An Afternoon in Verrado

I spent my last session in Phoenix with this super cute family in the just-as-cute neighborhood of Verrado. As soon as Robbie got out of the car he saw a butterfly, and we spent the rest of our time together searching high and low for polka dot, striped, and spider-eating butterflies in between shots. We never did find any, but I'm sure it's not impossible. Maybe next time we'll find one.

Robbie was such a great model, and was so excited to see Madagascar 2 once we were finished. I'm sure it was even better than he imagined. Once I got every smile out of him that I could, we turned him loose on the playground and got some shots of Mom & Dad together. They couldn't look any better together, and I love the color palette Heather chose for everyone!

Here's a tip: Having trouble deciding what to wear for your session? Do what Heather did. Choose a super cute, brightly patterned piece for one of your kids, and the pull colors from that pattern for everyone else. The end result? A perfectly harmonious range of bright color where each individual is unique, and not matching every other member of the family.

And I'll leave you with some good news. Although this is the last of the November Phoenix sessions, I will be back in the area next weekend (Dec. 12-15) and am booking sessions! If you would like to make an appointment, email me soon because sessions are limited!

A Family Session With Family

While I was in Phoenix a couple weeks ago, I was able to do a session with some family. My cousin was in town from Tennessee the same weekend, with her husband, for her 10 year high school reunion. So we took advantage of it, and got her family all together for a session.

The hard part about growing up is the separation that often comes in physical miles. My cousin, Rebecca, was born just three weeks before Robyn and I were. My family lived in Phoenix until I was 12, and for those 12 years, every holiday was packed with lots and lots of family. There's something about going back there (especially around the holidays) that causes me to revert to childhood. And as we sat around at brunch and talked about our careers, and marriage, and when we were going to have children, I couldn't help but remember the time Michael was raking leaves in the front yard of my grandparent's house. Robyn, Rebecca and I hid on the side of the house until the pile was nice and big, and he was very nearly finished. At the right moment, when his back was turned, we made a line drive straight for the middle of it. After two or three times of this, Michael threw his rake down, and stormed inside. And we immediately ran to the backyard and hid behind the shed from the expected wrath of our parents.

Today, both grandparents are gone, and that house is now home to another family. But the memories will always be there.

That's what I love about family.

This first series was actually at the very end of the session, and it is very much my aunt and uncle. I told them to stand over there and give a little smooch, and the laughter started because my uncle had apparently just eaten a very strong onion burger before the session. And the remnants were still very strong on his breath. It's my favorite series from the whole day.

Stacey & Jonathan

Let me introduce you to the most picture-perfect family you'll ever meet. This session was originally planned as family session, and then turned into a mini-engagement session at the end of the shoot.

Earlier this summer, Stacey found herself with Jonathan on one knee trying to propose. I say trying because he was so overcome with emotion, he could only choke out "will you?" between tears. I don't care who you are--that's so cute!

Stacey and Jonathan will officially be Mr. and Mrs. in just a few short weeks, and he is such a great fit into the family! You can tell the kids really love him, and Stacey is head over heels for him.

I don't need to say that he very much reciprocates it all and then some. You can see it for yourself in his face.

Sunday Teaser

I was about to title this post "Weekend Update" but that was too close to SNL and, alas, I'm not that funny.

I just have this one shot to tease you with from a very fun shoot I had downtown. The rest of the images are in-process of being edited and will be displayed shortly.

Also, there is a new Ethni Photography & Design page on Facebook! It's sort of the hub of all things Ethni. There you can view not only recent portrait favorites (wedding favorites are coming soon) but also my graphic design album, and an album of designs housed in the Ethni Paper Shoppe. I will be periodically highlighting the websites of missions organizations, and informing you of ways you also can give back. Click here to become a fan, and while you are there, read about the current highlighted organization: One Million Can.

You will also notice that the intro photo features a new version of my logo. Just consider that an additional teaser into some changes ahead. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Cherished Friends, Cherished Memories

This family is one of my favorites, which made our session together so fun. Unlike most of my posts, this one will be somewhat light with text. Partly because it's nearly midnight, and partly because my poor brain has had a little too much action recently (see the post below).

However, I will say that Josh and I have truly fallen in love with this family, and they have proven to be really great friends to us. The shoot was fun (even though we came across the rattlesnake I talked about in a previous post), and ended with an outdoor table at a yummy restaurant (with false promises of a milk shake for the girls). I'll admit the food was good even though they gave Josh creamer for his coffee that expired two months prior... But the company made the evening, and I think by the end of the night I had brainwashed Sophia into deciding she wanted to be a photographer when she grew up. (Although I'm nearly certain the thought has already left her adorable little mind.)

And with that, I'm off to put this weary brain to bed.

Ila Turns One!

