Julie Harrell: Photographer

There has been no school for 4 days, I really don’t need to add anything else…except maybe I’ll add that it was 7 degrees outside yesterday, not counting windchill, so the foot of accumulated snow taunting us to build snowmen and make snow angels was almost impossible for us not-prepared-for-snow-more-than-1/2-an-inch Western Washatonians to play in. Not including the half hour of backyard snow fun in these photos, I have not been out of my house since Saturday- 5 days. My car is iced over and my fridge and pantry are empty of nutritional food. Snow shouldn’t be a big deal, I know people all over the world cope and drive and grocery shop in it… but Western Washington seems to be in a state of denial thinking it is the desert… and prepares accordingly. If I were the school superintendent, I might just cancel school another day, (though the weather report shows it to be warm enough for the snow to melt) because who doesn’t want those special opportunities to practice patience, endurance, and gratitude. And yes mom, my kids are all alive today too, just barely

Last year we had every intention of having our family portraits done, but our session fell through after Juliet was born, unexpectidly having to spend 6 weeks in the hospital, and another 4 months isolated. This year I made time in the midst of a busy shooting schedule for our family photo session. It was an easy choice to hire Jenn Morrow for the job. I love her style and artistic vision Her work is simply beautiful. I first met Jenn when she was a manager for the first Woods Coffee in Lynden, WA. My husband, though we were just friends at the time, was one of the baristas, and Jenn was his manager. She always had a smile and a kind word, and she made the shop feel more like she was serving you coffee in her kitchen Our paths have crossed now and then over the last 10 years, but I was super surprised to bump into her at a photographer’s workshop. After I saw how amazing of a photographer she was I knew right away our family needed some of her talent on our walls. My only request to her was that I wanted an image of myself with each one of the girls. It is so important for moms and dads to be in photos with their children, no matter what the circumstances. I am the first to admit I feel like I need to lose more weight, wax the eyebrows more, buy cuter clothes, but I know that these things don’t trump the opportunity to capture who we are in these moments with our children as the grow. I find that being a mom and a photographer, I am left behind the lens far too often, and so it was time to step to the other side. Jenn captured our family so perfectly I teared up looking at the images. Thanks Jenn for giving our family these beautiful images, artwork really! We were so blessed working with you! Check out Jenn’s work at jennifermorrowphotography.com

Cheers,
jewels

Madeline Grace age 8

Clara Joyce age 2

Juliet Adele age 1

Madeline is in 2nd grade at Northern Height’s Elementary. She was beyond excited to find out she got the teacher she wanted, and a little sad that she was separated from some bff’s. I’m looking forward to this year, hoping to be more involved since all my babies are healthy! Here’s to being a 2nd grader (in a very cute outfit from Grandma).

Cheers,
jewels

Double Take

So that old roll of film I shot with the other week was actually filled with images, and somehow I double exposed the thing :/ bummer! I was kind of surprised to see this image though! Juliet is in the background, and Clara is on the right. Both girls, age wise, are only a couple months apart in age! No, I didn’t do this on purpose, yes I actually like the image. I’ll put a couple other double exposures on here, only because sometimes its fun to see them, even if they aren’t photo magic!

Cheers,
jewels

Clara on the right, Juliet on the left… both close to the same age!

And a couple other random double exposures… This next one shows Madeline and Juliet

Our family just spent a wonderful warm and sunny weekend in Seattle. Chris’ two brothers were working in Portland and jumped the northbound train to hang out with us downtown Seattle. We stayed at the Seattle Sheraton (I won a $850 gift certificate on ebay for next to nothing), and enjoyed room service and extra amenities. Saturday morning we visited a couple coffee shops, Mark owns Cartel Coffee Lab, with locations in Tucson and Phoenix. He was checking out shops in Portland and Seattle, conducting quality control I was just happy to go to Stumptown now that they have a Seattle venue. After the Pike Place walk, lounging at the Hotel’s pool, we ended the night with sushi and gelato . Chris and I enjoyed the extra hands with the girls, and the girls enjoyed all the extra attention from their uncles. I definitely want to do it again. Enjoy the photos while I enjoy my last Stumptown cold brew that somehow found its way back up to B’ham with us

Cheers,
jewels

Madeline took this photo of Uncle Ben!!

