Scavenger Hunt #11 – Delectable

I am so late on posting this, but better late than never!

You will all think I am crazy, but my delectable is oatmeal! Yes, you heard it right, oatmeal… and not the kind with brown sugar and milk… I like it just plain!! Nothin’ on it. YUM!

I thought of putting all the other things I like too, but just didn’t find the time. I love black eyed peas, plain white rice, Haribo gummy bears and imitation crab… such a sophisticated pallet I have, I know, I have been told. The weird thing is that I am married to a foody… I mean very particular about the taste of food. Can critique anything and knows exactly what is wrong with it. I, on the other hand, am very easy to please when it comes to food. Follow the rules of no bones, no skin, only chicken or fish, maybe lean pork if it is chinese pork with hot mustard and hamburger, but no steak! Ok, maybe I am a little picky… but a plain picky person :).

Next Challenge: Growing Up (open to your own interpretation). Have fun!

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Tim, Samantha, Caiden and Nathan – Family Portraits

Living in the Northwest has it’s challenges… rain is a big one for us photographers, but I have decided that I do not want that to stop a day that the parents have worked so hard to plan. They buy special outfits, make sure their kids have good sleep, worry for days before and then to have me cancel on them because of weather, well that is just not fair is it? I think I may just need a water resistant cover for my camera!

So, when the rain came on this day we just ignored and continued with the shoot.

I don’t think the boys even noticed. You can see the rain in this shot if you look closely.

Isn’t little Nathan a cutie! Babies are so funny with their sometimes blank expressions… they are just in wonder at everything.

Caiden was fine continuing in the rain… can you see the slight red from the umbrella?

But the weather didn’t like that it was not affecting us and so started to rain even more… so gave in and moved locations! The family didn’t mind.

The boys liked all the room to run around and boy I got my workout trying to keep up with Caiden, but I did manage to get a few shots of him while recharging.

Nathan is a knee “crawler”… so funny to watch! He can walk too, but this was definitely his favorite form of transportation.

Since the garage didn’t have much color, I threw down some magic carpets for the baby to play on.

I love getting shots of the parents without the kids… once you become a parent it seems staying a couple can become more challenging. I wanted to celebrate their love too – just the 2 of them.

This is my favorite of them…

Sweet, young couple! Did I mention that Tim is my nephew!

Caiden and his mommy, Samantha.

Nathan and his daddy, Tim, with Daddy’s keys :).

Got a few more family shots…

I love the side shot of Nathan… cute baby head! You can’t tell in this, but Caiden has red hair :).

I think for 1 and 3 years old they did pretty well! Caiden is full of energy as he should be and Nathan is full of curiosity.

This family originally went to a department store portrait studio and was so disappointed that they left without one good portrait. I am so glad we were able to turn that experience around and get an entire CD full of family fun portraits. This is really the way to go at this age. It is so hard to get little ones sitting nicely in front of a camera… that is just so not fun for them!

Hope you enjoyed! xoxoxo

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Hand Made Aprons – Product Shoot

Saturday was a perfect day for a shoot… and a tea party! Remember to click on any of them to enlarge. I know I have been saying I will be getting a new site that will show the images off better and really, I will be very soon 🙂 yah!

This shoot was actually for a product, hand made vintage inspired aprons for adults and children. I think I like this one the best for the ad.

While we had these adorable girls dressed up so cute we decided we might as well take a few extra shots for the parents.

They are cousins – almost 2 and both mommy’s are pregnant with their second. What fun for them!

I know, I know… is she real? Mollie is such a doll baby!

And Peyton just a sweetheart… very quiet and precious.

Amanda made all the bows for their hair. It is one of her more recent craftings… she loves to make things and especially loves to make them for little ones like this.

The girls had fun the whole time. Such a perfect thing to do when trying to capture children – give them an activity and just let them play. They stay happy and you get great pictures. Helps to have an older girl around to keep them company too.

I know after it was all over Peyton didn’t want to say goodbye to Amanda and wanted to wear her bow to bed that night. How cute is that!

We took way more than we needed… so typical of a shoot!

You just have to click on this one for a closer look!

What a little cutie…

Yes, I have more…

OK, this is the last one… thanks for hangin’ in there with me. I just want to show you all of them!

Let me know if you would like to order one of these sweet vintage inspired aprons and I will put you in contact with the maker :). She doesn’t have a site just yet, but hopefully will be selling them online soon.

