Soulstice Imagery

Happy Christmas from Soulstice Imagery!

2009-12-25T12:35:00.001-08:00

Together Again

2009-11-12T18:52:00.001-08:00

It’s been one week today since Whatcom Middle School burned and finally our kids are back where they belong: in the classroom! This morning, WMS students were brought together for an all-school assembly at Bellingham High School before heading off to learn the ropes at new schools across the city. A week ago I was feeling heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful school, and this week my heart is filled with awe over the extraordinary level of support that continues to flow from all corners toward our kids. Businesses & organizations, groups & individuals have donated thousands of dollars, needed supplies, brain power & brawn to help get the kids back to school as quickly as possible. In what can be a pretty harsh world, it is so inspiring to know that within the human spirit lies such kindness and generosity. It’s odd to say given they have so recently lost their school, but in the end, our children are truly blessed to have had this experience. It is my hope that it encourages them spend the rest of their lives perpetuating the same kindness and generosity that has befallen them this past week : )

WMS students converge at Bellingham High

Each WMS student, teacher and staff member was given a cool new t-shirt

Asher and his all-time favorite teacher, Mr. Custis. He’s the best math teacher ever!

WMS Principal Mr. Coulter welcomes his kids back to school

Kids love cameras!

WMS ASB President Katie Bauer starts things off

These kids stood outside of Haggen collecting donations for their school. They raised about $3500, including a 50 cent donation from a homeless high-school drop out. Wow.

Mr. Coulter chokes back tears : (

Surveying the damage to their awesome school

Wrapping things up with the Whatcom Stomp!

This sign was divided into three parts, with one piece going to each of the schools where WMS students will be attending classes.

A 7th grade student gave Mr. Coulter this clever t-shirt. 8th Graders are going to BellingHAM HS, 7th Graders to FairHAVEN MS and 6th Graders to GenEVA Elementary : )

Unfortunately I was not able to get a good shot of this woman when Mr. Coulter introduced her during the assembly. She’s a 98 year-old graduate of Whatcom High School!

As the WMS kids left the assembly to head to class, they found the whole BHS student body congregated to greet them with supportive cheers. Very cool moment.

Inside the common area of the Wildcat Wing, a section of BHS that was vacated to make room for the WMS 8th Graders

BHS students obviously put a lot of creative energy into making the 8th graders feel at home in their new school. The kids are thrilled with their efforts!

“WILDCAT WING” has been permanently painted over the doors. They even attempted to replicate the stone pillars from the facade of the school : )

A Sad Day For Bellingham

2009-11-05T12:26:00.001-08:00

Our oldest school fell victim to a massive fire early this morning, leaving our community stunned and saddened. My son Asher is an 8th grader at Whatcom Middle School and he insisted I take him to see the damage for himself as soon as we received the news. We arrived about 6 hours after the first call to firefighters and flames were still visible all along the roof as well as in one classroom, while water poured from every entrance.

I’m feeling heartsick by this morning’s tragedy. I always loved going into this old building. Unlike newer schools, Whatcom’s walls seemed to reverberate the footsteps and chatter of more than a hundred years of lively students filling its halls and classrooms. I always found myself thinking of the changes this building had seen as Bellingham grew up around it… of all the different fashions worn by its students over the years, and of all the historical events discussed among students and teachers as they occurred. Indeed, Asher watched the inauguration of our first black president in this building. Lucky boy.

My thoughts are with our awesome principal, Mr. Coulter, all of our fabulous teachers and of course every Whatcom Wildcat who’s lost his or her home-away-from-home this morning. I’m so sorry this has happened to your beloved school! Please find solace in knowing there will be many beautiful lessons learned from the community that is rising up to support you : )

The full album of photos can be seen here.

Asher’s sixth grade science classroom. This room was currently empty due to seismic retrofit construction.

Asher’s 7th grade science classroom, top left. 8th grade science classroom is the one being sprayed. Art classroom, second floor behind the evergreen.

Asher’s 7th grade math classroom, over the main entrance

I’m really thankful for these guys… still hoping they were able to save it for us.

Nope, not a doughnut. Apparently BPD officers prefer Egg McMuffins.

Gotta love a kid who brings marshmallows to a burning school! You can tell how windy it is here by Mom’s & pup’s hair -definitely not good conditions for fighting a fire.

“This is messed up, Mom.”

Bellingham Farmer’s Market, 2009

2009-10-11T23:24:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I need a break from editing photos of people. That’s when I search the photo catalog for images I’ve not yet had time to process! Tonight’s selection was a bunch I’ve taken on various trips to the Bellingham Farmer’s Market this year. Enjoy!

A Point & Shoot Challenge With The Flaming Lips

2009-08-22T22:29:00.001-07:00

Four of my favorite bands are touring this year and since that kind of good fortune happens rarely, I decided it was a good enough reason as any to not miss any of their shows! Last night I saw the third of four – The Flaming Lips at Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Unaware of the band’s liberal policy about photography at their shows, I left my DSLR at home and brought along my little 5 megapixel point & shoot. At first, I was a little disappointed to learn I could have brought the Canon, but after I started shooting I was so glad I didn’t – my “little camera” gets the job done and, weighing in at less than eight ounces, it is SO much more show-goer friendly! We arrived at the venue a little early to secure a good spot so I had a lot of time for people watching/documenting. The Flaming Lips are quite a creative band and as you can see from these shots, draw an equally creative crowd!

My favorite shot of the entire night is the one pictured above. Taken during the finale on a maxed out memory card, this shot completely captures the visual essence of a Flaming Lips show. Confetti, lights, streamers, balloons and many, many energetic fans with their hands in the air-it’s all there! Ah, what a blast it is to see this band live…

This might now be my all time favorite All Stars shot.

Costumes are standard fare at Lips shows… even my son Asher got in the spirit with his astronaut suit. People kept asking to have their picture taken with him : )

This guy waiting in front of us was sketching Asher and other costumed fans. I sneaked up behind him and documented his drawing.

The funky orange machine on the right side is a confetti canon. Wherever they go, The Flaming Lips always make a huge mess!

I like the point & shoot because it’s less conspicuous to shoot with than my DSLR . I can frame shots featuring the strangers around me without them knowing for sure that that it’s them I’m photographing!

The Lips’ drummer spent at least twenty minutes signing autographs for fans.

He’s wearing his costume from the Lips’ annual “March Of One Thousand Flaming Skeletons” Halloween parade in Oklahoma City.

Yoshimi PINK.

Show time! Lead singer Wayne Coyne often arrives onstage by way of a huge clear inflatable ball, in which he rolls around on top of the hands of the crowd. Sorry, no pictures of this crazy phenomenon- I captured that on video : )

The concert is officially underway once the confetti canons have blasted and there are a hundred huge balloons bouncing above the crowd. The Flaming Lips don’t throw concerts- they throw parties!

Lead singer riding the back of a giant stuffed gorilla? Must be a Lips show!

This shot was literally captured one moment before the balloon burst, showering the crowd with confetti and streamers.

It’s the band’s tradition to play a recorded version of Taps at every show in protest of the war in Iraq. The crowd is asked to participate in a peaceful demonstration while it’s played – a very poignant moment in the show.

Peace!

Bellingham Pride Parade 2009, Round 2

2009-07-14T19:21:00.001-07:00

As promised, I’ve processed all the photos from the Bellingham Pride Parade on Sunday! I’ve added a few more for you to see here on the blog and you can find the entire catalog of photos in an online album here. Thanks for stopping by!

