Category Archives: Photography

Halloween – Better Late Than Never

Things have been a little quiet on the blog lately. Work has been busy and I honestly haven’t been taking many personal photos. I’m waiting for inspiration to bite me but I’m starting to feel as though I might need to kick it into gear with a special project. Or maybe some upcoming travel will do the trick. Now that the weather is turning there’s a danger that I might go into hibernation and the camera will gather dust on the weekends. I’m trying to fight that natural impulse.

At least I have a few Halloween photos and it’s better late than never, right? It was a dark and rainy (not quite stormy) night so I managed about 5 blurry photos before heading home to hand out candy. The boys dressed as a Timbers supporter and a soccer player – so basically the same clothes they wear every day which makes for a cheap and easy halloween. Although I did have to let go of the disappointment when I realized I wouldn’t see a cute little George Washington walking the neighborhood. Our revolutionary war obsession was SO three months ago.

I dressed as a witch for the fifth year in a row but Samuel made me promise to dress up as something different next year. Maybe I’ll make him a deal and dress as Martha Washington if he agrees to go as George. I have a few months to think about it.

Here are the few photos I captured of our crew wandering the neighborhood and the one annual obligatory “stand for a photo at the door before I give you candy” photograph. The thing I love about this annual photo is that it’s so easy to see the passage of time behind the costumes. These children who used to be babies are now independent little people – little people with their own, very strong ideas about what they want to dress as for Halloween.

And a comparison, just for fun.

Off to shed a tear or two…

Wordless Wednesday: Hot Chocolate Season Has Begun

… and soccer season continues. I don’t think I’ve taken a photo of them in anything other than a soccer jersey over the past 6 months.

Local Portland Tip: The hot chocolate from Coffeehouse Northwest on Burnside is so good that I felt guilty giving it to my children – like I was sharing some sort of elicit drug. There were exclamations of “This is SO good, mum!” and “this is REAL chocolate” while their little eyes sparkled in delight. I think we’ll be back.

Wordless Wednesday: Wonderball

Last weekend I was afforded the opportunity to volunteer as a photographer at the Children’s Cancer Association’s Annual Hero Gala. The theme for this year was Wonderball which lent itself to a fantastical carnival atmosphere filled with stilt walkers, acrobats, carnival games, face painting, a steampunk band, a marching band and so much more. It was a fabulous event that raised a lot of money for an organization that helps give joy to so many people who are going through the darkest times of their lives. I feel honored to be able to have contributed to this cause in my own small way.

Summer Postcard: Sand in The City

A few weeks ago (oh gosh, it was probably months ago now), I took the kids downtown to check out the annual Sand in the City contest. I love our city and will pretty much look for any opportunity to catch the train downtown (or drive if we’re lazy) to visit Powells or check out a photo gallery or just to see what’s going on. There’s an energetic vibe in the city during the Summer time that’s only beaten by the vibe at Christmas (I LOVE Christmas in Portland).

Although I have lived here for more than 10 years, this was my first visit to Sand in the City.

At first the kids weren’t overly impressed but then they started to spot some of their favorite characters from the Lego movie…

and Star Wars…

…and, of course, once they started they couldn’t stop pointing out their favorite sand sculptures. I wonder what drew them to this one?

You can’t beat a little family-friendly fun in Portland.

Wordless Wednesday: A New School Year

First grade and third grade. They refused to take a photo outside the school but I was lucky enough to catch them before we left the house. They had their arms around each other in every single photo.

And a wide view so you can appreciate the care Samuel took to match his shorts to his new sneakers. That kid’s not afraid to make an impression. Even his T-shirt glows in the dark.

It’s going to be a great year, I can feel it.