I caught up with Laura & Oliver on the weekend they were prepping for Oktoberfest. FUN!!! Oliver runs the grounds for the German Tourist Lodge in Muir Woods, just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a beautiful, fun area and they were getting ready to welcome 1400 guests for the celebration. Luckily for me they took a few minutes out to let me get them in front of my camera.

We just had to take a few steps and we instantly had the Gorgeous backdrop of the woods right at our feet. Obviously, these two are GREAT in front of the camera…Hope it works out to have me do your Actual Engagement Session and Wedding in Santa Cruz next June…Lookin’ forward to it!! Now how about a Pint?!!!

Today I want you to play with moving around as you photograph People. If you’re shy, grab a friend. If you’re Bold, ask a stranger. But try to vary where you place your subject within the photographs. Get close up and just photograph a portion of them within the frame, compose them off to the side or down in the bottom corner of the image. Pay attention to the environment included in the image around them. Shoot from high, low and sideways…Just MOVE!!! Get some cool funky shots and send them to me! Have fun!!

View the HD Video of the Assignment on the Fire Eyes Facebook Page HERE!

Understanding this simple photographic rule will enable you to know what settings to set your camera at when shooting outdoors on MANUAL setting during Daylight hours…Without a light meter. I want you to Google ‘The Sunny 16 Rule’. You’ll get the basic concept and then I want you to take your Digital SLR, set on ‘M’ (Manual) so you can adjust your ISO, Shutter Speed and aperture depending on the daylight that is available. When you start taking your test images the exposures should be very close to correct if you’ve applied the correct settings for the available light. Try it out and if you’d like to view the Video that corresponds with this assignment make sure you become a Fan of my Facebook page HERE

Joy is a writer, upcoming author, artist, and an all around wonderful person! We had fun out at Carkeek Park taking her photographs and talking about the book she has written. Can’t wait to see which favorite photo you choose for your Author Photograph Joy!

Make sure to view her Blog of memoirs HERE

This is Jacob L. He’s a Rockstar!!! Jacob works for a well known Seattle software company, who moved him out here 4 years ago from Tasmania!! And Jacob LOVES Photography. A few months back he attended an Intro Photography Workshop that Clane and I put on, and this morning Jacob and I met up for a two hour One on One Photography Session down at the Pikes Place Market! If you’re a FAN of my Facebook page make sure to check out tomorrow’s Free Friday Photo Assignment which we shot this morning. The Assignment covers what we focused on this morning. Email me HERE to book your own One on One Photography Session.

These are Images I took while out with Jacob galavanting through downtown Seattle, early morning before the crowds descended! The best time to wander around with a camera in hand! =:)

This S-W-E-E-T event was More than Fun!! Featuring James MacWilliams, famed bartender from Seattle own Canlis Restaurant, mixing up and serving his Wonderful Strawberry Infused Vodka drink, and on hand there were Luscious mini cupcakes by Wink Cupcakes and LOTS of wonderful Women Powered Networking!

And the SWAG bags were particularly Rockin’ this time too! The fabulous Powerhouse Darnell Sue planned and hosted a truly wonderful event for us all at Domaine. You should see the view from these new Gorgeous Condos…And they’re now available for rental leases!!! And check out the last photo of the Beautiful Lake Union Water view from the complex.

Thanks to all the ladies who were there and that I had a pleasure to meet and get to know! See you all again soon!!

All of you are Truly ‘Sexy in the City’….. ; -)

Mindy & Rick truly felt it was important to photograph their growth as a family. Starting with Mindy’s Maternity Portraits that we took when she was 8 months pregnant, to documenting their Home Birth, to Petra’s One month, Three month, Six month and now Nine month portraits right here! It’s been such a blessing to see her grow so quickly, developing a quirkiness that is truly Rick’s and a sweetness that is all Mindy’s….And Petra has the most FANTASTIC Eyes…Dontcha think?!!!

Enjoy and be on the look out for her 12 month photos later this Fall!! ; )

Hey All! So I just got back from a Whirlwind of a week in the Bay Area…The Stellar Concorso Italiano was hosted Friday in Monterey, followed by Car Races the following day as well as numerous other car shows. What a H-O-T Weekend!!! Enjoy these few images and I promise to post more from the Event soon!!

Ok, These Guy R-O-C-K!!! As they Roll through the skies of course!!! Too much fierce, coordinated action to pass up!!! These images were taken of the Angels over 3 days of their Seafair Participation! All are available for purchase as large prints!! Email me for HERE details!! Enjoy!!

The first image is me with Pilot CDR Greg McWherter, aka ‘Flighter Leader/Commanding Officer’ aka ‘the BOSS’.

The second image is me with Pilot LCDR Paul Brantaus, Right Wing ‘Plane #2′.

And in the third image I’m having a conversation with Pilot Major Nathan Miller, Lead Solo, ‘Plane 5′.

I have to say after truly admiring and making all efforts to see the Blue Angels every time they visited town here in Seattle and San Francisco over the last 10 years, I was Truly Excited to get the chance to meet with and talk to the Pilots tonight at the Columbia Tower Club. I do have to say membership DEFINITELY has it’s privileges!! ; )

And truly, I am in awe of the confidence and humility that each of the gentlemen and woman that represent the Blue Angels Fleet posess! They are humble, engaging, consistently giving and SO Confident! I can’t speak about their Confidence enough. I left wondering what the average IQ was of the Blue Angels as a collective. Guess that’s a question for next time! They represent a strength we have as US citizens and each defends our country in great ways and for the current time in a fun and exciting way to show the Strength that we possess in all our glory!

Thanks to each of you for answering my questions, remembering my name each time we spoke and for showing us such talent over Seafair Weekend. I can honestly say the city of Seattle LOVES when you are in town. You are welcome back anytime!!

I hope you all and your families enjoyed your week here and the reception this evening in your honor!