Boston + New England Wedding Photographer » ballard

RAY’S BOATHOUSE WEDDING: BETH + MIKE PART ONE

Kate — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:16:48 +0000

Last week, I posted about photographing close friends. It’s a whole different beast. The editing is no different. Editing is not usually my most favorite of activities however editing when you know almost everyone in the photos is actually quite enjoyable. But it becomes hard selecting blog images because you get emotionally attached to the moment, or the person, rather than focusing purely on finding the best images to tell the story of the day, and showing off your best work. Anyway, I want to let the the photos do the talking for the most part so I’ll keep this short. I joined the girls as they were beginning hair and makeup at Mike and Beth’s home in Seattle. I was very pleased to see Beth’s tea length dress and fabulous shoes:

Bernie, Mike and Beth’s lab mix, is basically my second son. Bernie and Porter have spent a lot of time together and still seem to really miss each other. Fellow dog-lovers will no doubt understand the significance of the next few photos … I love how Bernie gazes at Beth as she has her hair done … and how she touches him gently on the head as he stands before her:

Beth’s mom, Karen, was on an emotional roller-coaster all day – perfect! I hope she doesn’t hate me for posting these … but I love the emotion here.

Beth made all the hair accessories for her and her bridesmaids. I love the peacock feathers, and the teal of the shoes to contrast with the main accent color, red.

Some more favorites – Beth helping her sister Kate with her makeup, then working on her own:

After a sweet first look in the front yard, we gathered up the guys and girls and headed over to Discovery Park, one of Mike and Beth’s favorite places. We started with couples portarits and detail shots:

… then added in the bridal party. These guys scrub up well!

The weather had turned to full-on miserable by this point, but I begged Mike and Beth to let me take a few final shots down by the lighthouse. They were absolutely freezing, but I promised them it would be worth it.

We headed over to Ballard for coffee and pastries at the Dutch Bike Co. I loved this space! It is so very Seattle – a mixed purpose coffee shop and bike store, in a mixed purpose building. All with gorgeous exposed brick and huge windows. Hurray!

Courtney Kroymann, of Designs by Courtney, did a phenomenal job with the bouquets. I especially love the trailing flower ribbon on Beth’s bouquet. I’ve never seen anything quite like this before. I’m a fan!

I’m not sure why, but I love this next photo.

Part two – the gorgeous ceremony and reception at Ray’s Boathouse, all expertly coordinated by our good friend Stacey Jehlik of Breath … Savor the Day – will be along in a few days. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please come over and check out my Facebook page … If you’re a newly engaged couple wanting some kick-ass wedding and engagement photos, view my portfolio here; if you’re more interested in kids and pets, click here; and of course you can always contact me here!

URBAN LIGHT STUDIOS WEDDING: KATHLEEN + LARRY PART ONE

Kate — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:16:57 +0000

I’ve just spent two weeks in Seattle, photographing two very different yet both intimate weddings. My first was Kathleen and Larry’s wedding at Urban Light Studios in Greenwood, north Seattle. My old neighborhood, in fact. I’ve known Kathleen for several years, and she introduced me to the Seattle Flickr Meetup group when I was just starting out with my photography. She followed my progress from my first ever class at PCNW (you can see some of my earliest work from that class here – yes, you’re allowed to giggle), and hooked me up with my first ever paid gig as a wedding photographer (Pam + Scott’s – you’ll see them below, standing with Kathleen). I was both surprised, therefore, and delighted, when Kathleen asked me to photograph her own marriage to Larry.

After a season of mostly soft blues, purples and black in 2010, I was thrilled to see the bright, bold color palette that Larry and Kathleen had chosen. Orange! Green! Gold! The florals by Midnight Blossom in Ballard were spectacular:

Kathleen’s hair and makeup were done at Vain in Belltown, by William and Belinda respectively. They did a great job and were super fun to hang out with.

Kathleen’s dress was a gorgeous silk champagne number from I Do Bridal. Love this color – universally flattering and totally rock ‘n’ roll.

The girls ended up being ready well ahead of the guys (that never happens!) so we headed down to the lobby of The Maxwell Hotel for some group shots and details with the girls.

