The sharpness that comes with a soft sunrise.
Another day of decision, perspective, consequence.
Q #4
Gate to Eternity
Family Portraits at Larrabee State Park
This, friends, is an enthusiastic gang of folks. The Wolvertons are world travelers, beekeepers, athletes, teachers, and cultural enthusiasts. They came with a plan, (I love me a good plan) smiles, and ideas. I could have spent so much time just talking with these people. (See above list of occupations and interests) :-)
We got down to business though, shot quite a few photos, and had a fun time working with the last of summer light.
Thank you Wolvertons, for letting me be your first ever family photographer. Truly, you guys were wonderful company, if only for an hour or so.
<3
Senior Session at Lake Padden
Grace
Class of 2020
Echoing the beauty and stillness around her, in a place she grew up in.
Grace’s session was a peaceful walk around a lake she’s grown up going to. The colors during this day were spectacular. Diffused, gorgeous pacific northwest light showed up for us in the best way.
I’ve learned recently that the schools around here let students turn in their own photos for yearbook publication. This is just awesome. The individuality allowed, and the lack of needing a uniform look makes senior sessions all the more fun for me, and hopefully you all as well. I’ve also learned we have about a month before photos need to be turned in. There’s still time to get something planned, shot, edited, and right back to you! Let’s talk :-)
256-682-0218
info@amandapowell.net
Three Sweet Kids
Strong personality exists in this space.
Unpredictable dancing.
Uncontrollable laughing.
Tears and conflict that ebb and flow.
But always
We look out for each other.
Siblings are something special.
A fun, quick, traditional portrait session in a field in Bellingham, with these three lovely kids again. <3
As they grow, this trio continues to be a joy. They are a lively bunch, still funny, still happy, and still willing to have me photograph them, with plenty of breaks for hugs and sweet conversation.
Gill Family at Whatcom Falls
Wild and wonderful and full.
Constant motion, and a never ending supply of feelings from moment to moment.
Photographing a family with young children is dynamic, and silly, and physical in the best way.
Thank you Gill Family, for letting me be a part of this sweet season of your lives.
Orcas Island
In October we took a trip to commemorate our 10 year anniversary, which was in April, which is finally being blogged in January. Confused yet? The jist is, after 3 years of regular life, we finally took a vacation.
Bryan and I have been married 10 years, together 12. It was and is a great reason to go somewhere different, which turned out to be only 30 miles away (if you were a bird)- Orcas Island. It’s a land mass we’ve seen across the bay for the last 3 years, but never ventured to. Tons of photos in this post; be ye warned :-)
We had a marvelous time, doing a whole lot of nothing. We cooked meals, played checkers, beach combed, watched movies, and read books. So, I suppose we didn’t do “nothing.” But given our schedule for the last three years, it felt that way. It was magnificent.
I’m thankful for my time with my husband. I’m fortunate to have married my (still) best friend, and while no relationship is without its strife, I wouldn’t change it. A life with someone who stays, helps the healing from life’s inevitable wounds, knows how to laugh, and isn’t afraid to talk politics, existentialism, or simulation theory before 7am (even when I am), is a treasure.
Coming Home
By Mary Oliver
When we are driving in the dark,
on the long road to Provincetown,
when we are weary,
when the buildings and the scrub pines lose their familiar look,
I imagine us rising from the speeding car.
I imagine us seeing everything from another place–
the top of one of the pale dunes, or the deep and nameless
fields of the sea.
And what we see is a world that cannot cherish us,
but which we cherish.
And what we see is our life moving like that
along the dark edges of everything,
headlights sweeping the blackness,
believing in a thousand fragile and unprovable things.
Looking out for sorrow,
slowing down for happiness,
making all the right turns
right down to the thumping barriers to the sea,
the swirling waves,
the narrow streets, the houses,
the past, the future,
the doorway that belongs
to you and me.
Gripping this little daredevil for dear life. >>>>>>>>>
365 Photo a Day- Month Two
Our February was
2 Birthdays, lots of Treats,
Several Archival posts, and a new place for my work on Etsy.
This Month's 28 images:
A Good Time in the Fall (in the Spring)
Being young is a wild and wonderful ride. It contains constant new experiences, running the full spectrum of emotion. It's messy, it's fun, it's intense, and ultimately rewarding. Hopefully, with guidance and love, childhood is something we look back on with fondness. I have a feeling these kids will.
Change, Even in the Smallest Form
Some years you can feel it. The atmosphere asking, even begging, for a new beginning. This one of those years I think.
Sure. 2015 was the year. 2016 was the year, 2017 was the year...BUT how about 2018 actually being the year for us all. The year we each grasp our desires and do the thing. Where we each take a brutally honest look inward, disassemble what we aren't proud of, and reshape it. Make a new beginning, for real this time.
Or don't, and choose to be truly content. Because that act is a movement of progress in itself. Honest introspection on what you have, or who you are, coupled with acceptance, can bring about a profound change. Sometimes, "to have what you want, you must want what you have." My husband said that. (<3 him)
Either choice is difficult, but this resistance can help us grow in ways we wouldn't otherwise. Either choice can mean a rebirth, if that's what you're looking for in the coming months.
My best to you in 2018, whatever you decide :-)
PNW Kids
In this season of our life, there's space for them to explore. And if this place didn't give us anything else, this would be enough.
Being a kid in the Pacific Northwest has its perks.
Skagit Valley Spring
Some friends of ours invited us on the Skagit Valley Tulip Route back in April. We were a little early to the tulip party since this past winter was colder than normal. Still, it was a fun trip. I didn't get too many photos, obviously. Between keeping an eye on kids in the crowds,making sure the one strapped to me was happy, and conversing with our travel buddies, there wasn't much time to shoot. That's totally fine. It was great to explore a new area with some great friends we've made.
...
It's windy, or sunny, or overcast, or all of the above. This place has many emotions. Lots of things it may or may not choose to reveal through light, texture, and color. Last Sunday, for example, was a beautiful variable. A misty, wet morning, which gave way to a cerulean sky and mild temperatures. The northwest can't decide some days. This is a place that changes, shifts, and grows as much as we aspire to. It's mysterious, and uncertain, but at ease..
Kate & Charlotte
Meet Kate & Charlotte. Two independent, smart, energetic, and stylish gals who make a trip to Boulevard Park super enjoyable.
Charlotte is an expert runner, climber and explorer. And man, let me tell you, Kate can keep up like it's nothing, all while growing a human. I'm impressed. Growing people is hard work.
So glad I was able to photograph this special time before Charlotte becomes a big sister, and Kate has two to chase after. Thank you for being great photo companions, ladies!
Solitude or, 27 Ways to Photograph a Sunset
A couple weeks ago I took a solo outing to Boulevard. I needed to think in the quiet, eat a treat, and drink a coffee. I also wanted to stretch my photography muscles by adding variation to a scene I've seen over and over again the last several months. (Not a complaint, by the way).
Hopefully these images are different enough to post without boring anyone. Sorry, they're aren't 27. Or maybe, you're welcome? With the sheer amount of content online, and all of the various pictures, stories, comments we consume daily, I try to limit how much I'm throwing out into the internet.
Also, if I wasn't careful, this blog would just turn into one big document of Boulevard Park, established summer of 1980. ;-)
^^^^^this was AMAZING^^^^^
