...please deliver to Joshua, my love, care of Japan.

Day 1 from my iPhone...
    







  

So, I just got back up to WA from a fun and adventurous weekend in Bend, Oregon. Which is where I did NOT go snowshoeing in this blizzard:

For the first time since October 2007, I drove in the snow without having even a mild anxiety attack! I credit my car, Lolita, and her few-month-old tires that Mom convinced me to get siped, with giving me the confidence and calm to get around in the snow once more. She gripped the road like nobody's business.

Fun fact: snow days don't really matter when you're self-employed. That's the thing about working for yourself, you can take a day off whenever you want... But really, you NEVER take a day off. I know people like my brother will understand what I'm saying. ;-)

Also, snow is kinda overrated. Yes, it's beautiful but I hate being cold and snow is REALLY cold!

That being said, I'm going snow-shoeing this weekend in Bend and will probably freeze my tush off! But it'll be a fun weekend with my mom, sister, and sister's mother-in-law! So excited! Shout out to my dad who is letting us use his timeshare at Eaglecrest! Stoked! Thanks Da!

And last but not least, I really really really miss my Joshua! But! I should be purchasing a plane ticket real soon! YAY!!!! Thanks everyone. You know who you are! :)

Sometimes I get stressed out about money and bills and equipment and taxes and business and life and howcanieveraffordtovisitmyboyfriendinjapanwhenihaveotherstufftopayfor and blah blah blah... but then... something always happens to remind me that I have the best job in the world and that I get to work with the BEST people. This time, it was Karen and Josh who reminded me of this. And it literally brought me to my knees, sending a prayer of thankfulness to God. I am so blessed! 

My new favorite camera because it's reminiscent of an old classic: the Fujifilm Instax Mini 505s! I call him Fernanado... or Ferni for short. I absolutely adore everything about this camera and can not get over how each picture always seems to turn out perfect. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

It always makes my heart so happy when, on a whim, I open a neglected desk drawer and find a precious treasure, long forgotten under old birthday cards and a layer of dust, a sweet, sweet memory of the past.

But we found some snow!

My boyfriend is in Japan. And will remain in Japan until April. I am a self-employed photographer [who loves her job with a passion] and I do not have a lot of extra money [okay let's be honest, I don't have ANY extra money] for a plane ticket to Japan. But I need a to visit him. For my own sanity and the sanity of everyone who has to come in contact with me. But my birthday is in March... so I might get some extra money then... but if I want to visit said boyfriend who is in said country I would need said extra money BEFORE said birthday to keep said sanity. My solution? The Buy Your 2012 Session For Awesome Photos NOW at Last Year's Price and Help Get Bethany to Japan as a Bonus Special! Or maybe I'll just call it the Japan Special? Sure, that rolls off the tongue a wee bit better. :)

As you know, I posted my prices for 2012 on Thursday... BUT if you want to support love and happiness and help me get to Japan for my birthday to visit my boyfriend AND, you know, get some pretty great photos this year as well... the JAPAN SPECIAL is for you! If you know you're going to want photos this year [and hello, you definitely should be getting some photos done at least once this year] then here's your chance to purchase a session for last year's price:

1 Awesome Person Session [headshots, newborns, seniors, just because, etc.] - $125
2-4 Awesome People Session [engagements, family, friends, etc.] - $175
5+ Awesome People Session - [family, large groups, parties, etc.] $200+

So for everyone who has told me, "We would like to have you do our photos... someday" or thought to themselves "Man, we really need to get some updated photos done" [or any variation thereof], it's time. It's time for you to purchase a session, to plan to finally get those photos done, to make 2012 a well documented year.

How do you purchase the Japan Special? Leave a comment here on my blog or over on the facebook page or e-mail me at B.Raelene@gmail.com letting me know that YES! you want to purchase a 2012 Photo Session at last year's price! I will then let you know where to mail your payment. Also... whoever can tell me first what movie the title of this post is from, can get their second session for HALF OFF OF LAST YEAR'S PRICE! Heeeey-o! 

My soulmate friend had her baby yesterday at 8:18pm! 7 lbs 1 oz. of beautiful, perfect, baby girl. I am so in love and so in complete and utter awe.

First photo session of the year goes to my favorite sister and brother-in-love! Mari and Brian [and my brother Brad and friend Rocio] joined Josh and I [and about 30 other people] at Josh's house for New Year's Eve. [Thanks for coming up guys!] On New Year's Day, we were FINALLY able to do their annual photo session. So no, if you didn't get your holiday card from them yet, it's not because you got dropped from their mailing list, it is simply because we were unable to get together for photos until now! But don't worry, it was worth the wait.... in my humble opinion anyway. :-D

One of my absolute favorite things is when clients send me their wedding invitations, thank you cards, graduation announcements, holiday cards, or whatever they use my photos for. I never really expect it so when I do get one in the mail, it's such a nice surprise and I just LOVE seeing my work being put to use! Here's just a few of the recent ones... a save-the-date, a thank you, and 3 different holiday cards! So cute!