Love the gold Kate Spade bridal shoes and custom clutches for all the girls by Laura Bee Designs out of Ballard:

The veil and hairpieces were by Deeds & Petunia – an Etsy artist from Tacoma, WA.

The girls’ jackets and guys’ vests were custom made by talented up and coming designer Meg Konkol. I especially love Larry’s bumble bee vest …

Once the guys were ready, we held the first look in the lobby. Love Larry’s expression here.

Working for photographers and artists (both the bride and groom and in fact also most of their guests) is completely nerve-wracking but has some upsides – I loved that they wanted to get some fun portraits with a couple of Seattle’s many Henry murals:

Then we hit up Old Ballard. I love the awning in front of Staple & Fancy:

… and I love pretty much everything about oyster bar The Walrus and The Carpenter:

Love this little series of oyster-feeding.

Part two – the ceremony and reception, choreographed by the delightful Carna Lapping of Very Important Events – will be along in a few short days … If you’re a newly engaged couple wanting some kick-ass wedding and engagement photos, view my portfolio here … and yes, I love to travel ; if you’re more interested in kids and pets, click here; follow me on Facebook here … or contact me here!

Ballard and Discovery Park Engagement Session: Becky + Deric

Kate — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:59:16 +0000

This week has been super crazy for me – the packers finally came Thursday and the last box hit the road to Boston in a very, very large truck yesterday afternoon. I’m sitting in an empty house writing this, each stroke of the keyboard echoing around me. I’m about to pack up my computer for shipping, but I had to post these teasers for Becky and Deric first.

I met with these sweethearts on Ballard Ave on Wednesday afternoon. They live in the area, and love the street with its cute boutiques and yummy restaurants. After a few shots there, we headed over to the locks, where Deric proposed. We found a very pretty garden, and some even prettier light, up on the banks overlooking the water. Our final stop was Discovery Park. It was Deric’s first time there – and Becky’s first visit to the bluff area – and they were both blown away by how beautiful it is. I adore the shots of them in the grasses, and the final ones with the fading hollyhocks. It was the perfect setting for this cute, funny, happy and utterly loved up couple. Guys, thank you for a wonderful afternoon, and I can’t wait for round two in Boston in a few short weeks!

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Ballard + Discovery Park Engagement Session: Elisa + Max

Kate — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:14:22 +0000

These two are so funny. I have never seen so many goofy expressions and general silliness in one session before! I met up with Elisa and Max last week outside Volterra restaurant in Ballard. As well as being one of my all-time favorite restaurants, it’s also where these two are holding their rehearsal dinner this coming December – so to any family and friends reading this: you’re in for a treat.

After a few snaps along Ballard Ave we headed over to beautiful Discovery Park in Magnolia. The gloomy skies on the drive over didn’t fill me with hope, but in fact the color mix was perfect. A little moodiness in the sky contrasts so beautifully with warm, golden grasses. It was at Discovery that Max and Elisa really warmed up to the camera, and I especially love the shots by the purple foxgloves. So pretty! Thanks, guys, for trusting my crazy antics, and see you when I fly back for your wedding in December!

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UW and Downtown Ballard Engagement Session: Ophelia + Jeremy

Kate — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:13:18 +0000

Can you tell I’m a little behind on my blogging? The many cherry blossoms in this post should be a clue as to how far behind I am, ha! I met with Jeremy and Ophelia for their engagement session while the UW campus was still in full blossom bloom … yes, several weeks ago. We spent a gorgeous hour wandering around campus, jumping into trees (them, not me) and playing with a couple of big white poster boards (this crazy couple has decided to make personalized photo table numbers for each of their 34 reception tables!) After an hour, though, the light was fading and my fingers were numbing up with the cold, so we decided to reschedule …

We finally found time for part two last Thursday evening, and I am so glad we waited – it was such a beautiful evening, and downtown Ballard was literally glistening. Perfect! I had a lot of fun showing off my favorite little nooks and crannies along Ballard Ave, and I was delighted to introduce Ophelia to the shopping delights that are Ballard’s many boutiques. Jeremy is not so pleased about that, haha!

These two were so fantastic to photograph – they are cute as can be and totally up for everything. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in July. Thanks for being great sports, and for your patience over the last few weeks!

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