Stay Tuned For More Pride Parade Photos!

2009-07-14T01:16:00.001-07:00

My blog has received more hits today than ever… apparently word of the photos I posted from yesterday’s Pride Parade have spread quickly! I have a LOT more photos that I didn’t intend to edit, but now that I know so many people are viewing them, I feel obliged to share! So, please check back later, and please do send a message back to whomever sent you here to let them know as well!

Bellingham Pride Parade 2009

2009-07-12T21:09:00.001-07:00

Downtown Bellingham was quite a colorful place to be this morning as the 2009 Pride Parade took over Cornwall Avenue! The parade and subsequent festival at Market Depot Square drew to a close five days of celebration for Bellingham’s gay & lesbian community. I love capturing social commentary with my camera, so I marked the event on my calendar weeks ago. I arrived early with the idea that I’d buzz around the staging area for a bit before the parade started then head home to get some work done. I should have known better… with so many happy, friendly people around me (not to mention the blaring disco music) I ended up having so much fun I followed the parade through its entire route - someone even tossed me some flashy beads of my own to wear : ) Here are some of my favorite shots, with the full catalog of photos in an online album here.

The man in the mirror was very clearly unhappy to be impeded by this parade. He glared, he scowled, he repeatedly shook his head in disgust - such a contrast to all the smiling people participating in the parade! I made sure to give him a big smile of my own before I moved along : )

I purposefully positioned myself where I could capture the American flag and the rainbow flags in as many shots as possible. To me, this parade is a symbol of everything that my country stands for.

Downtown traffic was backed up a bit… both in the street and on the sidewalk.

A pride parade isn’t complete without at least a couple of noisy Christian protestors- although it didn’t take a very big crowd of cheering supporters to drown their rants! I got a kick out of the ladies on the left, locked in their own form of counter-protest : )

Even Mayor Pike was on hand to offer words of support for the local gay & lesbian community.

Bare butts in downtown Bellingham… must be a pride celebration!

Winning Is Fun!

2009-06-03T14:02:00.001-07:00

Blissfully Unaware : First Place, Best of Show

Results of the 2009 Essence of Bellingham Photo Competition are in and I’m excited to report that little old me took this year’s top prize with my photo Blissfully Unaware, a shot I captured on Inauguration Day at Bellingham’s Mt. Baker Theatre. Said the jury:

This photograph, rich with imagery, is anything but “unaware.” The baby’s dynamic face, uplifted eyebrows and other vivid expressions speak volumes about hope. This child has expectations! The photographer captured an amazing moment of expression on the faces of both the baby and our President; the new-to-the-world softness of the child juxtaposed against the serious, determined look of newly-inaugurated President Obama. We’re relying on both President and baby to chart our future. The other figures in the photograph are fully engaged in rapt attention to this historic moment. This is Bellingham, in celebration, in our cherished Mount Baker Theatre on Inaugural Day 2009.

It’s always nice to know that the message I am trying to convey in a photo is well received by the viewer. I was definitely struck by the juxtaposition of images and the idea that this tiny little person would never know life the way it was before this historical event… hence the title, Blissfully Unaware. This was not an easy shot to frame as the soundboard I was standing next to limited my movement while both the baby and the images on the big screen were constantly in motion. I also did not want to draw the attention of the baby’s mother because once there is awareness of a camera, everything changes! So I slyly and carefully fired off as many shots as I could and crossed my fingers that one would turn out. Apparently I succeeded!

It’s also interesting and a bit comedic to note that I had not considered entering this photo in the contest until my friend Jen of Jen Martin Studios put up a fuss about it. Since I had space for one more entry, I willingly obliged. I’m so happy I listened to her voice of reason : ) I’m also happy to report that Jen’s son Eli, entering in the K-4th Grade category, won Second Place, Best of Show with this shot titled CHOMP! Looks like Eli and I will be meeting Mayor Pike together at the end of the month : )

Here are the rest of my entries which received recognition…

Outspoken : Best of Subject, Signs

Autumn Tradition : Best of Subject, Activities

Quality Time : Honorable Mention

Good Old Fashion Fun : Honorable Mention

Inauguration Day : Honorable Mention

Preferred Mode of Travel : Honorable Mention

All of this year’s entries will be showcased at Whatcom Museum Friday, 5 June 2009 through Sunday, 7 June 2009 from 12:00 to 5:00. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Essence of Bellingham 2009

2009-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Autumn Tradition

It’s time again to share my entries in the annual Essence of Bellingham photo contest. I keep a file on my pc into which throughout the year I occasionally drop a file that I think might be a good candidate for the entry in the contest. Unfortunately this year it seems I was not quite so diligent about going out to shoot just for fun as I had just ten shots to choose from in that file. Fortunately that is the maximum number of photos one can enter in the contest, so at least I didn’t have to spend a lot of time choosing which ones got the thumbs up! Here are the photos I captured in the past year that represent my vision of the essence of the city I call home.

The above shot was taken on a November afternoon at Maritime Heritage Park. I always watch for these guys to show up on the banks of Whatcom Creek as an indicator of when it’s time to go cheer on the salmon as they fight their way up the falls.

Blissfully Unaware

Actually, I lied… when I first checked that file on my computer, there were only nine shots in it. My photographer friend Jen insisted I add this shot that I captured at the Mt. Baker Theatre on Inauguration Day to my entries. Thanks, Jen!

Good Old Fashion Fun

So far I’ve been fortunate to not have a wedding to shoot on the Fourth of July, which means I always get to participate in the fun at the Columbia Neighborhood’s annual Independence Day Celebration in Elizabeth Park. The neighborhood parade, the silly races and everyone dressed in red, white & blue make for a classic celebration of the holiday!

Homecoming

I’ve wanted for quite some time to capture a shot of the Mt. Baker Theatre with its marquis lit. What would possibly make for a better shot for the than to have Death Cab for Cutie’s name on the marquis? To me, the success of this band speaks volumes about the essence of Bellingham.

Inauguration Day

Just like this shot that I entered in last year’s competition, I knew instantly that the photo was “made” when my subject flashed the peace sign at the very last moment.

Long, Cold Winter

I took this shot through a window that looks out into the front courtyard of the little cottage that I call home. As I am sure everyone recalls, it was a very long, very cold winter and my view out this window was framed by those icicles for weeks! My favorite time of day was twilight when the snow in the distance was tinted blue by the fading light.

Lost Inside Michael’s

This is the one shot that I actually staged specifically for entry in the contest. In my mind, someone browsing the stacks of books inside one of Bellingham’s many used bookstores is a good representative of its essence. Many thanks to my friend Erin for willingly participating in bringing my vision to life!

Outspoken

I was setting up for a shoot at my friend Greg’s shop when the rider of this bike parked it across the street. Not one to let an opportunity pass, I bolted over there and captured this shot before the rider returned.

Preferred Mode of Travel

I really like this shot captured while waiting for breakfast at the Old Town Cafe. A couple on bikes with a smiling lab in tow… it doesn’t get much more “Bellingham” than that!

Quality Time

I love it when I am in the right place at the right time. I just happened to be doing a sunset engagement shoot with a couple at Larrabee State Park when this family paddled by.

I’ll be sure to post any winners once the results are announced. In the meantime, you can see my entries to previous years’ competitions here!

Spring At Our House!

