Mode Organic Salon's Fall Hair Fashion Collection

Yay! The official flyer for tomorrow night's big event!! I'll see you there!!

Mode Organic Salon's Art Opening!!

Hi Everybody!

It was been a brisk October with zillions of shoots and one more GLAMOROUS wedding to show you! But today's post is "time sensitive" so I'm going to get right to it!

I was fortunate enough to be asked by Mode Organic Salon in Seattle to shoot their Fall Hair Fashion Collection!! I'm not going to lie; this was a big shoot for me. . .I got to go location scouting (my intuition must be honed in pretty good because my first stop ended up being my favorite from the whole day). On top of that, I shot a test shoot, filed for my first Use Permit, and coordinated/gathered props and talked concept with the graceful and amazing Selina from Mode.

One huge part of being a photographer for me is being THANKFUL. And OH BOY was I when I saw that, on SHOOT DAY, the weather was absolutely divine for playing with for just this kind of shoot. THANK YOU MOTHER NATURE!!

The shoot was a total success thanks to all of the hairstylists, make-up artists, and models who totally BROUGHT IT! And if that wasn't exhilerating enough, Mode is having an Art Opening!!

Our "Where the Wild Things Are" inspired art opening is on Thursday, November 5 from 6-8pm. The Mode Artistic Team has created our first collection of looks for hair for Fall/Winter/Holiday '09. We styled some models and held a photo shoot to capture the looks in the Washington Arboretum and will be showing the photographs (shot by Julie Watts) at our Downtown location. We will also be showing some beautifully dreamy landscapes painted by Irene Wood. Last, but not least, our models will be at the salon with hair done up Avant-Garde...

Allissa & Cory's Laurel Creek Manor Wedding

Hi Everybody!!

Alissa & Cory had an awesome wedding. It was WAY BACK WHEN in September on the 6th. Gosh aren't the seasons moving quick? Feels like EONS ago!! I'm so excited to get to "reminisce" already!

Ahhh. One of the few minutes Alissa & Cory spent together alone on their wedding day at the beautiful Laurel Creek Manor in Sumner, WA.

Ask me how much I love an birdcage veil. ASK ME! Oh my gosh...TONS. Tons. They are so instant-vintage glam I can't stand it.

We dodged a few rain showers and Mother Nature looked happily upon us. It dried out just when we needed it...I always love shooting after the rain because the colors are so vivid, even the concrete and stone shimmers...

The ceremony was undercover and backlit....one of my absolutely favorite ways to photograph a ceremony...everbody let's look at how adorable Alissa is listening to Cory! :)

Below is the menfolk....


I am totally for a minimalist approach to photographing ceremonies. Strip it bare down to the raw emotion, I say!

This is one of my favorite groom shots...Cory said something about the wedding photography part of his wedding day was way more fun than he thought it was gonna be. I was like " I know!" haha! If a groom has been a groomsman in a prior wedding I've done, then he already knows that I'm pretty fun to work with! Heck, I grew up racing BMX bikes for 7 years, being one of the only girls around. I have one older brother and our dad who built cars and married my high school sweetheart who builds cars. My son even builds cars with legos. So I appreciate guys for who they are (which is definitely different than how women are!!) and let them know they can go ahead and be guys and be themselves in front of my camera. I can capture the fun stuff but also show their ultra cool side...definitely a feel most men want on their wedding day...

I absolutely love the above and below pictures.

And this one below? Of the walking kiss? This was right after they left the ceremony as man and wife. I'm the ONLY one on earth who witnessed this and so glad I was there to catch it. It's freakin' perfect..OH you guys are too cute. Congratulations!!

Some divine dancing....

Some bustling and reception prep beforehand....

Some after-ceremony celebratin' !

If you wanna see Alissa and Cory's ENTIRE wedding slideshow, just click HERE.

Newborn: Sophie!

Hi Everybody!

Newborns....it's hard to photograph them without falling in love...they are so tender, so new...I can't help but be overwhelmed with optimism and warm fuzzy feelings to watch new parents' lives happily flipped upside down with the arrival of this beautifully unique little bundle. And when the parents are bridal clients of mine from 2008, then it's even bigger because I know their families and friends and how excited everyone is about their baby.

