Spokane Family Photographer / Mommy & Me Day at the Studio

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I've never done this before, but I decided to have a free walk-in day for Mom's and their children for a Mother's Day special. It was a quick and simple shoot to capture them together. Moms always seem to be the ones taking pictures, rarely in them, unless of course holding a cell phone out and hope the kids (and Mom) look o.k.! This was just a fun chance to capture a more frame worthy photo without planning, scheduling and purchasing a whole session. I had a lot of fun doing it and will hopefully do this and some other similar things in the future! Here are a few favorites from the day. Mommy and MeMother's Day photosmommy photos in studio

Spokane Engagement Photographer / Jessica and Cole in Downtown Spokane

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Jessica and Cole came over from Seattle to work on some wedding details and we were able to squeeze in their engagement session (and just in time before I had baby!). There were so many good ones of these two, it was hard to narrow any down.

Baby Axel is here!

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I just visited my blog and realized I haven't posted anything since November! I guess with the holidays, selling and buying a house, moving, and the last months of pregnancy kept me busy enough along with the sessions I should've been posting. I have tons of sessions I could post, but I'll start with one photo of our newest addition: Axel Jeffrey Belyea, born on February 17th at 12:23am, 8 lbs 1 oz, 19 in. I'll be taking the month of March off from shooting to stay home and enjoy him and get used to 2 kids, but don't hesitate to contact me if you need to during this time!

 

Spokane Engagement Photographer / Raelena and Kyle at Finch Arboretum

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Friends of ours, Raelena and Kyle, are finally engaged and planning their big event! Fall is Raelena's favorite time of year, so we were sure to get these done before the leaves were gone. Such pretty colors! We also were able to stop at the reception location for a few photos.

Spokane Engagement Photographer / Megan and Alex at Finch Arboretum and Downtown

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Cute couple - Megan and Alex! And small world... Megan grew up in the same city as me in Anchorage, AK and moved to the same city as I did to go to school, Spokane. Now she lives in the same town I was born in, Lewiston, ID. I love how small this world can be! Looking forward to their wedding in Spokane next August!

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Julie and Jamie at Beacon Hill

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After 12.5 years Julie and Jamie are finally married! October 6, 2012 was the big day at Beacon Hill. Not being from Spokane, the majority of their family and friends had to travel to be here, but so many of them would have never missed this moment! They had clear blue skies and warm weather (until the sun went down... and probably not warm at all in the opinions of the travelers from warmer climates!). They honored Chinese tradition with a tea ceremony for their family following the ceremony. The bride and groom greet and serve tea to their relatives. Julie and Jamie had made just about everything at their wedding. They both contributed with all the DIY projects and had spent the last several months making and prepping these items together. Julie even made bouquets and boutonnieres! They are such a great couple together and they couldn't stop smiling at each other all day! It was a wonderful day to be a part of. I've also had Gangnam Style stuck in my head for a couple days since it was played 3 times, haha! :)  Make-up: The Make-Up Studio, Hair: Salon Concepts, Florist: Fleur De Provence, Cake: Just American Desserts, DJ: Complete Music

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Jessica and Ryan at Glover Mansion

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The Glover Mansion was a perfect venue for this couple, Jessica and Ryan, last weekend. They had the best of both worlds with an outside ceremony and an indoor reception for the rest of the evening, as the weather gets chillier now. Jessica looked beautiful and Ryan's occasional tears throughout the day showed how happy he was. Everything Jessica picked for her wedding day was so perfect and went wonderful together. Wine bottles that guests signed for the couple to drink at big anniversaries - what a cute idea! Their reception was definitely the highlight starting with their plated dinners served by Glover Mansion. Then to the lively dance party thanks to the fun bride and groom that danced the night away and Complete Music.

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Mackenzie and Joshua at St. Als and Dance Street Ballroom

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Mackenzie and Joshua held their ceremony on September 21st at beautiful St. Als, where Mackenzie's mom actually works as the wedding coordinator. We did all their photos nearby on Gonzaga campus and had plenty of photo ops. They are both so easy going and I enjoyed capturing Mackenzie's smile and her laughing the most. She had such an elegant look and had some wonderful friends, that happened to be pros, to keep up on her make-up all day and make her hair just perfect. As you can see with the photos I chose below I was definitely drawn to include her and her smile in nearly all of them. Beautiful flowers were designed by Mike with Beau K. We ended the evening at Dance Street Ballroom for the reception. Couple of Chefs catered their dinner with tons of variety of food and also provided their cake and cupcakes. I've also had the pleasure of sipping on Dutch Bros. Coffee while working on their photos the last few days thanks to them! Mackenzie works there and I was given an extra thank you gift card from them, which I have almost completely used up already! :) Thank you so much for the special treat!

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Tara and Brandon at The Davenport Hotel

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Tara and Brandon had a beautiful wedding at The Davenport Hotel on Saturday. The Davenport is beautiful in itself, so it's the perfect place for an elegant wedding. Tara had The Presidential Suite to get ready in, which is HUGE, and their ceremony in the Isabella Ballroom with the reception in the Grand Pennington. Brandon's daughter, Olivia, was the perfect flower girl and definitely stole the attention on the dance floor with her awesome dance moves. Tara and Brandon left for Vegas for their honeymoon, being that they met during a Poker Tournament and Brandon is a dealer... Vegas is their perfect getaway for these two! Win BIG! :)

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Stefanie and Paul in Newman Lake, WA

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I had the privilege of photographing Alissa's little sister's wedding on Saturday. Alissa is a good friend of mine and also another local photographer! Her sister Stefanie married her long time boyfriend, Paul, in the backyard of their home in Newman Lake. Their backyard was transformed into the perfect wedding venue and it couldn't have worked out better. Shasta Hankins did all the girls' make-up, Marsells made the cake and Charley's Catering catered their dinner. Stefanie and Paul have been together for quite some time and have a beautiful family. They have three adorable kids together! I think their friends and family were happy to see them make the union they already had together a bit more official. :)

Thank you Alissa for trusting me with your sister's memories! And thank you Stefanie for being an awesome bride!