2009-04-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally showing itself here in Western Washington! I spent a little while wandering around our yard yesterday, taking stock of all the life popping through land and limbs. I swear if you didn't know better you might think we had alien species growing all around us!

Budding chestnut leaves

Asian pear buds - can't wait to snack on the fruits of their labor!

Baby rhubarb - I think they look like little brains.

Peonies in the making...I can't believe something so beautiful starts out so... ummm... "interesting"...

Tiny thyme leaves

Tender leaves basking in the sun following a day of downpours

Little lilac buds... I have 5 lilac bushes in my yard!

The humming birds are frequent visitors to these pretty pink flowers!

I have not identified this plant yet but its itty bitty blooms sure are sweet!

I'm anxious for the magnolia to bloom... it's right outside my bedroom window : )

Lilies pushing their way toward the sun

Terra cotta pots awaiting their mates for the summer

Stay tuned for what things look like around here this summer!

Where is Spring? Right Here!

2009-03-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well it is officially spring now but you would barely know it around Western Washington... not even the forsythia has bloomed yet and that usually happens in early February! I'm ready for some color NOW, even if it means I have to dig through the archives to get it. Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to photograph, so I have plenty of images to choose from. I love knowing that even though each bloom will live a short life, I have a way to make the beauty of each one endure forever!

Thank you, Mother Nature, for all the beauty you provide for us every day... even though some days it seems harder to find than others : )

Inauguration Day 1.20.009

2009-01-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

I have always loved analyzing photographs of historic events so I'd been thinking for awhile about where I wanted to be with my camera on Inauguration Day 2009. At first I thought it would be great to document the event with Asher and his 600 middle school classmates as they watched the ceremony together in the school auditorium, but after throwing this idea out to him, I thought maybe it would be better for him to have that experience without the influence of Mom. It wasn't until I was heading home after dropping him at school that morning that I realized the Mt. Baker Theatre was showing the event on the main stage. The Mt. Baker Theatre is a place of special personal significance to me and one of my favorite buildings in Bellingham, so I could not think of a better place to experience such an historical event. I raced home, exchanged glasses for contacts, grabbed my camera and headed back downtown. I arrived at the theater to a crowd on its feet, cheering as President Elect Barack Obama arrived on the balcony to watch his vice president take his own inaugural oath. The lights were dimmed so my opportunities for photos were narrow (not to mention I was quite engrossed in this event!) but I managed to get off a handful of shots that capture the essence of the experience...

I really love this picture and had to shoot several of them to get both the full face of the baby and the new president in frame. I can't help but think about how this is a defining moment in this child's life and how he is blissfully (and perhaps fortunately?) unaware.

After I left the theater, I thought it would be fun to take a walk around downtown and document signs of the day. I was simultaneously stunned and thrilled to realize that the inauguration was the talk of the town... every group of people or person on a cell phone that I passed was engrossed in conversation about our new president. Regardless of our personal political beliefs, I think we all can agree this is a strange and wonderful turn of events in the United States of America.

This is my favorite shot of the day. I was simply getting another shot of the headlines when I saw this pair crossing the street so I waited a few seconds for them to fall into perfect place- never anticipating that this guy would make the shot 100 times better by flashing me the peace sign!

Winter At Our House!

2008-12-19T15:38:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to quickly share some photos I've taken around the neighborhood this week. I'm not much of a fan of winter, but I must admit, I do like looking out the windows and seeing this...

The following photos were taken in the field one block from our house... I did my first photo shoot there last weekend and am looking forward to many more throughout upcoming seasons!

At the Market

2008-08-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

My love of taking pictures at farmer's markets began several summers ago when I took the above shot of a bunch of berries at a stand at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. Since then, the farmer's market has become one of my very favorite places to take pictures. I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a place with more fascinating colors, textures and patterns in one place than in the bins and baskets filled with fresh produce at any market. In the past four years since I started shooting digitally, I've collected quite a catalog of mouth-watering photos of fruits and veggies taken at various markets around the northwest. Since mid-August is peak harvest time, I thought now would be a good time to share some of my favorites!

Like all of my work with non-human subjects, prints of these images are for sale. I've always thought these pictures would be a great addition to the decor of any kitchen and finally got around to putting some up in my own! Besides the shot of the honey bears above, I chose a few pictures of fresh fruit to add some color to my kitchen...

If you are interested in having some of these shots for your own kitchen, please email me at sandi@soulsticeimagery.com!

It's official: I'm addicted to Laura Bee.

2008-07-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

I liken it to the phenomenon described by people with multiple tattoos... once you design your first bag at Laura Bee Designs in Seattle, you find yourself either daydreaming about how your next one will look or figuring out ways to justify its purchase. I confess: I knew before I left the shop after designing my first bag that my second was going to be black & white, and mostly likely a Chelsea. I'm pretty sure that means I'm an addict. Thankfully I'm not alone in this... my best friend designed herself a Kate bag at LBD less than two weeks ago and she has confessed that already her thoughts are on "her next bag!" I'm starting to wonder if this was all part of Laura's original business scheme ...errr... "plan"...!

Laura and I are planning another handbag-for-photo-shoot trade and once she gave me the green light to order my bag, the search was on for just the right fabric. I knew I wanted it to be bold & sassy to go with the Chelsea bag's mod lines and I wanted the print to be an equal balance of black & white. I visited every fabric shop in Bellingham and spent a few hours scouring the internet to find the right one. I'm glad I was diligent in my search: this fabric was exactly what I had in mind! I love the sharp contrast of the concentric circles against the glossy fabric of the bag, and the rings on the Chelsea take the circle theme an extra step.
I decided to give this ensemble a sassy twist with a red lining for both the bag and its accessories. Laura again made me a special sized folder for my business postcards (they're perfect!) and this time I had her sew a key hook into the side seam of the bag. I really hate digging for keys so I'm thrilled about this great addition to my bag!
Laura was able to use a strip of my fabric in place of ribbon on my wristlet and card holder so everything would match. I really dig this fabric so this time I opted for a zipper coin purse instead of a mini wallet so I could get a little more use of it! It wasn't until I started the search for the perfect black & white fabric for my second bag that I decided I was just going to go ahead and splurge on my third. I don't get to sew much these days, so it has been years since I've shopped for fabric. I found so many fun, colorful prints that I couldn't help thinking would look really cute on any number of Laura Bee bags! With the dreams already forming, it wasn't long before long I was justifying the purchase: I've been riding my bike a lot this summer and I was continually finding myself wishing I had something simple, safe and comfortable (okay, and cute!) to carry my basic essentials while I pedal. I'd seen the Travel Bag in the shop and it seemed to be just what I had in mind... AND it afforded me the opportunity to utilize one of those fun fabrics I'd found. Perfect!

I've got my basic black & brown bags now, so I decided I was going to have some fun with this one. Laura had recently blogged about her new Sock Monkey Coin Purses and I knew I had to have one (my chinese zodiac sign is the monkey, that's reason enough, isn't it?) So, I decided to pair the two. On my trip back to the fabric store, I zeroed in on prints I thought would fit the playfulness of the sock monkey and came up with this fun orange & brown dotted fabric.

