Dear Friends at Home in Gig Harbor

I love these people! What joy it brings me to photograph friends dear to my heart! Laura has been by my side since we met . . . and that was way back in Kindergarten. We rode the bus together, and shared so much laughter. Our memories go way back, and I look forward to creating even more in our future friendship! Her handsome husband, Eric, made me laugh throughout this session. I think the whole family had fun, and that's why these images make you smile! We met at the barn on their family property - what a treasure for a photographer. With perfect weather, perfect location, and perfect clients . . . I couldn't go wrong! With my love - Heidi

Snow in Gig Harbor!

School's out early . . . there's snow in Gig Harbor! My boys were all giggles watching our puppy, Molly, frolic in her first snow. She's not sure whether to eat it, attack it, or dig it up - so much fun to watch her play! The boys ate some snow (not the yellow stuff), made a giant snow ball, and built a very cool snow cave. It's still falling . . . more fun yet to be had! - Heidi

Family Christmas Card Portraits - Gig Harbor Photography

Who wouldn't love to put a portrait like this on their Christmas card? Taking family holiday portraits is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks to this gorgeous family for a fun morning, capturing some great shots this season. Enjoy . . . and Merry Christmas! - Heidi

Sweetest of Siblings

I have had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with this family for a few years now. We especially enjoy our cold and wet fall days on the soccer sidelines together, cheering on our fabulous Tornados! This family has been wanting to capture some great images of the kids, and I'm so glad last weekend worked for them. As contest winners, they enjoyed a complimentary session - yay! I adore this family, and it was a pleasure to spend some time with these two dolls in our studio. - Heidi

3 Little Sisters . . . 1 Big Brother Tacoma mini photo sessions

Do these little loves adore their handsome big brother, or what? They were so sweet together, and such fun to photograph! These adorable lavendar dresses with dark brown sashes don't come in my size . . . but, I really want to twirl in one just like these three girls did! We captured all kinds of fun images: individuals, posed group shots, and tons of fun dancing shots! It's so much fun for me to have one of my preschool families come into the studio for a photo session. - Heidi

Preschool Pictures- Gig Harbor

We photographed 120 adorable children at this preschool, and every single image is something special indeed! Hearing all of the positive feedback from parents as they received their portraits today put big smiles on our faces. Just look at these grins . . . how could we go wrong? - Heidi & Erin

Murphy Family

This family, I love. Spending even just a little time with Shelley is so refreshing. I don't get to see her nearly enough; but, when I do, I'm instantly filled with her love and friendship. Her fantastic family is a mixture of beauty, humor, passion, and joy! They were great with the camera, and gave me lots of opportunity to capture fun images for their holiday greeting cards. This family of six brings me great joy, and I'm delighted to share that with you. Happy Thanksgiving! - Heidi

Kitten photographer {Tacoma-Gig Harbor}

This spunky little baby just wanted to play and play when we tried to take her picture inside. She'd run and hide in the darkest corners of the room and then come leaping and sprint out with joy!

It wasn't until we took her on one of her very first forays into the great outdoors that she was distracted and calm enough to photograph her.

Gracie- your two mamas love you so much! What a blessing you are to a little first grade and a fifth grader!

Meow!

Erin

Swenson Wedding- Tacoma Gig Harbor Photographer

This wedding was on the beautiful Oregon coast this summer. Enjoy the video of this goregous couple, Caleb & Amber . . . Mrs. & Mrs. Swenson! much love, Heidi

Christmas Baby Photography- Auburn family

Could this sweet baby be any cuter???? And could those cheeks be any more delicious????

The dad of this adorable family is my daughters art teacher so I was SUPER excited to photograph them. Joel is something of a photo enthusiast so it was fun to show off our downtown Tacoma Studio.

Sweet one year old Willa just walked right into the studio (in her super high fashion purple Uggs) as calm as can be. She was owning her fashion shoot! What a doll!

Joel and Stacy- thanks for being so patient in awaiting your sneak peek. Now I can't wait for you to see the rest of them. You're going to {{{love}}} them!

Erin

Strategic Planning for BerryLane

So- I got up at 5am this morning, full of excitement and energy. I have spent the last couple of hours preparing for our 9am staff meeting. And this isn't just any staff meeting. We are going to be going through every step in our business, fine tuning our customer service and planning on how to strengthen our relationship with past, current and future customers.

This is SO much fun! I have all kinds of ideas swirling about my head. Ways we can spoil our clients, and ways we can get our products to you faster. I can't wait to hear the ideas of the rest of our crew- Sarah, Heidi and Kristine. Planning for the future is a blast!

Oh 2011- you are looking mighty fine!

Erin

Italian Dogs? Nope- Gig Harbor photographer

I was working on the final edits of a session Heidi took of a local Gig Harbor family when I came across this image of their family dogs.

I LOVE it!

The image reminded me so much of pictures I took two years ago in Tuscany, Italy. I smoothed the image out until it almost looked like a painting and then added a layer of texture. Amazing that it was actually taken at the family home in Gig Harbor. This would be a perfect image for a canvas.

I can't wait to see how the family likes it!

Erin

Here kitty kitty! Tacoma-Gig Harbor Cat Photographer

Can you believe it? Yes- we photograph kitties at BerryLane Photography!

This is Rascal. He was a barn kitty that was adopted by a very loving family. They are slowly converting him to be an inside boy and looking forward to the day they no longer are brought 'treats' on the doorstep!

Erin

Ongoing education

I strongly believe a photographer needs to continue growing and learning and training in new areas. It is so important not to become stagnant and uncreative.

Yesterday Heidi and I went off to another training. This time we were in downtown Seattle at the 5th Ave Red Lion. We went with a small group of photographers to hear Clay Blackmore speak and teach. Clay was classically trained by photography icon Monte Zucker. He runs his studio out of Washington DC. We were very fortunate to get him in Seattle.

Clay taught us to combine the beauty and timelessness of classic portraiture with the spontaneity and appeal of photojournalism. His approach is simple and direct- yet his images make a powerful statement.

It was very inspiring to Heidi and I and really made us want to stretch ourselves, our skills and creativity.

I can't wait to see what new and innovative portraits Heidi and I come up with now!

Erin

Puyallup Christmas Photographer

This delightful family came in to the studio from Puyallup to have these beautiful family pictures taken.

I've known mom since she was 12 so it was super sweet to see her now with her very own family. Even though it was a little too exciting at the studio for big brother Cole to snuggle up with his new baby brother you can see how much he adored him! So cute!

Erin

Gig Harbor Pre-School Photography

Did you know we photograph pre-schools?

We work REALLY hard at BerryLane Photography to make sure our school pictures are more than just a school picture- they are beautiful portraits that parents are proud to display in their homes.

Look at this sweet young man. Can you see how hard we worked to get that truly amazing image of him at the center? He was such a spunky, funny guy. Lucky for us we cracked him up!

Erin and Heidi

Teaching Photography~ Gig Harbor 5th graders

I am just now putting the final touches on the photography lesson I'm going to be teaching the 5th grade students at Lighthouse Christian School. I'm up early and the house is quiet and it's a perfect time for me to get all my thoughts together!

The 5th graders are going to be working on an art piece that they will be giving their parents as a Christmas gift. I don't want to go in to too many details because I know several LCS parents follow this blog- but, just want you to know, it's going to be a very beautiful image that will be framed an hung on your wall for a long time to come! I can't wait!

Erin