This engagement session is a little out of the norm, but maybe that’s you. Maybe you’re the couple that spends every morning lazing around and cuddling. When you’re considering a location for your engagement session consider what it is that makes sense for you and your relationship. For this test, I really wanted to highlight that sometimes that location is just home. And yes, it just works.

This day in the life belongs to my b-e-a-u-tiful dearest Jenn and her adorable husband Adam. Jenn is a stylist and blogger (scout.) and wedding business owner (scout. vintage rentals) here in Seattle. Besides being overall inspiring and amazing, they’re the adventuring creative type. If you’re interested in following along with their travels and musings, head over to her blog and subscribe, you can thank me later.

This session was captured on a Mamiya 645AFD, an 80mm 2.8 lens, and Kodak Portra 800

Get in touch or View more work.

Flora Nova’s plush beauty for Jenna and Brian’s Fairmont Olympic wedding is so classic and feminine.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a floral expert, and probably butchered the descriptions of what these gorgeous bouquets are made from. IF you love them and the way they look, contact these talented designers and they’ll fill you in on what it takes to get this look.

Flora Nova, Fena Flowers, Victoria Graceson, Brooke Ackah-Miezah, Floressence

It seems like yesterday I was cradling this tiny sweet baby in my arms watching him sleep the hours away.

Writing about him causes me to cry… every time. So forgive me as I struggle to form a sentence through my happy tears.

It’s not possible that I’m a mother. Being a mama to this angel baby for the last year has been the greatest gift. It is without hesitation that both Billy and I feel this to have been the best year of our lives so far.

It’s not possible that I have the best baby in the entire world. With all of the struggles there have been rewards ten fold. Brady is sweet, funny, adorable, endearing, challenging, stubborn, lovely, affectionate, smart, sensitive and inspiring.

It’s just not possible that it went this fast… that he’s already much more of a toddler and less of a baby.

Celebrating this occasion came in two parts for us. Observing his first year and congratulating ourselves for keeping him alive (if you’re a parent you understand this).  We gathered with a nice group of close family and friends and toasted to 12 months! Novelty Hill winery was the perfect spot for our happy hour themed bash. And that CAKE?! Yep, that’s the handiwork of the infamous Judy Tallant of Tallant House. It tasted even more magical than it looked if you can believe it.

Thank you to everyone who made it out, gave me hugs and held my hand to keep my from crying. Thank you to my dear friend Rachel for grabbing our camera and snapping a few family pictures on this important day. We love you!

Get in touch or View more work.

I imagine these two really love the enchantment of the season to have chosen a location like this one for their session. This is yet another example of how much variety you can glean from one simple location. Pick something that speaks to you as a couple and just let it happen between the two of you. Ultimately it’s about you and your love for each other, more than it’s about the background.

A HUGE thank you to Meaghan and Matt who were my lovely models for this session, you were so amazing! To Barbie for letting me borrow them without hesitation, and to Yessie Libby for the gorgeous hair and makeup.

This entire session was captured with a Mamiya 645AFD and an 80mm 2.8 lens using Kodak Portra 800.

Get in touch or View more work.

Get in touch or View more work.

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Reception Venue: Fairmont Olympic, Garden Room

Coordinator: Ethereal Events

Florist: Flora Nova

Cake: Fairmont Olympic

Dress: La Belle Elaines

Entertainment: Michael Benson Band

Get in touch or View more work.

With the sun shining, and all of the guests gathered, these two said “I do”, then hopped into the Husky Helmet for their getaway. And the bridge closure suddenly became a positive when we realized walking out on to it would make for some epic portraits for this stunning bride and her transportation engineer husband.

This was an amazing day filled with family, friends and dicks burgers. Who could ask for anything more?

Venue: Broadmoor Golf Club

Planner: The Invisible Hostess

Florals: Florressence

Gown: Modern Trousseau from Haute Bride

Shoes: Mui Mui

Cake: Sharon’s Catering and Cakes

Video: Willowcraft Media

Late Night Snacks: Dicks Burgers

Music: Space Band

Get in touch or View more work.

Here is my Holiday Hot List for this year! If you’re curious, here is my list from 2010.

