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Michelle's Blog bio picture

Hi! I'm Michelle.

I live in Spokane, Washington with my family.  

I have a passion for capturing the spirit of my family in images and I also apply that same passion when photographing other families.  I love to tell a story with my images, to capture the raw emotion of a moment and those little details that mark a specific time in a person's life.  

It may start off calm and respectable but by the end of the session I can't guarantee that people won't be thrown in the air, chased by their siblings or covered in dirt!  If that's the kind of photography you're interested in then let's get together. This is not your mother's photo session!!    

I dig kids, golden retreivers, pretending I'm an athlete, smushy faced cats, Jesus, low drama, walks on the beach and reading.   Among other things.


The God of Creation

Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 6:20am

I was born and raised in church.  And I’ve experienced the presence of God there many times.

But I am continually amazed at the overwhelming presence of God I experience outside of church in God’s creation.

That’s why I love the Oregon Coast so much.  My good friend has been there once and he always tells me he thinks that particular stretch of ocean is “angry.”  He makes me laugh.  I always tell him that’s why I LOVE that particular stretch of ocean.  It reminds me of the strength and power of God.  I’ve been to the Atlantic shores in Florida where the water was just sort of lapping up on the beach.  Lame.  ;)

Nothing compares to the good old Pacific.

But God is also in the small things. And I spent a little time last week enjoying God’s smaller creations and reveling in the details and amazing complexity of the small.

I hate to sound cliche but nature is truly where my heart rejoices the most and God speaks clearest to me.   In fact when I was on the beach the first day in Oregon I told Ken that I believed we were standing in “heaven on earth” as we were ensconced in clouds that were sitting on the ground.  It was so surreal and yes, God was there.

Restoring Eden

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. 

Psalm 95:1‑7

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by Michelle

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Heather M. - I totally agree with you. Being in nature is where I feel closest to God. It's so amazing.

Get-Away

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 6:23am

What do you do when you want to disconnect? Get away from it all? And spend time together without the distraction of TV’s, laptops, friends, and what not?

You buy a sailboat.

;)

That’s what we did, anyway.

We found a vintage (that’s my cool way of saying circa 1980) sailboat that was just crying out for us to buy her and spend weekends with her out on the clear blue waters of Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho.

We have always been boaters… power boaters.  Sailing is new territory for us.  Don’t worry though, we bought the Sailing For Dummies book so we should be good.

We snuck out there the other day and spent some time just looking at her.  Studying her.  Making plans.

Her name is Siobhan.  It’s Irish.  Pronounced “Shiv-awn.”  We didn’t choose the name, the boat chose us.  However the name means God is Gracious and I can’t think of a better name for our little getaway.

Can’t wait to get our family crest put on our sailing uniforms! ;)

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by Michelle

6 comments

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Heather M. - How cool is that?! I can totally see you guys doing that.

Julie Freeman - How fun for you!!! I'm having American Idol flashbacks with the name :) I like what it means though and I'm loving your pictures!

annie - OOOOH! I think I'm as excited for the pictures to come as you are for the sailing!! God IS gracious!!

Elizabeth - Oh, she's a beaut!

donna - What a good Irish name...(just like Ciara)...hoping to see her in the flesh this weekend :-)

Jaidean - How FUN!!! We are hoping to buy a boat within the next couple of years too...ski boat though. But this looks awesome!

For me. For you. From me.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:59am

It’s been a busy summer.  Full.  Fast.  Fun.  We’ve just got home from a jam-packed week at the Oregon Coast (pictures coming soon) and we’re gearing up for our end of summer camping trip and trying to cram getting ready for school in there, too.

That’s how life is sometimes for us.  Seasons of crazy.  Good crazy. I have loved every moment of this summer from swim team, ballet camp, big trips, triathlons, boy scouts camp, going to the lake, bike rides, taking Lanie for walks, meeting with friends and culdesac BBQ’s.  This is the life I want.

But in the middle of the crazy sometimes I long for quiet.  And so rather than killing myself editing vacation pictures and trying to get back to blogging I thought I’d share my little slice of peace and quiet for today.

Phil Wickham.  I can’t say enough nice things about this guy.  His music speaks to me like very few other musicians can.

Here are the lyrics:

I will wait for You there
Down on my knees where I met You
Give You all of my cares
Find a grace to hold onto now
I’m calling for You

I will wait for You there
far from the world and it’s violence
It left broken and bare
I need to hear You in the silence now
I’m calling for You

And with outstretched arms
I will sing out melodies
And my beating heart
Will pour out a symphony
Hallelujahs in the morning
Hallelujahs in the night
I will wait for you as long as I have life

I will wait for You there
Down On my knees where I met you
Cause life is a war fought with tears
But You are the strength I hold onto now
I’m calling for you

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by Michelle

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Heather M. - Oh man, we are so similar. It's crazy. And totally cool song.