I can't help but feel happy carrying around this bag!Laura included this cool button in my goody bag* and I decided it was the perfect adornment for the strap of my Travel Bag. Thanks Laura! I even got to pick out the Sock Monkey I wanted on my snap coin purse : )I used my new Travel Bag for the first time last night and I quickly learned it is the PERFECT "just the essentials" bag. I really prefer to keep the number of things I carry around with me to a minimum, so this is a great bag for me. I thought it would be fun to share my version of "the essentials"... here's what you'd find in my Travel Bag on an average day...

Click on picture to see in large size.

My two favorite things about this bag (besides it being so cute) are that it is so comfortable I forget I am wearing it and it keeps its great looking shape even when packed with the essentials, as in the photo below.

I can already tell this bag is going to get more wear & tear than I ever anticipated. : )

*In every shipment from Laura Bee you'll find a little goody bag!

Please be sure to check back later this summer to see more collaborative work between Laura & me!

Mini Moo Cards & Converse All Stars: Two of My Favorite Things!

2008-07-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited today because my shipment of MOO minicards and my minicard holder finally arrived! I loved the way they were packaged so I thought I would share. I had to laugh when I saw the wrapping for the card holder... "Yay!" it says... which is exactly what I said when I opened the mail box!
I was given my first MOO card by a fellow photographer last fall and I loved its size and simplicity. A couple weeks ago I realized I really needed something small with my basic contact information to carry with me when I am riding my bike around town and knew the mini MOO would fit the bill perfectly. I wanted something that could direct people to both of my websites, so I wasn't sure what pictures to put on the front! A sudden epiphany helped me decide this was the perfect way to put to use my ever-growing catalog of photos of my Converse All Stars.
I love that I could upload 100 images and get 100 different cards if I wanted to. I don't have 100 shots of my Converse (yet) and not all of them fit well on the small size card, so I opted to use about 20 different shots. Who takes photographs of their own shoes, you might ask? Well, I do : ) Granted I don't take pictures of ALL of my shoes, just my Converse. It started one evening at a Mariners-Red Sox game about four years ago. I was having a lot of fun shooting pictures around Seattle that day and was playing with my camera while waiting for the baseball game to begin. At some point I marveled at the contrast and lines of my brand-spanking new All Stars, and snapped a shot. I loved it! From then on, I was hooked.

This is that first shot of my All Stars, taken at Safeco Field in July 2004.

Initially taking photos of my Converse was really just all about documenting their demise as I wore them out.

This is my second pair, in Chocolate, on their first day, September 2006
It wasn't long before taking photos of my shoes became more a way of documenting the places I was when I was wearing them. The above photo was taken last fall at Boulevard Park in Bellingham. I easily remember when and where every shot was taken : )
I call this shot "My Bloody Knees"... it was taken in July 2006 after I wrecked twice on my bike in four days. Ouch! I don't have the Converse anymore, but I still have the scars. Washington Park Arboretum, October 2007

I was so excited to have scored this pair at a consignment store that I documented them on the front seat in my car on the way home. I think I was sitting at a stop light. I call this shot "Ten Buck Chucks" : )Christmas Day, 2007

At Birch Bay, June 2008Watching the season premier of LOST, January 2008

On top of the parking garage in downtown Bellingham, February 2008

Exploring an abandoned home, April 2008At my favorite beach on Lummi Island, February 2008This is probably my favorite shot of all. It was taken in September 2006 while sitting in the best seats I've ever enjoyed at a baseball game... in the first row above the Mariner's dugout (it pays to have a good friend who works for the team's owner, Nintendo!) That's Ichiro at bat behind my shoes. Nice.

Down By The Seashore

2008-06-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who knows me well and they'll tell you my favorite place to be is at the seashore. The sound of the waves hitting land, the unmistakable smell of the sea, Mother Nature's lovely treasures scattered here and there... the beach is my happiest place on the planet. A few weeks ago Asher and I spent a couple days with our dearest friends on a mini-vacation just north of Bellingham in Birch Bay. Between capturing shots of the kids frolicking in the sand & surf, my eyes were tuned to the textures of the flora and fauna of the shore. I love it when I find a face in nature where there really isn't one. The scowling underbelly of this dead crab was just waiting to be photographed!As soon as I rolled out of bed (the last one, as usual) I was beckoned to the window to see the bald eagle who was perched on a post at the beach across the street. I don't (yet!) have a telephoto lens, so I grabbed my girlfriend's camera and headed out in my pajamas to see how close I could get to this beautiful creature.He let me snap off several shots before I pushed my luck and got too close. I don't mind, I love this shot of his wings in flight!
Later in the day, we ventured north to explore the area around Semiahmoo. I've lived here nearly 17 years and had never been there, so this was the perfect time to check it out. I'm so glad we did because we found so many rusty, sea-weathered gems to turn my lens on! The above shot of this old wooden boat is my favorite of the two day adventure. What a find! I love the juxtaposition of life attaching itself to something old, battered & lifeless, as with the case of these barnacles on this rusted & seemingly useless bolt, or the grasses & weeds growing from these beat up pilings. Everywhere I ventured I found rusty cables, locks & chains. They made me want a macro lens as much as the eagle made me want a telephoto!

The Willows Inn, Part 2!

2008-06-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

In a previous post I shared some photos I took a couple months ago as part of a barter agreement with the owner of The Willows Inn on Lummi Island. This past weekend I got to enjoy the fruits of my labor when I treated my dear friend Stephanie to a trip to the island for some time at the beach and a fabulous dinner. It was a beautiful day and we were so happy to soak in the sun's rays on the deck while sharing a fabulous bottle of Eyrie Vineyards pinot gris. Our dishes were so beautifully served that I couldn't help taking a couple pictures before we dug in. Two words sum up these photos: "mouth watering!"
The restaurant was closed on the day of my initial visit, so I didn't get any shots of the dining room with the table settings in place. On Saturday, the light in the dining room was perfect and our reservations were early enough in the evening that I was able to sneak around and snap some shots before any diners arrived!
That's my friend Steph, sending a well deserved toast to the chef and staff at The Willows : )I keep finding myself saying "I don't remember the last time I had such a great meal!" but then I realized... my last great meal was the last time I ate at The Willows : )I simply cannot tell you, in words or pictures, how delicious the food is. You really must treat yourself!

The Joys of Being Your Own Boss

2008-06-05T16:24:00.001-07:00

In the past few years I have learned the joys of self employment far outweigh the pains... sleeping late, working in my pajamas and pouring a glass of wine before sitting down to my desk... the value of these things does not go lost on me! But having the freedom to take a couple days away from the computer to join Asher and his class on a school field trip without having to ask *anyone* for the day off- now that is priceless.

Last week I spent two days in a row with Asher's six grade class at the Bellingham School District's Environmental Learning Center and I had an absolute blast! A couple days of fresh forest air, running on trails and exploring the natural world with my kid and his classmates was completely restorative. Of course I brought my camera along to document the kids' experiences as well as the flora & fauna of the forest. My eyes were wide open for two days straight with so many amazing species to document! I thought I'd share some of the natural wonders I saw with you...

Over the course of the two days we learned all about the biodiversity of the forest... how to identify different kinds of ferns and rocks, which plants are edible and how to tell by its macroinvertebrates whether or not a stream's water is clean among many other fascinating lessons. Our group's final activity of the two day adventure was the infamous "mud walk." We'd been hearing kids in other groups talk about it since lunch time on the first day and were very anxious for our turn in the big pit of mud. We started the activity by losing our shoes & socks, donning blind folds and lining up single file, arms on each others' shoulders to guide each other over the trail. The purpose of the activity was to show us how reliant upon our vision we humans are by forcing us to use our other senses as guides. I found it very curious how much more it hurts to step on a rock or stub your toe on a root when you can't anticipate doing so by seeing it first! Our final destination was a 12 inch deep mud pit through which we took turns wading... even me! I've not walked barefoot in the mud since I was Asher's age and found the experience surprisingly satisfying : ) That's Asher, encouraging his classmate on his turn through the infamous mud pit!Mmmmm I never thought I'd include mud between my toes as one of the joys of being your own boss : )

The Judges Have Spoken...

