Just Get Me to Cow Camp

The slogan of sorts for Cow Camp has become "Just get me to Cow Camp" because we're usually desperate to get there. Yes. COW CAMP. No, it's not a fat camp. It's a week of the Montgomery family, wilderness, pancakes, mosquitos, tents, campfires, swimming, tanning, eating, laughing... and this year, a lot of remembering. In a way, I'm looking forward to this year's family camping trip more than any other year but I'm also dreading it like I never have. What's so different about this year? Grammy won't be there. She won't be sitting in her reclining camp chair, reading romance novels with half naked men on the covers, barking out orders for the nearest grandchild to bring her another diet pepsi- don't forget the coozie! She won't be there with her sweatpants tucked into her socks, complaining about the mosquitos and her dirty hair, watching over her six children, entertained by her hordes of grandchildren and asking to hold her two great-grandchildren. I don't know how I'm going to get up every morning without Grammy there to say "Oh look who finally decided to grace us with her presence" when I make my way to the morning campfire. Every time I think about Cow Camp without Grammy, the pressure on my heart builds and the tears well up and my throat burns. How do I go to Cow Camp when it's not really Cow Camp without Grammy? HOW. Maybe it will be healing, maybe I'll get closure, maybe I'll discover how to say goodbye to one of my best friends. Maybe. But somehow, getting there seems to be the hardest part. Grammy, I think I'm going to need your help, if you could, just get me to Cow Camp.


Here's some classic photos of the grandchildren, back when we could still fish with worms...

1986: I'm the baby in the middle, being held by my sister; I would have been only 3 or 4 months old.


1987


1988


1989


1990


1990


1991


1992

Silverdale Children Portraits

One of the best things about being home-schooled? Besides not having to eat the mystery meat from the cafeteria? You don't have to have you school picture taken with the fake tree backdrop. Instead, you get to go to the park and have a fun afternoon with your sisters and get photos like this:

Family Photos, Nanny Photos

You might remember this adorable family from last year, when I took their family photos celebrating the adoption of Samson and Sydney. Well, the twins are two now and cuter than ever! I got to photograph them once more, this time with their nanny, Chelsey, who only had a few weeks left to work at the time of our shoot. This time around, I felt like I was trying to herd chickens because oh my, these two little kids have a TON of energy. I think the next time that I schedule a shoot that involves anyone younger then ten, I will make sure we're in a confined space... or I maybe I should just hit the gym more so I don't get so exhausted chasing kids around. Either way! :-)









I love this. One second before I clicked the shutter, those kids were hugging her. One nanosecond before I clicked the shutter, they were up and running in opposite directions. Ay-yi-yi!






This should probably be an add for nannying:




The parents: Darrin and Jean.








One beautiful, blissfully happy family.


Jean is now a hardworking stay-at-home mom and Chelsey has left to pursue other things. I'm pretty sure she won't be forgotten though and will always have a special place in the heart of this family.

Note to Wedding Officiants

Dear Minister, Priest, Rabbi, internet-ordained friend, Justice of the Peace, and any/all other officiant;

Please, PLEASE, please kindly step off to the side right after you say "You may kiss your bride". Whatever for, you ask? Well, let me tell you. As a photographer, I cringe and shake my head every single time I look at the kiss picture and see half of someone's head behind the kissing couple. In short, YOU ARE RUINING THE SHOT! Don't get me wrong, you are a very important part of the wedding ceremony and I appreciate you being there and doing what you do, but I just don't want you in my shot, especially since it usually ends up being on eyeball of you or just half your smile.

If you could please follow the example of this officiant that I came across on Shade Tree Films blog, I would GREATLY appreciate it. (Watch the entire video to see a gorgeous wedding and an amazing wedding video, or skip ahead to 3:52 to see what I am talking about. Lady, HIGH FIVE to you!) It's such a small thing that you can do but it can make a big difference. Yes, I can photoshop you out, and I have done that many times, like in the photos below, but really, I would much rather not have to do that. Okay? Okay.

Oh behalf of wedding photographers everywhere, I thank you.

McMinnville, Oregon Wedding : Kristin & Jacob

I've known Kristin since I was in 6th grade but I never really KNEW KNEW her. We were friendly but never really friends, you know what I mean? We completely lost touch through high school and beyond but through the magic of facebook, we reconnected just in time for me to become her wedding photographer. I am so glad I got to be a part of her and Jacob's special day. I mean, just look at Kristin... LOOK! She is absolutely stunning and I literally had to stop myself from taking pictures so that they could, you know... get married and all. Their wedding was simply lovely, surrounded by friends and family at the McCabe Chapel in McMinville, Oregon. One of my favorite things is that they found the charming little white chapel on the hill by Krisitin's grandmother's suggestion; it's where she attended church as a child! The chapel was built in 1886, a full 100 years before I was even born! How awesome is that? And how awesome are Kristin and Jacob??? Answer: totally awesome.