Too Much or ???

I had to look up the password to my own blog, it's been so long since I've written! I can't believe school started this week, the Fair starts tomorrow and for the first time since I started blogging in 2010, I missed writing at least one post a month!! What's up with that, anyway?

Answer: 12 wedding shoots this year and 10 of the 12 were in June, July and August. I still have one more to shoot the end of September. They've all been wonderful experiences, lots of similarities and plenty of differences, but the work of editing over a thousand photos after a couple leaves the reception, can be daunting.

Throw in a mid-August visit from granddaughter, Karina, which finally resulted in photos of my daughters and their children altogether, and Scott's 69th birthday party (according to him he's in his 70th year - which he is), and it was a very busy month. I just looked at my list and counted six other family photo shoots too.

I'm not complaining, really. Scott reminds me (and I've been known to remind him), that if you complain, you have too much. I really don't have too much; I have just what God has given me and I'm very grateful and blessed. www.BonnieKingPhotography.com

Blessings

Is it the middle of March already! How did that happen, along with losing an hour this past weekend when I don't seem to have enough hours as it is!

Usually January, February and March are quiet when it comes to taking photos, but this year the pace has quickened and I've been busier than ever. Add attending a couple wedding shows (which did result in booking more weddings this year already, than we shot last year), continuing to teach memoir writing classes at the senior center, volunteering at the pet shelter to take photos, attending a couple women's groups, exercise class, and taking care of my beloved grandchildren - I guess that's how the middle of March is where I find myself. All good...

Oh, and I decided to become a Mary Kay Personal Use Consultant - love the products and will pass on discounts to you too, if you're interested.

But since my first passion is photography, I also decided to transition equipment for wedding shoots from Nikon to Canon because of the low light capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. This is a major investment for my small business and requires new learning challenges. I'm looking forward to continually improving on what I do. It's certainly more than point and shoot. Think computer software and applications with lots of menus, all contained in a little box, about one quarter the size of a woman's small purse. Is there such a thing as a woman's small purse?

Regardless of the camera I use, the passion for looking through the lens to capture those special moments certainly hasn't dimmed since I started this adventure four years ago. Little did I know where the road would take me or how many amazing experiences I would have with people. The best of all has been becoming a family's photographer - from engagement to wedding to maternity to newborn and their child's milestones after that. How special!

To see all my family photos, go to www.BonnieKingPhotography.com

Wedding Flowers: J9Bing Services

Last Friday afternoon, I joined my friends, Janine (J9) and Susan, and J9's aunt Helen, for a jaunt to Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club. The sun was shining, 70 degree plus weather and J9's truck was full of flowers. We were on our way to set-up for the wedding of a family friend of J9's. What a perfect day for a wedding!

The outdoor wedding venue was set against a backdrop of the beautifully sun-draped Cascade Range. Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club was about a 40 minute trip from Puyallup and is about 20 minutes from Bellevue or 30 minutes from Seattle, depending on traffic, of course.

The banquet facility was on the same level as the curved driveway entrance, which made our work much easier. The banquet facility is open to the public and can accommodate up to 300 guests or can be divided into smaller sections for more intimate gatherings, according to the website.

If you're looking for a wedding or event florist with exceptional talent and taste, I highly recommend J9Bing Services. www.J9bing.com 

 

Photos by Bonnie King Photography. BonnieKingPhotography.com

Wedding Photography

My best laid plans for taking wedding photos are often changed  because of weather, the excitement of the moment, or a groom's too tight fitting tux. Such was the case last Saturday.

Meghan and Brandon said, "I do" and "Me too" even though the day experienced at least three seasons. We didn't have snow, but there were leaves blown off trees, lots of rain, and as if to ask for forgiveness, a beautiful sunset added an ethereal glow to the end of the day.

During the event, lots of folks were taking pictures with their cell phones, digital cameras, or with the disposable cameras provided for just that purpose. One of the flower girls, Lilly, was fascinated by the prospect of taking photos of the bride and groom and did her part to make sure not one of their first dance moments was missed.

As the photographer hired to take photos for the day, I welcome candid photo takers to do their part. After all they're passionate too, about capturing memories of and for the couple. But there were times when I had to ask someone to move or to remind someone with a flash that it can interfere with professional lighting. It's all part of any wedding day.

Plans for pictures can also change when the wedding couple is just plain tired. Saturday, we did set aside plans for some of the photos when discomfort with his tight fitting suit had the groom at the end of his patience for dress up. Fortunately, after the tux jacket came off, we captured more memorable moments at sunset.

Flexibility, a sense of humor, and lots of diplomacy are not only great tools for dealing with changes on a wedding day, they're great tools for life! You can see all of Meghan and Brandon's wedding pics at BonnieKingPhotography.com