Addicted

He’s on that computer machine day and night. 

I think he might be selling our stuff on ebay.

 

 

He just twittered, didn’t he?  Huckleberry…

Spring

Early Spring growth is returning. Everywhere I turn, I see bright new signs of life despite the chill in the air.

Even through snow and frosted earth, it returns, bursting through the ground with eager, green tendrils. 

 

Another shot from the “weekend of film”

Mr. Berries

He’s such a gentleman. I love him more every day. 

 

Film

I had a wonderful adventure in the woods of Whidbey Island less than a month ago. During the day it was chilly and bursting with wildlife. In the evenings it was peaceful and cozy. I decided to leave my digital equipment at home and brought with me three film cameras instead. The practice of waiting and wondering if my pictures would turn out felt very Buddhist. I had to be in the present. I kept catching myself looking at the back of the camera to see the results. Instead of an instant preview there was simply a hinged door, preserving a delicate roll of film from the burning light. The delayed gratification was nourishing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Haunches…

 

 

The following images were taken with our Holga, a funny little camera capable of creating all kinds of strange and mysterious surprises, like double exposures.

 

Most of the time the Holga isn’t around my neck, but that of my main squeeze…

Here I am exploring the beach through the lens of an old Ricoh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saved the best for last. I wish I could take credit for this picture, but I’m terribly proud of it nonetheless.

From the exquisite eye of the man who refuses to “exist on the internet”:

His identity is safe with me, but I’ll be damned if I don’t give this shot up for the world to behold.

Cosmo

As someone who has grown accustomed to life with mellow, ankle high dogs, moving in with a fully charged, hip high lab was an adjustment. His name is Cosmo. His youth is evident in his every leap and bound, his insatiable appetite for tug of war and his endlessly replenishable source of energy. Our dogs are like empty-nesters. They relish in a quiet evening at home with a book and an afghan draped over their lap. Not Cosmo. He’d prefer to kick things off with happy hour, hit the batting cages, go rollerskating, ride to the top of the space needle, hit the slots then rendezvous for dinner downtown and hit every dance club on the way home before topping the night off with a speakeasy after hours party. And of course, boldly shatter the calm of the following morning completely restored, with a hankering for a brisk morning jog. And we were lucky enough to spend almost two weeks with him over the holidays. By New Year’s day we were exhausted. In fact, I think all four of us, dogs included, aged a year and half. In dog years, that’s like over a decade or something. Lost. Completely gone in the name of a lab on the go.

But in truth, we loved every minute of it. He breathed new life into us all and renewed our sense of adventure.

So, here’s to Cosmo. He may sneak out of bed before you get up in the morning, but you won’t regret a moment of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t always about life in the fast lane. Sometimes our dogs would rub off on Cosmo just a little. He would lean over their shoulder to see what they were reading, try sipping a cup of tea, or just generally not move, tremble or fidget for more than 30 seconds. And sometimes, he even tried to imagine himself as a small dog. I can’t look at this picture without hearing Chris Farley in Tommy Boy singing “fat guy in a little coat”.

“Big dog in little bed…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My personal favorite…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revel in the moment

It’s been a while since my last post. And while I wish I were a religious blogger, I’ve come to realize that it’s just not something I get the opportunity to do every week, let alone every day. For some time now, this blog has been the only online avenue through which I can share samples of my photography and present my capabilities to potential clients and friends. While it’s been sufficient, a formal portfolio site has been long overdue and I’m happy to report that a beautiful new website serving this specific purpose is currently underway. It may be selfish, but I’m most excited for this blog to officially become more of a journal and less of a portfolio. I’ve always wanted a repository for the photographs that don’t always make the cut, the pictures that satisfy me in a way that a technically appropriate or portfolio-worthy image ever could. It is with this news that I’m prematurely indulging in a journal post, and sharing the photo below. It makes me happy from top to bottom.  

