When it’s nice there is no place more beautiful than Seattle. My profession often allows me to be outside, and this evening I could take advantage of the awesome light Seattle often reflects following a storm. So lucky am I to have an engagement session with a couple flexible enough to cancel and reschedule the session all within one hour. We did get rained on, but it was worth it to spend time with Kimberly and Kevin. What a special night we had!

These two are so at-ease. What a joy to be a part of this experience

Proof is on the finger!

Who knew it was about to rain again!

Kissing in the rain

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The intenship was awarded to Jonah Rondon who is an artist in her own right. Check out her 3 webites http://www.jonahrondon.com

http://www.maluhia.biz

http://www.aworldaway.etsy.com

I’m so happy to have Jonah with us for at least the next two months.

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Here are two examples of how clients have worked with me to put their personal spin on the cards featured in the last blog entry.

Side A
This inside spread is hidden from view when the card is folded.

Side B
The left panel is the first image seen when folded.
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So many cards, so many reasons to send them. Here are just a few samples of the possibilities.

Personalized Accordion Art Cards starting at $1.75 each

Personalized Accordion Art Cards -the inside.

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We are so pleased to be awarded Asuka Album of the Week for the gorgeous event hosted by Monica Khurana and Vik Duggal. Check it out, and this is only the mini album! If you want your event to look this good, choose Janel Schlitt of Occasions LLC as Monica and Vik did.
For more images, keep your eyes out for the winter Bridal magazines. (No I can’t tell which one! Not yet anyway.)

Vic and Monica bring India to Bellevue Washington

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Woe is me. I MISSED it. Tucked in with too many emails was an invitation to Robin Layton’s one-night-only art show. She superbly blends modern photography with hand chosen relics. Empowered with inspiring energy, wit and an appeal all her own, Robin pushes the display envelope blending photographic moments-in-time into, on top of, or around period based decor. Keep an eye out for more from Robin Layton Works,(I know I will) or simply purchase her creations!
See you at the next opening.

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Karlee and Paul wanted wedding photography clearly depicting that “our wedding location is Seattle, Washington”. We considered the modern downtown library by Rem Koolhaas, and a fabulous rooftop view from Sodo, Pioneer Square. Ultimately “the classics” represented these two best. We began our pre-wedding urban excursion at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, then rode in a classic British Bentley to the Olympic Sculpture Park, and finally arriving at the adorable, lodge-like Edgewater Hotel. (No they didn’t fish from their room!)

We had so much fun (and accomplished so much for the families and wedding party) during this pre-wedding playful session that during the rest of the day we were able to capture the natural flow of events. I much prefer working this way. No one enjoys hurrying through photographs during the reception. Besides, the candid moments during the cocktail hour are often when the light is most beautiful. Karlee and Paul wanted images that illustrated their love for each other and family. Sometimes other flows work better, so plans are customized from couple to couple, event to event. Planning is Teamwork. Teamwork. Teamwork. Thanks to Karlee and Paul for the great experience, and for your creative exploration of the possibilities.

Venue: The Edgewater Hotel
Florist: Sue Staple, Amaryllis (425) 339-6008
Dress & Veil: La Belle Elaines Bridal
Hair & Make-up: Salon Mason, (253) 984-0667
Men’s Attire: The Tux Shop

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Come have a holiday session with Janet Klinger Photography! To receive holiday cards by December 15th, sessions must take place no later than November 6th.

*All images used in cards were not taken by Janet Klinger Photography.

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Seattle is full of excellent grade schools.That makes choosing one very difficult. Once we started exploring private school possibilities we narrowed it down to Meridian School, UCDS, and Bertschi. All of these are fabulous choices. Meridian stood out in several ways for our family. We mattered to them. Both admissions director, Ted Holmes, and Head of School, Ron Waldman, treated us like they wanted us there. Ted recognized us each time we visited . He listened with clear interest to our thoughts, concerns and enthusiasm. For a family who is involved in the community this was one sign glowing brightly in favor of Meridian. We were excited too by the curriculum, teachers and physical environments inside and out. To see other parents input on grade schools or to contribute your own, see my former post on the subject.

