Documentary Family Photographer Seattle Portland and Worldwide

Oct 05 2016

5 on 5 – October – Portland Documentary Family Photography

5 on 5 is a blog circle made up of documentary family photographers who have committed to telling a story in 5 images on the 5th of each month. This is the story of Mr. Independent and his lunch. Have I mentioned that it’s impossible for me to narrow it down to five? Oops.

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Portland documentary family photography kid making lunch PIN

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Be sure to follow the 5 on 5 circle to see the other photographers’ September storytelling! You can start by visiting Stephanie Woodward, Utah documentary family photographer for some warm weather magic that will make you nostalgic for summertime already!

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4 comments

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October 5, 2016 - 3:42 am

Jennifer Krafchik - Hannah – He is Mr. Independent! You did a great job of telling the complete story – with various perspectives.ReplyCancel
October 5, 2016 - 5:27 am

Jenny Bowers - Beautiful, wonderful storytelling, Hannah. I, too, couldn’t narrow it down to 5.ReplyCancel
October 5, 2016 - 7:58 am

Theresa A Johnson - These are WONDERFUL!
And what a great on-going project,too!ReplyCancel
October 5, 2016 - 12:40 pm

Melissa Kayser - As the mom of an independent 3 year old, I completely relate!!! What a great story to remember how even at a very young age, he was so independent and full of character! Wonderful job!ReplyCancel

Sep 29 2016

The Harper Family – Portland Maternity Photography

“To be pregnant is to be vitally alive, thoroughly woman, and distressingly inhabited.” – Anne Christian Buchanan

Every time I get the opportunity to photograph Courtney I get all nostalgic and talk about how long we’ve known each other (20ish years) and all the things we’ve experienced together and how old (I mean grown up) we are. I’ll resist a little bit this time and just focus on her. And her sweet family. And that new life growing in her belly. I feel like it was two seconds ago that we had our last session together, when Brooklynn was still a baby herself. Now life is changing for the Harpers. Brooklynn may not understand yet, but she is preparing to be a big sister. Courtney and Ed are waiting for the indescribable moment of holding their child in their arms for the first time. So having this little bit of time together at the park, hanging out in the last of the summer sun, felt symbolic to me. Because one season is turning to another. Brooklynn stomped on yellow leaves while we played. Fall is on it’s way. And with it, a new, bigger, deeper meaning of the word “family” for the Harpers. And can I just say, I can not wait to meet this baby! PIN PIN

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Sep 05 2016

5 on 5 – September – Portland Documentary Family Photography

5 on 5 is a blog circle made up of documentary family photographers who have committed to telling a story in 5 images on the 5th of each month. This is the story of his first ice cream cone.

Bennett has had ice cream before, but has recently starting requesting an “I cream cone”. I never gave in because I was sure it would result in a puddle of ice cream on the ground and a crying kid holding an empty cone. Luckily, this time when he asked it was his Tee Tee (Aunt Katie) who was buying. He got his cone. And he did great! He even shared. You couldn’t have found a happier kid.

I love these putting together these series of images. Culling and reducing until I can tell the story in just 5 shots. This one was tough! I narrowed it down to 6 (from 40) and I’m calling that good. Because really, what’s cuter than a kid with an ice cream cone?

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Be sure to follow the 5 on 5 circle to see the other photographers’ September storytelling! You can start by visiting Stephanie Woodward, Utah documentary family photographer

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7 comments

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September 5, 2016 - 5:34 am

Melissa - Summer isn’t complete until you have pictures of kids eating ice cream!! Also, I’m jealous of your long sleeved outfits 🙂ReplyCancel
September 5, 2016 - 5:41 am

Jenny - I can see why you had a hard time choosing 5! These are adorable. Love the black and whites!ReplyCancel
September 5, 2016 - 5:42 am

Carol Zanarotti - He looks so happy, love to see his joy! Such a great moment to document.ReplyCancel
September 5, 2016 - 7:35 am

Jennifer Krafchik - I really love this series! My favorite is the third. I love that you switched up your perspectives and you caught really great moments!ReplyCancel
September 5, 2016 - 1:25 pm

margaret - These are great! Ice cream visits are the best!ReplyCancel
September 5, 2016 - 4:19 pm

Carol Zanarotti - this is so cute! such a great moment to capture!ReplyCancel
September 7, 2016 - 12:22 pm

Melissa Kayser - What an adorable set! I love the “mess” you captured with ice cream at his age. It tells the real feelings we all have about something so sweet we want to immerse ourselves in it! And what great memories to hold on to for Aunt too!!ReplyCancel

Sep 02 2016

7 Things I learned from Shooting Every Day – Portland Documentary Family Photographer

A few days ago I finally added the rest of my second 365 (366) project to my Facebook album. For the record, that is 731 days. In a row. And yes, I’m just posting it now. Six months after I was done with it. I may have been a little burnt out! But now that it’s done, I wanted to share my reflections. Here is what I learned from shooting every single day for 2 years straight.

