Moe Family Photoshoot

What an awesome time in that gorgeous late afternoon sun light last week with the Moe family. I gotta tell ya, being a solo shooter-facilitator for a 8-person family photoshoot ain't easy, but challenge accepted and completed! It was a blast getting to know the kids a bit while playing with them at the playground to start things off. I always enjoy that process leading up to capturing the genuine smiles and expressions while being in an outdoor environment where the kids (and adults!) can roam, run around, and interact with the natural surroundings. I think it makes for a very organic feel to the images. Big thanks to Steven Moe for the idea and the whole family in going with the flow while giving me their best genuine smiles possible! Here are some of the favorites from our photoshoot. 😎

9 Feb 2018 edit: Ellie just wrote and posted this review on my photography page, and it absolutely just made my heart melt. 

“Another level of photography!! Ahh Jonathan what a gift you have and such a gift you gave us: Precious moments immortalised forever!!
Jonathan took family pictures for us while our dear parents were in town from overseas, which was no small task with 4 small children in an open space up way past their bedtime! Despite tears, injuries and “free spirited” kids Jonathan dodged it all and produced
a whole series of exquisite, dreamy images, bursting with life and energy.

Jonathan is just lovely to deal with. Relaxed and easy going, allowing the session to take its course but always in control. He connected with all our kids and really went the extra mile to capture each one in their element. I think we have a friend for life

He anticipated each shot, waiting for just the right moment to capture the untamed energy and joy of the 2 year old, the reluctant coy smile of the would-be rebel 8 year old , the tender affection of a Nonie and her granddaughter, and even the sweet connection of the somewhat camera-shy parents

A photo can be a freeze-frame record of a face or place on a given date, with a particular hairstyle or fashion of the time, or it can be a portal - a glimpse into the soul of a person, that shows their character and brings them to life in a way that generations to come will be able to connect with. The beauty and depth of that portal is the art of Jonathan’s craft. I find a new favourite every time I look .”
— Ellie Moe

Jennifer & Tom Wedding

Now this is a wedding I'll be talking about for a while.

I've known both Tom and Jennifer since 2009 and 2010, respectively, and we've really gotten to know each other well having lived and spent time in and around Seattle between 2015-2016. I simply had a blast being with them while meeting and photographing their family and friends spanning across the states, plus Honduras and Ghana. There were about 120 wedding guests, and most opted to stay in the rustic cabins or pitched their own tents in the woods of Camp Cedarcrest in the town of Orange, Connecticut. I already love the outdoors and so an all-outdoor wedding feels very natural, especially when the temperature and weather were so agreeable as they were that whole weekend. Like many family members and guests, I arrived early to help out with the setup of the wedding. Jennifer and Tom opted to Do-It-Yourself, which involved many of us putting up lights, posts, signs, torches, set up games, tables, and also the phoot booth. It was such a fun experience making it all happen and nearly immediately watch everyone enjoy the space that we'd just created. I am tremendously grateful for their friendship and feel honored to be their wedding photographer. Many more years of friendship ahead, I am certain. A huge and heartfelt congratulations to you two! 

We took this photo several months after their engagement in 2015 on an overnighter bicycle trip to Orcas Island. So amazing to have cultivated a deep friendship together and capture their special day!

We took this photo several months after their engagement in 2015 on an overnighter bicycle trip to Orcas Island. So amazing to have cultivated a deep friendship together and capture their special day!

Here are the hand-picked favorites from our 2 days together. Scroll further to see a few bonus photos and words at the end. 

I remember Jennifer & Tom saying very specifically that, "we wanna make sure YOU are going to have a good time too." I can say very confidently that I absolutely did. It was my joy to capture their special day to the best of my abilities in that beautiful environment surrounded by loving family and friends. A shoutout to Rachel Rimmerman for snatching my camera away on several occasions to also ensure I have a chance to boggie and not be "working" the entire time. She took some great photos on the dance floor, too. Thanks Rachie!

Much love to you both, Jennifer & Tom! <3

Bonnie & Dennis & Family Photoshoot

A gorgeous day out at the beach in southern California! I had the chance to meet Bonnie, Dennis, and their family in Los Angeles over the weekend, and we went to Seal Beach for a family photoshoot. Light breeze, perfect temperatures, and not too many people even though it was a Saturday. We had discussed about the photoshoot for a few days and actually changed locations last minute due to the infamous Los Angeles traffic. Well our "Plan B" location turned out pretty sublime afterall. Though my camera nearly drowned in seawater(!), I had a lot of fun and we captured some great pixels together. I love my 2-lens/2-camera combo (Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART + Canon 100mm f/2) that I've been using for the wedding last weekend and several portrait photoshoots in the past couple months. Here's a small collection of favorites showing the place and energy of the afternoon. Thanks, Bonnie & Dennis!

Photoshoot with Emerson

I had wanted to meet Emerson well before he was even named. Mike and Caroline are close friends from Seattle and I missed them both dearly after departing from the Pacific Northwest. Emerson came into their lives late last year and I have had such a lovely time with the whole family since returning a couple weeks back. Here are several captures from our time at the park recently while testing out the (new to me) Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens. What a gem! Perfect for close to semi-close portraits. I am a huge fan of prime lenses and have been using them primarily for photoshoots and special events for several years. This Sigma has already landed in the "top shelf" in my book. Behind-the-scene shots by Caroline. ;)