Slideshow:

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Krista and Dustin at Deer Lake

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Krista and Dustin have a special place in their heart for their times at Deer Lake, so it was the perfect location to celebrate their marriage. Their ceremony took place at Deer Lake Resort in a grassy area facing the lake and then moved indoors for the reception at Eagles Nest. Krista kept realizing how weird it was that she wasn't stressed or nervous about anything that day, which means she couldn't have been more happy and in the moment. In the end she knew Dustin was there and that's all that really mattered. Her son also expressed how happy he was to have Dustin in their lives and to become a family! So sweet! Slideshow:

 

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Kalie and Travis at Arbor Gate

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Kalie and Travis had the finale of weddings at Arbor Gate last Friday and I was honored to be there. My husband has known Travis his whole life, growing up in Nine Mile together, and also has known Candy (owner of Arbor Gate) his whole life, with his parents being good friends of theirs. Needless to say I knew quite a few people at this one! There were 300 people there to celebrate this amazing day with them. Kalie's vision of purple, yellow and mason jars came together perfectly after a year and a half of planning. Everything was perfect down to the girls being pampered at The Davenport, limo rides, the beautiful venue, decor, food, cupcakes, music and most of all their friends and family there to share the day with them. I'm so happy for these two. They have both waited patiently, through school and all, for this time to come and now they are finally a married couple! :) I'm looking forward to seeing them grow and what the future holds for them. Love you guys! Congrats!!!

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Michelle and Albert at The Davenport Hotel

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Michelle and Albert held an intimate ceremony and reception at The Davenport Hotel. A smaller wedding allows things to be fancier than ever! Their centerpieces and decor were simply extravagant and they were able to do a sit down plated dinner for their guests. With Albert's family not being from here they had many people come from out of town to celebrate this day with them. Michelle and Albert actually live in Las Vegas now and even though they only got here days before their wedding I was able to photograph their engagement session 3 days before the big day! It was great getting to know them as a couple and see how happy they are together. Their wonderful vendors also made this day perfect: Shasta Hankins for make-up, The Art of Flower, Complete Music and Celebrations Bakery and of course The Davenport Hotel. Michelle brought her beautiful dress from Las Vegas and don't miss her oh so fancy red bottom glitter heels!

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Seanna and Matt at Spokane Country Club

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Seanna and Matt waited for the ceremony at St. Joseph's Parish to see each other for the first time that day. They both had big smiles on their faces. I couldn't get over how Seanna's hair, make-up and dress combined all together gave her this amazing timeless and classic look about her. After the ceremony we headed to the Spokane Country Club for their reception. I can't recall seeing so many food options in one spot before, including crab legs! They also included creme brulee and chocolate mousse along with their cake by Happy Cake. The flowers were done by Allen and Green Floral, make-up by The Make-Up Studio, hair by Annie at Green Salon and Traks DJ Service as their party starter. Gorgeous day for this couple!

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Kelly and Jeremy at Spokane Convention Center

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What a fun couple! Kelly and Jeremy's wedding was August 4th and they were so excited to finally have this day arrive. Kelly didn't stop smiling all day! We started at The Davenport Hotel for the getting ready photos and the exciting first look moment. Pure emotion on their faces as you can see in the photos. Then we made our way through downtown ending at the Convention Center where the ceremony and reception took place. The whole wedding party walked together stopping for photos along the way... not to mention stopping for some Fireball shots too! Yes, this was a fun group! I knew the party would not end early that night. I know good times and memories were made that day and they will talk about it for decades. I also get to see Kelly and Jeremy tomorrow for their trash the dress session! Slideshow:

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Sami and James at Scharelant on Lake Coeur d'Alene

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With as quickly as this wedding was planned I don't think any details were missed here! So many fun ideas and decor this couple had. I'm so happy I was available for this small intimate ceremony. I couldn't have asked for a better day, venue and bride and groom to photograph. Aside from the perfect day, I could tell this couple were happy to just be together and be married at the end of the day! Congrats Sami and James, thanks for including me in your day! Slideshow:

Wedding was located at a beautiful venue set up for smaller intimate weddings along with corporate retreats, meetings, workshops and romantic overnight stays. Scharelant overlooks Lake Coeur d'Alene.

 

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Lauren and Cris at Glover Mansion

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Lauren and Cris had a simple church wedding at Hamblen Park Presbyterian on July 22nd, with a reception to follow at the beautiful Glover Mansion. The day was laid back and went smoothly with photos at the Mansion before heading to the Church. The Mansion was packed with their friends and family filling the tables upstairs and down. They had a unique dinner served with the chefs flipping and serving their guest's choice of pasta and sauce right in front of them. I don't think Lauren and Cris would've changed anything about their special day, it went perfectly! Slideshow...

Spokane Wedding Photographer / Krista and Tom at Beacon Hill

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Krista and Tom were married at Beacon Hill on June 30th. I've been downloading all their photos ever since while finding some for the blog and slideshow. I've had a hard time choosing because there were soooo many and very few I wanted to skip over, but I finally did it! Everything was so colorful and the overcast weather gave some pretty light. We did get sprinkled on throughout the day, but that didn't stop anything! Krista had Shasta Hankins do her make-up, The Art of Flower for all the centerpieces and bouquets, and Complete Music as their DJ. Of course Beacon Hill did an amazing job on the wedding and the food! These two had an amazing day, evening and night and then were off to Maui in the early morning the next day. Congrats! Slideshow...