Bill & Tiffany… and the greatest kid’s ever!

Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 3:27pm

I thought I had the greatest kids ever.  Seriously.  ;)

But then I met up with Bill and Tiffany.  And their kids.  The sweetest kids.  Super polite, fun, engaging, cooperative, adorable… I mean for real, I LOVE these kids and I’m totally disappointed that our kids won’t go to the same high school because these are the kind of kids I want my kids hanging out with.

For REAL.

When we met up for our session the forecast said hot and sunny.  PFT!  Yeah right.  As we were standing in the parking lot looking at the sky I said to them: “Normally I’d chat you up and get to know you a little before we shoot… but I’m afraid of those clouds.  So I’ll get to know you when we’re done.”  Can you believe I said that?!  But Tiffany and Bill were looking at the same clouds and I think it actually was pretty hilarious.   ;)    I’m pretty sure they thought it was hilarious, too. Actually, I’m pretty sure they think I’m hilarious, in general.  Why else would all their pictures be of them laughing?

I guess they might be laughing in all these images because they genuinely like each other.  Seriously, this family… UGH.  I adore them.  I want to be best friends.  I want to hang out and eat pizza, talk about Boston, walk the Oregon Coast and just hang out with people who can’t help but laugh, smile and totally enjoy their time together.

Yah.  By the way, the picture above makes my stomach flutter.  I ADORE this.  I love their love.  ACK!  I’m just smitten!

And this one below… maybe my favorite picture ever?  I don’t know.  I do know I love it… more than peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, even. ;)

Oh Family.  {sigh}   Oh Dear, Sweet Family.

Bill, Tiffany,

WELL DONE!  In every regard!  Well done at your session, well done at your parenting, and well done in your relationship.  I adore spending time with people who’ve been married for years and still have that spark and joy!  You guys are amazing! :)

Kids,

You guys are awesome!  I came home from spending time with you both and couldn’t help but tell my kids how great you were.  You were kind to each other,  cooperative with me and hilarious with your parents.  Now… could you just talk your parents into moving into our neighborhood and going to my kid’s school, please? ;)

Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation!! :D

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by Michelle

5 comments

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D P - I guess I am lucky because I have hung out and ate pizza (and bowled) with them. :-) They are fun.

Meredith White - I loved these pictures as much as you did. And I wasn't there...but I saw what you saw, too. Mission accomplished.

Heather M. - Oh Michelle, these are AWESOME. You captured them so well. I'm so very glad they asked you to photograph them. :)

Priya - Im really teary..its really beautiful! Absolutely love these. Agree with Carly (and Carly, sorry I havent replied to your email yet, but its coming!). Great job Michelle :) You are fabulous!

carly - Your best... shoot... to date. My mind was BLOWN by these. I keep looking at them again and again... Seriously, Michelle, you were born to do THIS. THIS RIGHT HERE. Amazing... *sigh*

Terrace View Swim Team

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 4:06pm

This is our third year of swim team.  Our family looks forward to this part of summer so much.  Swim team isn’t for the faint of heart though.  Three mornings a week these kids get up (during their summer vacations!) and are at the pool by 7:30am ready to run, do sit ups and push ups and then hit the pool.  But it’s not fun and games for these kids.  It’s WORK.  It’s laps and working on their strokes.  They are working to improve their strokes and also to do well in their weekly swim meets.   Ken and I timed for most of the meets last year but this year with Lanie-Pup on the sidelines with us we didn’t get the chance and we really missed being inside the fence during the meets.  However, I always get in there for at least one meet to take pictures for the team.  And this year was no exception.   It was my one meet to shoot… and of course, a weird summer storm blew in which made for windy conditions and a dark sky.  But we stuck it out and got some fun shots of the kids showing off all their hard work!

So many of these kids are from our kid’s schools and our neighborhood.  It’s been such a fun few years not only getting to know them better but also their parents.  One parent in particular has become a DEAR friend of mine.  Like the kind of friend you want to SQUEEZE!! ;)    Isn’t she adorable!?   Love you, Suzanne!

For parents and fans of the swimmers their online ordering gallery is HERE. :)

Great job Swimmers, THANK YOU Coaches and see you all next season!!!

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by Michelle

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donna - Love those water pics....maybe we need to join swim team to get our swim stroke down...the kids could probably teach us a thing or 2!

Happy Birthday: part 3

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 12:22pm

Part 3? Yes. Part one was Aaron’s birthday last week. Followed by my birthday on Monday. And the bookend to Sidles Birthday Month falls today as my (amazing, sweet, funny) husband celebrates his birthday!

I spent the first part of his birthday with my best friends. Yes, he went to work and I spent a few hours riding with my friends and then sitting around sharing coffees and talking. And he’s lucky I did because talking with these friends just reminded me of how phenomenal our husbands are. My life is idyllic BECAUSE I share it with Ken. He is the best partner. The best caregiver. The most focused and loving father. And a husband with a servant’s heart.

