I turned 30 this year.  I have often heard that 30 is the best age because you really know who you are or you start to.  And I am totally getting it.  And I am coming to get me and all that that embodies and I like it.  I like me.  Maybe that sounds conceited.  It’s not meant to. I think there is something to be said about being okay with yourself and who you are.  I realize that I am this crazy, happy, silly, bustin’ a move whenever I want to no matter who might be watching girl.  And my moves.. well they are so 1996.  But I am cool like that.

I have to give thanks to Misty for this picture of me.  We were talking about this picture and it is totally me.  Even the double chin I get when I laugh.  It’s glamorous.  :)  That girl you see, minus the big orange bag, is who I am all the time.  This is me downtown Seattle (I was there for WPPI road trip) shortly after I was bustin’ a move and then realizing that I was being watched by people inside a restaurant who were laughing at me.  It’s all good.  They are totally wondering where I got my crazy dance moves.  I am going to say it was from all of the Stake Dances I went to as a kid.  I totally passed the deacon two step and moved on to crazier moves.
So far I am totally digging 30.  I am okay with all the crazy things about me.  I talk fast and a lot.  I giggle when I probably should cry because I hate to cry.  I cry over stupid things like a Hallmark commercial and my husband laughs and looks at me and says really??  I pick up catchy phrases from fabulous friends.. (I know.. right?)  My husband can always tell who I have been around by how I talk.  I am quirky and goofy and not afraid to make a fool of myself.  I trip when I walk.. and fall when I shouldn’t.  And it’s okay.  Because it’s me.

And right now I am in the most fantastic stage of life.  My kids are super duper fun.  They make me laugh all of the time.  My husband.  *sigh*  He is my best friend and he makes me laugh harder than anyone.  My business is growing.  I am learning.  And I am so so so grateful for all of my blessings from my Heavenly Father.

A few years ago I was asked to shoot a wedding.. all.by.myself.  I had second shot a few times and decided I would say yes.  I was terrified, and excited all at the same time.  I did it.  I loved it.  They love the images and it was heavenly.  It was Jana’s brother.  Later I did her whole family’s pictures.  And then I did another wedding where Jana was a bridesmaid.  And I was thrilled when I was asked to do her wedding.

Jana and Steve are one of those couples you just love.  They are kind and sweet.  They are so grateful and one of the kindest couples to work with.  I love that they are up for anything I throw at them.  They were married 8.14.10 at the Columbia River LDS Temple, in Richland, Washington for time and all eternity.  I love when couple come out of the temple so excited and ready for this new chapter in their life.  It makes my heart flutter.  Now on to the good stuff.

Steve and Jana were so excited to see all of the friends and family who were waiting for them to come outside.  There  was a lot of cheering.I love Jana’s dress.  Seriously love it.  I still love my wedding dress that I was married in, but this dress it is up there on my list of dresses I love.  And she was rocking it.

And the bouquet.. gorgeous!  Jana had this whole style going for her wedding day, she looked stunning.  And Steve was looking pretty good next to her.I love the happiness that these two ooze.  They are so full of life and made this day so much fun!It was a hot day.  And the sun was out in full force, but they worked.I love intensity in Steve’s face. These two have the most gorgeous eyes.I had to get a nice laid back picture of Steve.  You can tell he feels like the luckiest guy ever.
I love how relaxed she is.  And still so gorgeous.
I could watch these two interact all day. The moments like this make me happy.  I love some pretty sun flare at the right time. Steve and his boys.  The girls were digging their shoes. And the gorgeous women of  the day.  The three girls on the left.. their Jana’s sisters.  Thank you so much for allowing me to capture your day.  To be their for those moments that will last a lifetime.

It’s back.  School is starting and fall is right around the corner.  And my Better School Picture Special is back!  With school starting next week I decided I would offer an option to the standard school picture.  I want pictures that capture my children.  And that is what my clients want.  

A Better School Picture

Saturday September 4 and 11

9:00AM-11:00AM at Columbia River Park (You’ll get all the details once you book!)

For $25 per child, I will spend 5 minutes with each of your children.  Just time enough to capture 3-5 fabulous shots of them.  Your pictures will be fully edited and presented in an online gallery in color and black and white.  The $25 pays for the sitting fee and ONE fully edited high-resolution file (in color and black and white) with rights to print.  If you decide you would like all 3-5 files, the cost is only $15 more.

Call or email to schedule your appointment today.

509.521.3958 or photographybyleeann@gmail.com

This offer is for children from preschool age all the way through high school age!  Check out my website for more examples of my photography.

Spread the word and let all of your friends know.

Today my heart is full of gratitude.  Get ready to learn a little more about Lee Ann.  In 1998 right after High School Graduation, I was diagnosed with Lupus.  I don’t know that I really grasped what that was at the time, or for many years.  But it was part of the life I was dealt, and I went with it.. because what else do you do?  And then I lived in denial.. because it is way easier than dealing with the issue.. right?

Fast forward several years, several flares… and all the way to today.  Today.  I am in remission.  I am not sure I can even express the gratitude I have in my heart to my Heavenly Father.  To my awesome doctor.  To my body who is actually cooperating with me for once.  It’s a blessing.  And I am so grateful for my blessings.  The big, and the small.  Remission.  Who knew that it was such a powerful word and would revoke such emotion as I sit here tonight with tears of gratitude.  Remission.  HOORAY!!

