Hannah Nielsen » Documentary Family Photographer Seattle Portland and Worldwide

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This shoot was a labor of love from the very beginning — a love of beautiful old things, sparkle, new beginnings, and of course a love for love. Natalie and Andrew are a real couple, who are getting married in May, and jumped at the opportunity to be all dressed up in front of the camera before their big day. Natalie kept saying, “I feel like Pretty Woman!” minus the whole inappropriate part, of course. Collaborating with these vendors was a dream. We chose our color palette and theme and everyone was given creative freedom to do their very best work in a style that really reflects each of their businesses. I adore the result — from the vintage frames filled with vintage wedding photos on the walls, to the uniqueness and texture in the floral arrangements, to the richness of the invitation and menu. Natalie’s dress is a brand new design from Cicada Bridal, and Green Lake Jewelry gave us just the sparkle we were looking for. Natalie and Andrew were so easy to shoot, really getting into the 20’s theme and rocking the camera. So much fun! I think the 20s are going to be hot for awhile and I can’t wait to see what other brides and grooms are doing with the theme!

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If you’re looking for killer vendors for your wedding or event, check out everyone involved in this shoot. They all rocked!!

Couple: Natalie Vorpahl (owner of Baked) and Andrew Odd
Venue: 1927 Events www.1927events.com
Dress, sash, and hair piece: Cicada Bridal
Bakery: Baked.
Antique Rentals: Vintage Ambiance
Stationery: Anticipation
Hair: Jennie at Salon Divas
Catering: Feed Co
 And also a quick shout out to Charissa of Woodward 248 Photographyfor all of her help at the shoot!!! Best assistant ever!Stay tuned for a “behind the scenes” post tomorrow!
Posted in: Personal Project, Weddings
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  • January 7, 2013 - 8:27 pm

    Kendall Lauren - Beautiful work!ReplyCancel

  • January 8, 2013 - 9:31 am

    Amber O - These turned out gorgeous! Nice work 🙂ReplyCancel

  • January 10, 2013 - 9:39 pm

    Audrey Oman - Hannah, these are BEAUTIFUL!ReplyCancel

  • February 17, 2013 - 7:33 pm

    Tara - Hannah, these are absolutely gorgeous!ReplyCancel

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Mister and I after a Team in Training ride a few weeks ago (and one of our teammates in photo bombing us! Ha!)

 

This morning I’m sitting on the couch waiting for my sister and her boyfriend to come visit.  I haven’t turned on the lights on the Christmas tree for the first time since we put it up, and my coffee is already cold.  And the annual “Oh, I guess the holidays are over…” moment has hit me.  As I mentioned yesterday, I LOVE the feeling of a fresh start — setting goals, and looking forward.  But I think it’s totally normal to have that day or two of blah before the motivation kicks in.
Yesterday Mister dragged me with him on a 17 mile bike ride (including one ridiculously huge hill).  I wasn’t feeling it.  I didn’t particularly want to go. It was seriously cold outside!! But I didn’t have any other plans for the day and the training schedule for our upcoming triathlon said “bike 60mins”, so I sucked it up and went.  And guess what? I was happy I did. Taking the step out the door into the chill of the first day of January was the hardest part. Once we were going the fresh air felt good. My legs working to propel my body forward felt good. Having my husband riding next to me felt good. (And the toe warmers I put in my shoes felt especially good :))  When we got the the ridiculously huge hill, I had to just keep going…looking a few yards in front of me (and never ever all the way up to the top), trying to keep my cadence up, just turning my legs over and over and over even when they were screaming at me to stop. I didn’t make it all the way to the top without having to take a little break, but I did make it all the way to the top.  And next time, I’ll make it a little further before I have to give my legs a rest.  Just keep pedaling.

It occurred to me this morning that our bike ride was a metaphor for what I’ve got coming this year.  It’s not supposed to be easy.  Taking the first step is the hardest part.  Working hard feels good.  And when it gets tough, just keep looking a little bit forward and keep moving.  Keep pedaling and eventually, you’ll get there.

And on that note, back to goal setting.

