(That’s Katelyn on the left and Yury on the right – best friend & boyfriend – and amazing helpers for me during the shoot – and really fun and good looking – and I’m very happy they were there.)

Elizabeth was worried about this. She arrived with her mom, who told me when I met her that Elizabeth was nervous. I promptly told her it’s going to be a fun time, and not to worry a bit. She left with a smile (and trusted me, thankfully), and I met Elizabeth, Yury & Katelyn.

After these first few by the ferris wheel & the shisa and vending machine, we headed toward Island Depot. Nope. Had to stop and walk in the grass…

That up there – that’s one of my all time favorite senior portraits. What a SMILE!

It might’ve been around this point that they all said, “This is fun! I want to go out with you and hang out.” I almost started to cry. What an amazing thing for this old photographer to hear. I turn into a giddy teenager when I’m around my clients. It’s definitely my high!

Besties – you two are beautiful. I had to add, I used Yury & Katelyn as assistants. I have a reflector that’s much like one of those car windshield shades. The planets seriously need to align for me to know how to fold that thing back up into the little circle to fit it into its baggie. After THIS (which I kept because, hello, it’s hysterical):

…Yury grabbed it and before I could say, “I can NEVER close that stupid thing..” he had it back in the bag. I’m hoping besides the soccer thing, he might be interested in being a photographic equipment technician for me.

Ok, Mom…prepare. She looks very beautiful and comfortable in this cap & gown.

(Green is her color.)

These two are really cute together, aren’t they?

This spot was too good not to take advantage of again – the girls!

We helped Elizabeth make it out to this rock in those heels – no injuries, I’m happy to say! (And fully cute shoes.)

The breeze was working for us…truly. I didn’t even bring a fan. Your hair rocks, Elizabeth.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again…clouds make the sky SO interesting! LOVE this!  DEFINITE favorite!

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Thanks so much for having me along for a fun evening!

Only one possibly two more posts to do before this computer gets packed away, dear friends…I’m still in total denial and covering my ears LALLALALALALA I’M NOT LEAVING. See you soon.

M – the boy of the group, and little O – the young princess, and Rachael -the graduating senior.

Sorry to have brought you outside into the daylight, M – but I think you take a pretty nice photo, my friend.

O didn’t say a word to me until we were already finished shooting. But when she walked in, she was wearing her pink sunglasses. As usual for this age, the sass came out with the glasses, and these are total favorites of her!

Ok – just one more. I love windows!

So I kicked Mom & the kids out and we went on to take Rachael’s photos. She wanted to do them at Fukushuen Gardens in Naha, and I always love the shade and the nature down there. What I don’t love, and we completely forgot about, were the bugs! So a tip – if you’re heading down there, wear some bug spray.

It didn’t stop us from getting some incredible stuff. Love the shoes, girl!

Rachael’s parents are both Marines. I know she’s a confident and bright young woman who’s very self-sufficient – not to mention, she’s moved around a bit! So heading off to college will be a big change, but she’s no stranger to moving. I wish you all the best!

Favorite! (Thanks for sitting on a wet rock.)

Your eyes are ridiculous…

Rachael got into Virginia Tech… she’s no dummy. Congrats, girlie – I know it’ll be amazing for you! See that smile? They get that smile when they put a cap and gown on. Every. Time.

They’ve done a lot of painting around the gardens. I’m glad they didn’t mess with my cool peeling doors! LOVE this!

This dress wasn’t something Rachael said she would’ve picked. But her dad likes it. Sounds like something I’d do…being the Daddy’s girl and all.

I think Dad is right – you look fantastic in it!

Yep – definitely a keeper. Thanks for an amazing day, Rachael! It was so nice to meet your mom and your brother & sister too! See you soon to see the rest of these…

Last bit of info…I’m done. Booked completely until I leave on December 10th. My computer gets put into a box on November 21st. I know. That’s ridiculously soon. I’ll be working hard on a few last things before that time, but be aware – I’ll be in transit for a while – getting used to new surroundings. Have I told you?

We’re going to be in New Orleans, LA. I’m looking forward to a new adventure in a very different place. Except the weather. That’ll be the same! A few more posts before I go, but just keeping you aware of the situation, dear readers. It’s going to be a very sad day when I leave beautiful Okinawa – our home for 4 1/2 years. And I’ll miss it and ALL of you. Very very much. Before I get weepy, I’m signing off…more soon.

So. I picked Nick up from home, and asked if he was bringing anything else to change into. Nope. Man boys are just low-maintenance! We headed over to Foster, which was honestly my idea – and as you’ll see, ended up being something different.

The sky was awesome, and though the flags weren’t in the plans, sometimes being spontaneous is FUN!

Then we headed to Kubi. Saturday afternoon, alone at Kubi taking some senior photos…why hadn’t I thought of this before? Who else has senior photos at an Okinawa high school? Not too many people, I’d bet.