I hope everyone is enjoying time with family as much as I am! I got a new camera (a handy dandy point and shoot!) and will be uploading those photos as soon as I get back to my computer. :) For now, I just wanted to wish everyone a great last week of 2011! And let you know that I'm thinking about running a 2012 new year's special.... Anyone interested???
While you're thinking about it... Enjoy this video that Josh got for Christmas and subscribe to his brother's YouTube channel!




Also, I'm blogging this from the new Blogger ap so if it's a little funky, that's why! :)

You can see the BEFORE pictures HERE and in this post you can see the after pictures... everybody, please welcome sweet baby Russell.

This next photo session is very dear to me... it's Kelsey and Trevor again... and Kelsey's beautiful baby belly! Kelsey is my soulmate-best-friend and one of those people who I just can't live without. Her and her husband Trevor are members of my heart-family... you know, the people who are your family even if they aren't technically related to you. [Well, actually, it turns out Kelsey is in fact related to me, through marriage somehow... her mom is cousin's with my sister's husband's dad! Or something like that!] Anyway, the point is, I love Kelsey and Trevor. Dearly. And that baby that's due to to arrive any day now? I love her more then I can even put into words.

If anybody has a photographer that they're shopping for this holiday season [Hi Mom and Dad!] here are a few gifts ideas that I'm sure any photographer [*cough*especiallyme*cough*] would be happy to find under their Christmas tree...

For all those wedding photographers, I'm sure the would LOVE photographer Jose Villa's Fine Art Wedding book. It can be ordered HERE or probably amazon.com or other book retailers. Jose Villa is an incredible wedding photographer and his book is sure to teach and inspire any and all wedding photographers, aspiring or professional. 

Another good gift to inspire and educate is the Life Finder DVD's by photographer Jeremy Cowart. They're even on sale HERE! Jeremy Cowart does incredible commercial work and amazing personal work that always challenges and inspires me to do better and be better.

Any wedding photographer will probably know who Jasmin Star is and if they haven't already bought it for themselves [like I haven't], you should definitely get them a copy of her magazine Exposed, which can be order HERE. I just realized that when you put her name next to her magazine and kinda sounds like it's going to be some sort of risky adult magazine but I assure you that Jasmin Star is an international wedding photographer and her magazine is a "photography magazine showcasing the beginning, struggles, mistakes, lessons, and minor victories". If it's as easy to read and as enjoyable to read as her blog is, I'm sure it will be a well received present. [hint hint]

Of course, if you don't want to buy something educational, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll be safe buying anything from Photojojo.com! There's plenty of small things that would make great stocking stuffers like the Camera Cookie Cutter Set or the wooden iPhone case or there's amazing gifts like the LIMITED EDITION POLAROID SX-70 or the Dreamy Diana Lens  that might just cause a photographer's heart to burst with joy. Remember, I shoot Canon now. :-D

Interested in getting the photographer in your life the latest and greates??? Then you should definitely get them the new Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera! It's the best of both worlds. Check out this hilarious promo that Seattle photographer Chase Jarvis made:

If you still can't decide what to get me... erh, your photographer, and you've run out of time to order any of the above items that I so helpfully listed, there's always the joy of the gift card! Might I suggest a gift card from my favorite camera store, Pro Photo Supply in Portland. There's lenses to buy and/or rent, tons of accessories and equipment to get, prints to be made... and it can all be done at Pro Photo!

So, I happened to run into Vicki on Wednesday at Gospel Meeting [church] and she asked if I was available for family photos on Saturday because it was a rare day when all four of her children would be available to do photos... but I already a session booked for the morning and had to head down to Oregon... but luckily, Vicki's house happens to be on the way to Oregon! And it was totally worth the detour because the Wards are all so kind and sweet and I had so much shooting them... with my camera of course! :)

We started out the session at their beautiful country home... so glad it wasn't raining!

It's that time of year again... when the Clarks and I freeze in the cold winter air, all in the name of family photos. :) Is it worth it? Well... I get to spend an hour shooting some of my absolute favorite people and they get their annual family photos... so yes, I definitely think it's worth it! And this time we went out to Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island which was amazing! I'll definitely be headed back there for more photos, just look at all the cool backdrops!