I’ve always been a pretty decisive person.  Most of the time, the decisions I make turn out well.  And there are some times where those decisions turn out GREAT.  For instance, the decision to adopt a dog on a Saturday, and going out and getting the first one I ever saw on that following Monday.  Or the decision to say “yes” when Chris asked me out on our first date (best one ever!!!).  Or the decision to become serious at wedding photography on a Monday, and going out to buy a camera on a Wednesday.

That camera I decided to buy was a used Canon 20D from famous camera store Glazers in Seattle.  I drove into town one rainy day after work, saw the camera body in the glass case, asked the sales person to hold it, and the rest was history.  For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home.  The camera and my hand molded together as if this black piece of metal had always been meant for my hand.  Without hesitation, I spent the $275 and the rest was history.

I went home with the 20D body in hand and one of the first things I did was buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 prime lens and start shooting away.  And although I’ve since moved on from the 20D, I still love this camera and use it as my primary backup body for weddings.  Some of my favorite pictures were taken with my old love, and I will never forget that moment when I first realized I’ve taken a great photo.  Below are some oldies from the archives of Cindi+Chris Photography.  Enjoy!

If you’ve ever ventured over to our blog’s “About Us” page, you’ll notice one sentence that is the heart and soul of what we believe in:

“Our job is to capture you at your best, in the in-between moments, somewhere between the pose and self-consciousness where life is lived.”

We’ve really built our whole business around this motto and while we believe posed and directed photos are important, it’s what we call the “in-between shots” that ultimately make our heart melt.  Whether it’s a bride and groom laughing and joking uncomfortably infront of a vast open ocean, or a ring bearer pouting right before he’s needed to do his job, or a bride that’s slightly embarrassed {but smitten} with her silly {but utterly funny} groom, or a mother feeding her hungry baby right before our shoot, we believe these moments are worth more than any words can describe.  When we think about our clients, and how they’ll feel thirty years from now looking back at these photos, we want them to think about these natural moments, when they melt into themselves in that fleeting moment between trying to nail the pose and realizing you’re not all alone.

I love a good hanging piece of art on the wall and although I am a huge fan of a nicely framed picture or a statement canvas piece, what I’m currently obsessing over is an image printed on metal.

You know I love something when I give them as gifts and I’ve given metal prints to my friends a couple of times.  I’ve never really splurged on it myself…until now.

The quality of the image is very clear and crisp.  Better than most photos on photo paper.  We decided to simply print an image of the iconic Seattle Pike Place Market sign for our first piece.  I just thought the negative space of the clouds made a big statement.

The best thing about these prints is the floating backing that comes with every piece.

You simply hook the piece on any type of art hook and you are done!

Once it’s hung up on the wall, the backing creates a distance between your wall and the piece itself.  Making it look like it’s floating.

Voila!  Simple and done.  This type of print isn’t for everyone.  It’s a very contemporary approach to displaying a photo.  But for those that want something different, I would suggest trying this.

We offer metal prints to all of our clients and I think it definitely makes a statement.  In the future, I’d like to print more of my brides to display around my work office.

Growing up in Seattle, every Christmas I’d wish for snow.  This year, that wish didn’t come true.  In fact, our Christmas was pretty mild.  Some light rain scattered around the city but the temperature hovered mostly around the high 40′s in the day time.  But just this past weekend, I was a happy clam because Snowpacalypse 2012 finally arrived to the Pacific Northwest.  Sunday morning when I woke up to walk my little Chewy monster, our streets were covered with snow.  And our neighborhood was already filled with kids and their parents outside making snowmen, sledding, and sliding off hills.  It was a wonderful sight and our winter had officially arrived.

That was Sunday and now it’s Wednesday night, Chris and I have been stuck at home for three days.  We’ve been snowed in for some time now and I’m still loving it.  All in all, our area got about 6 inches.  Oh and if you’re from the mid-west reading this, you read right.  Our city closes down even if there is an inch of snow.  So 6-10 inches in the area, well…you can only imagine.  But being cooped up didn’t stop me from snapping some photos around the house and in our yard.

My little Chewy paws. They are perfect!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful {and safe} Wednesday!

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

That’s what we asked ourselves when we first decided to “officially” take the plunge together into photography.  I think I read once that a little over 50% of new ventures fail within the first year, and something crazy like 95% within 5.  I never felt inclined enough to dig up solid statistics to see if it’s true, but looking back, I don’t think we ever thought we could “fail.”

What’s the worst that could happen? — we’d end up with thousands of photos, bear witness to (and become a part of) some of life’s to some of life’s most intimate and treasured moments, amass some fun toys and hopefully a handful of new friends.  All while doing what we love, with our most loved.

Hard to find a downside when you look at it like that.

One year ago tomorrow, we had the honor of capturing SLM+Ryan’s big day.  And other than remembering it as a beautiful occasion shared amongst some of the most fabulous and loving people we’ve met, we’ll also remember it as when we were proven right.

SLM+Ryan are cut from that certain kind of amazing that makes you glad you have them in your life.  And we blessed to now be able to count them amongst our friends.  One year later, we’re even able to add +1 to that list with their heartmelting baby boy, Reese.  So it only felt fitting that we kick-off our 2012 shoots with sharing more from the family that reminds us, every time we see them, why we love doing what we do so much.

