Bellingham Photographer

Springtime Family: Bellingham Family Photographer

April 18, 2014

During my last trip from Bellingham to Ashland I got to take pictures of my dear friend Amanda and her family. Words can’t even express my love for this girl and everything went perfectly with all FOUR kids! It was so fun! Here are a few (22) of my favorites:

by Crystal

Marriage on an anniversary

April 9, 2014

Last week was Spring Break in Bellingham so we drove down to Ashland where I had the honor of photographing my friend Sarah’s wedding, which fell on the 10th anniversary of she and her love, Rodney’s relationship together. I have photographed Rodney, Sarah, Naiya and Esmee several times before and was thrilled at the idea of capture this moment in their lives, in a place that is dear to me as well, and along side the love of my life, who was filming.

What I had not prepared myself for was the the beauty and realness of the exchange of wedding vows between two people who know- really know what they are saying.

Years ago I stopped booking weddings and began referring them out to other photographers. I was beginning to be on call to doula and photograph more births at the time, which was where my heart was and I could not be on call during weddings. I had no problem giving up wedding photography, mainly because I honestly found some of them pretty depressing. When I compared them with births, there was no doubt in my mind that money aside, birth was what I wanted to capture. I remember finally being able to put it into words one day, that with weddings, people can and often do pour a lot of time and money into a wedding to dress something up and make it pretty to impress people, even if what’s underneath, the relationship, is not very beautiful. At a birth, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor or who your parentsÂ are, birth is raw and beautiful and emotional, regardless or where or with whom it takes place.

When I stood beside Rodney and Sarah as they looked into the faces of each other and their two daughters, and I listened to them express their deepest joys and sorrows and how they had been their for each other through two births, and all of life’s highs and lows that had brought them to this day and place-wow. I think it might have been the first time I had heard real live people who had been loving and holding each other through babies and moves and trials and great joys take a breath and Â plan a time and place to stand up and verbalize their love and commitment so beautifully. I felt like I was watching a really good movie, only it was better, because it was real and I was there.

I have photographed lots of young men and women reciting vows, mostly traditional vows and sometimes ones they had written, but the older I get and longer I have been married the more I hear them and think, “Wow, they have no idea what they are committing to!”

So congratulations Rodney and Sarah for doing life together for 10 years and making a commitment to keep actively loving each other, even knowing full well the kind of scarifies that commitment may take. You two are an inspiration for being loving partners in parenting, working and creating your art together (by the way, I didn’t even get into how amazing wonderful and talented these people are!).

by Crystal

Daffodil Mini Sessions: March 22nd

March 15, 2014

The daffodils are out in bloom in Mount Vernon and the views are breath taking! Just a quick 30 minute drive for all of us in Bellingham, makes these blooms a fun spring or Easter photoshoot location for babies through big kids! I will be offering 6 mini sessions Ã‚Â in the daffodils next weekend. They will take place on Saturday, with the possibility of doing some sunset shots Friday as well. These will be open to babies, toddlers, kids, families, sibling groups or pregnant mamas. Details such as times (we will give you the time that works best for your schedule) and specific location will be sent after payment is complete. Hurry and sign up today by using the button at the bottom!

by Crystal

Silas: 5 Months

January 17, 2014

This is a my little man at 5 months. When you live in the northwest, especially Bellingham and especially when you are a photographer, you appreciate the sun more than anyone else I am convinced. So even though its winter, you get out and shoot when you seeÂ those rays, and this day a week ago was one of those times!

This little guys is sitting, scooting, babbling up a storm and loves his Sophie, the giraffe.Â I am loving having a baby of my own at home again, there is truly nothing like it!

by Crystal

A Vision Fulfilled: Welcome to the World Preston

January 15, 2014

On my trip this past week, I got to photograph the first baby of two more of my amazing friends. I met Zach my freshmen year of high school at church, when I moved to Louisiana. Our first encounter was him overhearing I had just moved from Southern California, which caused him to quickly inquire about whether or not I liked the punk band P.O.D. (which I did); we have been friends ever since! I thought he could not have been blessed with any more amazing women in his life after knowing and loving his mom and sister for years and years, that was until Zach married Melanie. Now I am 100% sure Zach is forever attached to some of the greatest possible ladies ever! Â I love Zach, Melanie and their whole family so much and have been looking forward to meeting their baby since before he was ever conceived! I even had a dream while I was pregnant with Silas and Melanie was pregnant with Preston where I saw him and he literally looks just my my dream! Anyways, here he is, the much anticipated Zachary Preston Binns Jr.!