Brylee turns TWO | {Bremerton Family Photographer}

What a TREAT it was to see sweet little Brylee again…although I must say, she’s sure grown since I saw her a year ago! This darling turned two last month and I’ve had the pleasure of photographer her since she was born! Watching little ones grow into toddlers (and beyond) is the most amazing thing and to think that it’s part of my job…how lucky am I! Besides watching this beautiful little one grow up, I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her parents…they are the such delightful people and incredible parents…and I’ve loved creating the relationship we have over the past two years! Talk about a blessing…on the day we were going to do Brylee’s photos, the forecast was for SUN…yes, I said SUN…and if you are at all familiar with the Pacific Northwest in January, February (March and April for that matter)…sunshine is a rare thing, especially when it comes with some mild temperatures and this day we had both…it was 60 degrees! Holy smokes, that doesn’t happen often, and we were all so happy…and welcomed the opportunity to get Brylee outside for some photos…it was so much fun! Bubbles and her new bike were the highlight of our time outside, oh, as well as a bit of “yard work” that she was working on, pulling a bit of grass and some of the dormant plants that were in the beds…Brylee enjoyed the outdoors as much as the rest of us! I’ll tell you, this beauty grabbed my heart as well as my husband’s when we were there, she was so sweet and wanted to make sure we were included in everything she did and we got the biggest hugs when we left…oh, that’s the best bonus ever from a session!!

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Brylee showed us how she likes to dance with her Dora doll…this girl has got great moves!!undefined

There isn’t much sweeter than a little girl and her daddy…love this photo of them…and you can see where she gets her beauty…from her mom!!undefined
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The smiles just kept coming…she was amazing and such a great little “model” for her session…she just kept shining through the entire time! undefined

Her new bike, she’d just gotten and wow, she knew just what to do on this, she took right off pedaling….what a pro!undefined

Brylee was also great with the bubbles and even shared once in a while with her parents! And, like any girl, she wanted to check out the photos…so she got a sneak peek from the back of the camera!!undefined

Such a happy little girl, smiling and chattering away through the whole session!

undefinedundefinedWhat a delightful family…and the exciting part is that in July, they will be adding to their family! I’m so excited for them and CAN’T wait to meet the newest family member…I know that Brylee with be a great big sister!!
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She was quite the hostess…and offered both my husband and myself tea as well as little cakes and even gave us refills…SO much fun!!undefined

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This beautiful and precious smile says it all…she is a very happy and fun two year-old who made my job SO much fun on this beautiful winter afternoon! Thank you, Brylee, Rick and Jessica…you are all awesome!

Dance Recital {Tacoma City Ballet}

Last weekend, with pleasure and pride, I attended my granddaughter’s first ballet recital along with the rest of our family. Jayden is 4 1/2 years old and was quite excited, but also very nervous about the recital. Dressed in their leotard, tights and ballet shoes, the girls also had the cutest little pink tutus and some darling headbands for their performance. The instructor, Danielle, is a friend of our family and asked if I could take photos of the girls while they were getting ready…and needless to say, I gladly agreed.

This class is through Tacoma City Ballet (Check out their site!) and is located on 6th Avenue. They offer classes, beginning at the age of four and have a wonderful program, whether one is just wanting to try it out, or more serious about pursuing for a career. The following was taken from their website and will give you an idea of how they value the importance of the studio:
“Tacoma City Ballet perpetuates the long established traditions of classical ballet. All classes, pre-ballet through professional, have a requisite syllabus, live piano accompaniment, and require dancers to don uniformed attire.”
Seeing these adorable and sweet little girls come in and get their tutus and move over to get their headband and then wait until it was time to perform was refreshing to see their nervous anticipation and innocence…it was wonderful. Some of the girls were giggling with one another, others concentrating on a position they needed to remember and others clinging to their moms, unsure about what was ahead.
The performance was wonderful…it was a demonstration of what they’ve learned this past year and an example of their class. Danielle is incredible with the girls, so patient, insightful and fun when with these girls…she obviously has a gift for teaching and working with young children. Congratulations to all of the girls and their families for the support they gave them throughout the year.
Working on the hair buns for the little ballerinas!
Practice makes perfect!
Adorable…this little one was so cute!
Admiring their new hairbows!
I’m a bit biased…but, isn’t she the sweetest little girl…of course, I’m related to her!
Everything is better after a kiss from mom!
All lined up and ready to head in to perform!
Danielle explains what we will be seeing during the performance.
The end!
Couldn’t resist adding this photo of Jayden with her parents afterwards…she was so excited and proud…and check out those sunglasses…she looks like “Miss Hollywood!”

More with Kelli… {Tacoma Portrait Photographer}

On Saturday when I met up with Kelli and her mom in Seattle, Kelli was disappointed that there wasn’t any graffiti around the area (there had been a wall, but it’s since been painted over)…so I mentioned that there was some great graffiti in Tacoma, if she was willing to come down that way? She didn’t hesitate a bit and said WHEN can I come! We arranged for yesterday (Tuesday) morning to meet up and take some more photos…and this time she brought along her sister, Lindsay. Perfect…a sister to help out, suggest some things and also to include in the photos! These girls were so much fun… we laughed a lot and it was obvious, that despite probably not always liking one another…they are great friends…so refreshing to see this!! And, we were quite lucky with the weather…it was overcast, but bright and no rain…although by the time I got home, it was pouring…someone was looking out for us!
So, here are some more of Kelli’s photos…as well as Lindsay…good luck to Kelli in figuring out what you want…it’s going to be tough!
Kelli is currently enrolled in Running Start with plans to become a nurse in the future…what a great goal…I see a bright future for her!