I don’t think I truly started to understand the definition of a beautiful woman until I picked up a camera and looked at her from behind the viewfinder.  Not to say I’m an expert at defining beauty, but I have a whole new perspective I’d like to share.  You see, when I was young, I found many girls pretty.  In high school, I would be extremely intimidated by these pretty girls because well, I wasn’t one of the pretty ones.  I know I know, some of you reading this might think, “Awww…!!” but really, I know I wasn’t.  At least not based on how I defined it then.

That was the “past Cindi”.  Present Cindi is a much more mature and wiser person from past Cindi.  When I step back and look at all the women I’ve photographed, I bucket all of them into one category: beautiful.  Even though they all look different.  Different race, different height, different size.  They are all stunningly beautiful.

Diana is no different.  Past Cindi would call her pretty.  And she is.  In fact, past Cindi would have been intimidated by past Diana if they attended high school together.  But last weekend as we hung out in the Presidential Suite inside Hotel Deca, I got to know Diana in a totally different light and she is indeed a beautiful woman.  She’s obviously beautiful on the outside, the pictures don’t lie!  But it’s the small things despite what can be phyically seen that makes Diana one of a kind.  It’s the way she wrinkles her nose mid-shot because she’s trying to relax her face, it’s the willingness to do anything I tell her to do with the sweetest smile, it’s the way she chuckles when she realizes she’s being silly.  It’s all these things that make her the amazingly beautiful woman she is.

As women, we always are our own worst critic.  As we mature, we learn to put most of our insecurities away and live life in the moment.  I’ve learned that youth comes and goes REALLY quickly and we should focus on the little beautiful quirks that makes us who we are.  Boudoir or beauty portraits is a way for me to help capture you at your best.  It’s an opportunity to freeze this time in your life, when you feel the best you can ever feel about yourself and provide you with something tangible you can look back years later and think, “WOW, I am beautiful”.

If you are interested in boudoir of beauty portraits, give me a ring or send me a note.  Let’s make beautiful things happen!

This is by far my favorite one from the shoot. Diana looks so soft and romantic here. It's just dreamy!

I'm not sure other photogs experience this, but oftentimes my best shot is my last shot. Might you agree?

They say to find your dream job, find something you love.  To us, the other half of the secret formula is finding people you love to do it with.  Now, I suppose you could say Cindi and I get along pretty well, but we feel incredibly blessed that we have the most awesome couples to work with.  Love ‘em love ‘em love ‘em.

Meeting Kathy+Angelo was like getting together with old friends.  At our initial “potential client” / “potential photog” meeting, they invited us into their home on a typical sprinkly-but-sunny-Seattle-Sunday-afternoon, and we ended up chatting for hours on everything.

It’s no wonder our shoot went the same way.  We spent the day all around Seattle, laughing, joking, and goofing off (you can tell they like to squeeze the fun out of life, and don’t sweat the small stuff — like the threat of rain we faced all week).  We even had a lunch break in between (you can tell they also like to squeeze the food out of life, being a lot like us and planning to-do’s around to-eat’s).  It’s was just like heading out with our besties, except somewhere in there pounded out several gigabytes of photos.

Check out more photos of Kathy+Angelo in their slideshow below.  To view the slideshow in HD, or if you’re on an iPad or iPhone, click HERE.

You know those folks that are just fun?  Living, breathing, walking fun?  You know what I’m talking about.  Those people you could describe as good-times, rolled in ohmigawsh, deep fried in LOL oil, wrapped in bacon, and served on a plate of my-cheeks-hurt-from-laughing-so-much?  Yes, those types.

Those types are almost as much fun as Kat+Jeff.  2 of the most genuine people you’ll meet, who are so enjoyable to just be around.

Though we hadn’t met before the shoot, I feel like after a few quick hours we had made fast friends.

And it’s not even because Kat — the bakery manager at the uberdelicious Bliss Bake Shop – left us with tons of itty bitty cakes, or even because Jeff took us through the twistiest, turniest, funnest road I’ve been on in the Evo (Cupcakes and spirited driving?  These two really know the shortcut to my heart!).

It’s because just a few moments with these two and you’ll clearly see how loving and caring they are.  To each other, of course, but also to all those around them.

These are my kind of people.  Congrats you two, we’re so excited for the wedding!

Check out more photos of Kat+Jeff all over the Pearl District, Powell’s Books, and Cathedral Park in their slideshow below.  To view the slideshow in HD, or if you’re on an iPad or iPhone, click HERE.

Chris and I have known Suzanne for quite some time now.  Chris knows her more than I do because she was the first person to give him his big break right after college.  Yep…she gave him his first real job.  And I would have to tip my hat off to Suzanne as well because if she never gave Chris that chance, I would have never met him at work!  So you see, it felt only fitting for us to photograph Suzanne+John’s union because she was the one that first helped unite Chris+me.

Suzanne+John are truly meant to be, and deeply in love.  She’s a spunky Southern girl that (sorry Suzanne!) doesn’t always eat her vegetables.  And he’s a rugged (Daniel Craig look-a-like *wink wink*) football coach that will forever treat her like the Queen that she is.  They are tying the knot this June at the beautiful Salish Lodge in an intimate ceremony with their closest family and friends.  It was extremely important for Suzanne+John to have the people they care most be apart of their special day.  And we are humbled and extremely grateful that they’ve included us by giving us the gift of capturing their wedding.  We can’t wait for June…but in the meantime, enjoy this beautiful couple’s engagement photos!

More photos in Suzanne+John’s slideshow below.  To view the slideshow in HD or if you’re on an iPad or iPhone, click HERE.

I’ve never really appreciated the saying, “WOW, what a small world” until I met Amy+Erik.  Amy is a carefree bride that doesn’t sweat the small stuff.  Chris and I met her by way of her sister, Lauren, who wanted to purchase wedding photography for Amy as a wedding present (what a great sister, eh??).  So throughout the wedding planning process, we actually did not have a chance to meet Amy+Erik because we were mainly working through Lauren.  However, when we did finally meet, it didn’t take me long to recognize Erik.  It turns out, Erik and I attended part of college together more than…let’s say for the sake of keeping my age under wraps…ten years ago!  Seattle (and the world) is indeed small.

Not having to had a chance to get to know Amy more prior to her wedding, I didn’t know what to expect.  But immediately, she made me feel at ease.  As soon as Chris and I showed up on site, she asked us if we wanted to eat.  Now that’s my kind of girl!  Her ability to make people feel at ease infront of her without even really knowing her made me realize why Erik fell deeply in love with her at the speed of cats going after catnip!

Amy+Erik tied the knot in an intimate house with their closest family members.  I love weddings like this.  If I had to redo my wedding again, this would be how I would have it.  Amy+Erik pledged their love to each other infront of about 15 members of their immediate families and it’s weddings like these that really remind us why we love our jobs.  We had so much fun with the couple and can’t wait to meet with them again when we deliver their photos.  Yes, we miss them already…but for now, enjoy these!

Photographers always search for "that" look. You know what look I'm talking about? The twinkle in the eye and there it was right in Amy! Love!

First looks make me swoon!

The nicest store own in downtown Issaquah allowed us to go into her store and use the colorful hand glass work as the backdrop.

More photos in Amy+Erik’s slideshow below.  To view the video in HD or if you’re on an iPad or iPhone, click here.

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!

“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

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.