Photographing Camille and Drew’s Wedding was like stepping into a time machine back to 2003. When I photographed Shawn and Stacie’s Wedding at the Woodmark Hotel.  I know that is a bit random, but hear me out because there is a connection to Drew and Camille.  You see I photographed Drew’s Sister’s Brother’s Wedding (Shawn). In between that time I have had the privileged of photographing of 7 Family and Friends Weddings, and several portraits since then.  I’ll write them down and list them in my next entry.

I had the pleasure of photographing Jamie and Brett’s Wedding on July 11th in Federal Way.  We started at a place by Dumas Bay.  I had never been there before, but what a surprise find.  the view was amazing, and the weather was perfect.  Their wedding was full of great family and friends.  The reception at Federal Way Community Center was spacious and allowed everyone to have a great time!

I had the pleasure of photographing Stacie and Shawn’s wedding in 2003, or was it 2004?  I know they reminded me, but I forgot before I could enter it in the blog.  They are currently living and baking in Phoenix, but when they asked if I would photograph Elyse – I jumped at it.  I have had the pleasure of photographing both of Stacie’s sisters weddings, and Shawn’s brother Colin’s & Gina’s Wedding (plus both of Gina’s brothers weddings. . . . ).  To be honest, we feel more like family.  Normally, Birth Announcements are not something I do – but I had a burst of creative energy and volunteered my budding enthusiasm!  Congratulations to the Parent’s and grandparents!!

I had two weeks off and decided to paint my house!  Nay!  Not just my house but the neighbors as well. . . . . I am glad I am a photographer.  But give my daughter a can of colorful paint, a brush (or, in her case – hands will do), and the removed sliding door from her closet – and let the fun begin.

Lemme see. . . . . I’ll make foot prints with this slick paint. . . .

then step on the slick surface. . . .

Oops. . . what goes up must come down. . . . .

A lesson in gravity is learned!

This weekend my friends, Gayle and Jim O’Donell, will be having a Big Bridal Shoe Sale at their store in Tukwila, All About Weddings! I have known them since they opened their first store in Bellevue many years ago.  What a fun grand opening it was,  I remember attending it with my daughter Marie, who was 7 or 8 at the time.  Marie was nice enough to inform the owner of Sleep Country USA that she did not like my recently purchased mattress from their store.  Ah, if I could have only transported myself to . . . . . anywhere at that moment.  But, the owner did not miss a beat.  She ask why Marie did not like the mattress, to which Marie quickly responded “Because it is not bouncy when I jump on it!” (I wanted to look at my watch and state “Oh my!  Look at the time! We better get going home. . . . “)  The owner was kind enough not to punch me, she simply stated “that is because your Daddy bought a good mattress!” Bless her heart.

And bless Gayle and Jim for not laughing me out of their lives:)  I love their excitement for Weddings and business in general.  So if you have not got your shoes yet, or are looking for do-it-yourself wedding invitations, and a store full of Wedding ideas – then this is your moment to graze, chat, and take a couple moments to meet them!

I will be there on Saturday from 10-4pm with albums in tow and great photographic ideas for your wedding. For the first 50 Brides-to-be I will be giving out gift certificates for a free Engagement setting!

I coached Little league Baseball from 1991 – 2004 -  one of my favorite years was when I was fortunate enough to coach a group of really great of 11 & 12 yr olds in 1997.  I wish I could remember all their names,  because I would write each of them and tell them they embodied everything that Little League represented to me.  They were simply wonderful kids, who interest was a lot like mine – we might win, but we should have a better time.  I now remember one of the children, his name is Alex Fullbright.  I had the pleasure of photographing his wedding this year!  Of course, part of my concern is that the years are flying by and those baseball players are old enough to get married . . . . . . .  But, if they are nice as Alex, the world will be a better place . . . . I almost forgot to mention that it was wonderful to see Alex’s Family after so many years, and to get the opportunity to meet Maren’s Family as well!

