A Wallflower First: E-Pics at the Rhododendron Garden

A first, but hopefully not a last! Soon-to-be bride Helen worked at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden before taking her current position at a Seattle-area nursery, and had the great idea of shooting her engagement portraits there with fiance Patrick a few weeks ago. There were a lot of rhodies just starting to peak -- we were like kids in a candy shop!

The RSBG is huge and amazing: 22 acres featuring over 10,000 rhododendrons as well as a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and ferns. We started at the gazebo, which provides a great lookout perch onto the rest of the garden.

Then we wandered down a few of the branching paths, discovering great new portrait settings at every turn.

A swampy pond gave Scott an excuse to lock on his big zoom lens so he could get its smooth green surface in the foreground for shots of Helen and Patrick on a bench -- without having to wade into the murk.

On our way back through the garden, we made use of the nursery, maintenance, and gift shop buildings for a very different look than the natural settings of the garden itself.

Thanks to Helen for introducing us to this garden! It makes a great alternative to Point Defiance Park that we hope to take advantage of again. Helen and Pat, we're looking forward to your upcoming wedding at two of our favorite spots: Kilworth Chapel on the campus of the University of Puget Sound (the alma mater of all four of us) and Union Station, which never disappoints!

May 3: Wallflower Portrait Day at Lakewold Gardens

In our opinion, Lakewold Gardens is one of the most lush, beautiful gardens in the Puget Sound region. It's hard to beat, and it's particularly gorgeous in May. Wallflower has long been a supporter of the gardens and while we often photograph weddings there during the summer, this year Lakewold and Wallflower have teamed up to try something new!

On May 3 from 10:00 to 3:30, as part of Lakewold's annual May Fest, you and your loved ones can get portraits taken in this fabulous space by yours truly for only $27! We'll be donating $10 from each session to the gardens, so this is a great opportunity not only to get a fabulous springtime family portrait, but also to do your part in helping to restore and maintain Lakewold Gardens as the great community resource that it is.

The inaugural Wallflower Portrait Day at Lakewold provides a 15-minute portrait session with award-winning photographer Scott Schoeggl, from which you'll get at least 10 finished images for only $27 including tax (plus the cost of admission to Lakewold Gardens). A few weeks after Wallflower Portrait Day, we'll email you with a link to a website where you can view your portraits and order prints and other products on your own time, from the comfort of your own home.

We're looking forward to offering these mini portrait sessions as a quick, affordable, and easy way to take advantage of Wallflower's relaxed and artistic portrait style in a truly gorgeous setting.

To register for the event, contact Lakewold's Amanda Wood at 253-584-4106. You can also view more details — including a list of other garden events that you can enjoy on the same day — online. We hope to see you there!

Grace "Under Pressure"

It's been a very busy start to spring for us (yes, I'm well aware we've fallen off the blogging bandwagon but I'm back now, I promise!). We've been blessed with many great opportunities to reconnect with previous wedding clients, and the chance to become friends with many new portrait clients, too.

We were thrilled to be invited by 2006 wedding clients Jennifer and Paul to photograph their sweet little daughter Grace, who had just turned six months old at the time of our session. True to her name, Grace held a calm composure throughout the entire session and gave both Scott and I great opportunities to caputre her trademark peeking-tongue smile and other sweet moments among the new family.

Thanks Jen and Paul for inviting us back into your lives! We loved meeting little Gracie and look forward to capturing all the incredible changes and milestones as she continues to grow.

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