Gently this worm was moved during a weeding fest

In addition, the families blew us away with their openness. I could see the involved parents and students were an intelligent, warm, welcoming community. Thank goodness we were accepted! The fact Meridian is located within 11 acre Meridian Park doesn’t hurt. (fabulous playground, apple grove, open grassy fields, gardens, large covered shelter, Seattle Tilth is here so the entire park is Pesticide free-something I WISH we could take for granted everywhere.)

Have community, grab a rake

Once accepted we were introduced to our Buddy Family, who turned out to be yet another excellent match, thanks to Ted Holmes’ intuition. So much fun has been had with their intriguing foursome.

There's our Buddy Family's 1st grader, 3rd from right. We're so lucky!

Meridian’s social integration also provides play dates all summer, ice cream socials, new family coffee, a skating excursion, movie night, and any activity the classroom Social Coordinator creates. My favorite event occurs each Friday; an all-school gathering to which families are invited to join in song (where Head of School Ron Waldman occasionally plays the guitar), presentations, dance and all Spanish games. Community building and involvement is a family value we build daily, hence Meridian School is It for us.

Yes this is Ron Waldman, Meridian's Head of School. He gets his hands dirty!

Like any proud parent, we want the best for Ellie. Academically I can already see the zeal with which the many specialist and teachers share their talents. I almost didn’t mention academics, thinking it’s a given priority. Socialization is equally important and harder to come by in a schools mission. Meridian has what we want and need. We’re proud to be part of this extraordinary community.

These photos are from Meridian School’s Community Service Day where parents, teachers, staff and students work together to take care of our neighborhood, including those creatures and plant life we live among daily.

That pesky photographer ASKED us to pose. We WERE working hard before she came along.

Oh so carefully

Modeling preparedness!

Taking a close look at nature and neighbor

Playing in order to understand roots in the garden, math, history...

Should we really go back inside?

Scalpel please

Developing the right tools at Meridian School!

And I thought brushing my teeth was tiring

Take good care. It will grow

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In hopes of making purchasing easier for our clients, we now take Discover Card. As always, we accept Visa, MasterCard and Paypal.
We also have packages offered for 1% less when you choose to pay in cash. I just want you to know there are options. We like options.
Why not use one of the above to have a gorgeous Fall Color portrait!

This snapshot is from a field trip with Nurturing Knowledge Preschool.
Tanya Knudsen must be proud of her little bilingual babe. He’s as sweet as he is adorable.

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Novelty Hill Januik Winery was the perfect setting for Miko and Lance’s wedding. A mix of elegance, modernism, and color in both the venue and the menu. I would recommend this wedding location as one of my top picks for nearly anyone. The setting can be changed dramatically by chosen details. From casual to elegant, low key reception to ruckus dance party. It’s possible those who seek formal and/or classic will prefer the gorgeous Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Otherwise, I love this dramatic location with it’s inside/outside flexibility, access to a large dressing suite with huge windows for natural light, enormous doorways, contemporary architecture (which my architect husband has me fully appreciating), geographic landscaping, colorful fixtures… Go see it yourself and enjoy a picnic on the grounds or take a bottle or a few cases of local wine home with you. Cheers.

If you are curious, here are some of Miko and Lance’s highly regarded vendors. True to their thoughtful natures, the quotes reflect thoughts they wanted to share.
Janet Klinger Photography (in case you were wondering!)
Dress: Luly Yang Couture (“Ashley is a great, great help”)
Coordinator: Emily Pollock from Novelty Hill Januik. (“She was Awesome!”)
Location: Novelty Hill Januik “Thrilled”
Hair Stylist: Monroe at Gene Juarez downtown Seattle (“She is phenomenal when it comes to updos”)
Aravinda- Eco Florist 206-853-3425
Officiant: Amy Epp from Seattle Mennonite Church
Ceremony Music: The Seattle Style Strings 206-621-8394
Accommodations: Willows Lodge (Granted, you don’t SEE shots here, but I personally enjoy the feel of this lodge.)