Nothing is better than being around Great people, Great Families, and Great Friends.  By the time we left, we felt like Family.  I just absolutely loved this group of people.  I have not laughed that hard in a long time.  Teisha is a beautiful, loving person with a heart as big as . . . .well, Snohomish.  Dustin is the wordsmith I never was.  His vows were the most humorous, and honest I have heard (see vows below).  I loved the Red Tux, and tumbling dice headband.  Coming in on a yellow mini-chopper was a sight to behold in itself.

Dancing Bridesmaids in Shiny Black dresses with flaming red feather boas with strutting Groomsmen in fedoras, followed by Elvis himself.  Hot damn this was going to be a Good Day!  His declarations to the Bride and Groom were something I wish I had a copy of as well. . . .

Everything was done just perfect right down to the food, and the great Wedding coordinator who had the patience of a Saint.  I would be remiss if I did not plug Elvis (jumpsuitelvis@aol.com) – he was in his element.

Dustins vows:

“Teisha, I love you so much. I vow to always make you smile, when you are sad and blue and I will fart just to make you smile.  If you hurt, I will rub you down and make it better.  If you feel the need to tell me something very very important, I will listen.  In this world my two favorite sounds are that of a burly Mustang and some nice pipes and the sound of your giggle.  When you win at the games we play I will try not to get mad and throw monopoly at the wall if you don’t trade me for what I want oh and as for your “I win you’re a loser” dance I will watch with a smile.  There is no one on earth I would rather be with than you.  I promise to treat our marriage like a 302, I will keep it well lubed and change the plugs for a better spark.  I promise to get you going with minimal cranks and keep your batter charged.  And I know my key will turn you over forever.  In the end, I know our odometers will roll over together.  So with this ring I promise to keep you classic and cherry and show you off to everybody.  You’re my lobster.

Bless you both for sharing your good times with me – it was a real pleasure to be a part of your day!

I just wanted to put in a couple words about Redmond’s coolest coffee shop in the world.  They are doing a fund raising benefit tomorrow Saturday the 20th.  If you cannot make it to the benefit, they are streaming it live at Soulfood.com.  I will be donating a Portrait for the a very great cause.  The wordsmith who drafted their benefit copy says it best.

“Once upon a time there was a little store that wanted to make a difference in the world. After a leap of faith it landed into a new space and expanded its wings to embrace a new way of being. Over the next three years the little store and its tribe grew leaps and bounds beyond what any thought possible.
Unlike most stories that have been written, our tribe gets to write the next chapter in our tale.

We start writing this Saturday”

If you have not visited – this will be a perfect opportunity to meet an amazing group of people.  While you are there give my son’s Craig Larsen Jr. & Taylor “Barista Boy” Larsen a hug for me.

Peace!

TJ Sherrill

DeLille Winery

Last night I was part of a very worthy cause that is close to my heart.  A benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  As many of you
know my wonderful son, Julian, was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) in May of 2008, and through a very difficult year – it was announced that he is in remission.
The event was hosted by Becky Soliday & Sara Venn at the Redmond Town Center’s Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas. It is a beautiful and spacious place. Sara and Becky were generous enough to give me 10 minutes to tell a little about our experience with my son, Julian (http://theamazingjulianlarsen.blogspot.com).
TJ Sherrill very amazing music for the collective group.  There was also a wine tasting by one of the best wineries in the Northwest, Delille Cellars out of Woodinville.  The wine host was gracious and kind enough to give me a “boost” before speaking.  The wine was stellar.
I was delighted to find out that my portrait donations brought in $600 for a very good cause. . . . . . To find out more on how to donate to this great cause please visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Brandi and Aaron are getting married next Labor Day (2010), and wanted to get started early on planning.  What a great couple, and they photograph wonderfully together.  They are actually having an Engagement Party/Luau tomorrow – and they invite yours truly to attend.  Say no to a Luaua?!  Not me. . . . besides it will be a great opportuntiy to meettheir family and friends.

Of course I’m bringing my camera, so I will keep you posted on the images, and the food, and of course on the Bride and Groom, and the food, and their family and friends, and of course – the food!