This is a window into the daily existence of my two dogs (That’s right – TWO!). Aside from their basic survival needs and our daily walks, all they require is a soft place to lay down and a space heater. They are hairless after all. And they don’t mind sharing, which breaks my heart into a hundred tiny pieces. They are bursting at the seams with love.  And they are chivalrous, which never occurred to me until I stared at this picture long enough.  The dog without the jacket is closest to the heater.  The dog with a jacket, who is presumably warmer, has taken the spot furthest away from the heat source.  

That’s like giving your friend who forgot their lunch your PB & J, because your mom had the good sense to provide you with more than just a sandwich. It’s selfless and unexpected and makes you want to wrap your arms around someone. 

So yeah, there are better photographs to showcase. There will always be a better shot, a cleaner composition, a more compelling image. And there are countless ways to ring in the new year, to celebrate the inauguration, to revel in good fortune and new opportunities. These days I’ve found it most fulfilling to acknowledge the moments that go unnoticed. Moments just like this one. Today I’m celebrating Dog Chivalry. 

 

Frozen little haunches

Haunch loves the snow. No really, she does.

 

Big news!

My newest work, the “Wild Low” series is now getting cozy at Studio Karri L., a great little hidden gem in Seattle. I am thrilled to invite you to visit my latest photographs while pampering yourself with relaxing, guilt-free spa treatments. That’s right, ladies. Art and pedicures, under one roof.

And even if you hate my pictures, you’ll love Karri! She even offers a complimentary choice of hydrating paraffin therapy treatment or exfoliation with your first service. 

Check it out:

“Studio Karri L is Seattle’s only all natural, sustainable nail care expert specializing in manicures, pedicures and reflexology.  Karri Patton, founder and sole operator, created Studio Karri L in 2000 to offer relaxing and long lasting treatments using only all natural products personalized for eco and health conscience individuals.  In addition to working one on one with her clients, Karri has styled nails for commercial and print work and provided personalized on site treatments for special occasions. As a leader in her industry, she offers advanced training for some of Seattle’s top rated spas and salons, has worked as the Director of Education for an emerging nail spa, and placed 2^nd in the 2008 Best of Western Washington contest for the best manicures and pedicures.  Karri’s mission is to raise the standards in the beauty industry by bringing more awareness to the benefits of natural nail care.  Karri is passionate about educating her clients and the public on how to properly care for their hands and feet, as well as provide information about the potentially harmful and toxic ingredients in many beauty products we use every day.   Karri regularly invests her personal time and resources by participating in industry classes and spa exhibitions every year. She continues to build upon her nearly 15 years of professional knowledge and industry expertise to offer her clients the very best in natural nail care.”

STUDIO KARRI L 206.390.4818 4105 E. Madison St. Ste #1 Seattle 98112 www.timwalshsalon.com

 

One of the photographs, available for purchase now until March: 

 

“Goodnight”

 

Wednesday

I just don’t know anyone that likes Wednesdays.

I don’t even like saying the word Wednesday.

 

Holidog!

I had the exciting privilege of photographing HOLIDOG, a local fundraiser/block party for my neighborhood dog park today. Patrick Jones, dog park extraordinaire and loyal steward of Capitol Hill’s Plymouth Pillars Off-Leash Area put on a super fun event for  all of us dog lovin’ Seattle folk today. Among the festivities, we enjoyed complimentary dog grooming, free soup from Soup’s On!, dozens of raffle giveaways from local vendors, including MudBay, The Feed Bag, droolz, Tango, Galactic Boutique and many, many more.  And the best part? All of the proceeds went to the COLA (Citizens for Off Leash Areas) as well as the beautification of our neighborhood dog park.

Way to be, Patrick. We are all so lucky to have such an enthusiastic community organizer right here in our own back yard. 

And if that weren’t enough, thousands of people marched past our block party as part of a national protest of the California vote that banned gay marriage. Good vibes all around – and gorgeous, crisp weather to top it all off. 

Here are some of my favorite photos from today: