Why I always take a photo of Mom and Dad ~ Snohomish Washington Family Photographer

This a fair warning to all the moms and dads out there. When we do your family session I will get a few images of just the two of you. Many of you say "no, that's ok. "  But I may or may not pretend to hear you. :) Because in all reality when was the last time you had a photo of you with the love of your life? JUST THE TWO OF YOU? (and the selfie on your phone doesn't count and many times the answers is "our wedding." ) It started with just the two of you and I think it's so important to remember that. 

It's brings you back to what it felt like to date. How your hubby's hand on the small of your back makes you feel safe and loved. How your wife's sweet whispers drive you crazy. How being wrapped in each other arms is the place you always want to be. 

So even though you may be coming to me to photograph a family session, whether it be at my studio in Monroe Wa or on location know that I will always ask you to kiss your wife's cheek or grab on to your hubby's arms.

Oh man..it's been way too long. WAY too long. A personal post.

I vow every year that I am going to blog. Blog on a regular, consistent, share every session, share bits of my life blog. But then life gets busy. (that's the best excuse I have, cuz it really does get busy with work, family and friends.  And oh how I love my family and friends.) I'm embarrassed to say that my last blog was in March. (HOW DID I LET THAT HAPPEN?) It's really a disservice to all of you to not share all the amazing clients I get to work with. They really are the best!!! 

So I thought long and hard how to just jump back in to sharing what I love most with all of you. I've had so many great session this past spring and summer. (and not to worry I will be sharing all of those.) But in the meantime I thought I'd share a bit of our summer with you. 

Needless to say my summer didn't really go according to my grand plans. But I was lucky to have the support of family and friends and understanding of  THE MOST AMAZING CLIENTS EVER!!! 

Summer always kicks off with us heading down to Coos Bay OR with family to ride the dunes with our ATVs. It's so fun and this year I was even more excited since my main man got me a new quad. Long story short. I was in an accident and BROKE MY BACK!!! Who does that? ME!!! See that xray...crushed it. Needless to say I was in excruciating pain and have been pretty much all summer :( After finally going to the Dr. (yes I waited thinking I just needed rest) I was told I crushed a vertebra and three additional bone and that I'd get to wear a brace for 8-10 weeks.  SAW WHAT!!!!! Not really conducive to snuggling newborn babies at the studio or chasing little ones around during a family photo session. (I can not thank everyone enough who was super patience with me during their sessions.) 

While it would have been easy to focus on how my summer plans got pushed to the way side and not what I had planned or obviously expected I did have lots of fun. 

I got to sport a new fashion statement. (the new waist trimmer. LOL. YOU all should be so jealous.)

I got to make so many great memories with my sidekick, nieces and nephew, family and friends. (I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many great people in my life.)

The Fourth of July. One of my favorite holiday was spent with family and friends eating crab and shrimp and all things yummy. Traditions run deep. And memories of summer start here.

We fed Yaks and Bison at the Olympic game farm, as well as saw Moose and so much more at North West Trek. If you have never done this you should!

I celebrated my 36 birthday with my closest girlfriends with a Mexican fiesta. Margaritas and tacos and of course a pinata. (now that's a site to see. Grown women swinging blind folded at a pinata. )

We vacationed with family friends at Sun Lakes Resort where my son, aka sidekick had the time of his life and gained a little bit of independence. And where the memory of him and his friend turned the hill side into a slip in side coming back to camp COVERED in mud. 

My son learned to ride his bike. No training wheels at all. Just hoped on a bike and took off. While my mama heart was a little sad that he is growing so fast I'm so very PROUD of him. Seeing him be passionate about something makes me so happy.  We have been the the BMX track every week since. (along with daddy and grandpa and his uncle and his cousins)

My hubby and I celebrated 6 yrs of marriage. We are so romantic that we celebrated by him working on our guest bathroom and me getting a new couch. :)

The Evergreen State Fair marks the last days of Summer and welcomes the Fall Season. The last hurrah!

I am trying to hang onto Summer as long as I can. And even though it may not have started out so great and put a few dents in my summer plans it really has been a fun summer. Forcing me to slow down and just be. Forcing me to rely on other and ask for help. Showing me that I am loved, so much by so many. Forcing me to be present and soak it all in. 

I can't wait to get back to "work" and share my heart and what I love with all of you. 

I am turly blessed

~Kayla

Bennett ~ Lake Stevens, Washington Newborn Photographer

I was so excited when Bennett arrived into this world and even more excited when his mama brought him into my Monroe, Washington studio. He was the perfect newborn model at 8 days new. (The perfect window for newborn sessions is 5-14 days new.) He let me pose him anyway I wanted and I am loved adding some wrapping and swaddling to my session workflow. He was handsome and squishy and sleepy. Didn't make a peep his whole session. 

