Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Lacey Washingtom

One of my favorite lindy hoppin photographers that live in Seattle came down to visit and get her hike on. It has been CRAZY beautiful outside here in Washington for the last few days. I was glad when she decided to come down and visit even though my teeth hurt a little and I was starving from having my wisdom teeth pulled a few days prior. I suggested we go down to Nisqually Wildlife refuge cause it was beautiful when we were there last I just didnt bring my camera with me. I did take some awesome Iphone photos but still, not the same.

Lacey Washington -Nisqually

Barns Nisqually Wildlife Refuge - Lacey WaNisqually Wildlife Refuge -Lacey Wa PhotographerNisqually Wildlife RefugeNisqually Wildlife Refuge Lacey Portrait photographerNisqually Wildlife RefugeNisqually Wildlife Refuge, Lacey WaLacey Washington - nisquallyThen we picked up my friend Samantha and we hiked on down to DuPont Beach. I wont lie Samantha and I are very lucky to pretty much have this within walking distance from our house. It was seriously stunning outside even if the trail was a little rough since all the ice and snow knocked down a ton of trees.DuPont Washington PhotographerDuPont Wa - BeachDupont Beach - WashingtonDuPont Beach Washingtonps: pop up flash FTW. its not ALWAYS terrible. DuPont Washington Beach

Happy New Year!

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

I hope your 2012 is 10,000 times better than 2011. :)

baby new year

Merry Christmas from the Mercer’s!

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

This year has been absolutely wonderful. I have had the privilege to meet so many new, awesome people. You guys are awesome for trusting me in your families memories. I truly appreciate you. Thank you.

baby playing with christmas lights

 

This year instead of posting my favorites from the year Ill post a few of the kid I created this year. He’s adorable and I dont blog about him here because well, I was a photographer first. Not a mom. The roles have reversed a bit now, cause he needs a lot more attention than my business but I dont like mixing them all the same. Here are some of my favorites from this month. We’ve had fun with the Christmas theme.8 month old with christmas lightsbaby with reindeer antlers8 month old dressed up as Santababy on sled in studio8 month old with gnome hat8 month old in a Christmas stockingthe nightmare before christmas8 month old dressed for Christmas8 month old in a christmas present

What Might Happen

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

About 2 months ago I was given a homework assignment and it has taken me some time to get to it. I am not the best with words. Well, since were being honest I am terrible at wording things. Often I have to read things to my husband to make sure Im not coming off in a tone Im not meaning. Because apparently sarcasm doesn’t relate to the written word all too well. Perhaps the new way to present sarcasm should be in italics? Anyway, the assignment was to explain my why. The reason I am a photographer. Why after all of the struggles that at the end of the day I still love my job and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. All of the late nights Ive spent learning how to work my camera followed quickly by learning how to run a business, specifically a photography business. Ill tell you what; the following words wont involve me telling a story about how I held my first camera at the age of 9 or something along the lines of “well everyone said I took adorable photos of my children so I decided to start a business.” It wont say anything about my families influence in art; even though my mom was an artist.

The idea of turning a hobby into a business came quite quickly for me. It happened so quickly my own husband didnt even have faith in me! Now, I am his retirement plan. In the last three years I have learned so much. However, I am no where near where I want to be and I doubt I will ever be there because there is A L W A Y S something to be learned and people to learn from.

Over the past few years I have had lots of clients. Some have come back and some haven’t. I love that I get to know my clients; specifically the brides. I love that at the end of their wedding I have 2 new friends and I got to be with them in some of their most special times. I was just at a repeat clients home to photograph her children and she hugged me upon my entering her home. I love that. These people really mean a lot to me. People in general really mean a lot to me. Recently, someone told me to not worry about people and not to waste the energy on them. I thought that statement was funny. I can’t not worry about them. I have an empathetic heart.

So that is my why. The reason I continue to grow and work my butt off is for Y O U. It’s not for me, its not for the money, it’s not so you can fly me to fun locations {though I do enjoy it!}. It is for you and your family. Because the fact of the matter is that your family is always changing. People are growing older, fatter and more sick every day. You never know when the last moment you will have with your loved ones will be. Over the past decade I have lost more people than I could have ever imagined. I WISH I could have more photos with those I have lost. Honestly I just wish I could have more photos of them in general.  That is one of the main reasons I make sure to get photos before my husband deploys and after because there is always a chance he might not make it back. There is a chance he could go grocery shopping and not make it back. The baby you’re carrying might be the only one you get to. Your newborn baby might develop a disease and not make it past her first birthday.

I am a photographer because of what might happen.

 

 

Bailey, NC Engagement session

First comes loveBailey NC Wedding Photographer

then comes marriageBailey NC Maternity

then comes a babyBailey NC Newbornin a baby carriage.

So if you havent hadyour family photos taken in at least 3 years I seriously urge you to find someone to take them. It doesnt have to be a professional, it can be your neighbor or walmart. Just do me a favor and think a little about who you book and be sure they dont over manipulate the photos ohKay? Cause that seriously drives me nuts!

Nine_Square_Grid20110426-DSC_1974Jack Romeo Mercer

April 12, 2011

5lbs 7 oz

20 inches

100% awesomeness20110418-DSC_1121

Im a mom! Its awesome. He is awesome and the greatest little model one could ever hope for. Its been a little hard to keep up with his photos but Im doing my best (along with keeping up with everyone elses’.) Here are a few of my favorites since he was born.20110418-DSC_1139 copy20110419-DSC_1186 copy20110419-DSC_1201 copy20110419-DSC_1209 copy

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in daddies helmet :)20110425-DSC_1936 copyI find it quite funny that his helmet needs to be inspected again on my due date. :) 8May.20110425-DSC_1930and I guess technically he’s the 5th FNG to the squadron but whatevs.. ;)20110426-DSC_1967

This is also another shot Ive been wanting to try but it never happens. He was all about not sleeping this morning which is good. Means he’ll sleep tonight right ? ;)

Happy 2 weeks buddy bear!