2008-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

and the winners of the 2008 Essence of Bellingham Photo Contest have been announced! I'm excited that nine of ten of the photos I entered received notice this year, but I am even more excited that the Gardenview Montessori kindergarteners' photos did so well. Yep, this will *definitely* be an annual project for me and the kids : )

See my previous blog entries about this project below!

The Gates-Lee Home at Woodstock Farm

2008-05-23T16:57:00.001-07:00

I discovered Woodstock Farm when a client of mine hoped to do her family's spring photo shoot at somewhere farm-like with spring flowers. Having been snowed out of the Skagit Valley tulip festival, I was looking for a local place that would fit the bill. I knew the Bellingham Parks Department had purchased this property and it was open to the public, but had never ventured to check it out until recently. I am so thankful for that prompting from my client (not to mention the snow) because I discovered one of my new favorite places in Bellingham! The farm sits on one of the most scenic pieces of property in the area and the house (known as the Gates-Lee Home after the farm's founding family) is a treasure to behold.

I was fortunate to cross paths with Terry Wahl, a parks department employee on the day of that first visit because he gave me exactly what I was hoping for... permission to use the property for photo shoots! Of course I told Terry I would be happy to share my photos for parks department use : ) After we got that business out of the way, I spent some time wandering the property with my camera, excitedly taking photos to share with my client to show her what I'd found.

Terry had mentioned the house was unlocked while he was there working, so I got to wander around its mostly empty rooms. I had so much fun discovering all of the little old school details from the door knocker to the faucets to the door knobs to the light fixtures. Everywhere you look there is something interesting to look at!
I was really captivated by the filtered light in this bathroom...
I think my favorite thing I found in the house were these old magazine covers pasted to the wall inside what was young Gladys Gates' closet.
I was really intrigued by this tiny little shower room... I opened the door expecting to find yet another closet and was surprised to find a shower and sink!

More light fixtures...!

Hey that's me!

I found this photo on the parks department website for the farm. It doesn't include a date but I know the home was originally built in1912 and the addition was finished in 1923. Here is what the house looks like today!A note to anyone who is interested in checking out Woodstock Farm for themselves... there is no public parking available at the site and there are private residences on the property. Access to the farm is by way of trail with parking at the North Chuckanut Trailhead.

The Joy of Photography.... Kindergarten Style!

2008-05-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

We all have our "happy places" around town and Gardenview Montessori is near the top of the list of mine. I've been the school's "official" photographer for the past few years now and it's my number one place to go if I'm feeling a little low because hanging out with children always makes life seem just a little less complicated. For all the joy the Gardenview kids and families have given me, I decided this year I needed to give something back! I had always thought doing a photography project with the kids would be fun and had the idea that coupling the project with the Essence of Bellingham photo contest would give us a good framework to work within. I threw out the idea to Kelda, the school's teacher, and she loved it!

The photo contest is open to kindergarteners so we focused the project on the children who are about to graduate from Gardenview- which was *completely* unfair, as I was emphatically told by one younger student. (Did I just say hanging out with kids makes life seem less complicated?) Thankfully I could blame the contest rules so I could escape the permanent "big bad meanie" label : ) It looks like the photography project might have to become an annual thing!

The project started when I went to the school and talked a little about the art of photography with the kids. Being a mother and working with kids as much as I do, I'm familiar with the attention span of the average 6 year old, so I wanted to keep things pretty simple. I basically just talked a bit about how taking pictures is more than just pointing a camera and pushing a button... it's a decision making process in which we really look at everything in a scene and decide what we want to be in our picture, then moving our body to the right place to capture it. We talked about Bellingham and the places here that we enjoy, and I showed them the photos I have entered in past contests. After that was a quick lesson in handling the camera- how to zoom the lens in and out and which button to push to close the shutter. Then we were off and running around the school grounds to take some practice shots.
A few days later, Kelda and I took two groups of three kids each to two different locations that we felt were good places to capture the spirit of Bellingham. The first group of kids, Rhea, Kyana and Roman, ventured down to Zuanich Point Park for their photo shoot and we had so much fun! We had a camera for each of the kids to use so everyone was constantly shooting pictures. I loved seeing what each child decided to document, and how different their photos were when taking pictures of the same things. Of course I had my camera with me to document the fun and here are a few photos I took of these young photographers in action...

I thought it was pretty clever of Roman to try taking a picture through the telescope at the park! We thought it would be fun to mix up the shoot locations for each group of kids, so later that afternoon, Kelda and I packed up the car with Aliza, Claire and Fiona and headed down to Maritime Heritage Park which was a good starting point for shooting in a few fun spots. Here are some photos from our afternoon adventure in photography...

I think I might have started a trend of taking pictures of your own shoes among this group of kids. Someday I will post a blog of the series of photos I've taken of my All Stars in various locations : )The kids took turns using my extra DSLR camera, so to be able to tell which pictures were created by whom, I snapped a picture of each child at the beginning of their turn. Here are those pictures and each child's contest entry that I like best! (You can see the rest of their entries here.)The Sign World Baby Geese Swimming Playing Fetch Aliza Picking Flowers Rushing Over Rocks

Rocky Beach

And finally.... a few fun photos the kids took of each other... and Kelda... and me...

Photo by ClairePhoto by Claire
Photo by Fiona
Photo by Roman
Photo by RheaPhoto by KyanaPhoto by RheaPhoto by RheaPhoto by RomanPhoto by Roman (who was very reluctant to give up the camera : )

All of the kids' photos are officially entered into the contest and now we wait to see what the judges think of their work! Of course *I* think their photos are fabulous and I am so glad I decided to take some time out of my busy schedule to have a little fun, which isn't always easy for me to remember to do... maybe I should go make a promise to that sassy too-young-to-participate Gardenview student right now : )

2008 Essence of Bellingham Photo Contest

2008-05-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Having lived in the same city for nearly 17 years, it has naturally become challenging to see the world around me with fresh eyes. The City of Bellingham's annual Essence of Bellingham photo contest has certainly inspired me to keep my creative eye roving while I am out and about. I find myself almost constantly evaluating the scenes before me for how well they capture Bellingham's spirit. Knowing I have a photo contest to enter has not only prompted me to get out with my camera and experience events that I haven't before, but it has led me to all sorts of interesting conversations with fellow 'Hamsters who stop me to inquire about what I am taking pictures for.... all of which serves to enrich my understanding of this beautiful city that I call home: )

Today was the deadline for entries into the 2008 contest so I thought I would share the photos I selected! This year the city placed a limit on the number of photos a participant could enter, so I had a pretty tough time narrowing my entries down to just ten photos. Keeping in mind the various categories in which photos are judged, I chose images that I felt cover a broad spectrum while still capturing Bellingham's Essence. Here are the photos I selected for entry...

