I’ve never lived in any of the sunny states that make up this country – like say Florida, California or Hawaii. In fact, I’ve always lived in a region with four distinct seasons (though someday I’ll be retired in Puerto Vallarta). Anyhow, I figure that residents of these sunny states don’t really miss – let alone seek out – any part of the colder seasons in places outside of their paradise bubbles. So when I received a call from a family currently living in Hawaii, I was oddly delighted when the dad told me:

“I want to take a piece of the Pacific Northwest home with me”

Dad is actually from Washington and they were planning to visit family during the fall season. It turns out, there isn’t much in the way of fall foliage in Hawaii, and this family was missing the vibrance that Seattle autumns provide. Instantly, I felt an affinity with this family.

I like to take a little time to chat with the people I’ll be photographing for a number of reasons. First, I can learn what truly matters to them and what they’re most wanting to remember and cherish from this current season in their lives. Second, by establishing rapport over a phone call or video chat, everyone is already loosened up by photoshoot day which means more authenticity shining through in the photographs. Having established a real connection with my clients is hugely important to my creative process.

During our discovery call, Dad showed me some old J.C. Penny portraits that they had but weren’t thrilled with (oddly, I have been getting a fair number of clients telling me that they’re wanting to replace their old J.C. Penny photos. I suppose that’s a marketing angle I should think about.) After our chat, I’m certain that the perfect spot for them was by Marymoor Park in Redmond.

On photoshoot day, all seven of my weather apps tell me that it’s going to rain during our session. Other than a one-hour time bump, we don’t have much leeway as far as rescheduling due to weather because of their travel schedule (though here’s a fun article about why I secretly love rainy photoshoots). I touched base with my Hawaiian family to check in on how they’re feeling and potentially offer an indoor option if they didn’t want to proceed in the rain. Well, their true PNW roots shone through when I received a resounding “‘no” to the indoor alternative – “rain or shine – the shoot is on and we want to take a piece of the PNW home with us.” I was beaming inside. These are my people!

Understandably, it’s hard to remember to pack umbrellas and rain jackets when you’re visiting from a sunny state, so I left them some rain protection and gear in my little Prius while I went ahead and set up my portable lighting and calibrate my camera before their arrival.

My Hawaiian family appears on the path and I meet them for the first time, in person. I was pleased to see that they had remembered to bring their daughter’s violin. On our earlier discovery call, I had learned that she’s a proficient violinist and so I suggested she bring it along in case we can capture this important stage in her childhood.

Just a little touch-up – fixing hair and removing an eyelash or two – and we began our shoot! A photo is worth a thousand words, so I’ll stop writing for a moment and let you see how it went:

I have Mom and Dad smooching in the middle of the empty path while their beautiful daughters run circles around them. I love the long-exposure trick to showcase movement and dynamics in family photos.

The daughters also practice traditional Chinese dance. Here they are mid-photoshoot, gleefully performing this traditional art form.

Despite the drizzle, the girls are having a blast and there’s no stopping us. Next, our violinist starts to play for us. What a thrill it was to capture these dramatic shots of her playing her instrument in the middle of this long path, bordered by colorful fall foliage:

The rain starts to pick up but we make our way to the windmill. At this point, I’ve lost all track of time as we’ve been having too much fun.

And finally we see a yawn:

It’s time to call it! Off they go to grab hot chocolate and then back to traveling shortly thereafter.

I’m pleased to say that they absolutely got to capture a piece of the Pacific Northwest with them. Here is the full preview gallery:

Are you visiting Seattle from out of state? Would you like to take a piece of the Pacific Northwest home with you, too? I’d be honored to photograph your family. Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation or to book your family photoshoot.