There aren’t many things that the husband and I get violent over, but sharing ice cream happens to be one of them. It just doesn’t last in our house more than a couple of days. I’m a one scoop girl once a week, and B is a ten scoop guy every night for 3 nights. This little Ice Cream Lock would probably bring a great element of peace to our household… so long as I’m the only one who knows the combination.

A couple of years ago, a Crosley Record Player made it onto my wish list. I didn’t get the Crosley, but my parents were kind enough to gift me their turn table. Unfortunately, it’s been sitting in our basement since it was gifted because I couldn’t figure out how to hook it up to our receiver correctly. Turns out I need a pre-amp to make it sing! (shout out to Will for the tip!)

Mother’s Rings are all the rage among my mommy friends right now. I’m not really the traditional jewelry type, but I’ve been secretly pining over a Jamie Joseph ring for as long as I can remember… and this seems like the perfect excuse to own one if you ask me. Mr. Brady’s birthstone is an Amethyst, isn’t it gorgeous? Please Santa!

I still don’t own a ring holder. Remember this cute one that made it onto my list in 2010? I still have an affection for bunnies, but found this amazing wishbone one, and just love the glass cloche that goes over the top. So pretty! The perfect accessory for my Jamie Joseph.

I LOVE to cook… almost as much as I love to eat. These two cookbooks made my list because not only do they contain recipes that make my tummers grumble, but they have gorgeous imagery and design too. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the waist. Double win.  Smitten Kitchen, Homemade Winter

As much as we love ice cream, can you believe we don’t own an ice cream scoop? This one is a classic, and you know I have a thing for classic.

I saw this necklace on Pinterest and immediately fell in love. It’s unique and clever. Need I say more? Someone who love’s me should get me this Johnny Cash Necklace:

As a small business owner, it is my God given right to put stamps to paper. I own all types of fun stamps that say things like: “fragile”, “sign here”, “completed”. I think adding this random rubber stamp to my collection would just complete me. And it would probably inspire a few mid day dance parties, and some laughter, which are both good things.

Currently, I’m a strapless kind of girl. I like to live on the edge… If I’m being honest it’s because I used to strangle myself with my camera strap every time it ended up around my neck. Lately I’ve been eyeing this double harness number made by Hold Fast. It’s called the Money Maker… and really? I kinda want to buy it just because of the name. Harness = no strangulation + it’s fashionable and comes in different colors of leather. I’m kinda digging it. Another cool feature? You can have it laser engraved with a logo or contact info. In case I get lost or something… you’ll know where to return me.

A new holiday tradition we’re starting in our family is Christmas Eve Jammies. I love these one’s by Gap. They look like just the right weight and stretchyness. Plus if I end up wearing them all day, I look pretty decent for the UPS guy.

What exciting treats are on your hot list this season? As always I hope they all have the potential of making happy moments and memories for you. Happy Holidays!

Get in touch or View more work.

Meet Will and Amanda! These two are busy planning their July 2013 wedding, and we had the BEST time on a lucky sunny Saturday playing in Greenlake for their engagement photos. We kicked it off at one of their favorite local spots, Gainsbourg for the best best best Bloody Mary’s, at which point we were privileged to witness… wait for it… a FLASH MOB proposal! So amazing!

Fun fun day overall and can’t wait for your wedding you guys!

xo,
Laura

Get in touch or View more work.

I deviated away from film at my first chance during my course at Brooks, and it was primarily because that was the direction we all went over the 3 years of classes. I continued creating personal work on film, mostly fine art, but have YET to work with film for a client.

I put out the word on Facebook for couples in love to participate in some engagement shoot testing in exchange for a few beautiful images to keep, and Brad and Jess responded immediately.

I’m so excited to share this session because my concept was really to showcase that the location doesn’t need to be “typical”. The purpose of an engagement session is to highlight the love you share with each other. Keep it simple on the location front and focus on the two of you. It’s amazing what you can get from just one location!!

Thank you Brad and Jess! I hope you love them as much as I loved creating them!

10 year old Kodak Portra 400. Mamiya 645 AFD. 80mm lens.

side note: This film is VERY old and expired. It was stored in a freezer which helps to maintain the ASA, but as you can tell, it has degraded and therefore the film is grainy (which I actually don’t mind for the look of this session).

Get in touch or View more work.