Perfect Gifts, right here; all weekend long!

Early Merry Christmas!

In the Bennett House, we are all gearing up for christmas, and I decided to try and get some photos done for the holiday cards.

They still haven't gone out, but here are a few 'outtakes'.

and this may make the holiday card:

Marketing Tools

I got a new stamp from VistaPrint, along with my business cards. I caught Zoe playing with the stamp.

:: Mom's Night Out:: Photos for Mom ::

Have you looked at someone's social networking page, to see their photo and think 'wow, she looks great' only to realize that 'she' has 4 kids, a husband, 2 dogs, a horse and 5 goldfish, as well as a full-time job? My thought is always 'how did she come up with that amazing photo?!'

I have the answer to that, I will soon have another kind of shoot available. I am in the early stages of planning my first Photos for Moms' Shoot Party. I will offer these parties based out of my home studio for 6-10 woman (mothers or not) to come, enjoy the evening with snacks and drinks and a makeup artist and hairdresser on hand to help you look your best before we start shooting.

The goal of these shoots (other than a night without kids and some much needed girl time) would be to get some great photos of YOU. Mom only. We will do a 2-3 hour night out, with shoot time to get in each mom giving us her best.

I am setting up an opening night special- at $25 per mom, but I need to have a minimum of 8 woman who would like to do this in order to pay for the hairdressers and makeup artists time. I'm hoping that in time, I can throw parties doing this, where you can invite friends and schedule a date! :-)

Cheers!
Dawn

Shinagawa Family Holiday Shoot

What a beautiful Family I photographed this morning in Lake Stevens! Rachel and I have been friends for a few years now, and I know she's been looking forward to our shoot, I have as well!

Her boys are great kids and did fabulous this morning running around the neighborhood for me.

Isn't 'baby' Noah precious?

This photo was one we talked about doing after Rachel saw the Dabbs Family Shoot; and wanted to try. I think it is a winner!

Happy Holidays, and I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween. Be safe tonight with the kids out and about.

I still have open blocks for Holiday Photo Specials! The cost is only $75 and you recieve a High Resolution Disc, with all of your images for you to print and use for holiday cards, framing and gifts. You own the rights to use any photos I take during the shoot for any use you please (other than competitions or publications).

Contact me for booking your date!

Dawn

Senior Portrait Shoot :: Alex :: Everett @ Forest Park

If anyone is in Washington, they know how hard it was raining this morning.

Not that I'm complaining, because a little mud on my boots has never ruined my day (well maybe in High School, walking from class to class in the rain...) but... it was raining cats and dogs this morning and because we are so short on time; Alex here (a good friends younger brother) beared with me and we did his Senior Portraits today in the pouring rain.

He was a little apprehensive at first, and honestly; I don't blame him! He's never met me before and I'm bossing him around, demanding smiles; positioning him and all while he's standing like a champ in the rain!

We got some great photos; and I'm happy to say I **THINK** that his mom and sister will be happy to see the results; I know they were a little worried about what we'd come up with, but I knew all along they'd be good!

These, of course are the teasers from your Senior Portraits this morning Alex, and thank you to your mom and sister for thinking of me when you needed these done!

Enjoy!

Dawn

P.S.
Don't forget to check out my Senior Portrait Special. I know there is a big
crunch for a LOT of you seniors to get your photos in to the school before
Mid-November... there is still time!

Senior Portrait Shoot, Snohomish :: Abigail

Abigail is my beautiful 'little' cousin. She is graduating in June and heading off to PLU (keep your fingers crossed for her!) in the Fall. I am so proud of her, after not seeing her for 10+ years, she has blossomed into a beautiful young woman who is doing amazing things with her life. She has traveled all over the world on missionary trips, and is really someone a younger person should look up to!

Congrats on the upcoming graduation Abby, you did amazing today!

(remember you can click the photos to look at them larger)

If you are looking to book a senior portrait shoot, please contact me or see here. I have all the details on my senior portrait special for 2010; and there is still time to get your yearbook photo in if we hurry!

Enjoy,

Dawn

Happy Third Birthday Zoe!

Landon Family

I had the pleasure this morning to meet and spend some time with the Landon Family. Here are some teasers from our shoot!

Foggy Morning & The Queen

Most mornings, at Horse Head Quarters, in Snohomish (the same place I got married!) I work a few days a week. I got this image early Wednesday morning. Shea (the queen) had just been let out for the day, and Kim and her husband were just starting turning out the rest of the barn.

Turned out beautiful, eh?

Class of 2011 Senior Portrait Specials

It's that time of the year again. It came too quickly for me this year, it seems like each graduation class keeps getting younger and younger. Now graduating, are the kids I used to babysit!