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Scavenger Hunt #10 – Texture

This week was texture and well, that is an easy one… finally! Textures can be found EVERYWHERE!

My friend, Suzy and I took a beautiful walk through Lakewold Gardens… the perfect place to have a nice talk and take some beautiful pictures.

I am making cards with many of the pictures I took, so thought I would show you the card versions.

I have a lot more, but will save them for another post.

Next Challenge:  Delectable –  Delicious: having a delicious taste,  Delightful: absolutely delightful, very pleasing or very attractive or Something very tasty: an appetizing food or dish.

Hugs to you all. Have a great Sunday, even though it’s almost over now… still an hour left for me – waiting for a load of laundry to finish :).

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Mike and Allison – Wedding Day Portraits

This was such an incredible experience… I so enjoyed the entire day… thank you Misty and Nate for letting me tag along with you. I had so much fun and learned so much.

I wanted to share with you some of the images I was able to capture as a 3rd shooter tag-a-long. I am preparing for my first wedding shoot coming up this summer, unless someone books me before that! I have 3 booked so far for my special introductory price. Email me at ConnieRiggioPhotography@gmail.com for additional information and check out my wedding page above.

Allison was a stunning bride and went through the day with an amazing calmness. Maybe inside she was nervous, but from the outside she was calm and collected with a sweetness that was evident the first time I met her.

A man in uniform and with those dimples, no wonder she fell in love (I am sure there was more to it than that though :D).

Allison and Mike decided to do what a lot of couples are now finding is the best way to conduct the first sighting! Instead of waiting until the alter, they are meeting with just the 2 of them prior to the wedding. I highly recommend this! Much more intimate and provides that special time to fully appreciate and experience the moment… We arranged for Mike to be in the back of the church facing away until Allison was right behind him…

Then he turned around…

Having this special time together also allows for extra special images without the distraction of anyone else around.

We found a cool rustic garage nearby and borrowed it’s natural backdrop.

A year or so ago I would have told you that I do not do weddings and now, look, I am doing weddings :)! How exciting is that! I am not much of a risk taker, but this last year I have taken more risks than I have ever dreamed of and I am so glad I have. Living life in faith is much more freeing and satisfying than living in fear.

I love all of these!

One of Joe’s favorites. Very intimate. Click to enlarge, it really makes a difference.

God is the center of this marriage, brings such peace.

I had to get a shot with his cap and the beautiful church stained glass windows.

Details, details, details… there are always so many beautiful details in a wedding.

Laughter… it’s a beautiful thing… and abundant on wedding days!

Lovely, long lashes…

And a sparkle in her eyes…

Love this moment between dad and daughter before going down the isle… they adore each other.

I think the best part of the reception was when the bride and her dad broke out in a choreographed dance routine to “Butterfly Kisses” and “Everybody Wang Chung Tonight” (is that even the real title?)… But the most intimate moment was when the bride and groom had their first dance… I love that you can see her eyelashes in this image… this is one of my favorites…

Streamers and horns… the sendoff. Many times this happens so late at night that we don’t get to capture the images, but not this time!

The strength in the way they hold hands tells so much… they are ready to start a life together.

Thank you so much for letting me crash the party! Weddings… here I come!

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Scavenger Hunt # 9 – Everyday

This week’s photo challenge is “Everyday, something you see everyday”… I thought of lots of things, but quickly decided on Molly, our cat, so I camera stalked her for a week.

The family can’t help but tease her… she is easily annoyed and it makes us laugh. My son is holding her up in the air while on the couch in this one.

Monday Molly

Molly begs a lot, a habit created by Amanda, who used to sneak her food at the dinner table. Now she begs in the morning for sandwich meat as I’m preparing kid’s lunches and no matter where she is, she can hear a can of tuna being pulled from the cupboard.

Tuesday Molly

In the daytime, she won’t let us pick her up unless we corner her or find her while she is sleeping. Then at night, she won’t leave us alone! Every night she makes her rounds beginning in one of the kid’s rooms, then to the next one, then to ours. Her goal, to take over my pillow and have me cater to her every petting desire.

Wednesday Molly

I think the funniest thing about Molly is that Joe has made a voice for her (evil sounding, plotting to kill us all and take over the household). I wish I could add an audio file here so you could hear what she is saying while she paws her way back in the house.

