portrait
There’s still a chill in the air, but spring has been edging her way into the scene for some time now.
A bloom here, tender green leaves just beginning to unfurl there, quiet explosions of color and birdsong where winter left bare branches not so long ago.
The cycle of birth and rebirth moves on, and untamed Ostara breathes new life into even the most barren of surroundings once again.
Model: Tiffany Mayfield
I moved to Seattle nearly two years ago, and I have to say I've fallen in love with this place.
The sheer variety of gorgeous, photo-shoot-worthy locations in the city alone is staggering. Want an urban feel for your engagement session? There's a spot for that. A windswept beach vibe for a family portrait session? There's a spot for that. How about a perfectly manicured garden in full bloom for a sophisticated senior photography session? There's a spot for that, too.
For this session, I wanted a backdrop that would perfectly complement the vintage feel of this darling pinafore dress, and I think this location was spot on.
Bonus: what child doesn't love throwing pebbles into water or climbing rocks and balancing on giant pieces of driftwood?
The essence of childhood truly comes out in those pure, unguarded moments when a child just lets loose her imagination and plays.
During this portrait session, little Alice looked for pirate ships on the horizon and tossed pebbles into the waves to count their ripples. She ran up and down the small stretch of beach, chasing imaginary dragons up the rocky "mountains" and showing off her amazing twirling skills.
I may not be able to literally freeze her in time and keep her small forever, but she'll always have these photos to look back on and remember the innocent joy of childhood.
"And the rest is rust and stardust."
-Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita
There's something romantic about old things. It's like the rust and dust hold echoes of the past, and I almost feel like I'm stepping through time.
Unsurprisingly, I leapt at the chance to shoot a portrait session in an old railway museum. Most of the trains are in remarkably good condition, and they made an absolutely perfect backdrop