Awaiting Baby Jace ~ Everett Washington Maternity Photographer

It's such a blessing when I am asked to document some of the most amazing moments in someone's life. I am invited into some of the most beautiful love stories and get to see how they unfold from two people who fell in love, vow to do life together, and then start a family. I have had the honor of being able to share in this story from engagement to wedding (in Jamaica I might add) to maternity with their first son and now the adding of this soon to be baby boy. I am beyond excited to meet him. And can't wait for this family of 3.5 become a family of 4.5. 

We started the session down by the river and it was the perfect backdrop for the outdoor session part of the shoot. We did some family photos (Cooper included ~ the pup) and then did some of just this beautiful mama to be. I was dying over her maternity session. Then we headed back to the studio located in Monroe, Washington for more family photos and some more artistic images of mama. 

I love that this family has trusted me with some of the biggest events in their lives and so honored to call them friends. I am so so very blessed that they trusted me and my vision for every session from their engagement photos to their destination wedding to the maternity session of their first son and now their maternity session with their second one with a few family photography sessions in the mix. To be allowed to celebrate in someone else joy is such a gift. 

If you are looking to book a maternity session the best time is month 7 or 8 of your pregnancy. Please contact me to book your session today. I'd love to document this time of your life. 

Spring Break ~ Making Memories

 

Spring break is right around the corner and that means long day of trying to find things to do. I don't know about you but my sidekick is one busy boy and always asking what were are going to be doing for the day. While he would love to do everything I'm perfectly content to stay at home. But I am trying to plan a few things.  I was browsing the good ol' internet and came across this AMAZING site : www.cascadiakids.com She has TONS of amazing ideas about everything and everywhere. Check her out.   http://www.cascadiakids.com/washington-spring-break-ideas-for-families/

(this is all her work and ideas. I take ZERO credit)

Whether you plan to drive near or far, there’s a Washington State destination just right for your family spring break getaway.

Northwest Washington Family Spring Break Ideas

1. Bellingham. A sweet little city often overlooked by families motoring up I-5; the college town of Bellingham deserves it own multi-day stay. See my post on 20 Things to Do in Bellingham with Kids, go on a scenic drive (stop often for candy!) and play in the snow at Mt. Baker.

2. San Juan Islands. Go whale watching on the ferry ride, then arrive in the supercute village of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, where you’ll probably stay, unless you go out to Roche Harbor. Drive around the island, using the article 13 things to do with kids on San Juan Island as your guide. Great vacation with bigger kids (elementary age).

3. Whidbey Island. An often less-expensive alternative to San Juan Island, Whidbey Island’s got it all: great dining, an unbelievably cool bookstore-puppet shop, and plenty of hikes and beach excursions.

Puget Sound Family Spring Break Ideas

4. Seattle. Spend a day or two at Seattle Center, and don’t miss these 35 free and cheap things to do with kids in Seattle. You could also combine a trip here with Bainbridge Island, just a ferry ride away. Check out the island’s guide to kids’ activities.

5. Tacoma. Yes, you’re very near Seattle, but Tacoma deserves its own spring break exploration, in my opinion, particularly with toddlers and preschoolers. Visit the beluga whales at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (and let the kids go nuts on the great outside play structures) then bring toddlers to the new Children’s Museum of Tacoma.

6. Great Wolf Lodge. Read up on these 18 tips for staying at Great Wolf Lodge (in Grand Mound, about halfway between Portland and Seattle). You could combine a trip here with a stop in Olympia (Olympia is cool, but not worth an overnight stay, IMO).

Washington Coast & Olympic Peninsula Family Spring Break Ideas

7. Long Beach. Washington’s low-key answer to the Oregon Coast, with plenty to keep you busy for a weekend. Ride a horse, visit Jake the Alligator Man at Marsh’s Free Museum, play in the Long Beach sand (well, after you’ve put on a raincoat) and tour Cape Disappointment State Park.

8. Port Townsend. This Victorian seaport is inherently charming, and offers great family-friendly dining and activities for families. You could easily spend a few days here, with excursions to visit Port Angeles‘s kid-friendly picks.

South and East Washington Family Spring Break Ideas

9. Columbia Gorge. I grew up here! But don’t hold that against the Columbia Gorge. Check in at the Skamania Lodge (offering MANY kid-friendly spring-break activities), then go for a hike and count the violets for me.

