maggie

When I went to Carmel to visit my father, I knew I would be taking some dog portraits. But I didn't know they would be of Maggie.

My fathers birthday gift, was a portrait session for his two giant furry babies {borzois} + a gift certificate for a session to pass along. Fate stepped in as she so often does, and brought me Maggie.

Maggie is a dream of a girl... a faded butter yellow with two chocolate eyes that melt your heart. From the day her Papa brought Maggie home, they spent each moment together. She went everyday to the job sites with him, watching the homes be built and keeping everyone loved up. She kept her Papa's soul warm through the most difficult of times.

Even though today, her breathing was labored and rough, she wiggled to greet me and played a little with her new sister Miss Lilly.

Maggie has taught Lilly everything she will need to know to carry on the watchful role she had for all these years. But it is time for her to step down. She is loosing her battle with lung cancer and everyday is struggling just a bit more.

I look back at these images and weep for the loss I know her Papa feels. The love they shared was gorgeous and palpable.

Stand down Miss Maggie, you have done your job...cross over to the fields where the fireflies shine and the the sticks are plentiful.

Your family loves you.

labels

As I sit and look at the little faces I get to photograph, I realize just how many of these children I am actually getting to watch grow up. Two things... 1.) holy mac n' cheese doodles...I feel kinda age-ed! 2.) I'm SO in awe of the process.

A morning spent at a local Starbucks with two children I adore + coffee + 1 giant cookie reminded me that each day with a child is a day to explore your world in a whole new way.

Sabrina and Logan are delights. I watched as they turned a simple Starbuck's cup into a megaphone, a chin warmer, building blocks, a battle weapon....and much more.

Childhood removes labels from our everyday life and allows the possibilities. Thank you jesh de rox and Kathy for reminding me that we can do this not only with objects but with the people we meet.

lex + nick

hi nick



rocking the air guitar






"you will NOT stop taking my picture"



I've know Alexa since....well..since she was a peanut in her mama's belly. She has always had her own voice and style. She gets it from her genius mama :) Her brother Nick is a charmer and loves to make you laugh..put the two together and you get high voltage coolness!!

They actually begged me to keep taking their photos. Look at those faces? How could I say no?! But I wanted time to visit with their mom, so we called it a day and continued our visit without the camera.

{p.s. can you name the actress that lex looks like?}

la la laaaa...

Now you all know my love for this wee city of Portland...but as much as I want to wrap my heart around it...I still need to leave it every once in a while. Particularly when it's only November and already all you can see of me when I go out are my eyes. The rest of me is wrapped, bundled, tucked into a great heap of clothing.

The fix for this excessively clothed state is to get my burst of sun soak. This months hefty helping will come in the form of L.A. warmth. I hope she remembers me, it's been a while. We had a couple of laughs a while back.

I will be photographing + collaborating + reconnecting.. OH.. and ICE SKATING on the BEACH!!! This year I am determined to bikini-skate. Smashing my loves of ice and sun into a happy marriage of um...scathing?

I have 1 possibly 2 portrait slots still open {nov 9-12th} if you would like a little green chair goodness to float your way. Christmas is kinda sorta like a little bit, just around the corner...We can get you some stellar cards or create the perfect gift for your wife/father/mother or just because. I will have my schedule pretty set by the end of the week. Holla quick!

cheers Portland, I love ya. Be back in a flash.

L.A. I see you soon.