Boasting over 10 million visitors in one recent month, Pinterest has been taking the online world by storm. Facebook and Twitter are fun and useful, but photographers are visual people and Pinterest is a site that speaks our language.

How does Pinterest work you may ask? When a user sees an image they like on a website, they can manually upload the URL link or utilize the “Pin It” button, once they install it, on their browser bar to pin an image directly to their “pinboard” (think inspirational collage board) on Pinterest. Once uploaded, Pinterest curates a user’s content and lays it out in a visually appealing series of squares. And you can even use it for reference on the go, with the Pinterest iPhone App!

These themed boards are great for planning an event, coordinating a home decor palette, or simply reminding the user of something they want to buy and where to find it on theWeb. To their credit, Pinterest appears highly attuned to giving content credit where it is due, with links to the originating URL embedded in the image that the user uploads. Additionally, a savvy user might also credit the site in the comment section attached to the uploaded pin.

The site is deliciously interactive and encourages friends, family, and random followers to view, “Like”, and re-pin the images you select, if inclined. Pinterest frowns on businesses utilizing the site for self-promotion so photographers like me are looking at the site as a place to share our visual aesthetic with potential, as well as current clientele. Pinterest is a community and as such, the more you share, the more you get out of it.

While I have uploaded a few of my favorite images from my own portfolio, and am grateful when other users like and re-pin my images, I have also spent hours curating images from other users’ boards. Implementations for the home, gifts I covet, famous photography I admire, as well as quotes that speak to me are all boards that I have created and that can give you — hopefully one of my followers — a better sense of what makes me tick as a person and professional.

How does Pinterest relate to wedding photographers? When a couple comes to me and wants to discuss photo needs surrounding their wedding, Pinterest boards are a great way for us to visually connect. A well-executed board can convey a couple’s history, personality, and design sense. Which are all things that help me plan shots for the engagement session and eventual wedding day. Dedicating a board to the couple and utilizing Pinterest’s contributor function allows them pin photography images that inspire them directly to their board on my page. This also allows me to see their vision unfold, helping to ensure we’re all on the same page aesthetically before their big event.

What do photographers hope to gain?

• Business from Pinterest? Sure! If someone finds my images appealing and decides to hire me for their event, that is the highest form of     compliment.
• Inspiration from Pinterest? Most definitely! I always seek to improve my skills and learn from fellow photographers willing to share their techniques.
• A community consisting of energetic, visual, aesthetically attuned  individuals? Yes, please!

If you’re not on Pinterest and this post has inspired you to check it out, the site is by “invite only” which can easily be sent by a current user. Me! Me! Shoot me a message through my website @ http://www.fire-eyes.com and I’ll arrange an invite.

Let the pinning begin!

Wow! This breathtaking couple is truly one of the nicest couples I have photographed in a long time! The bride was giddy with happiness as we finished up some of their ‘first look’ photos and headed out to downtown Seattle and Kerry Park before taking it to the UW to meet up with the bridal party! Love Love Love them! ; ) xoxoxo

This Adorable couple is getting married on July 31st! What a GREAT date!! ; )

We had fun down on the waterfront in Edmonds…even though it was a bit chilly for beach weather,

Rachel was a total sport and Her & Danny had a ball playing in the sand! I’m looking SO forward to the Wedding!

Tonight’s Event was for a Grand Cause and one that truly turned out to be a Fabulous time! The Bellevue Rotary Foundation held a Silent Auction, followed by a Live Auction during Dinner to raise funds for the Eastside Baby Corner. Since 1990 Eastside Baby Corner has been helping families with children gain the resources they need for their children to grow.

Founder Karen Ridlon was on hand to talk with the crowd and share just what their donations provide. The Live Auction during dinner was lively and hosted by Auctioneer April Brown and raised more than $100,000. Overall, there must have been  more than $200,000 raised between both auctions and all donations.

Local Celebrities like Jason Mesnick and now wife Molly Malaney of ‘The Bachelor‘ were on hand…As well as Kendra Todd, winner of ‘The Apprentice: Season 3′. Everyone took part in a Fabulous event and gave so generously.

Thanks to everyone who planned this event help at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue…It couldn’t have gone better!

Beautiful Shamerick & Bryant Photographed in the French Quarter ~ New Orleans

Such Fun and Vibrant people and so at ease in front of my camera….Much laughing and havin’ a Ball!

Thanks for having me capture such a Wonderful Day!

Jazz Fest 2010 has shaped up to be a Stellar week in New Orleans, Louisiana!

So much talent, and so much growth has helped the rebirth of this city become a Phenomenal One.

The music, love, food, and atmosphere in town this year are thick in the air…..

Enjoy a taste of what I’ve been up to while here:

Darnell Sue, owner of Girl Power Hour here in Seattle put on a Amazing Event last night thanks to Banana Republic! Many wonderful sponsors were on hand to showcase their work and work with 10 Fabulously Lucky winners of Full-On Makeovers. You can see them coming down the Runway, fresh from Banana Republic fittings and makeovers by Gene Juarez!

These two little ones were a Ball to chase around the water park! We were out in Bellevue and the rain kept teasing us..

Gotta love the littlest ones kickin’ rain boots!!

Recognize these faces?

I have to say, these ladies were truly wonderful to work with! News Anchors in Seattle are truly a wonderful bunch! And ever since I can remember I’ve always LOVED Channel 5 in Seattle. Above all other local channels, King 5 has always been so quintessentially Seattle to me!

Hello, we have the nicest anchors AND Evening Magazine! LOVE IT!! Thanks for the opportunity to make you all look SO GOOD!

Ok!! HELLO!!! This little Miss has been stalked by me for more months than she has been alive at this point! When her mom Mindy and her dad Rick were expecting her, they asked me to do Maternity Portraits of her 8 month pregnant Belly!! Well OF COURSE I said Yes!!! I LOVE photographing families…And to have them ask me to photograph all of her first year milestones from photographing her actual Birth to her 1, 3, 6, 9 and NOW her 12 months pictures…It has ALL  been such a fun blessing!

I hope you enjoy a look back through Petra’s first year in my Family Gallery! I’m hoping to make a collage of images to share with the families I photograph to show how fun this process has been!

Oh, and Make sure you check out the Two Tooth Grin photo with the red background! CLASSIC…. ; )

Enjoy!!