My Very Own Family!!!

There's a little thing in the photography world that we joke about....it's called PCS (Photographer's Child Syndrome) and my children suffer from a terrible case of it! Despite this, Tirzah of Photography by Tirzah got some really great photos of my family!! We met up with all six kids in tow and exchanged sessions...it was a little hectic but we had fun and got some awesome shots out of the session! ♥ ya Tirzah!

My wonderful family:

And her gorgeous family:





CRHS Senior Rep!!

How fun to shoot my first senior rep this year!! This is Garrett. He is a senior at CRHS this year. He is a fun, easy-going, outdoorsy (is that a word?) kind of guy. I had fun talking to him and we even share a common interest. We both enjoy riding our four-wheelers. Of course I'm going to bet he is a much better rider than me. My reasoning: not only does he have a four-wheeler, but he has a dirt bike. I'm pretty sure I would be hospitalized if you let me drive something with only two wheels!! I need all four wheels for extra stability...seriously! :)

Party over here!!!

Party over there!!! What's more fun for a birthday party than to get some fab pictures done! Lucky me! I got to shoot five gorgeous girls today! And I must say the 13 year old me would have been SOOOO jealous of this birthday party. After a fun-filled sleepover these girls got treated to getting their hair done and being the stars of their very own photoshoot...hope you girls all love your pictures!!

Sneak Peak of Baby Cora!!

WOW!! What a gorgeous baby! I've been hearing about Cora on an almost daily basis since her mommy became pregnant with her...and nope, I don't even know her mom. Let's just say I work with one proud Grandma! Baby Cora and her parents don't live in town so I didn't think I would have the opportunity to photography her, but I got lucky! They were in town for the weekend! Baby Cora was a doll and so alert. She didn't really sleep the whole session...the picture below...yep, I'm pretty sure it was just a blink. Shhhhhh....don't tell!

Gone Fishing!!!

I love to spend time outdoors with my family!! We try to frequent parks, boat, camp, go for walks, and ride our fourwheelers as often as possible. My boys would much prefer to be outside and I hope that it remains that way as they grow up....I love that they have such a healthy relationship with Mother Nature! All of this talk and it may come as a suprise to you that my boys had NEVER been fishing prior to today!! Crazy, right?!?

They were so excited last night when they got their matching Buzz Lightyear fishing poles. They practiced casting and the backyard and caught eachother several times...oh the joy!! I can't tell you how many times I untangled their fishing line. So, after much hype last night, we took them down to the lake today. They had a blast!! Of course we didn't catch anything...they were thrilled to just cast it and reel it back in over and over and over! Oh to be young again!!

My other other job!! Hello Jake Owen....

Ok, so it's been a month since I took a week off of my day job at the local hospital and my photography business to work an eighty hour week as an assistant event coordinator for the Cowlitz County Fair. I have finally recovered! It was my eighth fair and we joke that it is a little like childbirth! About this time of year, you forget how exhausting and crazy it was...then by the time March rolls around, you are completely oblivious!! That's when I will get the phone call, "Hey Catrina, fair 2011?"

Of course, I will oblige. It is a TON of work, but it is such a fun & great change of pace from my normal routine!! I mean, seriously, why would I not want to get paid to go work at the fair?!? Concert...check, rodeo (and of course, that means cowboys)...check, demo derby...check!! Count me in! Of course I am one of those insane people that completely thrive in a fast-paced, chaotic environment!

It is so busy during that week that as much as I would love to capture some of the photo ops, I almost never have time! This year, there was a small little exception. I got to break out my camera at the Jake Owen Concert!! I'll be honest with you, I had never heard any of Jake's songs (sorry country fans!). I had, though, seen his posters on the fair website and around town...and he was gorgeous, so no complaints here! The concert was totally worth it...I am now a Jake Owen fan! He had such a great presence and was so engaging with the fans that you couldn't help but have a blast! Here's some of the pictures...

^^Yep, I'm pretty sure he could get a gig with Herbal Essence if that's his sort of thing!! ;)

See, I told you he was engaging!! Jake, are you looking at me?!?!?

 Then, after making love to my camera, he made his way to the audience to greet the rest of his fans! And I want you to keep an eye on these next few pictures. I was under the impression that he was a total ladies man...but apparently he is a man's man too!! Check out how excited his mans (man fans) were!!!

And then he made his way back on stage...

And when I say on stage, I mean on top of the stage too!! Hey Jake, you're not supposed to be up there!!!

Ok, ok!! We'll forgive you...but just this once! Boys, I tell you!

Seriously, an awesome performer! He stayed and signed every last persons autograph....he worked later than I did that night!!