Friday, 4 O'Clock

Desolation Station

Doomed to Destruction

All Uphill From Here

Friday Night at the Corner of Railroad & Holly

Market Saturday

Old School II

Procession 2008

Regarding Art

Whatcom In Bloom

Here are some shots from the past year that I considered entering but which didn't make the cut...

Healthy Living

Best Parking Spot in Town

Sunny Side of the Street

Take 2

Sunshine & Microbrew

December on the Bay

Walking Home from Nelson's

Chalk Walk

Teamwork

I didn't have a public forum for sharing my entries into previous contests, so I thought I would share those here as well!

2007 Contest Entries

Sea Town, Mountain Town
Honorable Mention

Joe's Bounty
Best of Subject, Signs

Campus Favorite
Honorable Mention

405 Holly Street
2007 Second Place Best of Show

Old School
Honorable Mention

Old Dan

Plentiful
Best of Subject, Plants & Wildlife

Summer in Elizabeth Park
Best of Subject, Art & Culture

Volvo Nation

Trio In Balance

Taylor Avenue Dock

The first photo contest was held in 2006, not long after I had decided to make a business out of my love for photography. My confidence in my abilities was still pretty low and I can't tell you how long I struggled before finally selecting the "Professional" category on the entry form. Suffice it to say I was pretty thrilled when I learned one of my photos was selected among the best in show- especially considering both of these shots were taken on my old Nikon point & shoot camera. These photos are proof positive that it's not the camera that makes a photographer... it's her eye : )

2006 Contest Entries

Ocean Hunter
2006 Second Place Best of Show

Coming Home
Honorable Mention

Contest results will be made available on May 30th so be sure to check back in a few weeks! I have a little competitive streak running through me, so I'm always anxious to see the photos other photographers have entered and how my photos fared, but more than anything I really appreciate the opportunity the contest gives me to share my work and my vision of Bellingham with the community that inspires me : )

2008 Procession of the Species- Bellingham!

2008-05-04T09:15:00.001-07:00

I can't believe yesterday was the first time I ventured downtown for the annual Procession of the Species parade! I know shouldn't have been (because this is Bellingham afterall) but I was just amazed by all the wonderfully creative costumes. Have a look for yourself!
It's so hard to choose but I think this spider was my favorite participant! You can see the rest of my photos here.

Born in Ballard

2008-05-02T18:16:00.001-07:00

I was so excited to come home to a package from Laura Bee Designs on my doorstep yesterday afternoon... less than two months after working out a photos-for-merch trade with Laura Bee herself, my custom made bag is finally here! It was so cool to see the fabrics & ribbon I chose a few weeks ago all put together in the Beatrice design. I like it even more than I expected! In fact on my first outing I found myself staring at it in the reflection of windows as I passed : ) I just love its simple lines and the way it stays put on my shoulder.
This morning I spent some time putting together Mother's Day cards* at Lettered Streets Coffee House and decided to snap a few shots of my pretty new bag to share : ) I spend a lot of time working at LSCH because it is one of the few places in Bellingham where I can sip my favorite Morning Glory Chai... which is also born in Ballard!I've always been influenced by the adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" so along with my Beatrice bag I chose a matching wristlet, mini wallet and a custom made holder for my business postcards! And I am so glad I had Laura include the optional cell phone pocket inside- the first time my phone rang I went right to it without any digging whatsoever. Yey! Here are a few pictures I took at home to show you the whole ensemble.
Girls... if you like the looks of my Laura Bee goodies, you really need to check out the store in Ballard for yourself! Laura has sooo many cute things in her shop that you just can't help getting in touch with your girly-girl self. I admit I was not in the best of mood when I went in to design my bag but I left the store grinning ear-to-ear because working through the selection process with Laura was just so much fun (AND I was finally formally introduced to Laura's shop dog, Otis the Pug!!)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Laura. I'm so glad I decided to contact you! It's been a joy working with you on both sides of our trade. Your business definitely has a new cheerleader! I really love that my bag was designed and handmade in Seattle by a fellow creative minded woman, and I REALLY love that I'm the only girl on the planet with one just like it!

*My handmade greeting cards for Mother's Day and other occasions are available through me or at Wild Blueberries inside the Bellingham Public Market!

Kickin' Around Old Town

2008-04-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've loved the gritty little vintage shops in Old Town ever since I moved to Bellingham in 1991. I admit I've never really gone into any of them with the intention of buying anything... although I have made a few purchases over the years, I've always thought of my visits to these places as more of field trips to long gone days. I love that these stores hold such an eclectic collection of old treasures- there are so many things to look at, touch and consider that my visits are often a bit overwhelming. Today I decided to take along my camera to see how I experience the stores with a more focused eye. Not surprisingly, I was pretty overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items and their helter-skelter display but I found a few things I couldn't leave undocumented....

The look on this doll's face reminded me of some of my babes (thankfully none of them are missing a finger!)These salt & pepper shakers made me think of my grandma... she had quite a collection of them when she was alive! I just love repeating patterns ... these bowls made me think of sun rays.The jumbled mess of furniture in this dollhouse immediately reminded me of some of the abandoned homes I've been into lately!
We had these dishes tucked away in a cabinet when I was little...I think they originally belonged to my great-grandmother. I remember thinking they were SO old-fashioned back then... now I just think they are beautiful!
Okay I don't know about you but I find it a little disturbing to find relics from my childhood in an antique store! Is this what it feels like to get old?! Does anyone else remember these glasses we used to get at fast food restaurants? I had completely forgotten about the A&W bear! And how about those Nike sneakers? I had a pair just like them when I was 9 years old!

The Willows Inn on Lummi Island

2008-04-10T12:14:00.001-07:00

I think my penchant for islands started as a little girl when I read a Pippi Longstocking story in which Pippi takes her pals Tommy, Anika and Mr. Nilson on an adventure to a "deserted" island in the middle of a lake to show them what it is like to be shipwrecked. I must have liked that idea because ever since then, every time I've seen an island in the middle of the lake I've had a strong desire to hop in a rowboat and go on an adventure of my own : )

Given this lifelong fascination with islands, it's not surprising that my very favorite place in Whatcom County to get away for awhile is Lummi Island. A few weeks ago I got to shoot my first wedding at a cozy little bed & breakfast on the island, The Willows Inn. I had driven past The Willows more than a dozen times on my trips to the beach but never had an occasion to stop there and explore, so I was very excited about getting to shoot a wedding there!

I was taking a break to have a bit of dinner and let the guests enjoy theirs when Riley, one of the inn's proprietors, pulled up a chair and sat down to talk. After I stopped raving about the meal (it was fabulous!!) we got around to talking about my work. He mentioned needing some updated photos of the inn for the website and of course I mentioned my willingness to work in trade (with that meal on my plate in front of me, how could I not?!) Riley was excited about the idea so I made the trek out to the island on a sunny spring day last week to do my best to capture the spirit of the place!

I've not done a lot of work like this in the past so I really enjoyed the challenge. Each room is uniquely decorated with great attention to details so I had plenty of fodder to work with! Here are a few shots that I think give a good feel for The Willows experience... My favorite room at the Inn is The Cottage. It's so bright and airy and has a nice view of the grounds of the inn and the distant islands!
I couldn't resist this shot... I could just imagine visitors putting their feet up to relax while taking in that beautiful scene! (In the distance are Matia and Sucia Islands, both of which I have visited by sailboat. They are as beautiful up close as they are in the distance...)
Downstairs in the Inn is the Taproot Pub and Espresso. It was closed for business on the day I was there so I sneaked down to get a few shots of the interior. It's such a warm, inviting place!Wanting to capture the entire Willows experience, I headed down to the private beach to snap a few shots...My second attempt at a panorama proved to be a major pain but because this view in front of The Willows is so beautiful, I just couldn't let it go until I got it right (or at least good enough!)