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How successful a photo session is depends on teamwork. For me that means having clients who either can articulate their passions and visions or trust me to represent them. This project belongs to all of us. It is not unusual to feel a satisfying hum after a session that leaves us each happily coasting through the rest of the day enjoying how luck has struck our lives. Allie and Josh increase and enhance my lucky days.
An absolute ball to photograph, Allie and Josh and I connected from the first moment we met (at the Seattle Wedding Show), and have been a team ever since. We listen to each others ideas then improve on them, back and forth like enthusiastic artists on a mission for an experience and image creation to be told, shared and revisited into posterity.
Rather than take control of the engagement session, or the wedding for that matter, each of us planned to the best of our ability, then we were even more satisfied as nuances from outside influences presented themselves.
I’m so happy to have met these two, and to have the honor of meeting the two families, witnessing where grace originated.
Josh and Ellie, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your extraordinary life!

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Voting has started for King 5 Evening Magazine’s “Best of Western Washington”. Why not help let everyone know YOUR choice of the best Wedding Vendors. Naturally we would be HONORED to have your vote! It only takes a minute to vote! Read the rest of this entry »

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Once again, I am offering photography coaching to the serious amateur, aspiring professional, and highly motivated parent. Topics include: photographing people, post processing: now what do I do with these images, and running a photography business.

JANET KLINGER PHOTOGRAPHY
2010 classes & coaching

YOU are the Portrait Photographer $150/hour ($115 if purchased with any other class/ photo session)
Join Janet for one-on-one personal coaching to become the photographer you’ve always dreamed of. Bring in your favorite subject(s) to model for you. You might choose to include props, outfit changes, inspiring music. Whether choosing a Seattle area location or taking advantage of Janet’s professional photography studio and Learn to love the beauty of North Light, or play with professional strobe equipment. Your camera equipment, or rent Janet’s Canon gear. Come play, explore and learn how to honor your creative side.

Post Processing in Camera Raw (PS CS4)
$85/hr
$195/3 hour session
$225/ 3 one-hour sessions
Now What? You’ve finished your photo session or filled your Flash Card with digital files. Learn how to quickly sort files then make your favorites as beautiful as the professionals. Learn to add drama, increase textures, intensify eyes, bring back lost highlights or shadows, color correct so everything isn’t “amateur orange”, crop for superior composition, apply oft-used settings to all your images, and more. As always you may choose to lead the direction each session explores. Taught by Janet and Staff.

Photo Coaching for Everyone
Personalized encouragement and instruction refining camera function, artistic sensibility, and developing intuition

Perhaps you need to better understand: your camera’s functions, when to use which lens, why images are out of focus, blurry, too dark or light, or how to use flash to enhance natural light.

Maybe you hope to improve your composition, increase your success-to-dud rate, add flair to fine but basic images, and discover consistent methods to intentionally repeat “happy accidents”.

You may be curious what all the fuss is over histograms, lighting ratios, fill flash or reflector use.

Bring up topics and questions, or let Janet use her intuitive instruction to help you electrify your next creative light bulb.

One-on-One
$85/hr
$195/3 hour session
$225/ 3 one-hour sessions

Group of Two or Three People
$120/hr
$275/3 hour session
$295/3 one-hour sessions

Business Coaching for the Up and Coming Professional Photographer
As more people notice your talents, perhaps you’re contemplating, or even diving into, the profession of photography. It’s no wonder. With over 25 years as a pro, I’m still in love with photographs and the people I meet because of my love for this art. Love and enthusiasm, even coupled with talent, does not a photographer make. So what now?

Above all, learn how to get your first professional jobs and what to charge. Remember, unless you get paid, you’re not a professional.

