Ok, so I have photographed sweet little Adelynn since I did her mommy’s maternity photos. I think I see the Valenta family about every 2 1/2 months or so for photoshoots, and I never get tired of photographing them! I can’t believe that Addy is a year old already…it went by so fast! We got together at Redondo Beach for some family portraits and then headed to my house for some first birthday cake smash photos. She is SO CUTE!
She got tired of us making her sit there…..
…until we brought out her cake!
Addy has realized what a fun place my house is…she gets to come over, eat cake, and then play in the BATHTUB!
Happy Birthday baby girl! See you again soon!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, time has gone by fast! I have known Kendall for years, now, and here we are, getting ready for her to graduate! EEK!!!!! I’m so proud of her!
And can you believe our luck with weather? It was freaking FEBRUARY and she was in a skirt and sandals. I love it when the weather-gods smile on me!
WARNING: There are a-thousand-ty photos in this blog because Kendall is just too darn cute and I loved every single photo we got!
Kendall really wanted glitter photos. I didn’t realize how hard it is to photograph the stuff. I also wasn’t prepared for the look of scorn I received from my camera-cleaning guys for having glitter INSIDE my camera. I think it was worth my embarrassment, though…
Yup, those are her baby pictures hanging from the tree, inspired by a Kerri Underwood music video. Stroke of genius!
*GIGGLE!*
Aren’t her eyes gorgeous?!?
Kendall is a ballroom dancer, so I had her show me some moves…
And of course, we had to photograph her TOM’s.
Kendall, this photoshoot was so much fun I can hardly stand it. I’m so proud of you for graduating. HUGS!!!!!!!
It’s my favorite time of year…the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb! If you’ve been following my work for a while, you’ll remember my blogs from past years (2011 and 2010) and you know how much I LOVE LOVE this event.
On Sunday, March 11, 2012, 1,550 firefighters representing 291 departments from 24 US states, Canada and Germany competed in this timed race to the top of the Columbia Center in full combat gear and self contained breathing apparati (SCBA). This unique event is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world. At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center (formerly Bank of America Tower) in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city. The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. In 2011, the event featured over 1,500 firefighters from 281 different departments and brought in a record $930,000 for blood-cancer research and patient services.
This is such an emotional event. Most of the firefighters who are climbing have a reason for climbing; maybe they’ve lost a family member or a friend to cancer. Maybe they are a cancer survivor themselves. Or maybe they just know of someone who’s life has been greatly affected by this horrible disease. Nonetheless, every year I cry at least 12 times during this event. I am in the presence of true heroes…heroes who are coming together in the fight against cancer.
This year was a little different for me. I brought an actual CREW with me! I’ve never run a “team” before at an event, so this was a first for me. I am incredibly grateful to my team of amazing girls: Erin Rily, Daisy King, Anita Decker and Jesse Phillips. I don’t know what I would have done without them…I was SICK AS A DOG on the day of the climb. Doesn’t that just figure? My favorite event of the year, and I happen to get what can only be described as “The Plague.” Fortunately the girls were totally on top of their game, and together we were able to cover the entire event. The complete event day photos can be seen HERE.
Ok, enough yammering…ON TO THE PHOTOS! First, check out the highlights on the video:
Columbia Tower: “The Beast” in all her glory.
This is just a small taste of the wonderful chaos of the day:
This year’s honored patient, Lilli Skinner-Trippe, passed away before the climb. Her parents led the first battalion to the starting line carrying a gorgeous photo of their baby girl.
Headed up to the starting line!
The anticipation, worry, excitement and anxiety at the starting line is super intense. It’s one of my favorite place to photograph at the event.
And then they begin their trek up all those stairs…..
The firefighters stop at the 40th floor, where they are met by members of their department to help them change out their oxygen tanks. Since this is a race and everyone wants to beat their time, this is a fast moving, chaotic moment of trying to switch their tanks in the shortest amount of time possible.
The view from floor 73, the observation deck at the Columbia Tower.
Some guys are exhausted by the time they cross that finish line….
…and other waltz up there like it’s NOTHING.
Thanks SO much to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for asking us to document this WONDERFUL event.
A HUGE thank you to my crew of amazing girls, who worked their BUTTS off to get amazing photos. You ladies are awesome!
And lastly, THANK YOU to the amazing men and women who climb every year to help KICK CANCER’S BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You loved the pictures and video. My son was one ran it the climb agian this year. It is Awesome ..
My the way he is Joey Wallberg from Selah, Washington.
This was our sons 3rd. year doing the climb. Each year he has cutoff a few mins. As he says it is not a speed race for him but taking part in the getting money together to fight this cancer. We are very proud of him..Keith Zweigle from Pateros,Washington
I would like to purchase some pictures from you. Its great that you do this because we are to busy to get the good pics. And maybe a little to tired. (398).
These are all great, but I particularly love the beach photos!
So cute!!! I love cake smash photos! Her tutu was adorable!