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.

Then 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.ps: pop up flash FTW. its not ALWAYS terrible.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here A lovely day to get out! | Lacey, Wa Photographer.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Happy New Year!.

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.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Merry Christmas from the Mercer’s!.

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.

First comes love

then comes marriage

then comes a babyin 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!

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here What Might Happen.

April 12, 2011

5lbs 7 oz

20 inches

100% awesomeness

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.

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

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!

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Tacoma Newborn Photographer | Introducing Jack!!.

This next one is my favorite from the whole night. Terry getting to see Barb’s baby belly for the first time in real life. So sweet. I am so excited for them!

For more from our homecoming check out Autumn’s blog about it here! She got some pretty awesome shots as well!

The next day more folks came in. They came in a bit different, they were actually flying the F-15E’s back instead of taking a heavy back. Neil was supposed to fly a jet back and decided against it incase something happened and they got stuck somewhere. He didnt want to miss little Jack’s birth and I agreed but after taking these photos I’m a bit sad he didnt fly home in a jet. Oh well, there’s always next time. I followed my friend Charlotte around for her big reunion with her fiance Colin. They are due to get married this fall and now they can REALLY start the planning! If youre a local in Raleigh you may recognize her from the news. She is a news anchor for NBC in Raleigh.

Like me with my camera, its hard to break away from what you do. I loved that she was interviewing everyone.

Emily is due on the same day as me (May 8th!) and she got to see her husband today too!

headphones for the baby :)

They’re here! The excitement level tripled when they did their flyby.

There he is!

Then another eternity passed as they were shutting off the jets engines. AND then they were off!

I love this because Charlotte is no short woman.

Yay!

Colin’s WSO and his cute family :)

he had to get something he left..

I love his face. It was worth a shot Charlotte ;)

This is one of the signs that was in the hallways. A few weeks ago we had a squadron decorating party and the kids got to have a little fun too. This was one of my favorite signs. I liked how some of the kids got all official too and some of the signs read “Welcome Home Brian!” vs. Welcome home daddy! So cute.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Welcome Home Rockets | Part 2.

dude- WTH is this face im making?! Remind me to never do that again.Somehow Julie missed out on having her pictures taken BOTH times we did that. Silly Julie, youre getting a photoshoot in Vegas!

Courtney Really likes this pose for me.

something about us is alike.

The last day we were there we got a few geocaches and then we went to the Ripley’s Aquarium. Gatlinburg- what a random spot for an aquarium!

Check out that shark face! It looks so people-like!

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Road Trip | Gatlinburg, Tn.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Exciting News!.