P-Fam Fun

Meet the P-Fam.

John and Allison have been in our circle of friends since.... well since before there was and "us" for my husband & me....and that = more than 20 years we've all been friends!

 

Allison was also one of the driving forces in my turning my hobby of photographing children into something more.

 

I so love watching my client families grow and change- and am so honored that my friends also come to me to chronicle their journey over the years in photos. 

 

  The P-Fam is the All American "Boy" family.  They are very actively involved in the schools and local sports programs, Scouts, their community and they throw one heck of a traditional Patriotic 4th of July party- so their Americana shots make me smile big!

 

Love you guys!

 

xoxo Didi V.

 

 

 

 

{This final shot isn't my usual style- but I could help but stare at the photo and wonder what I was missing- and then it hit me.... John was standing under the bridge height marker so I had to go and look up the verse to see what it said.... and it seemed very fitting for them.} 

 

Nothing fits like family

***There used to be a sign that hung on my mom's desk that said, "The hurrier I go-the behinder I get!"  ***

No statement seems more appropriate to my life lately.....

I am crazy late in posting a sneak peek for my friend Kristy and her wonderful family {sorry guys!}

They finally had everyone in one spot for her dad's landmark birthday from as far away as Costa Rica! 

{you'd never believe me if I told you his age!!!!}   

It was the perfect opportunity to have me tag along for a little wine & pic-nic and play time at the beach.

We had a few posed group shots but it was more about just journaling their time together in the sun.

"Life isn't about the number of breaths we take- but the ones that take our breath away...."

Enjoy your times together and snap a few pix to remind you just how glorious those days in the sun were when the rain comes down.

Thanks for having me join you guys!

xoxo Didi V.

Marching to the Beat of a Different drummer....

That phrase sums up my youngest pretty well.  Gabs stopped letting me dress her when she was about 2 . 

{ And yes- I realize that I was the parent and I was the one in charge... however with two toddlers there were just some battles I was willing to call a "draw" on,  in order to win the war on getting ANYWHERE remotely close to "on time"..... }

She has ALWAYS had a need for huge color and bold print and the more- the better. 

"The girl with the most accessories wins"

 Would be the 2nd best phrase to describe her now... which is ironic since we used to call her Houdini for  her ability to escape clothing, diapers, socks, shoes and hair pretties... oh- and cribs and car seats....

Nowadays,  she lives in sports practice gear- so it was hilarious fun to let her dress as bling as she wanna be the other day.  We capitalized on a little slice of Heavenly golden hour sun and I got to spend some alone time with my baby- who is definitely not a baby anymore.

So proud and so blessed in this life to be given my amazing daughters and a relationship that lets me combine my love and appreciation of them with my love for photos.

Kiss your kids and go &  take some pix!

Chix Pix

 You know- it all sounded good in theory....

One dozen little fuzzy yellow chicks. Check.
Giant plastic Easter Eggs. Check.
Easter Baskets. Check.
One dozen small children (and oodles of excited parents) booked to have photos taken. Check.

Permission to invade the yard of a neighbor, who has the perfect "little old lady"  house with soft dappled sunlight through enormous old growth trees, on the unmanicured lawn that is largely comprised of moss- and it was perfect for my giant Easter eggs, baskets and bunny ears.... and lots and lots of children..... Check.

But as I rose early on that completely dreary Sunday morning... it was pouring sideways rain, sleet, hail and snow greeted me when I opened the front door.  I was praying to all spirits who would listen to bring me sunshine- or at the very least- make it stop precipitating!  But the weather continued to get worse as the minutes ticked by and I took the weatherman's name in vein a number of times while contemplating whether or not it would make me a terrible person if I took up drinking at 8 AM.  I was relatively confident that I may have a heart attack- I was positively nauseous.

I began taking inventory of what I did have... (I had left two of my old studio lights burning over night to keep the garage warm for the fragile little chicks and consequently killed both bulbs....) I knew I couldn't shoot indoors in the garage studios with only one soft box and that many moving subjects. (lesson learned... ALWAYS  have a back-up on hand....) 

Gabbi and I began to brainstorm (she is the best little assistant some days!).  We realized that our front porch- was pretty good sized and with the overhang- well shielded from the rain.  Our house is boring old plain white with white trim... which acted like a natural light deflector and bounced around what light we did have.... so she and began running around gather props, light poles, clamps and back drops and set up a studio set on the front porch.  It was definitely more commercial than I tend to work, but it would have to do!

Thank goodness that my friends and new clients had faith in my craziness- because we got some cute stuff- and as the morning moved along- the sun came out and we had a glorious afternoon.

And I absolutely could not have pulled this event off without my two built in assistantants- Oni & Gabbi you were rock stars!  And a huge thank you to LSHS Senior and fellow photo-geek, Kaitie Jacobs.  It was certainly not glamorous work- but it was essential to making it all happen.

And so- with out further chicken scratch {pardon the pun}... enjoy the cuteness that is kids and baby chicks!   Happy Spring! xoox Didi V.

Crazy * Silly * Fun

There are some families for which mere words simply cannot describe how very funny they are- and this family is one of those families.  I absolutely love Beth, Denny and their gorgeous kids.  Denny's pretty sister Leanne was along on this trip also- and like I said- my sides hurt from laughing.... A rare combo to be this beautiful and this funny!

Thanks for asking me to come and play with you guys!!! xoxo Didi V.

Family Fun at the Beach

I just love it when a plan comes together! When I woke to cold drizzle this morning... my hopes were not high that today's family photo session at Edmonds Beach would come to fruition.... but it did!!! The only clear skies to be had in North King and all of Snohomish counties- were found at Edmonds Beach! And we had a ball!

Eric & Kristi and their kids were so funny and laid back- I just loved them! We played and got wet and sandy and almost got drenched in some sneaker wake... but we hopped up quickly enough to save us all from a wet boo-tay!

This family holds a corner on the effortlessly good looking.... perfect freckles- incredible eye color, great smiles and flawless skin!!! They are a photographer's dream! :)