Man, I am a really, really, really, really bad blogger right now.  I meant to be better.  I really did.

And then we moved.  Did I mention we bought a house?  We did.  Almost two weeks ago.  We moved in, and that same weekend I shot a wedding.  It was crazy.  It was busy.  It was hectic.  I loved every minute of it.  Craziness like that makes me happy.  Maybe I should be committed or something.  But that type of crazy is fun for me.

And one week after we moved.  My kitchen refrigerator decided to be possessed and it blew water all over my kitchen and dining room while I was gone.  It flooded all of it.  And now we are under going restoration.  We are currently in the drying stage.  But on the plus side the HIDEOUS green fake tile linoleum is coming up and things are going to look much better.  Sometimes blessings come in weird ways.  But hey, I’ll take it.  Not that I am excited about my new old house flooding, but the fact that I get to change some things to make them what I want.  That’s cool.

Sadly that makes me feel like I have had no time to do anything.  And so blogging has taken a back burner.  Don’t worry I will be back.  And it will be CRAZY.  Or maybe it will just be consistent.

And I have to share what else keeps me busy.  My kids are doing Tae Kwon Do this summer.  We are there every.single.day.  It is great for them, they love.  I have met some new amazing friends that all are there every.single.day like me.  Thankfully they go crazy with me.  But we laugh, drink sonic, and enjoy the fact that we have new really cool friends.  And since all blogs are better with a picture here is a picture of my girl on belt ceremony night.  You would think it would be of her getting her belt.  But it’s not.  It is from the competition that she won.  She schooled all the boys who looked at her like she wasn’t even competition.  She giggled and smiled and beat them all.  That girl.  She cracks me up.  This is her in her final match.  She kicked his booty.  It was awesome.  And everyone cheered for the giggly girl who acted like she didn’t have a clue what was going on.  Love it.  Love that girl.

Steve and Jana were married yesterday in the beautiful Columbia River Temple in Richland, Washington.

Here is a sneak peek of their day.
Thank you so much for allowing me to capture your day.

I have an idea in my head and I want to try it out on a couple.  So if you and your significant other are interested in being a model for me (or you and some one that you think would look awesome in pictures with you).. and getting some cool pictures while I experiment and you want to help me out LIKE NOW!  (Seriously this week) Leave me a message.  And one of my lucky readers will get to spend a little time with me.  It’s going to be RAD.

I love my clients.  I know I say it over and over.  And Devin and Dru were no exception.  We hadn’t had a chance to meet before their shoot, and I was so excited to meet them.  And they are RAD.  (I have decided that word needs to come back.)  I love getting to know my clients and have them become friends.  As the shoot went on I learned so much about these two and I loved seeing how in love they are.  It was obvious by the way Dru treated Devin he adores her.  And she is head over heels in love with him.  They are why I love my job.

Dru is leaving soon for Iraq.  He is in the National Guard.  I am so grateful for his service to our Country.  Thank you Dru!  They wanted to do their engagements before he leaves for his tour.

As you can tell he was much more interested in checking her out, than in looking at the camera.  It worked.  It’s them.  I love it.
Devin is totally HOT!  Dru you are a lucky man!Devin is pretty lucky too.  He adores her.  You can see it in the pictures and the way he treats her.  Funny thing we were outside in downtown Kennewick shooting and a guy came out and invited us in his shop so we could take picture.  The light was awesome, and it was a break from the Tri-City wind.
Seriously you two are adorable!I love this shot.  Love it.  It makes me heart flutter.  That’s how much I love it.  Hopefully you do too.Congratulations you two!!  Thank you for allowing me to capture you and document your love.

Friday night it was so hot.  We are talking 99 degrees at 6:00 at night.  I love the heat, and would take that anytime over shooting in the freezing cold.  I met up with the O Family on Friday, they are moving out of the area and wanted to get pictures of their oldest before her loose front teeth fell out.  And like I have said before I have the best clients ever.  I am so blessed!

We started out at the park, and then ended in an Orchard.
I love the interaction in this shot.  They are an adorable family!

She wasn’t so sure she wanted kisses from her sister. 

I think this is one of my favorite sibling shots.  I love the expressions on their sweet faces.She was full of spunk and kept me running.  And she is the sweetest almost 7 year old ever.  And a fabulous big sister.And a final shot with some yummy sun flare!Enjoy your sneak peek!  I can’t wait to show them all to you.  Thank you so much for such a great shoot!

Sometimes I get the chance to take pictures of family.  It tends to make me nervous.  I worry I am going to completely screw it all up.  But I still remember what I am doing and it all works out.  This was no exception.  I shot these way back in June.  And I am finally getting them blogged.  It is about time I get caught up on life.

First my adorable niece.  She is 9 and growing up way too quickly.  I remember when she was the screaming infant who made me question my decision to step into the world of motherhood.  

And my nephew.  He’s 7, can you tell?  He was so excited to find a number 7.  Smart kid.This girl is almost 5.  She didn’t used to love me.  But something changed that day.  She decided I wasn’t too bad.  And now, I am the bestest Aunt ever.  At least I think I am.  :)  She has become my buddy.
And the baby girl.  I am so excited to finally get to know her.  She’s so sweet and happy.  Thanks for being so darn cute!