Who doesn’t need more love?  Well, the wedding of Ashley and Thomas was bursting at the seams.  Ashley is seriously the most energetic, wonderful girl!  She seems to smile even when she’s not smiling.  It’s just a happiness that radiates from the core of who she is.  I was thrilled when she asked me to shoot her wedding : )  I always love meeting the bridal party–getting to see who is important to a couple.  Ashley and Thomas had a great group–they were game for anything!  We spent the scorching day bouncing around Olympia, getting to the most perfect locations.  Ashley also works part-time at the Grand Holiday Ballroom (in addition to working full time and going to school!) and was given the royal treatment by her coworkers.  She thought of so many sweet details.  The kids attending the wedding nearly lost their mind when they saw the candy bar!   I loved the energy and the lively guests!  They even ended the night with a hotdog buffet, an ode to their college days…  And as we all know, every great party ends with someone wearing a lampshade…  Congrats you two!! xo

Venue: Grand Holiday Ballroom, www.grandholidayballroom.com

Officiant: Joan Cathey

Floral:Newbury Bay, www.newburybay.com

Cake: Celebrity Cake Studio, www.celebritycakestudio.com

My younger brother Zachary was married this past Saturday–the baby of a family of six kids, of which four of those older siblings are sisters.  When he was little we would drag him around on our hips, put him in dresses and generally dote on him.  He was such a funny little kid, razor wit and humor, even at four. And he still is completely hilarious.  I know that’s one thing Desiree loves about him… we all do! Who doesn’t like to laugh?

Zach proposed to his bride Desiree last year when we were all on holiday in Maui.  It was so special to be able to share that with them, and to celebrate their engagement in such a stunning place.

Their wedding day was glorious–absolutely perfect sunny weather.  One of those days in the Northwest that helps us to remember why we endure the long gray months of fall, winter and most of spring (ha).

It was a lovely ceremony and GREAT party!  I love being with all of my siblings–they are all creative, expressive and so dang fun.  It was A LOT of family time time this weekend, but surprisingly drama free! I hope Zach and Desiree are stretched out on a Mexican beach sipping margaritas about now…  Too bad I couldn’t convince them to take me along for Honeymoon photo coverage!  

Like Buddy the Elf, I like smiling.  I can safely say, it IS my Favorite.  That, and laughing–I’m pretty good at both of them too.  But meet Dan and Gabi, two people who clearly also like smiling, and laughing, and just being adorably in love.

I first met Dan when he was a wild 18 year old soccer player with the Blackhills Football Club (BHFC).  I remember taking a team photo for them — Dan decided to embellish his look with a piece of wheat grass hanging out of his mouth, it really made the photo… yep, that’s Dan.  He’s still a bit wild. Thankfully, I think he’s met his match–maybe not as wild as him, but she seems like she can most definitely hold her own! Yay!

Gabi and I met at the holiday party for the BHFC coaches (my husband Philip is also a coach with Dan).  Part of the evening festivities was a white elephant gift exchange–always a hilarious and mildly inappropriate game…  Some people brought coffee baskets, some people brought used athletic gear and SOME people brought a fifth of delicious tequila and a darling PHOTO of themselves… guess who brought the gift and guess who fought to win it?!  Yep, Dan and Gabi brought the photo and yours truly, thoroughly enjoyed the tequila.  I have the photo on my desk right now, and every time a look at it, it makes me smile. Smile at two people who are really REALLY good a smiling… I can’t wait for their wedding.  There will be LOADS of smiling then!

It also didn’t hurt that they were leaving in the morning for Mexico.  Yeah, I’d be smiling too…

Meet Heather and Michael.  Not only do they have their wedding to plan for summer of 2012, but they have 20 acres to clear, a bridge to construct, and a house to build. And that’s happening before the wedding…  I don’t doubt for a single second that these two dynamos will pull it all off, with grace.  It doesn’t hurt that Michael is a bridge engineer and has an army of talented people ready to start working. They are going to create a stunning home–I can’t wait to see it.