In case you don’t believe me… I got up at 5am today to get ready for my ride. Guess who beat me out of bed, filled the car with gas, brought me a coffee, pumped up my bike tires and loaded up my gear for me? ON HIS BIRTHDAY? Yes. I’m married to THAT man.

Happy Birthday Husband!! :)   I love you dearly and am super thankful for you.  REALLY! ;)

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by Michelle

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Heather M. - Awwwww, what an amazing post! Happy Birthday Ken!

bgb - Can you tell Ken Happy Birthday? I want My wife to have a Husband like that!

Spokane-CAN

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 6:35am

Where are you located?

This is a common question from blog readers.  I’ve tried to make it clear up at th top of my blog but I thought I’d go all out and burn it into my blog readers brains.

I’m from Spokane.  Born and raised.

When we went to the Jewel concert in June she wrote a song JUST for Spokane.  And I MUST share it with you. ;)

Don’t you want to come visit me now?!

Spokane. Near Nature. Near Perfect. ;)

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by Michelle

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Spokane Al - Very nice!

Heather M. - Oh yes, yes I do!

Boy Scout Camp

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 5:54am

We’ve managed to avoid it for a good many years.  Not really mentioning it as an option.  But our luck ran out this summer when Aaron informed us that he WAS attending Boy Scout Camp.

DANG!  :-/

Who told him he could go to camp!?

But who are we to argue?

So off we sent him for a FULL week.  It was one long, lonely week for us at home.

We made due with writing cards to Aaron and were THRILLED to receive a letter from Aaron during the week!

But we were even more excited when we were informed that the last night of camp was family night!  So the three of us (plus Lanie) loaded up into the car and drove to Camp Easton on Lake Couer d’ Alene.  Aaron didn’t know for sure if were coming and when we walked into his camp he was so happy.  He actually got a little emotional when he saw us which nearly broke Ken and my hearts.

See that there?  That’s poison ivy.  “Leaves of Three, Leave them Be.”  See, I learned something at camp. :)

I guess all things considered we will send him again.  HE seemed to enjoy camp tremendously.  And the rest of us will have to think of bigger and better diversions while he’s away next year. ;)

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julie(nana) - There is nothing like a boy in a uniform!!!!!Aaron!

Elizabeth - Love the f-stop on that camera. And I love that, because of you, I know what an f-stop is now! Ha! Keep those camp letters. When my mom died, I found three binders: one for each of us kids, filled with our camp letters and bills from the Trading Post and notes from the counselors. I love that she kept those things!

Heather M. - i agree with ken. man, you're crazy! but those photos are just awesome. you are amazing.

annie - He looks like such a man in that shot of him and Nat walking away from the cabin... {sigh} Make it stop.

Ken - I think the most amazing thing is the time of the post! Wow!

Coming Soon: My FAVORITE session… ever?!

Monday, August 16, 2010 at 7:26am

For Real.

I am GIDDY about this session.

G.I.D.D.Y.

AND… this family just totally reinforced what I’ve always known and believed.  I am MEANT to work with families.  Especially older families.  I love them.  I get them.  I miss them when I’m not with them. :)

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by Michelle

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Tracey - Okay... 1. I just discovered you had an entire week's of posts. Just now I realized that I bookmarked the last page I had visited and so when I came to visit again it just took me to that same page--which made me believe you had not posted for a while. 2. Love that swing picture above so much. In fact, I love it so much bc I have taken a similar one before and have begun a collection of swing photos. They are addicting! The one above is especially lovely because of the lighting and bc it's almost monochromatic. 3. I would live in Spokane in a heart beat. I love the northwest. I have friends in Gig Harbor and have visited there several times. Total peace for my soul. 4. The boyscout camp pics...classic and timeless and so lovely. The light was so yummy in several of them. 5. What a beautiful gift you have. :)

Hayden

Friday, August 13, 2010 at 8:09am

Hayden is my nephew.  I’ve had the honor and privilege of photographing him since the day of his birth.  I thought that day was exciting… but Hayden is turning two.  So the excitement and energy has really gone up a notch since that first day of his life.  I had so much fun hanging out at his house with him the other day!  Although he kept wanting to sit on my back which made for some tricky photography. ;)

This last picture is Hayden tackling MY leg.

*just keep shooting, just keep shooting*  ;)

Happy Birthday Hay-Hay!!    Love Auntie Michelle  :)

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by Michelle

5 comments

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rachel - these are so sweet! great job.

Priya - I love the last one-so very 'two year old'-ish :) Hes adorable :)

ryan koohns - thanks sis those look awesome.

Heather M. - He is SOOOOO cute! I just adore the ones of him with mama and daddy. So precious.

Teresa Delano - Awesome pics! I LOVE the first one. What a PERFECT weather day.