February 2014 - A personal post

brethurston February 19, 2014

It's been a while since I've shared photos of Reid and Sloane. I used to try to mix a few personal posts in with client posts here on my blog because I felt it was important that my clients know me as a person and not just me as a photographer. Over the course of two very busy years, those personal posts have tapered off. Honestly, it's because the personal photos themselves have tapered off. I adore my job and feel so lucky to use my camera as a means to provide for myself and for my family. My business means the world to me and I never question the path that I'm on. However, like most people doing a job I can sometimes burn out. 6 out of 7 days I look at my camera and equate it to "work". I have two beautiful children at home with me almost every day and yet most of my photos of them have been snapped on an iPhone and documented on Instagram. That's okay. I have made sure to print my Instagram photos in simple photo books for the past two years. But I miss the good photos. The photos that require me to pick up the heavy camera, check the memory card, charge the battery, upload to a hard drive, and open in Photoshop. Some days I have to force myself to take those photos and some days I really, really want to. Regardless, I am happy with the result. I can zoom in and see Sloane's beautiful blue eyes. I can count Reid's long, gorgeous eyelashes. I can print these photos as large as my wall space will allow if I so choose. I'm thankful that I have a bit of down time for the next couple of months before my busy wedding season starts because it allows me to fall back in love with personal photos. I will share a few :)

Melissa & Kris' Wedding | Swiftwater Cellars and Suncadia Resort | Cle Elem, WA

brethurston February 7, 2014

I wanted a winter wedding in Tahoe when I was planning my wedding back in 2005. Will wouldn't go for it. I think that winter weddings are so very romantic and I was so excited to learn that Melissa and Kris would be getting married at the Suncadia Resort in January. Their reception was held at the beautiful Swiftwater Cellars in Cle Elem, WA. Cle Elem is a small town nestled on the eastern side of the Cascades. While we didn't have snow on the ground the trees were dusted with bits of snow and frost. It was a chilly winter wonderland. Perfect. Melissa, you were one of the most stunning brides I've ever seen. As we walked through the Lodge at Suncadia people's jaws were on the floor. Sure, everyone loves to see people on their wedding day, but I'm sure it was due in large part to how dashing they both looked. A mother of a little girl said to Melissa, "My daughter thinks you're a princess"!

It was a fun day and one that I won't soon forget. Thank you for inviting me to such a beautiful place to be a part of your wedding.

I can't wait to see their wedding film by the talented Medici Studios!

Chloe & Danny's Vow Renewal | Seabrook, WA | Seattle Wedding Photographer

brethurston February 4, 2014

If you've been following me for a while then you've likely seen a lot of my good friend Chloe. We met 2 years ago in Vegas and have been buddies ever since. She was one of the few people I knew when we moved here to Seattle. I've photographed her family, her maternity photos, her birth, and now her vow renewal. You see, Chloe and Danny eloped when Chloe was just 20 years old. Danny is in the army and sometimes a couple is just ready to be together but doesn't quite have enough time or resources to plan a traditional wedding. In fact, they have just one photo from the day they were married. Seeing as how Chloe is a wedding photographer this is something that has always bothered her. She photographs beautiful wedding ceremonies for all of her couples but has never been able to experience it herself. They are the parents to two gorgeous girls, 5 year old Ella and 1 year old Lola. Together with their girls, they family, and some of their close friends they gathered at a beautiful cottage in Seabrook, WA to celebrate their marriage and renew the vows they took 5 years ago. I think that only a wedding photographer would plan a wedding on the coast of Washington in January. Why? Because Chloe can see the beauty in unique circumstances. Where others might see only the cold and rain Chloe saw romance. My heart caught in my throat as I drove to Seabrook and saw the power of the Pacific and how the wind whipped around the ocean and the trees. It was so beautiful. I knew that no matter how windy and rainy it was I had to get them outside to capture it. I'm also positive that only a wedding photographer like Chloe would be willing to brave these kind of elements. We piled in my car, drove a few miles down the road and directly onto the beach. In just her light dress she stepped out of the car to gale force winds (yes, literally). The wind was so powerful that it almost knocked us off of our feet and pulled my camera out of my hands. It was so powerful that during a particularly strong gust the wind physically moved the focal ring of my camera causing my images to go out of focus. There was no way we were walking anywhere. Chloe and Danny stood in one place and held onto each other for dear life. I'm not sure I could have taken a client out in these elements in good conscience. I knew the type of image that Chloe wanted and she was willing to take a risk to get it. And we got it. I have never experienced weather that powerful - it was a trip!

Back at the warm cottage in Seabrook Chloe got her hair and makeup done (again) and family and friends mingled around cooking, decorating, and preparing for the evening. Ella and Lola got a bath. Chloe comes from an artistic family. For example, they realized that they forgot to make a cake. What did Chloe's mom do? She whipped one up without batting an eyelash. While it was Chloe's vision, it was her family and friends who helped her execute it.

I could not be happier for my good friend. She got to be a bride and we got to witness her and Danny profess their vows. Their girls will finally have wedding photos of mommy and daddy.