I last photographed Ila back in January, and I had the pleasure of another shoot with her last week. We ventured outside as the thunder rumbled overhead, and managed to get in an hour before the rain came. I couldn't have asked for better lighting! The hazy smoke from the California fires, paired with some heavy clouds to the north created some nice, warm light as the sun fought its way through. The first shot is from the last session I had with Ila, and the rest are of Ila now, as a walking one year old!

Celebrate Summer with Ethni Photography!

There's something about summer that just makes people... happier. Maybe it's the tan skin that causes faces to glow. Or the pure joy of running outside without shivering and pulling the hat over your frozen ears. Either way, it's here, along with the shouts of Marco Polo in the pool, and the lazy summer evenings with faint smells of barbecue in the air.

Today you can add one more item to that list: Celebrating Summer with Ethni Photography!

Book your session before August 1, 2008, to take advantage of a special summer session fee of $175, as well as other special summer incentives!

Because the best seasons in life have to be celebrated... even something as simple as summer finally hitting Central Oregon!

Warning: Long Post Ahead!

From the first moment I lay eyes on a photograph of little Hudson, I knew I had to get my camera on him. The problem was, his big baby blues were across the pond in Hawaii. So I waited, and drooled, and gushed to his mom over his photos whenever I had the chance. Finally, the day came when I got the good news. I was sitting in a booth at the Huckleberry Inn in Government Camp, enjoying my freshly cooked French Dip sandwich, killing time before shooting at a wedding at Timberline Lodge when I saw I had a voicemail. With my mouth full of food, I wiped the crumbs from my hands, held down 1 until the phone connected and almost choked when I heard the words.

"Janer Baner! We're coming to Corvallis and we want you to do some family portraits of us!"

Josh nearly had the remnants of some half-chewed French Dip goodness all over his face when I listened to it. I was thrilled! And it was to be on my birthday! What a present! As the weeks went by, their three-person, one hour family session turned into a six person session with Caila's parents and brother. From there, it quickly turned into a 17-person extended family reunion, two hour portrait session set at her grandparent's wheat farm in Lebanon. The timing was perfect. But as the day grew closer, weather.com was quickly becoming my enemy.

By the time Saturday rolled around, the forecast was grim. Showers steady from 10am on, and thunderstorms in the afternoon with a 60% chance of rain all day. I prayed for two days. As I got up that morning, I prayed. As we drove over the pass and into Corvallis, with blue skies peeking between the clouds, I prayed. This was a family gathering together from California, Hawaii, Salem and Albany. And it was set to rain. But by 2:00, I was astounded. Not one drop of rain had fallen, and the skies were absolutely clear. So clear in fact, that I prayed again. (I love that God has a sense of humor!) We had yet another discussion.

"Ok Lord. This is awesome that you answered my prayer verbatim. Thank You for Your faithfulness! However... You created photography. And while this sunshine is beautiful. we're set for a 3:00 photo shoot and You know the light will be a little harsh. A little bit of cloud cover might be nice..."

As we pulled into the driveway that had marked the entrance to the family property since 1954, I was speechless at the incredible landscape in front of my eyes. And I couldn't help but smile at the high clouds that had started to formed overhead.

God is good. And He is so faithful to answer our prayers. The result is quite possibly my favorite shoot to date. It helps that it was with people that we love, and who love the Lord as much as we do.

Here are just a few of the many from that afternoon.

Hudson had just started walking a few days before the shoot. As soon as his wobbly little legs were under him, he was off. Arms outstretched, trying in vain to walk straight, and concentrating with all his might to get to his target destination without face planting. This shot pretty much sums it all up:

I had to include this one because in this shot alone, 110% of Caila's dramatic personality is wrapped up in Hudson's little 10 month old body. Knowing her well, and having known her for nearly nine years now, this shot makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Birthday Re-Cap

It's amazing how quickly your birthday sneaks up on you as an adult. As a child, the countdown to my birthday started back in March. Planning the perfect party (that my twin sister and I both had to agree on), asking for the perfect presents, and being queen for the day. Well.. Queen "A" at least. Between building the June issue of True North, a full schedule of shoots this month, and still working 40 hours a week, my birthday snuck up very quickly. And there was no resting on this day.

Josh woke me up at 7am with my signature Starbucks drink in one hand and a pumpkin scone in the other. He always knows the way to my heart. We were on the road by 8, en route to Corvallis to give back a friend's hot tub we had been babysitting for a few months. Yep, you heard right. One of my best girlfriends took her hot tub away from me on my birthday. The nerve! Another (more faithful) friend had us over for some homemade enchiladas for lunch, and her kids greeted me at the door with a flurry of handmade cards drawn with crayon on construction paper. One of them even had a box of Skittles Bubble Gum taped to it. You know you're loved when a five year old gives you their precious Skittles gum!

But the highlight of my day ended up being in Lebanon, Oregon of all places. I'll tell the story later in the week with a sample of photos from the shoot, but this is how I spent my afternoon. Amazing location with one of my favorite couples.