If you shoot every day, you will learn and get better. You just will.
Just because you’re learning and getting better, doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy every minute of it! There will definitely be days that you do NOT want to pick up your camera. I had days when I just wasn’t feeling well, or it was a busy day full of errands, or Bennett was in a toddler mood…Some times it was a big time effort.
You will shoot way, way, WAY more than one image a day. I have roughly 24000 images from the two years…from this project. That doesn’t count client work. (No, I didn’t edit them ALL!)
Your perspective will change as the days go on. Unless you have a VERY different personality than I do, you can’t possibly shoot the same thing in the same way every day. You have to learn to look at things differently. And changing perspectives changes your work. Did I mention the whole learning and getting better thing?
“Nothing in nature blooms all year round. Be patient with yourself.” I’ve been seeing this quote all over the place lately. I don’t know who said it, but it sure is the truth! There were definitely lulls where I couldn’t create anything worth sharing or loving. I shared them anyway…and they’re images of my kid so I love them anyway. But creativity and inspiration truly come in waves. At least for me.
Your favorites will not be your technically perfect images. I sort of knew this already…I never seem to gravitate towards the “perfect” shots. But the ones that stop me in my tracks when I’m flipping through are the ones that make me choke up or laugh. The ones that have emotional pull. Or the ones that remind me of a specific time in our lives. I love the moments the best. (And a few of my baby’s perfect little face haha!)
You will never regret the time you put into a 365 project!! Bennett’s first two years are documented so intricately. He will know, without a doubt, that he was (is) so very loved. And my mommy heart that is falling apart, now that he’s about to start preschool, has something to spend time staring at while I try not to cry on his first day!

And just for fun…some favorites from Bennett’s first two years:

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Aug 05 2016

5 on 5 – August – Portland Documentary Family Photography

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll remember Stories in Seven. After a year of that project, I was really sad when that group decided to bring the blog circle to an end. It was such a motivator for me and I learned a lot about my own shooting style. It’s sometimes hard to narrow down my images, so having a set number that I was allowed to share forced me to be more purposeful in the way I chose to shoot a story.

BUT, along comes 5 on 5! It’s a similar concept with an all new group of photographers (well, new to me! Some of them have been at this awhile!). I was super grateful to be included and am so excited to get started. 5 on 5 is a blog circle made up of documentary family photographers who have committed to telling a story in 5 images on the 5th of each month.

This is the story of the hose. Every time we go over to Nana and Papa’s house we bring a change of clothes. There’s something magical (and messy!) about being allowed to run free in their yard and garden. There’s dirt and plants and rocks and mud and the hose…Bennett has only recently figured out how to turn it on and maneuver it himself. And he is SO proud!

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Be sure to follow the 5 on 5 circle to see the other photographers’ August storytelling! You can start by visiting Iowa birth and documentary family photographer, Melissa Clark of Heart Shot Photo

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11 comments

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August 5, 2016 - 4:29 am

Jenny - WOW!!! Hannah these photos capture an amazing moment in your son’s life. I love them especially the second photo. Great job and so glad to have you as part of this circle!ReplyCancel
- August 5, 2016 - 8:59 pm
  
  Hannah - Thank you, Jenny! So thankful to be included with this talented crew!ReplyCancel
August 5, 2016 - 5:57 am

Nicole - These are so beautiful Hannah! Love the first one!ReplyCancel
- August 5, 2016 - 8:58 pm
  
  Hannah - Thank you, Nicole!ReplyCancel
August 5, 2016 - 6:10 am

Melissa - We love grandma’s house, and you’re right, there’s a freedom there. Just the other day we were there and I found myself shining a flashlight into a wood pile, as my 5 year old tried to catch frogs.ReplyCancel
- August 5, 2016 - 8:58 pm
  
  Hannah - YES!! There’s nothing better than exploring with the littles <3ReplyCancel
August 5, 2016 - 6:27 am

Jennifer Krafchik - It’s nice to meet you Hannah, welcome to the circle! I love your set of images, especially the third and fifth! You really captured some great moments and I love the story you tell.ReplyCancel
- August 5, 2016 - 8:58 pm
  
  Hannah - Thank you, Jennifer! This is such a fun group!ReplyCancel
August 5, 2016 - 8:12 am

Melissa Kayser - I loved this story Hannah! Your point of view is fantastic and the details I see through your shots are awesome. So glad to have you on board with us and looking forward to all you document for your family this year with your storytelling!ReplyCancel
- August 5, 2016 - 8:57 pm
  
  Hannah - Thank you, Melissa! I’m excited to be a part of this talented group!ReplyCancel
August 7, 2016 - 3:02 pm

Margaret - Ha! His face! Precious!ReplyCancel