVE them!) eyes that shimmer even in the dimmest light situations and huge bright smile....

You'd think that someone this pretty would perhaps have an attitude.... but she doesn't.

And you'd think that someone this pretty would be high maintenance.... but she's not.

In fact- and this was a first for me.... this girl kept the same outfit on for the entire shoot- and changed her favorite locations and used them as her accessories! We drove to 3 of the 4 corners of the planet that night- but it was well worth it!

I know this girl will go far- as she has angels watching over her..... Best of luck this year my dear! xoxo Didi

K-Fam Kountry

I think by now- most of you know that I hale from central Idaho- and you that you can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl, right? It was sooooooo good to be home last week- I think I've spent too many years trying to get away to the big city- only to crave being back home in the country.... age/maturity have a funny way of helping to see things more clearly, huh?

Can I just say how much fun I had re-connecting with Kristi & Donnie and their gorgeous kids???? I've known Kristi (and her twin Misti) since we were 5 and we went to school with Donnie (who was a couple of years ahead of us) and all of his brothers & sisters all the way through GHS.

Kristi knew I'd be coming home for our 20 year class reunion (I know- 20 years... gasp, cough, wheeze...... ) over the 4th and asked if I'd shoot Branden's senior portraits while there. What a treat it was to meet their kids who are all grown up and GORGEOUS I might add. But I especially love that they wanted pix right there at home- where they live and work.... and we giggled as we slogged through the stock yard to the hay shed and around to the stalls... but it was worth it- I loved the lighting and texture we got there! So we snuck in a few family shots because, hey- I was there!

Branden is the epitome of sweet, handsome country boy- (I wanted to just put him in my pocket and take him with me to meet my niece- or save him for 10 years for my oldest- but I guess arranged marriages are out these days????) Just kidding- ok- not really.... maybe......He's handsome as can be, good athlete, smart, polite- has a job working for a neighboring rancher... really- for a 17 year old- he's got it together. Mom & dad have done a great job raising him right! (and coming from Idaho County folks- I'd expect nothing less!) K-fam- you rock and you hold the corner on beautiful- love ya! xoxo D

*and baby sis B- even makes a cow stall look amazing- THAT is a skill!!!*

*ladies.... don't drool too hard here.....*

Amazing Alex

Everyone- meet my niece Alexis... Alex- meet everyone!!!! Can you say stunner??????

You know- when I showed up to take Alex's senior portraits on Monday evening- I was blown away at how gorgeous and grown up she's gotten! She's always been a cutie.... but wow- clearly, I've been gone from home for far too long!!!!

This girl is on her way to Vet school- super smart- gifted with the 4 legged variety, a lifer in 4H and a trophy room to prove it! She rocks the drum line and leaves the boys drooling (tho she's far too modest to admit the last part- which- truly makes her all the more irresistible!) I know my older sis and brother-in-law are crazy proud of her- and it shows- she's a quiet rock star.

I know she'll set the world on it's ear this coming year as a senior- and in the coming years at university! Go get 'em girl- Auntie is super proud of you!!!! xoxo Di

*and yes- her eyes REALLY are THAT cool!!!!*