Happy Anniversary SLM+Ryan, and cheers to your first full year of being awesome, baby Reese!

Mosey over to Vimeo to view in HD.

Location:  Sorrento Hotel, Capitol Hill, Seattle
Song:  Joseph Vincent – Bumblebee

As we celebrate this time of year with our families, we (Cindi, Chris, and Chewy) would just like to wish everyone a happy holiday season.  Be merry, eat lots, and stay safe.

Winston+Bear are good friends.  Probably more considered brothas from different mothas.  Winston belongs to Jackie, one of our upcoming 2012 brides, so I’m sure you’ll be meeting more of his fab family soon.  But for now, just his buddy Bear will have to do.  Bear belongs to Jackie’s future mother-in-law, and these two chaps get along just swimmingly.

We took a walk through the University of Washington campus one chilly Saturday morning, and let these two run free amongst the last batch of college folk cramming for pre-holiday finals.  These two fit right in with their purposeful gait, sleepy stares, and in the case of Winston… dashing fall sweater.  So debonair!

Winston in his debonair sweater.

Bear is just so adorable with those big black eyes.

Awww just look at that face!

Again, just look at that face!

BFF's for life!

These little boys got into their treat bag!

And for good measure, my little boy Chewy!  He also came along for the ride and had fun watching his fellow pooches model.

Marla+Mark are our great friends we’ve known for a long time.  In fact, Marla and I have known one another since high school, although she didn’t go to the same school as me.  But Mark and I did!  And the one person that forever connects Mark and me together is…no not Marla…but JLo!  You see, even before Marla even met Mark, Mark and I were friends.  And one of my fondest memories I have of him is when we debated whether JLo deserved privacy, being a famous celebrity.  I wasn’t sure why we started our debate, but it ended when Mark told me I had a right to my opinions, I just didn’t need to state them.  It was all good fun though and I believe we parted ways that night agreeing to disagree.

In high school I didn’t know Mark too well.  I just knew from other friends that he was extremely picky when it came to girls.  So when I found out my friend Marla finally was able to catch his heart, I was not surprised.  Marla is smart, easy going, funny, and most importantly…patient!  Within weeks after they started officially being together as a couple, Mark was in the Marines and at the time was deployed overseas.  For 8 whole months, they both patiently waited to see each other again, and the rest is history.  These two love birds had an amazing wedding a little over two years ago but what better way to go into their third year of marriage than with a lovely photoshoot.  Chris and I had so much fun with our dear friends, we can’t wait to share these photos!

We found the cutest giant chess set. It was the perfect prop for the shoot!

I love it when a couple shows their playful side and truly has fun!

Handsome couple. Just handsome!

Marla+Mark Slideshow

Location – Pioneer Square

Song – “Simple Love Song” by Anuhea

It was probably one of the coldest mornings we’ve had this winter in Seattle.  The air was crisp, the leaves had almost all fallen onto the ground…leaving the trees bare, and our photoshoot miniature models (Natalie, Nadia, and MacKenzie) were quivering out of their socks from being so cold.  These twin girls and little baby Natalie were such good sports, even on the cold early morning, they of course had to be rewarded with Starbucks hot chocolates after the shoot.

Megan+Stefan wanted a family shoot at Mercer Island’s Luther Burbank Park with their three girls.  Although it was a little bit of a challenge to get the girls to focus on solely taking pictures, having them be in their natural element gave us a chance to capture them at their best!  Natalie, Nadia, and MacKenzie were so much fun to be around.  By the end of the shoot, I gave the shivering Nadia a huge hug goodbye.  I think I’ve just made three new girl friends!

What a beautiful family!

MacKenzie's adorable silly faces cracked me up!

Oh yes...it is SO tough being a kid. Le sigh!!!

Nadia was freezing the whole time! Her daddy tries to warm her up here! Can I get an "AWWWWW"?

I think Megan has one of the most natural and prettiest smiles. Don't you?

Megan, Stefan, and girls…it was so much fun spending a chilly morning with you guys.  We hope you enjoy your slideshow below!

One of the best things about working in the wedding industry is meeting people that are just as passionate about weddings as we are.  When Chris and I met Ashley+Christina of It’s Your Day Events and Expressions during a local wedding event we almost didn’t quite make, we immediately knew they were just like us: just because you’re passionate about your craft, and take your business seriously, doesn’t mean there’s no room for fun.

Best friends for 15 years, Ashley+Christina help brides plan their perfect wedding day.  One thing that sets them apart from other coordinators is that they tag team and plan every wedding together.  They believe a bride deserves the best, and working side by side on every wedding event provides the bride with an extra ounce of sizzle on their day.

Having fun doing what you do and doing it with the person you can have fun with is one of the key elements to having a successful business.  And even before we started our photo shoot, I immediately knew Ashley+Christina were not only the type of girls that have fun together, but they’re the types I could have a blast with.  To call these two wedding coordinators is going to be an understatement by the time your wedding day gets here.  Because I believe, not only will these girls plan the perfect wedding for you, but more importantly, they’ll probably end up being your friends.

Our photo shoot location? The beautiful old Hollywood School House in Woodinville, WA.

Christina warned me about not being photogenic before we started the shoot. But I beg to differ! Just look at that smile...

These two lovely ladies look so nice and coordinated all because of Ashley. Definitely a natural planner!

I think Edward and Jacob were being discussed here.