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

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

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!

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

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.

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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Thank you to Kim Anderson & David DiFranco. Your kids are just beautiful! Jack and Kate were a joy to photograph, and so much fun to play with. I hope you are as happy with their portraits. Come back anytime!

Due to the huge popularity of these sessions, June 30th will be our final session date

Come to our studio during Happy Hour for your FREE photo session!
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Before the gorgeous wedding of our very own Kelsey, we went to play in Snoqualmie near Kelsey and Gabe’s new home to create their engagement photographs. Images were displayed on each dining table during the wedding night meal.

For more information on throwing a beautiful event like Kelsey’s, see the Seattle Style article featuring her wedding. The following quote describes my thoughts on what made Kelsey and Gabe’s wedding so special.

“Kelsey wears her love for friends and family on her sleeve, and clearly the love is returned. I felt so connected to everyone, appreciating the deep meaning in each of the friends participating in hand-making programs, performing ceremony music including a recorded processional played on the piano by Gabe’s deceased Dad. Others hung decorations, created favors, and bartended. What made her a fabulous bride to work with? She is in touch with her emotions and has a self-confidence and awareness that made this event heart-felt for all lucky enough to be in attendance.”

When we saw that Photo Friday’s theme this week was “the team”, we couldn’t resist these pictures of a valued member of our team, Kelsey, at her engagement session with now-husband Gabe sporting matching Seahawks football jerseys.

Halloween is a wonderful combination of the simple and the wild. Pretending to be someone or something we are not (at least externally) has it’s own excitement. Stimulated by endless possibilities, I am sometimes inspired and sometimes overwhelmed with costume decisions. What I love about the Annual Janet Klinger Photography Halloween Costume Photos is that, for our neighbors the studio is a hop, skip or slither from home. And for everyone, it’s an affordable treat to capture our own children at their best, beastly or beautiful. I have never seen a child in costume, no matter what his mood, who wasn’t adorable. See for yourself. The halloween photos are in!

Our not-scary Studio Manager kelsey

See all the images!

Purchase a photo session with Janet Klinger Photography by October 25, 2008 and receive either 8 wallets or an 8×10 photograph. Pre-purchase a 20 image Coffee Table Book and 10% of the book cost goes to the Seattle Public School of your choice.

For more details including pricing click here.

Book your session now!

For this week’s Photo Friday word, Relationship, we picked an image that works in two ways for us. Obviously, the first is the lovely relationship between these two big sisters and their brand new baby brother, but also, the relationships we form with our clients over the years as they allow us to chronicle their extraordinary lives. In this case, we first met their parents when we photographed their engagement session and wedding, and it is such a joy to get to visit with them again as their family grows. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life!

For this week’s Photo Friday theme, rough, we couldn’t quite decide between showcasing a rough texture or a rough moment. So you get both!

We’ve decided to start participating in the Photo Friday photo challenge. This week’s theme, Beauty, is doubling as a sneak peek at last weekend’s wedding, with this lovely natural light portrait of the bride, Meridith, in the dressing room

Janet’s next travel special will be August 16-20th, covering several beautiful and scenic locations in Oregon:

Lake of the Woods (by Klamath Falls) — One of Outside Magazine’s “Perfect 10″ family travel destinations

The unparalleled beauty of Crater Lake (only one Crater Lake session left, 10 AM on Monday the 18th.)

Ashland (home of the Shakespeare Festival)

(photographs courtesy Ashland Chamber of Commerce)

Contact the studio to schedule your session

Janet will be available to photograph your family, pregnant belly, or baby in Orange County, California July 17th, 19th and 20th . One hour sessions with unlimited exposures are $450. Add $200 per additional hour. Standard travel special rules apply, and there are still 2 slots available. Hope to see you there.

Our next travel special is coming up soon. Janet will be in Cape Meares, Oregon June 27th-30th. Take advantage of this beautiful location and have a fun filled session with Janet!

Jocelyn is Engaged! Just because Clive is thousands of miles away didn’t stop Jocelyn from having an engagement session. I can’t wait to meet the mystery man, and share with him how lucky he is. Jocelyn, thanks for choosing me. I had a ball working with you. Now you know first hand why it’s easy to love my job.

For a fun urban location, we chose the Seattle Central Library, which was the building voted #108 on the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) list of Americans’ 150 favorite structures in the U.S. It provides a stunning setting, both inside and out!

Put couple-in-love into playful mood, add great teamwork with photographer, get memorable stories to tell and photos to share. Thanks Lauren and Andy, for a fabulous few hours. Can’t wait to see you soon for session #2, your wedding!