Yes, Mom…I brought the cap & gown. Of course! So I guess there WAS one clothing change…

Hey there blue-eyes. Nice smile!

That golden afternoon light really made his red hair look great, don’t you think?

So cool. But when I saw numbers in the lot, it got more fun. A definite favorite!

Nick: “Can we go on the roof over there on the towers? My mom said no, but I kinda want to.” I proceeded to yell from the ground to ask the people standing on the tower balcony to ask if there was roof access. (Yes I did, ask Nick or Heather.) They nodded, and we headed up – rooftop with a view of Kubi!? SWEET!

For the last shots we headed onto Lester where Nick lives. There’s a spot on the hill with a cool view, and the lights had just started to come up – it was pretty dark, but since the lights were coming up in Chatan it looked great!

Thanks so much for something fun & completely different, Nick! See you soon

All of Michelle’s family members are long time friends of ours. As soon as there was talk of extending, there was talk of taking Tyeler’s senior photos. Then we extended six more months, and it sealed the deal. She’s a real live bonafide senior now. And what a go-getter she is! I just can’t say enough about her..she knows how special she is to me, I hope – and this was a really easy day for me. Not so much for Michelle (understandably). But hey – graduation is still MONTHS away…let’s enjoy the RIGHT now – photographs really are the ultimate pause button.

I present Tyeler – class of 2012.

She showed up, on time, looking beautiful, EARLY in the morning. (6:15) She wanted some shots with her group of super close friends, which I always offer, encourage, and love. Let’s just say said buddies weren’t thrilled with me at 6:15. Or even at 6:30.

(Sorry, Jam…but omg, this photo still makes me laugh. It’s a pretty good representation of their feelings toward me for this…)

Well, THIS is love for their friend!

You guys are great for putting up with my silliness and requests at that time of the morning on a Saturday…I hope you love ALL of these shots together, because they looked great! Here’s one more that I totally dig.

(Black & white clothes were a pretty groovy choice too, T.)
Ok  - on to the Tyeler pix!

If she looks familiar, she works at the Foster pool. And she’s really awesome with kids. And ridiculously pretty.

She’s a kick-butt student, and she’s dying to be a Florida Gator, so I implore the powers that be – LET TYELER BE A GATOR!

I brought along a lens I haven’t used much yet – the 24mm tilt-shift. (This here, it wasn’t aperture, it was a funky lens.) It has manual focus only, so it wasn’t something I was going to try – say – on the 4-year-old runner boy! Tyeler’s really good at staying still in front of a sweet yellow swirly-painted wall. And I LOVE this.

MMmmmm yes. That lens will come out again very soon.

Tyeler couldn’t stop smiling. When I told her not to, she got this sad puppy dog face. So I just gave that up and took the smile. Lights up her pretty face anyway; I’m good with that.

Details are definitely necessary. Two special rings, and a bracelet she always wears…

Two dresses came along for the ride – both totally cute!

(No. To answer your question, her eyes could NOT get any bluer.)

And of course, the cap & gown!

This is exciting. I can’t stop posting…we headed to the beach for the sun-loving lifeguard. LOVE this stuff!

Couldn’t be more perfect…

….and this is a definite favorite. Thanks, Tyeler. It was fun…and it isn’t over quite yet. One more thing to come. I’m excited!

Luckily, my experience led me to make a few suggestions, and we made a great compromise. Some fabulous areas in town near Araha, and the promise of time on the pirate ship afterward if he cooperated.

We arrived, and I met E. The happiest, cutest, most energetic and articulate little man I’ve seen in quite some time. His smile was insanely contagious!

He has somewhere to GET that dazzling smile of course – Tamara (his mother – not his sister, I checked) is just so beautiful, I knew that getting some flattering shots would not be a problem.

I thought for the sake of my audience, I’d include a couple of shots that I wouldn’t necessarily order if I were the client, but that exhibit the beginnings and chaotic in-betweens of the shoot. Behind the scenes, if you will.

Right at the beginning, I led us into an alley, no traffic, great shade…and after meeting him and talking for a moment, I asked E to come have a seat. On the drain pipe cover? Sure! Wherever you like, sweetheart! On the right is the very first pose. Yeah, you can bet that was on purpose.

On the left is the shot directly following a failed plea for him to sit with Mama on the steps. He’s quick and he’s cute…as I OFTEN say with toddlers & small ones – the mountain will just have to come to Mohammed.

E loves his Mama. Watching these two together was just FUN.

Tamara is active duty herself, a pharmacy tech. Beauty AND brains.

You cannot tell me you’re not smiling when you look at this.

As the sun began to set, we made our way over to the beach.

The fish were jumping, and the light was stunning…wow.