(Click to see in large size!)

Before I left I insisted Riley & Judy take a few minutes to sit for the camera because it just wouldn't be right to not have a picture of the innkeepers on the inn's website!

If you're looking for a nice, peaceful place for a weekend getaway or just somewhere new to eat an ultra-fresh, fabulous meal, this is definitely the place to go! Not only does Riley supply the Inn's restaurant with his reefnet salmon catches but the organic produce, chicken and eggs are raised on their property called Nettles Farm. It just doesn't get any better than that...

Riley & Judy, it was great meeting and working with you! I'm really looking forward to spending more time at the inn whether it's for dinner, a wedding or one of the many fun events you offer!

My afternoon at Laura Bee Designs

2008-04-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

I discovered Laura Bee Designs a few months ago while on an afternoon walk in Ballard and fell in love on my first venture into the store. When it comes to my girly-girl accessories, I tend to be pretty picky (I prefer the phrase "highly selective") so I was amazed to find so many things that I liked all in one place. I went home, looked up the website and discovered that not only can you buy the many wonderful readymade items in the shop, you can design a bag of your very own! This sounded right up my alley!

My second visit to the store was on my birthday and I treated myself to a cute little wallet. From then on, I was hooked! Of course it didn't take me long to wonder if Laura Bee's owner, Laura Buzard, would be interested in working out a trade for photos of her creations : ) She expressed interest when I contacted her so Laura and I met one afternoon to discuss some ideas for photos for her website and a couple weeks later I went back with camera in hand!

Shooting a place provides much different challenges than shooting people, but as with my work with people, I am most interested in trying to capture the spirit of a place. With this shoot I really wanted to create images that allow the viewer to feel the Laura Bee experience and, of course, encourage them to experience it for themselves! With a new camera to get used to and no shortage of "eye candy" (as Laura calls it!) I spent about two hours wandering around chatting with the girls and taking pictures of everything in sight. It was the simple lines of Laura's designs that caught my eye but all the fun & funky variations of colors & trims that really drew me in! Besides handbags, purses and wallets, there are tons other fun accessories- both designed by Laura and others. Everywhere you look are unique belts, jewelry, hairpins and other fun girly stuff.Part of the space at Laura Bee is devoted to the design studio where Laura and the girls assist clients with the creation of custom made items. There are so many different fabrics, ribbons, buttons and other accoutrements that it seems impossible for any two items to ever be identical!
I learned from Laura that the color of tag changes after every box of one thousand tags and this is how they can tell when a bag or other accessory was made. I was present for the start of the newest color: orange!
One of the things I really enjoy about Laura Bee is that the sewing machines and cutting tables are an integral part of the space. I've never been in the shop and not seen the creative process in full swing, so Laura and I agreed that capturing her and the girls at work was absolutely necessary!
I call them "Busy Bees"...
Laura and Debbie go over an order.Debbie cuts fabric using one of many design templates.
Ashley puts the finishing touches on a bag.All done!Laura works on the Happy Dog zipper case she creates in support of Seattle Pug Rescue. Laura's shop dog Otis the Pug wasn't in the store on the day I visited but I did get to meet Ashley's sweet little puggle named Tucker!

My final shots of the day... I thought I would try putting together a panorama of the entire shop from the entrance. It's not perfect but it's my first attempt and it gives you an idea of what it's like to walk in the door. (Be sure to click on this one to see it in bigger size.)

Next on the agenda? Designing MY bag : ) I'll be sure to post photos of it when it's done!

Thanks so much to Laura, Ashley & Debbie for letting me hang around with my camera while you were hard at work. It was a joy to witness the creative process in action!

Sandi & The Chocolate Factory

2008-03-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

I know there are not a lot of absolutes in life but here is one you can bank on: this girl absolutely loves chocolate! For as long as I can remember, my choice of sweet treat has always been chocolate... at the ice cream shop other kids would choose vanilla or strawberry or bubblegum but not me... it was always, always chocolate.

When I was young, a Hershey's Kiss would meet the need when a craving overcame me, but over the years my appreciation for chocolate has deepened and my taste for it has become more sophisticated. I readily admit it, I'm a full-fledged chocolate snob! I'd rather go without than waste calories on less than fabulous chocolate. Once you have experienced the difference, it's simply impossible to go back.

Although I became familiar with Theo Chocolat e about a year and a half ago after sampling their 3400 Phinney bars at a shop in Fairhaven, it was not until last fall that I ventured into the store at the Theo factory in Fremont. The store provides such a feast for the senses that I knew right away I needed to visit again with my camera. A few weeks ago I got in touch with Theo's marketing director to see about working out a photos-for-chocolate trade. The idea was met with enthusiasm so I made plans to do the shoot on my next visit to Seattle!

I was treated to a private tour by Kiki, the Theo Sales & Marketing Associate with whom I coordinated my visit. After donning our pretty hairnets, we ventured into the factory where I got to see the process of making chocolate from bean to bar. Our first stop was the room where cocoa beans from distant lands are stored and cleaned. I love knowing that these huge bags of beans came from places I only dream about... Costa Rica, Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, Ghana, Madagascar...

I can't write about this amazing place without mentioning that not only is Theo Chocolate the only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the United States, it is also the first roaster of Fair Trade certified cocoa beans in the country. So not only do Theonistas make wonderful tasting chocolate- they do it with integrity, a characteristic I wholeheartedly endorse.Next stop was the room where the beans are roasted and broken into nibs... I loved these big, bright buckets of beautiful cocoa nibs and their deep, fresh scent.After the beans are broken into nibs, it is time for the refining process and this is the room where it all takes place. You can't begin to imagine how good this room smells! I know it's cliche but I felt like Augustus Gloop my mouth was watering so much! (For more information about Theo's refining process, you can take your own tour or watch a video here.)Hazelnut Crunch Milk Chocolate. Kiki refers to it as "crack." I have to agree with Kiki: this stuff is phenomenal- just looking at this picture makes me want more!Some treats found in the confections room. Theo's confections truly taste as good as they look... I almost feel bad eating them (but not really!) My fave? PEANUT BUTTER!After I'd seen everything there was to see in the factory, I spent a while exploring the store in detail. Warning! Venturing into this place can leave one with a tummy ache... there are samples of everything, everywhere! YUM!Mmmmmm..... red wine and fine chocolate. What more do we really need?Because of the exceptional nutritional content of cocoa beans, cocoa nibs are becoming the hot new ingredient among chefs ... I'm anxious to try them in a recipe!I loved seeing all of the clever projects imaginative Theonistas have created out of "left over" chocolate. (It's hard for me to believe there could be such a thing!)Celebrate | Love | Chocolate.
I couldn't say it any better myself.

Whether or not you're a self proclaimed chocolate snob like me, Theo Chocolate is the sort of business we should all hasten to support simply for its sustainable business practices. I have to say, knowing the chocolate I treat myself to is actually helping to make the world a better place makes it taste just that much sweeter : )

To Kiki & Deb & all the friendly Theonistas I met, thank you so much for letting me wander your halls with my camera. It was really cool to be around so many people who, like me, so obviously love their job : ) You all have a fan for life!