2011 Senior Portrait Specials

-45 minute photo session at location of your choosing (within 30 minutes of Marysville, WA)

-as many clothing changes as we can squeeze in

-disc of at least 15 high resolution images

-full copyright release of all images (for self printing)

-tutorial on how to make your own wallet sized images (to save some more money!)

- $50 paid on the date of shoot

Interested in getting a free senior portrait shoot?

You will get $10 off your shoot... per referral with completed and paid senior portrait session. 5 friends referred and completed? FREE SENIOR PORTRAIT SHOOT for you.**

General Inquiries or interested in a date? e-mail me dddcort (at) yahoo.com

Eliving Media- photography challenges

I wanted to share a web site and forum I recently stumbled across. ELivingMedia is a really cool and fun place to be. I've been on there a few weeks now, and find it to be a really valuable resource for information and guidance.

Head over and check it out!

Washington Peninsula Trip

This past weekend, Zoe and I took a short trip to the peninsula. We were in Forks, WA with friends to can some fresh tuna, and of course made a stop at the beach, as well as in La Push, WA to visit a friends Mom, who works there. These are some photos from the trip.

Rialto Beach, WA

Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach, WA

La Push, WA

A giant THANK YOU to Steph & Riley for bringing Zoe and I along, we had an amazing trip; and can't wait for Clam Digging in the next few weeks. :-) Also, thanks Connie & Tim, Grandpa as well as Pam for making us feel like family! We can't wait to come back!

I have a shoot coming up with a family this weekend. I haven't met them, and they were a referral from the Dabbs Family; so wish me luck!

Also, I am booking right now for Holiday Family Photo Sessions. I have current specials that start October 5th and run through November. If you are interested, please contact me and we can talk details. dddcort (at) yahoo.com

Cheers!

Dawn

Edmonds Condo-- Architecture Shoot

The Main Bedroom
Bathroom


Isn't this mantle just beautiful? It was from a house of the families from the late 1800's.
Living Room

Kitchens are my favorite to shoot, there are always so many little details to catch.

The second bedroom.

Front of the unit.

If you or someone you know may be interested in viewing this condo; the listing agent is Marie Mattson with Re/Max NW. There are more photos as well as property information on her website. Please feel free to let her know you saw it through my site. Thanks!

A mini shoot with my daughter

I know, I know. She's ADORABLE. So is the pup. That is my little girl, Zoe's best friend, Sophie. When my son, Knox passed away we knew Zoe would need someone to be a sturdy little rock for her, and someone to run her ragged and keep her busy. I also needed a little baby to love on, and a puppy did the job. Sophie has become a big part of our family over the last year and is a great pup. Other than the occasional accident (dogs anyways!?) she is just like a member of the family. She's in napping with Zoe right now actually. :-) Those two are inseperable!

Family Shoot:: Dabbs Family

First off, I have to say: I had SOOOOO much fun with these guys! The kids are a hoot, and Jess & Jim are both such genuine and nice people.

I have known Jess just over a year or so, and when our babies were little (Knox and Viv) the joke was that they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Thats right, Knox was about 3 weeks and Viv had to have been 5 or 6 weeks... they were stuck together. Then it clicked. Brangelina (that's right, I said it.) have their twins, and they are Knox & Vivienne also. I didn't know Jess until after our babes were born, so it wasn't some sick joke either. Just luck.

They have an amazing house in a rural little town near me, and I've been dying to go up and see it, but haven't gotten a chance to. I pulled in and thought I was at a castle! Their place is just beautiful!

We did a few shots in the house, but the kids were just dying to go outside. When we did, they showed me their chickens! Mcnugget (the rooster) was sort of a jerk, but all the hens let the kids hold them, and just hung out!

Over the course of the year that I've known her, I've been lucky enough to meet the whole family. Her husband, Jim is a caring dad-- and it shows everytime I saw him with the kids. All four of the kids, Alec, Carter, Elle & Viv have diamond personalities, but are the biggest lovers.

We did the shoot at their house, so the kids could play and everyone was comfortable. Without any studio experience, but mom experience I can't imagine a toddler would be all that happy to 'sit down, shut up and smile.' right?

When we tried for a brief few minutes to do things 'our' way... this is the look that Viv gave us, and we continued our morning... going about her business, not ours.

All the kids were just great for me-- which made it easy to do such a fabulous shoot!

Towards the end of our session, I know that it was a little stressful because the kids were all just 'done' with photos and had bigger fish to fry (like talking mom and dad into going to see 'The Last Airbender' and catch bullfrogs.

Thank you so much Dabbs Family for letting me capture the day with your family! I had a blast with you guys!

For booking information, go ahead and check out the right sidebar.

Enjoy!

Dawn