10. Leavenworth-Lake Chelan. Tiny Leavenworth is great for a day or two — check out these quick guides on things to do with kids in Leavenworth and kid-friendly dining. But this destination can be combined with other destinations. Lake Chelan is another two hours away, but if you’re willing to make this a road trip, Lake Chelan’s pedestrian-friendly town and lovely lakeside views are worth another day or two.

11. Spokane. A wonderful getaway with chilly (but probably sunny) weather. Check out my article on the best of Spokane with kids and enjoy the brand-new Mobius Science Museum.

12. Suncadia. Combine a resort stay at Suncadia with a tour of the still-very-vintage (AKA rustic) ex-mining town of Roslyn-Cle Elum.

13. Walla Walla. If you like to unwind from a family day with a glass of wine, Walla Walla has you all set, with more than 100 wineries in town. But there’s plenty of non-vino activities (thank goodness!) to keep kids occupied, including a children’s museum.

14. Book a family photography session with yours truly, Kayla J Photography. Either at my studio located in Monroe, Washington or any surrounding location of your choice. :) (just sayin) 

Whatever you end up doing on your spring break may it be filled with many great memories. Whether is reading books at home on the couch or reading books under the light of moon and stars. Making blanket castle out of chairs and sheets or hiking to one. Many blessings to all of you. 

Drew ~ Shoreline Family Photographer ~ One year Session

Oh sweet Drew. How has a year already gone by? Your sweet baby dimples are just the cutest and I could have played with you all day at my studio. (located in downtown Monroe, Washington) It has been so fun to watch you grow from your newborn session to six months and now one year. 

Here are a few of my favorites from his newborn in the studio. It was so great to see his big brother whom I also had the honor of capturing his first year of life with our Newborn Session Collection. These two will be the best of friends. 

Contact me today to book your family, maternity, or newborn session. 

Harper ~ Marysville Washington Family Photographer ~ Milestone session

Oh my Harper. Such a CUTIE!!! I couldn't believe it was time for her six month milestone session. I knew it would be a fun session at my studio located in downtown Monroe Washington and that we would be able to use some of the things we used in her newborn session. From the cute headbands and blanket. She was such a ham and so much fun. I love seeing how much these little ones grow and change from their newborn sessions. Milestones sessions or what I also like to call sitter sessions have got to be my top three fave type of sessions to photograph.  

If you’re looking for a family photographer serving Snohomish Country please contact me for details on how to book your session. I'd love to talk with you

(Monroe Family Photographer)

Bennett ~ Snohomish Washington Newborn Photographer

I was so excited to meet the newest member of this family at my studio in Monroe Washington. And not to mention that I have had privilege of photographing his sisters since they were all newborns. He is one special baby boy and I'm sure he will give his sisters a run for their money when he gets a little older. But in the mean time they are all sweetest and best of friends. 

He was so good to me and I was couldn't contain myself when I saw his head full of hair.  I mean...seriiously!!! He was also such a good little model and let me try some new outfits I had just received to add to my newborn boy collection. 

If you’re looking for an  newborn photographer in Snohomish County please contact me for details on how to book your session. I'd love to talk with you

Monroe Newborn Photographer ~ Mr. Shepard ~ 7 days new

I couldn't contain my excitement when I ran into this little man's mom and dad and big sister at the local fair held every summer at the Evergreen State Fair. I knew that after photographing his parent's engagement, wedding, and big sister's newborn photos that I just HAD to snuggle with him when he arrive. I mean, LOOK at him!!!! Pure perfection and AMAZING hair.  Shepard was so great to me. I didn't even see his eyes once. Such a good sleeper, easy to pose, so squishy and so so handsome. ( A newborn photographers dream when doing a newborn session.)

If you’re looking for an  newborn photographer in your area  please contact me for details on how to book your session. I'd love to talk with you.

Monore newborn photographer, Kayla J Photography specializes in the art of newborn photography and serves the greater Seattle area.

Mason ~ One year birthday session. Arlington newborn and Children Photographer

How do these little ones grow so fast?  I just saw Mason in December for Santa photos and when he came to see me in January for his birthday session he was walking all over the place. He didn't want to sit still for even a second. We did manage to get some cute smiles and silly faces (which I love). We kept his session simple keeping the focus on him and how much he has change from his newborn session to now. He looks so much like his daddy. 

Merritt ~ 6 month sitter session. Standwood Children Photographer.

I couldn't believe it was time for Merritt's six month session. (or what I like to call "sitter session") This is one of my favorite types of sessions in my grow with me collection. (newborn, 6 months or sitting up and one year.) I was lucky to get to photographer her in her home for her newborn session and so excited when she came to the studio to see me for her next session. I LOVE her hair and she had so much personality and spunk.  I am so honor to get to see this little one grow up. And of course we had to snag a few poses with big brother.