Signs of Spring

2008-03-13T19:57:00.001-07:00

Being the summer-loving kind of girl that I am, come February I am always patiently waiting and watching for the return of signs of life in nature. Oh how I miss the bright, warm color of the leaves and flowers all cold, dreary winter long. Here are some signs of spring I have documented on recent walks with my camera...

Something a little more appetizing!

2008-02-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a shoot I am doing tomorrow, I decided to lighten things up around here and share some shots of a slightly more mouth-watering nature. One of the things I always enjoy about shooting weddings and other catered events is that the food is always so darn pretty you almost don't want to eat it! So I always make sure I get off some shots of the goodies before they've been devoured by the crowd... Enjoy!

House Hunting

2008-02-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Ever since going into the squatters' house with Jen a couple weeks ago I have been keeping my eyes open wide for other old abandoned homes to document. I got my new camera a couple days ago and just happened to have it in the car with me while running errands when I caught sight of a nearly obscured window in an old house on Telegraph Road. I was alone, so I hesitated a bit but then quickly turned the car around and headed back to see what I might find. I had to battle my way through a good 30 feet of blackberry brambles to reach it (sans clippers, mind you) but I was well rewarded when I finally did! Even without going inside I found some cool things just waiting to be photographed..
I can't even imagine how long it has been since anyone called this place home... only the basic structure of the roof still remains while most of it lies on the floor below and the majority of the house is covered in ivy, blackberry and other vines. It was really quite spooky inside and I found myself jumping out of my skin every time I inadvertently bumped up against something while shooting or a vine tickled the top of my head but I was still intrigued by what I might find around every corner...
It was a bit of a gray, gloomy day and despite it I managed to get off a few shots in every room except the very dark old kitchen where the ceiling was sagging down to just above my head. After seeing the rusty old appliances I knew I was going to have to brave this place one more time. I headed back out yesterday afternoon and am glad I did (despite falling through the floor boards twice this time) because the kitchen was much brighter and I managed to get some shots of the old stove and refrigerator.After leaving the house on Telegraph Road, the urge to shoot was not yet quite satisfied so I decided to head north a bit to see what I might find elsewhere. I don't know how many places I saw that I would loooove to get inside but they were close to inhabited homes and I just wasn't feeling up to knocking on doors and asking permission when trespassing is so much more fun ; ) I ended up finding an old yellow house on Smith Road that looked intriguing so I got out to take a closer look. I really did not expect to find a way inside but the door pushed right open and so, in I went! The old appliances and bits of left over furniture gave a sense that life simply stopped in this home a good fifty years ago.When I am inside places like this I often find myself asking "What are you doing here, Sandi? Why are you doing this?" I was thinking about this last night when I realized that the pictures I've taken in these homes are not really about the objects in the photos... they're about people... the people who once owned them, used them, called them their own. If you know me, you know I am fascinated by human beings and that they are by far my favorite subject to photograph, so these photos of objects are really just an extension of my work with people... even without a single person in the image, they make us wonder... who....? what...? why...?

Visit full album here.

Two chairs in a swamp

2008-02-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

An unlikely scene is always one of my favorite things to photograph so when I noticed these two chairs sitting in a swampy woodland a short distance off the street not far from my home, I decided immediately they needed their picture taken. I dashed home, grabbed my camera and headed back up the road. I couldn't get very close due to the several inches of water but I did my best to break through the brush to get a clear shot (all the while thinking I really needed to invest in a pair of Wellies for occasions like these!) I couldn't help but wonder who the heck put these two chairs in the middle of a swamp and if the culprits actually sat there for a bit before leaving them? Then I started imagining the culprits sitting there on those chairs having an ordinary conversation in the middle of a swamp while I took their pictures and how cool those shots would look! I love thinking that there is nowhere else on the planet where two chairs just like those are sitting in the middle of muck looking like they are just waiting for friends to stop by and take a seat.

Trespassing with Jen

2008-02-17T21:06:00.002-08:00

My photographer friend Jen has a thing for trespassing with her camera, just to see what she might find. I admit I've never once looked at an old abandoned house and wanted to go inside to take pictures, but that is what we did today and from now on I'll be looking for more old buildings to crash. Going inside a squatters' house is an experience I'll not soon forget. It amazes me that there are people out there who actually spend time inside this place, the presence of filth & destruction was overwhelming and disturbing. In fact, it didn't bother me too much while I was there shooting, but looking that the photos this evening was bothersome. I have to wonder, how does what was once a family home eventually become a veritable landfill?
I found the presence of this particular textbook to be rather ironic. I've come to the conclusion there are some things about humans and society I'll just never understand, the state of this house being one of them.
The graffiti covering on the walls speaks volumes about the people who have spent time in this house. Anger was expressed everywhere. Jen has more pictures of the graffiti from her first visit to this house here.
Of all the things I might expect to find in a squatters' house, fine imported capers is not one of them!I'm guessing there is no toilet seat lid like this anywhere else in the entire world. I had to climb over two feet of garbage to get a shot of it and I'm glad I did. I love it!
I can't figure out if it's a misspelling or directions to those who venture up the stairs?
More photos from today's adventure can be seen here.

Seeing my world with new eyes

2008-02-12T23:50:00.000-08:00

I had a specific project in mind when I set out shooting this afternoon, and got totally sidetracked by a building I have driven by hundreds of times but never really *saw* until today. I've learned by now to act on my creative inspirations, so I pulled a U-turn, parked the car and spent an hour wandering around with my camera and my new eyes.

I often drive around looking for places to shoot and find myself uninspired by what I can see from the car. In the future I'll be reminding myself that 90% of the good stuff is not visible from the driver's seat! We spend so much time in our cars with our eyes on the road that we are missing a whole world of interesting things all around us. It's important to remember to park the car and take some time just walking around now & then : )
These barrels were my favorite subject of the day. I had fun examining their details from every angle! See more shots here .

Bellingham: Day & Night

2008-02-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

It's been quite awhile since I've spent much time shooting for the fun of shooting but my new photographer friend Jen Martin is always sharing the photos she's taken on her shooting adventures and she finally inspired me to get out there again. She and I met up on a cold Friday evening and did some night shooting together around downtown Bellingham. It's always interesting to document the lights and shadows of the night time world. Shooting with Jen inspired me to revisit a few places a couple days later on Sunday afternoon. Kicking around alleys with my camera is one of my favorite things to do... most people tend to avoid them but I love the "behind the scenes" stories they tell! You just never know what you are going to find in an alley. I also made a point of doing some shooting around the old Georgia-Pacific paper factory as it will be demolished soon... yes, it's a big eyesore but it's been a part of Bellingham for so long that it deserves to be documented. Oh how I wish someone would give me permission to go inside the gates for a few hours with my camera... and maybe Jen & hers too ; )
(Additional photos are here!)

I know it's not pumpkin season but...

2008-02-05T19:28:00.001-08:00

I know it's the middle of winter but I spend most of the year working with and processing photos for my personal photography clients that I get very little time to focus on my work for my other business, Soulstice Imagery. Now that it's the slow season I've had a chance to do a little catching up! I thought I'd start off the new SI blog with some photos I took out at Stony Ridge Farm in October when I visited with the kids at Gardenview Montessori. Besides, isn't nice seeing a little color in the dead of winter? (You can see all of the pictures here.)