Let’s answer typical questions from those new to the photo biz such as:
Should you advertise, how much to charge, is a CPA necessary, how to keep track of income and pay taxes, utilize typical tax breaks, legal means of deducting travel, organizations to join, the necessity of a business bank account, is taking out a loan ever wise, is it necessary to purchase the latest gear, travel to seminars, give away photography services, get a partner …

This profession may not be for the faint of heart, but for those willing to learn what it takes and apply this knowledge, there may be a meaningful, heart-warming, and rewarding profession beginning with your next CLICK!

One-on-One
$125/hr
$295/3 hour session
$345/ 3 one-hour sessions

Group of Two or Three People
$150/hr
$390/3 hour session
$420/3 one-hour sessions

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Golf Club at Newcastle is renown for it’s expansive views and brilliant sunsets. Utterly professional are the women who support lucky couples who choose this amazing venue. After an hour with the GCN crew it’s easy to love the glam-gone-giddy side of the otherwise professional Babes of Newcastle.

Tonhya photographed this lovely group in the JKP studio during our last “Happy Hour Special”. See. Don’t they look happy? Tonhya did a great job capturing their playful side.

Keep watching the blog or sign up for RSS. We have another “Happy Hour” planned for the near future…

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I was honored to speak at last nights “Mamas with Cameras” photo club gathering. I was so impressed with these Mamas. More than half have children under two and several with newborns yet they are able to take time for themselves, simultaneously cultivating their creative passion for photography. This caring sisterhood shared ideas and encouraged each other, all while feeding that female-need I know all about for socializing and making new friends. I’m inspired by these motivated mama’s passion. Read the rest of this entry »

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Monica Khurana and Vikrant Duggal put on a 4th of July extravaganza. Not only was theirs an above average wedding, it soars above even my (formerly) favorite Indian weddings, many of which are lush and exotic.
No white or blue to be found, but red was present in a thousand folds. Gold folds too. Between the attire and the draping, this lush event was one of my favorites to date. “Honored to be a part” feels trite. I was blown away. Above all, Monica and Vikrant handled this multiple-ceremony celebration with elegance and grace (and stamina too).

Behind every great event is a great team. Naturally Monica’s wisdom lead her to Janel of Occasions LLC- a fabulous event planner. She took care of hundreds of details on the day-of. Even before that, Janel and Monica were often seen attached at the hip pre-planning this event. Janel makes herself available, from her core being. The fact that she cares so much comes shining through. I’ve raved about Janel again and again, and after each event we participate in I only have more to rave about. Monica and Vikrant chose to commend her during their reception thank yous. “Our friend” came affectionately from their lips describing the culmination of their journey together.

Everyone of the vendors were carefully chosen to fit this grand day. If you care to, see the list below their sneek-preview images.

Thanks to Janel Schlitt for providing this list of choice A vendors, and for introducing me to Monica and Vikrant.
To see the list Read the rest of this entry »

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You know that feeling when insides buzz, the heart knows best; anything is possible? Such was the day I met Monica and Vikrant. Anyone planning a wedding with coordinator Janel Schlitt of Occasions, LLC, is already on my “Got to work with them” list. But even if Monica and Vikrant decided to exchange their go-all-out July 4th wedding bash at the Westin Bellevue for a simple, quick courtroom gig, my “cool event” meter would still be flashing atop the Excitement rating. These two have everything it takes to be great clients. Energy, teamwork, looks, confidence to rely on their carefully chosen vendors to finesse their inspired interweaving of traditional Indian flair with two highly modern, independent spirits. It’s hard not to love these two.
Below are a few engagement photos to tide us all over until the Big Day.
M&V, see you two on the 4th. Maybe I’ll arrive on a white horse too. Or, uh, maybe not.

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We have already had so much fun during our happy hour sessions! Here are some of our favorites so far. Hope you enjoy them!

Kelsey & Tonhya
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Here are some more of our favorites from the Happy Hour Sessions!
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