mmmm… con panna

A little photographer’s self portrait

Trying one of Uncle Markie’s shots at Victrola Coffee

Another photo Madeline took

Of little Clara Joyce. I put off too long taking her “official” two year old portraits. Getting her face on film continues to be difficult for me. She is always moving, and adamantly defiant. If I say run, she’ll stand, if I ask to see her eyes, she’ll turn away. If I don’t say anything, she’ll book it to my camera bag like a seagull with a kaiser roll looking for treats. Despite my inadequacies with working with toddlers, I’m content with what I was able to capture. The location, an empty lot on the edge of a busy highway, inveigled me to shoot there 2 years ago. Each spring I would envision a beautiful photoshoot under this unassuming tree standing in the center of the lot. The lot is nothing special, I don’t think most people would even notice it Except during a small window each Spring, the leaves whimsically emerge pink, before they quickly resume the typical tree regime in green. There was even a little woodpecker’s nest in the top branches (at least Chris said the bird was a woodpecker). I don’t know my birds, but she was beautiful and red breasted, and she kept feeding her chirping young while I was working with my young, and the little peeps and squeals from those little hatchlings creating a mood even more enchanting. I played around with different processing for these images. The soft tone fit the mood of the photos. Most of the images of Clara were of her eyes looking down or away, and her back towards me. The ones here are the rare gems peppered throughout her defiant poses She’s had a case of PCS (photographer’s child syndrome) since the day she was born… but I still find that attitude adorable…I think.

Cheers,
jewels

Tonya is a dear friend, and aspiring photographer who went to be with the Lord. We met when she was visiting family in Bellingham, and asked if I would do her family photos. She had this incredible smile and tons of southern charm and personality, we became fast friends. I just found out via her sister-in-law and also my friend, the tragic news that she was in a horrible car accident, and didn’t survive. I’m still in shock, and wish so much the outcome was not this. Her son, who survived the accident, is an incredible mirror of her love and charisma. Please pray for their family, and especially for Dylan. I don’t yet know what arrangements are being made for him, but both Dylan and Tonya lived together in North Carolina. This photo is from their super rainy photoshoot a couple years ago (the photo above is one of hers). I will miss you Tonya.

I know the weather report said it was going to rain, but I hoped against all Seattle Washington odds that it would be sunny and 70 degrees. Yup, that didn’t happen (well it happened yesterday). My hope was to get some amazing outdoor photos of all 3 Harrell girls in their matching easter outfits, but its pouring, and grey. But indoors we are celebrating Easter with my parents, enjoying warm food and indoor egg hunt (plastic eggs). I would love to hide real eggs in my parents house though, in the most difficult to find places. I chose to be nice instead, even if the rain is making me a bit bitter. Happy Easter!

Cheers,
jewels

Clara is spending the week with my mom. Its her first week away for “speshy time” at Grandma’s, giving me daytimes with only Juliet while Madeline is at school. I am missing her a little right now, but really can I just say how incredibly wonderful it is to take care of only 1 baby instead of 2?! I have even had time to do crafty things, like make earrings and necklaces for fun! I’ve been able to spend more than 15 minutes in a store, go out to dinner, take a 2 hour walk in the sun in addition to the normal family routine. Daytime, sans Clara, means no mopping up milk, juice, water; or pulling oatmeal out of the toy boxes, interfering the transfer of fishy crackers into Juliet’s mouth, removing pen marks off furniture, sweeping spilled bags of rice and cereal, fetching toys out of the toilet, moderating tantrums, and re folding 3 loads of laundry because I chose to use the restroom instead of immediately putting everything folded away, allowing just enough time for a special 2 year old to bulldoze through it all. Yes, I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 2 days. I am excited to see her, of course… and maybe even take a few decent Easter photos if she’ll cooperate, though not likely if past events are any indication for the future. Lucky for her I still can hardly stand her cuteness even if she hates the camera. I tried to photograph her in her Joy Folie boots and Woolly Mama headband combo, but she wouldn’t have it. No sweat though, I still find her attitude and spunk adorable! I can say that b/c I haven’t had to “enjoy” that attitude the last couple days… ask me how I feel on Monday about her spunk and attitude….

Cheers,
jewels

I adore the blog Hip Hip Hooray, and the other day they had a fun feature on Clara’s party! Thanks Suann for the post Whenever people ask me where I get my party planning ideas, I refer them to this wonderful place first! It is chalked full of the best kids party ideas! Go check them out at their blog.

Cheers,
jewels