And, in the end, he played with some sticks around his mom, and he never did make it to the pirate ship. And he was fine with it. I’ll bet he slept extremely well that night too.

Thanks, you two. That was good fun, I can’t wait to share the rest. More soon, everyone!

So. I owe you a big, fat, post. It won’t make up for 4 months of not posting, but I hope it’ll be worth it for you all…maybe make you start paying attention again as I have my last season in Okinawa!

After the last post, I had two more shoots in May. The first was Brian & Angela. Brian contacted me back in February about doing engagement photos for them. He was so sweet, and wanted to do the photos in the cherry blossoms on Valentine’s Day. SIGH. His fiancee lived in Australia. She’d be visiting Okinawa at that time. The morning of the shoot, it was raining. The following day, when we were going to make it up, Brian called. Angela had twisted her ankle while they were walking around together, and they didn’t want to be forced to hobble around and take photos only in sitting positions. She was in pain. I was so sad – my romantic Valentine’s Day engagement shoot was a no-go.

On April 5th I heard from Brian again! His fiancee was coming back during the first week of May, and her ankle is doing great – they’d REALLY like to do the engagement pics. HAPPY DANCE!

Finally – we met, and had a wonderful time on a cloudy day, but it’s ALWAYS beautiful when you have an adorable young couple in love to photograph. These two had me laughing the whole time.

I loved the way they looked at each other. This day was nothing but smiles and laughter. And the lilies were in bloom!

Ange – you are absolutely glowing.

I swear, I didn’t even have to tell them what to do.

It was really just this easy. Best part of my job. Go stand there, Angela – and you stand there, Brian. Ok, fine. Now go to her, Brian.

We moved on toward the water for splendor in the grass.

Brian has the sweetest smile. He was wearing it almost for the whole time!

Ok, one more lovey dovey.

At the end of a session, I always ask if there’s anything else my clients had in mind; anything they wanted me to capture that I haven’t already. Angela’s answer…one of my favorites for SURE!

Well, on September 3, 2011 in Seoul, Brian and Angela were married. Congratulations, you two – I wish you every happiness.

The second shoot was a last-minute booking. A graduating senior, Reid. The basic, “Help! We’re desperate for photos to put in the graduation announcements!” I’ll almost always make the time to take senior photos; I love every aspect of my job. Kids, engaged couples, families – but a graduating senior who has a young, creative open mind – someone who has ideas and will listen to me and follow directions (even when he or she doesn’t do the same for their own parents most days) – THAT is my favorite thing.

Anyway, Reid is going to college on a golf scholarship. He wanted some photos on the Banyan Tree course on Kadena. Another first! I’m so there.

I think someone should’ve taken a photo of myself, my assistant, Reid & his clubs on one little golf cart tooling around. THAT would’ve been hilarious. But my subject was having fun, and certainly was photogenic!

We covered some areas of the golf course that Reid gets to visit all the time. He works this window…

And has quite a swing!

We packed up, Reid changed, and we headed to the sea wall area for some more. Lookin’ good in red, Reid! Love the shoes.

This is always a bit of a reality check! (Especially when Mom sees it.)

Yep – those blue eyes pretty much rock. This was a favorite.

I have to tell clients that a cloudy day can make for fantastic photos. I personally think that the sky is more interesting when cloudy than when perfectly clear. Especially in Okinawa, man I’m going to miss the sky.

I’m happy to say I’ve already had my first two shoots of the fall. The first one will be my next post. SOON. Promise. I’ll stay posting stuff until they pack out my computer in November. SOB. I’ll add some other stuff besides the people too – a few travel and local shots. Thanks for sticking with me, readers!!

Admittedly when I hear there will be a two-year-old boy, I get a little worried. But V was absolutely the sweetest little man – he has an incredible temperament. Look at this delicious smile!

(Kind of warms the heart to look at the sunshine and flowers during such a grey week here in Oki, doesn’t it?)

Adriana & Gerry haven’t had photos taken together – like most couples – for quite some time. When I showed Adriana the photo in the back of the camera, she turned to Gerry, smacked him in shoulder and grinned huge while she exclaimed, “Gerrrryyyy!!!” THAT is what I LOVE! And of course what leads to this.

I asked C if he had a girlfriend. He got bashful, said no – but I’m thinking with his dad’s incredible amber-like eyes, he’s gonna have ‘em lined up when he’s ready.

Last but not least, sweet smiley A. You are so bright and beautiful – just like that morning we played at the beach!

Gerry has to be one of the most playful and goofy dads I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. His overflowing love for his family is obvious.

Mama Adriana and her boys…just in time for Mother’s Day!

And the two ladies of the family.

We finished up here with everyone…

…and moved on down the road to grab some final shots with ROMA! She was crazy excited, but OH so cute!

Thank you all, I had so much fun with your family on a stunning morning! More soon…really.