It was a complete treat to visit their incredible property, envisioning their home, high up on a ridge over looking a valley of trees.  I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. Sigh…

We ended the session at the Spar for a mini bevvie sampling.  I pulled out my Yes/No coin–so much easier than actually making my own decisions (hahaha) -the coin and the beer both say Yes to this match : )

Yesterday the world welcomed Samarra!  Who needs a May Day bouquet when you have chubby cheeks to smell and kiss?  I’ve been friends with Annie for nearly 30 year (that sounds so strange to say!)  She is the sweetest Momma to Saffron and now adorable lil Samarra, lucky  lucky girls!  I dropped by for a quick visit this afternoon and here she was, not even 24 hours old,  bright eyed and so calm…until diaper change time!  This kid just might be a singer! What lungs!  Big sis Saff was enjoying coloring and figuring out who this new person was–Samarra will be well tended to with Saff for a sis.  Congrats you guys!! xoxo Cort

It’s time to create art out of those you love! Call soon to book one of these limited sessions! A $400 value… Who doesn’t love a bargain?

This was a kid I lugged around on my hip—I was 16 when Zach was born, so I thought of him as my baby too.  He was the cutest, cutest little boy, soft blond curls and a devilish smile.  At age 5 he’d perfected the Zackie Special–a rice cake with a slice of cheese, toasted to sheer perfection–and he was always happy to make one for you.  The first time he met Philip, (Zach was maybe four) his first comment was “Nice khaki shorts”  – I’m not sure Philip even knew khaki was a color, to him they were likely tan shorts… but hey, it felt good to be complimented : )

Well, little Zackie has grown up, WAAAAY up to nearly 6′3,  graduated from UW, and has perfected many more culinary masterpieces. He’s no longer that sweet little boy, now he’s a sweet young man. A sweet man who has met a very sweet woman.  And in June they will become a sweet family with her son Keevan.  That’s a lot of sweetness.  I am so proud of him.  I think I need to make a Zackie special for lunch…

I have met some of the sweetest people in my career. Take the McCann family–not only are they all completely adorable, but they are mega smilers. I like smiling, in fact along with Buddy the Elf, it’s my favorite. You simply feel good when you smile, am I right or what?
It’s a very subtle, but powerful statement having your family photo on the wall. Something you see every single day…who you are connected to, who has your back and who will love you just because. It’s so important to reinforce that, every single day. Because frankly, our days here, together as a family, are limited. We need to treat them as treasured time. Starting right now. Sending hugs and hallahs out… Make this a year to count. Cortney

20 years ago today, Philip, Austin and I gathered in front of a cozy fire in our home in the south Capitol neighborhood. Snow had been falling most of the day, and a glowing, silent landscape had emerged. My sister Melissa and Philip’s good friend Scott stood as witnesses for us, as we fumbled our way through a ceremony. The snow had prevented the officiant from making it to our home, and so we were on our own. We smiled, laughed and raised our champagne glasses, toasting one another. We then headed out into the still evening for a walk through the wintery scene, our first walk as a “married” couple and family. We began our relationship as friends, and it soon blossomed into something more, and before we knew it, we were young parents full of hope and feeling we could conquer the world. And so, 20 years later, we still feel like those young parents, full of hope. Only now it is tempered by the sweet contentment of the many memories we have shared, but still full of hope for many more to come. I am so grateful to have a partner who is not only my friend, but who is truly my biggest fan and supporter. I love you Philip, and I love the life we have created together. Happy Anniversary…

I first met Danielle when she was starting her senior year of high school at Tumwater High School.  We wandered along Tumwater Falls Park snapping photos and talked of her future, of college plans and wanting to attend the University of Washington. She was a sweet, bright and excited young woman.  I knew that she would find success in her college years with that combination.  And she did, as well as find an adorable young man with the same sweet spirit and exuberance for life.  

Jamie waited patiently to see his gorgeous bride.

She was worth the wait…The had some of the funniest touches during their wedding.  Guests were entertained before the ceremony with a multi-media show–a slideshow and mini movie that had people laughing one minute and tearing up the next.  Well done!There was a break in the sprinkling rain and we dashed outside to capture some autumn afternoon photos.  The perfect amount of sun popped through to help make parasol magic.
And the fall colors soaked up every ray of sun and sent the glorious honey filled tones right back to me.Jamie shared one of his favorite passages.  Lovely to see such deeply spiritual people.And one last moment with her Dad before heading down the aisle.  Nothing but smiles…Heading into the reception, we had to stop for a quick twirl : )And the last shot of the night reveals the silly side.  Danielle and Jamie kept the stoic expression despite the frivolity around them. Way to pull that shot off!  Loved LOVED capturing your day.  Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you two… xoxo Cortney