Burma...a primer.

I do not know how many of you have heard of the country Burma (Myanmar)...  I had heard of it at one time, but probably could not have pointed to it on a map, until a few years ago, when I took a really great Anthropology class from a professor at I.S.U. who was very familiar with S.E. Asia, particularly with Burma.  (Map)  It is a country rich in history, tradition and beauty, but ravaged by what is now decades of a brutal military regime.

As quoted from Partners webpage, "Burma is a country of extraordinary beauty: Its people, the landscape, the culture. And yet, it is disfigured and scarred by one of the cruelest regimes in the world."

I was fortunate enough to receive a wonderful birthday present this past month (from a pretty great guy, thanks Stephen!)...this book, "Displaced Reflections" by Oddny Gumaer, co-founder of Partners Relief and Development...in which she captures a few of the stories and lives of some of the most remarkable people, refugees from Burma.  The book is currently available on their website, along with some great information about the country and its people.  Please take a minute to look at their site...and maybe even consider how you can help.

I am fortunate enough to be considering a humanitarian trip there this Fall, with Partners...and will surely keep you posted on my experience. 

Kylie!

I love my job!  Particularly when it involves clients like this one, so sweet and genuinely beautiful...makes my job easy (but don't tell anyone!).  Thanks to Kylie and her mom, for a fun morning! 

Don't forget, seniors, it's time to think about scheduling your senior picture...particularly while the weather is still so agreeable!  Give me a call soon to hold your spot!  Kris @ 339-4339

More Seattle...

So, once you've wandered around Pike's Place Market, catch a ride over to the University area (yes, Husky grounds!) where you can rent a kayak (Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club) to paddle around Portage Bay, into Union Bay and through parts of the Washington Park Arboretum. If it's a warm day, it will be the perfect afternoon activity and a unique experience of being in the city and yet removed from the hustle and bustle as well...and, lots to see (beautiful waterfront homes and houseboats, the Montlake Draw Bridge, particularly friendly water fowl, and lots of people hanging out in and near the waterfront). Upstairs from the Paddle Club is a great little Mexican Cafe...yummy food and perfectly blended drinks!



If you want to spend more time outdoors, and like to people watch, the evening hours are fun at the Seattle Center. From downtown, it's a quick ride on the Monorail which ends in the heart of the Seattle Center. Between the Space Needle, the amusement park, the live music almost always happening there and the International Fountain, there is always a steady stream of entertaining sights and sounds!

Seattle! Pike's Place Market!

The best way to start your morning in Seattle? Head down to Pike's Place, grab a cup of Starbucks' coffee along the way or at their very first store (there are 416 Starbucks in the greater Seattle metropolis!), and find this little place, the "Daily Dozen Doughnut Company" for a fresh batch of cinnamon donuts! (I asked them if I could move in, but, they didn't seem interested...something about profit margins plummeting...!)
Then, after a sufficient amount of fat and sugar...head to one of the many produce stands and pick out your favorite fruit (the best peach I've ever eaten...and yummy cherries...and raspberries...and, and, and...!)...like I said, pick your favorite...you can't go wrong!
If you are lucky, this gentleman will be serenading you as you walk along the market...and the fish will be flying...and the sun will be shining all day, as it was when we visited Seattle this past weekend!

Don't forget to re-visit the market in the evening hours...

Time to start booking for senior pictures!

It's hard to believe, but a new school year is almost here! (You can sure tell by all the school supply stuff in the stores!) It is time to start thinking about senior photos! If you are, or have, a student who is a senior this year, it's time to book your appointment for senior pictures!

I am offering an all-digital package this year, as well as print packages! And, I am booking NOW for September and October! So call soon to reserve your spot! 339-4339

Shooting from the dark side...

I think this is the part of the scary movie where a shadowy figure slowly walks by...and then stops at the door...! I hate scary movies...won't, in fact, watch them...but I love this light-shining-through image of this cool, old abandoned building.

Horizons.

I used to live in big cities; Chicago, Philadelphia, Minneapolis....and I don't ever recall thinking it was strange that you couldn't see a horizon line...where the earth meets the sky....but now, having lived in rural parts of the country...I can't imagine not being able to see the sky, unobstructed, the way we do here. It's really kind of amazing!

Part of my ongoing series...

...and part of my ongoing attempt to entertain myself while on the road...!

Just fun to play with...motion on the road!

For those of you photogs who want to experiment...rule #1, and this one is very important...have someone else driving the car, bike, moped or whatever mode of transportation you choose! Then, choose a subject with either pops of color or strong contrasts. Set your shutter speed to match (give or take) your actual speed...for example, 25 mph = 1/25 shutter speed...and then make sure that your aperture rating gives you a good exposure. Focus manually, likely somewhere in the middle of the scene. Then, shoot away! Not every shot will be a great one...you have to play around a little with it, but sometimes it creates something quite interesting!

Moody.

It was a dark and stormy night...
We've had some pretty intense storms of late, have you noticed! ...big thunderheads rolling in...it's great!
When I was a teenager, my dad and I would sit on our deck and watch thunder and lightning storms roll down the Columbia River. I've been reminded of that lately...with these late afternoon storms.