Birthdays are good. And this one happened to be extra good. Tonight I'm counting my blessings... and realizing I don't have enough fingers.

Portland Mini-Sessions

When I was in Portland last weekend for the wedding (the photos from which will actually make my blog someday...) I spent my Saturday morning downtown on 23rd. I love it down there. When I was in high school, we used to drive down there for lunch, grab some pizza at the New York pizza place, and take it up to Washington Park to eat. Great memories. Anyway, there were so many little nooks, crannies, alleyways, walls, stairs, and porches crying out the attention of my camera!

So for all you Portland dwellers, I will be in town in a few weeks! If you're in need of a great Father's Day gift, contact me to snag one of the 20 minute mini-sessions I'll be having while I'm up there!

THE DETAILS:
Sunday, June 1st :: 4pm - 6pm :: Downtown Portland :: $75
***Edited for a typo. Sessions are June 1, not May 31.***

The location is yet to be determined. More detailed information will be sent to you via email the week before the shoot.

Below are a few shots I snagged of the friends I met for an early lunch last Saturday. Ethan is so precious! And I can't forget the sweet Vespa store down there--how can you walk by and not take a photo of the colorful goodness?

I Get to Work with the Nicest People

"...I am looking so forward to meeting you. I have wanted a nice family photograph for years now. This is the perfect timing and I believe you are the perfect one to be doing it!"

I get to work with the best people! I got the sweetest email from a portrait client yesterday. Shortly after posting about still honoring the session I was going to donate for the Dara Hatcher auction, Dara's aunt (of all people) contacted me. She was looking for my gift certificate at the auction to bid on it, and then saw my post afterwards. I'm so pleased to not only be able to still donate to the cause, but to sort of be doing a two-fold blessing for the family! Anyway, we've been trying to nail down some dates, and I received this email from her. It put some sunshine in my day, so I thought I would share. Happy Wednesday!

Celebrating Adoption: Jadon

I had a session with Jadon and his parents a few weeks ago to celebrate their adoption. As a member of the Celebrating Adoption organization, I am donating a limited number of free portrait sessions a month to families who have added to their family through adoption in the last year. Although I have three sessions for March, I will be limiting appointments to two per month starting in April.

Here are two of my favorites from the session:

Dara Hatcher Auction

What would you do if the unthinkable happened…

Somewhere between remembering to sign up your child for soccer, picking up more eggs, and seeing the doctor for the headaches you've been having, you were told you have a rare brain tumor. That is just the news that Dara Hatcher received a few weeks ago. Since then, the Dara Hatcher Foundation has been created, and the funds raised will be used to help enable Dara (a single mother) and her son, Dante, to remain in their home, cover Dara's COBRA payments, and assist with the payment of her mounting medical bills. Also, a fundraising auction will be held for Dara in a few weeks:

Tuesday, March 11th, 5-7pm
Deschutes Brewery, Mountain Room
901 SW Simpson Avenue
Bend, Oregon

I'll be there, and will be auctioning off a portrait session to the highest bidder! Please join me--put it down on your calendar, pay the $20 at the door to get in, and open your wallets to a great cause!

Mother's Day Gift Certificates

Mother's Day is still 12 weeks away, but it's never too soon to plan for that special gift! Send your wife out for a few hours with a friend, and book a session to have portraits taken with your children. Every mother loves that shot of her baby sleeping on her husband's chest! Planning ahead will allow for plenty of time to turn your secret session into a custom-designed coffee table book she will treasure for years to come! Or, if you're a relative or a friend, purchase a gift certificate for a mother in your life, and receive a $50 coupon towards a portrait session of your own! With the 25% donation from every session fee to missions, the gift is two-fold!

Sessions are limited, so book early!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! It's amazing to me how quickly things come and go--this holiday was no exception. I feel like life is on fast forward and the slow down button is broken! This Christmas, we were lucky enough to actually have my husband's family come to us, and everyone actually was able to make it! It's been years since they had a good family portrait, so the boys were gracious enough to put on their black and their jeans and act as models for me! I love the last picture--Hannah is the youngest of the Johnson clan, and I love how her brothers surround her and she's just tickled pink in the middle of them. Lord help her first boyfriend! And, might I add that my husband took the picture of me with his mom and sister. He has a hidden gifting that he doesn't realize yet!

An unexpected Christmas surprise was waiting for me when I got up yesterday morning: a few days ago, bludomain.com did a call for self portraits 125x125 pixels--they had something special planned for Christmas. I got on their blog and was joyfully surprised to see my self portrait among the 30 chosen winners out of 467 entries! Go check it out: I'm in the third row! I find out sometime today what my prize is. I never win anything!!

Anyway, it was a wonderful holiday, worshiping our Saviour, spending time with family, another perfect turkey and even snow in the afternoon. Thank You Lord for sending your Son to die for me that I might have an incredible relationship with You! Merry Christmas--may Jesus continue to bless you and your family!!