Snow Day

Yesterday was the first snow of the year, and the winter season. Since it rarely snows in Olympia, I seized the opportunity and went out to shoot some photos and videos. I enjoyed my time in the light snow, and made a short film, less than a minute about my trek in the winter weather. Once I got inside the house, I wanted this to be a really quick turnaround, and it sure was! I finished the video last night around 10:30 pm, but I decided to wait to share it till the afternoon today. I'm looking forward to finishing up some old video projects from last, year and having a productive 2016! I will be sharing a 2015 recap post on my blog this week so stay tuned!

Good News...

Tonight I came home to a letter on my desk in the studio office. At first I didn't pay much attention to it, but I gave it a second look and noticed that the letter was from Serbin Communications Inc. I immediately knew what was in that envelope: the results of a photography competition that I had entered six photos into in the Fall. I told my mom what was inside and I looked at the envelope in my hands for a few moments. I was nervous to open it, but I knew I had to sooner or later. I finally opened the letter and the bold words jumped out at me: "We are pleased to inform you that your entry is in the finalist selection group... Because you are a finalist, your work will appear in this year's edition." This is the photo that they selected as a finalist and this image will also be sold at the Evergreen Art of Living Auction next month. I'm really hopeful that my photograph will make it through the next round of judging where they choose the top 4 images and the top 100 honorable mentions, but I'm thankful that one of my photographs was picked from over 17,000 images. Looking forward to seeing it in the Best of College Photography 2015 book among the other finalists nonetheless.

Beatrix Sky

In September, Beatrix contacted me after hearing about my work from a mutual friend. She's a musician and wanted some professional shots to use for her internet presence with her music. We did a session in October,  and got a great variety of locations in downtown Olympia. We met at Cafe Vita and walked around downtown, coming across vivid walls that match her synth-pop music and grungy downtown spots that match her punky style. We had a great time during our session and I look forward to working with her again!

If you want to check out her sound, you can visit:

https://www.facebook.com/beatrixskymusic

Keely's Misson Call

Keely and I have been great friends since 6th grade. She was the first friend I made when I transferred to a new school district. Keely is a beautiful and talented young lady. For four years high school she was on the dance team (was a captain senior year!), sang in the choir, played flute in band and was on color guard the first two years of high school. Overall she is an amazing person and also dedicated member of the LDS Church. After graduating high school together, I stayed in Olympia for college and she went to BYU in Provo, Utah where she just finished her freshman year.

Last month she asked me if I would do some pictures of her for her missionary profile as she was finishing up her application to go on her mission, and of course I was happy to do it! In all the years of our friendship, I'd surprisingly never taken portraits of her, my mom took her senior photos. In between taking more "serious" photos she was dancing and being her silly self! We shared a lot of laughter in this session!

This is the photo Keely chose for her application...

Yesterday morning, she called me and told me that she got her call letter and invited me to come over to her call party tonight. She's waiting to open the letter till this evening, and I couldn't be more excited for her! Even though I'm not a member of her church, I respect and admire her commitment and faith. I'm excited for her as she prepares to embark on her mission and I can't wait to find out where she was called to serve! I know she will be an awesome missionary!

Here are some of my favorites from her session! :)

Keely was dancing and her hair looks amazing in this picture!

Keely was doing a dance routine that started like this and my dog Rosie wanted to dance too! :)

" Just call me Troy Bolton." - Keely

*insert "Get Your Head In The Game" from High School Musical*