W is such an intelligent little one. She talked to us the whole time…and those “spiders” crawling on my head, well they were just hysterical!

Obviously W has some strong blue-eyed gorgeous genes too….

And man oh man did we have some weather cooperation! It was breezy, but the light was delicious!

I love spending a little one-on-one time with kids during a shoot. This smile is the sweetest thing!

Meredith felt so strongly about capturing that constant motion of W’s age….and oh boy did she LOVE the slide!

Last one…it’s been a while since a vending machine shot made the blog. Another definite staple in Okinawa shots. W was reaching for Mama’s favorite – grape Fanta. (Note the bull in the background!)

Thanks to Sasha for assisting that day. And Meredith, Rob & W – I had SO much fun with you! Thanks for spending an evening with me.

EVEN more soon…Interesting things coming up!

But – we do live in Japan. We do know many from mainland. We do feel absolute sadness and heartbreak for the Japanese people. Their culture is amazing. Their attitudes completely lack any panic or complaining. They’re trudging on. And they will recover. I ask that everyone I know who wants to do something – anything – please donate to the Red Cross. Be generous. All positive thoughts are welcome too.

On to the family I’d like to show you today…You’ll remember this family from the fundraiser I did for Thirst Relief International for the benefit of Haiti after their earthquake. Terry & Hillary have a beautiful family. Hillary came SO prepared this time, she handed me a sticky note with the different people combos and types of shots she wanted! I’m so happy whether my clients say, “We don’t know what to do, please tell us!” or “We want THIS!” with sticky notes. Either way is fun for me and will be for the people I’m photographing!

C & K are incredibly smart and loving kids. I see them around town from time to time and the kids ALWAYS remember me, and what I talked to them about at the shoot. Here they are…cute as ever, even if only for a moment.

Sigh – sweet loves. Mama and the kiddos. I love huggers.

And of course Dad and the kiddos.

Rowr.

Hillary, the color of your eyes is like nothing I’ve ever seen. WOW, beautiful.

And by the way, C is totally one of my boyfriends. He’s going to have the girls lined up.

(K is totally holding a hermit crab back there, by the way.)

K – that choice of pretty blue dangly earrings made the outfit. You are so beautiful!

Yes, I’m very funny. And their smiles are awesome.

So as we headed toward another spot, Hillary leaned down to pick a cute little flower. And accidentally yanked out a whole plant by the root (on the left side photo down there you can see the plant down to Terry’s shorts!). I thought that spot needed a little landscaping anyway, right? Man did we laugh – and I laughed all over again when I saw the photos while editing.

Hubba hubby time…mmmhmm!

Baggett family, I so enjoyed our time together. I can’t wait to show you all the rest. Obviously since I put so many in this post!

More SOON! (No bull.)

BUT – rest assured, I’m working. I’m loving my work. And I’m here to make amends. I have LOTS waiting for you, so let’s begin with Bambi & Rich and their kiddos. You’ve seen them before, they love documenting their lives through photos, and I know they’ll all have books and walls filled with their happy lives in Okinawa and beyond!

You can’t mistake where this is, right?

We got together on a day following a rainy rainy weekend. (as you can see) But it was sunny and so beautiful! The puddles and reflections were amazing.

Now, ladies….I like to think (and have been told) that I photograph my clients in the best light and at the best angles – to be as flattering as possible and make them all look as BEAUTIFUL as I truly believe they are. But the magic isn’t strong enough to have shed the pounds that Bambi did in real life. I mean LOOK at her! WOW – she has made a huge lifestyle change and looks incredible. I can’t tell her enough. Bambi, so many of women know how ridiculously difficult it is to get in the shape you’re in now, to lose the weight you’ve lost. I’m so happy for you, girl. Don’t ever forget how amazing you are.

Ok, moving on. These kids are so much fun. They’re sharp as tacks, and remember everything I’ve ever said to them. (They get that from their mother, I think.) Don’t you love little T’s hair!? SO CUTE!

O…you lady-killer. You’ve still got it.

I get happy just thinking about the yummy light that morning.

I guess I can understand why such photogenic folks would want photos taken a lot. You two look fantastic.

These doors make me happy too.

Thanks again, you four. I’m excited to see you again this year. What? Oh. Yeah….some news!

It looks like our family will be here six more months – which means we don’t PCS until December! At this time, I’m nearly booked through the spring, and I won’t do photos for clients who are PCSing less than six weeks from shoot day. If you’re interested in booking a shoot, email me so that we can put you on the calendar. I’m so excited that I have a few more months to spend on this glorious island I’ve been lucky enough to call home for almost four years now. Thank you so much, friends, clients, family, and lurkers (I know you’re out there..) – I appreciate you more than I could ever EVER express!

More soon – I have stuff waiting for you! What….you think that’s a load of bull?

Well, so there.