Posted in: Musings
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Happy New Year, friends! Today is usually a day of rest (i.e. nursing hangovers), but I’m not feeling particularly restful this year.  Every January I like to make a plan for myself, set some goals (not resolutions which are more about “no” and less about moving forward for me), and also look back on what I accomplished last year and where I’d like to be by the end of this new year.  It’s a funny thing that we do, resetting in January, when really every day is as as good as any other for a restart.  But I do it anyway, and I really enjoy it. It makes me feel motivated to push beyond where I currently am.  So today, on this day of rest, I can’t rest.  I can’t rest because I feel too much of the urge to push forward. I want to set those goals and make those plans.  I want to start my list of “action items” and fill in my calendar with deadlines.  I want to crank the music, brainstorm, mind map, and think outside the box.  I want to start the year with a bang of the non-firework variety.  I love new beginnings and can’t wait to see what I can make of 2013!

I’m curious.  What’s your ritual for a new year?  Do you set resolutions? Goals? Do you make big changes in January? I’d love to hear what you do!

I’ll share some of my goals as soon as I’m done.

Happy New Year! Here’s to fresh starts! Onward and upward!  2013!

Posted in: Musings
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Entering is as easy as 1, 2…

1. “Like” Hannah D Photography on Facebook

2. Share this post on Facebook and comment below saying you did. (Hint: there’s a “share on Facebook” link below!)

That’s it! I’ll announce the winner on Monday the 12th.  Winner will receive a couple’s session and five gift prints!  Winner must be located in Oregon or Washington (or want to give their session to someone who lives in Oregon or Washington). 

 

Legal Mumbo Jumbo: This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You will NOT be notified publicly via Facebook if you are a winner. You MUST be 18 to participate. By entering this giveaway, you are providing information to Hannah D Photography and NOT to Facebook. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items.

 

And the winner is…..LARA GHIO GAITAN!!! Lara, contact me to set up your couple’s session! 

Posted in: Musings
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  • November 7, 2012 - 9:07 pm

    Audrey Oman - I know we already have a session booked but we love you so much we would love 2- greedy we know :). Proud to share, Yahoo Washington!ReplyCancel

    • November 7, 2012 - 9:39 pm

      Hannah - You know I’d be fine with that! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • November 7, 2012 - 9:44 pm

    Stacey Varnes - I shared and I was already a fan/liker of your page. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win a shoot with the fabulous Hannah!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • November 8, 2012 - 9:21 am

    Kathryn Denelle Stevens - YAY!!! Love this!ReplyCancel

  • November 8, 2012 - 10:15 pm

    Dana - I’m so proud to be a Washingtonian!ReplyCancel

  • November 11, 2012 - 9:34 pm

    carrie - I shared! Great giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • November 11, 2012 - 10:05 pm

    becky - So fantastic! Oregon next hopefully. Btw shared on fbReplyCancel

  • November 12, 2012 - 8:10 am

    lara - I love your work! I shared it:)ReplyCancel

  • November 12, 2012 - 8:25 am

    Matthew Gaitan - You do a great job! Shared this page.ReplyCancel

  • November 12, 2012 - 11:36 am

    Amanda Raemer - Shared! Love your work Hannah!ReplyCancel

  • November 12, 2012 - 1:48 pm

    Carolyn Affley - Hannah – the “lens” you see people through is beautiful. Will share your work with our circle of friends.ReplyCancel

Seattle Mini Sessions are here!  These are a once a year, ONE day opportunity!  If you want fall photos, but aren’t looking for a full session, these are for you!  But book fast.  I only have 10 openings and they will fill up fast!  Get in touch if you have any questions.

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Really important stuff. Please read.

Contact me for available times.  I will ask you for your top three choices in able to schedule everyone appropriately.
Location will be released upon booking.
Payment is due upon booking and reserves your session time.
Your gallery of images will be available within two weeks of your session.
All orders must be placed by November 20th to ensure delivery by Christmas.
Event only pricing ends November 20th.
Holiday cards will be a choice of three templates (that I’m still working on).
You do not need to choose your package prior to your session.
There will be no exchanges within the packages.
Clients MUST arrive 15 minutes early to their sessions.  Late arrivals will forfeit their session fee and will not be rescheduled.

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