Thursday Molly

Molly does get out occasionally, usually by force. Ignore the weeds… it’s been a while since I was out in my yard… soon it will look great again… until then, don’t judge me :).

Friday Molly

I searched the house for Molly Saturday afternoon and found her in one of her favorite spots… the top of Amanda’s Bunk bed. She was not happy with my disturbing her bath. I did get more bath time pics but they seemed personal and I saved her the embarrassment.

Saturday Molly

Sunday’s are for basking in the sun on top of the couch in front of the window… “no one disturb me”

Sunday Molly

Molly is mysterious…. and for some reason, I am afraid to sleep at night… will I be here in the morning? Would you trust this face?… “What are you looking at?”

Everyday Molly

Next Challenge: Texture

Have a great Sunday everyone!

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Enjoying My Coffee

For many years I took the commute to Kent from Tacoma, drinking my latte at my vanity while rushing to get ready or in the car on the way to work. I watched all the cars around me, with people already starting their work day on the phone, drinking their morning comfort, applying makeup and eating breakfast, most carried the look of stress on their face. There are a few things I miss about not working at the company I dedicated myself to for so many years, but that is not one of them. I do miss the wonderful people… but many are still in my life and with Facebook and email, we are only a fingertip away. I do miss the money…

But what I have gained is priceless… I now enjoy my coffee.

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My Gallery Wall

It’s done… my gallery wall is done! I call it a gallery wall, but really it is not in a real gallery, it’s just in my parlor office :)… and since I have limited wall space with all the built-ins and windows, I had to limit the size of the images. Amanda is the star – she is not too happy about that, but it is one of my favs! The before pictures are here.

Surrounding her are some of my favorite images of seniors, families, kids, weddings, etc…

I had a great time doing it and secured them all with 3M velcro frame strips to make easy access for image changes and to save my plaster walls. My house has a tendency to be dark and on these dark rainy days, it is even darker, but that makes it cozy and perfect for cuddling in my velvet purple chair (hard to see in this pic) as I read with my tea. This is my favorite corner of the house.

I had to work around the built-in sconce and love the glow it gives the pictures around it.

With the left over images that did not find a place on my wall gallery, I created a collage by my desk…

And added some to a photo album…

A few of the images are printed on metallic paper, cool stuff! Makes the colors pop even more. I want to help my clients get a high quality product with less expense, so have tried different print services to find the one I like the best and that my clients have access to without having to go through me each time they want a print.

Some day I will have samples of all the products that can be ordered… but this is a great start. Hope you enjoyed it :D.

Have a great day on this cold rainy Northwest day… I am one of the weird ones who actually likes days like this (granted they are not EVERY day).
xoxoxo

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Graffiti Wall – Alice in Wonderland Update

Our family saw Alice in Wonderland this past weekend… favorite line: “I think I must be bonkers”… the response “all the best people are”.

On Tuesday, March 6, the Alice in Wonderland graffiti wall on Market Street, downtown Tacoma was finally completed! I was able to capture pictures of their progress and then the final masterpiece. You can see the first stage here, if you missed it.

As far as I could tell there was a total of 4 working on this wall at various times.

They have amazing talent and we are blessed to have them share it with us.

I have enjoyed watching the images develop and transform.

Just when I think they are done with a section, I come back the next day to find more detail added.

Up close and personal with art…

… the last time we saw these guys they had light green clothing on…

And drum roll please… it’s finally done and it’s AMAZING!!!  Grab some coffee next door at Satellite or a smoothy at Smooth&Juicey… Joe says the PB&J smoothy is to die for!

The detail is just incredible.

… so cool! What a masterpiece, don’t you think?

Some of the same artists painted the characters from the movie UP on the graffiti garages down on Broadway … you might want to check those out too, but they are filled with cars during the week, so wait for the weekend and maybe you will catch some new pieces as the artists are developing them.

Awesome work!!!! Can’t wait to see more.

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Scavenger Hunt # 8 – Reflection

Had a little fun with this one! Took about 2 minutes :D… I used the wide angle at ISO 800, Aperture 2.8 and Shutter Speed 80.

So, I present you, the SPOON… a reflection of Amanda… and I’m in there too :D.

Next Theme Challenge: Everyday, something you see everyday

Have a great Sunday night and remember to love the one next to you!
xoxoxo

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