Introducing baby Sophie and a few of my favorite portraits from her first professional photography session:

Welcome Sophie! I wish nothing but love and happiness for you and your patient, gentle, loving parents as you start on this wild and crazy journey called Life!

Newly Designed JWP Website is LIVE!!!

Yay! I'm havin' a GREAT DAY too! For the first time since 2007, my website has been completely redesigned and updated with the latest images I've taken of my clients...you should be able to come away feelin' like you know what I'm all about and excited to talk more! Right now I have to go finish cookin' burgers for the family, but take a look and be one of the first to let me know what you think!!

www.juliewattsphoto.com

THANKS EVERYBODY! If it wasn't for YOU putting your trust in me, and letting me get to know you and your families and friends, I wouldn't have the opportunity to create these images!

Wedding: Amber & Mike

Hi Everybody! Meet Amber. Is she kinda staring you down in this picture? I think it's hot! Plus, she's all rainbows and unicorns underneath. Just kidding...actually, her favorite car is a Volkswagen Thing. Yellow. White ragtop. So that pretty much just makes her cool inside and out. Here are a few highlights from her beautiful Laurel Creek Manor Wedding on August 29, 2009. . .

This is Mike. Mike is who Amber loves.


Amber and her mom have LIVED & BREATHED the planning of this day for months.

Whoosh. In a moment, the beginning of a whole new phase of life........wife.

Since the first time I set foot in the Bridal Suite at Laurel Creek Manor, I was in love...and Amber looks simply amazing here, doesn't she?

The sneak, the peek....Amber & Mike's first sight moment! I can't get enough of that sly grin she's got waitin' for her new Husband. . .

A quick quiet moment...gone in the twinkle of an eye...

The lovely side of the bridal party. . . .

The manly side. . . .

A meaningful side moment with mom. . . .

Seriously--how much more picturesque can you get?!

August at Laurel Creek. Amber & Mike promise their love to each other.

This is it. This is for Real.

It's a done deal! Congratulations and cheering ensue!


Now, I didn't hear what Amber said to Mike first since becoming his wife. . .

But it looks like is was pretty funny! I have no doubt this is a sign of all the great times ahead for them in their marriage. . .

"Introducing, for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. . . . . ."

First dance.... fresh night air.

You know. Just hangin' out on the steps.

I'm loving how the vintage feel arose out of this moment!

The exit! This cracks me up because there is so much action...we've got peeks into the limo, last tosses of rose petals, and the new marrieds getting to watch everyone bid them Bon Voyage via some unstoppable limo sunroof action. And this reminds me of what it was like to be a kid and not be able to see the top of a limo. :)

< Festivities carried on throughout the night. . .

Amber & Mike, I am so thankful to have gotten to meet you both, your family and friends and get to capture your wedding day. You guys are all awesome! Stacy and Amber, you guys had a couple of fantastic pictures....

To view the slideshow of Amber & Mike's wedding, click here!

Lindsay's rad senior photoshoot

Last week I photographed Lindsay's senior photoshoot. Here are some of my favorite shots. . .

My senior shoots are unpredictable; I feel very comfortable at this point in my career experimenting for a portion of the shoot, and some of the big changes and evolutions in my career begin from a place of experimentation just like during Lindsay's shoot. I've been reading The Artists Way by Julia Cameron at the suggestion of Me Ra Koh, and have to say it's an incredible read so far and if you haven't got this book yet GET IT!

And just in case you think I may have plucked Lindsay right out of a modeling agency, in fact I've been photographing Lindsay and her big sister Alex since way back when in 2005! Linds I hope you don't mind I went into the archives and whipped out a couple rad shots.

Looks like I haven't changed much in terms of my willingness to experiment! lol




But the girls have changed so much! Grown, poised, amazing young women and I'm so glad to know you Linds, Alex, & Lois!!

Yay! Nominated & 1st Day of School!

Hi Everyone!

Well the kids got back on the bus this morning, as it did for a lot of you too. As much as I'll miss them during the day hours, and as much as an adjustment the quiet house is, I do enjoy the peace and freedom and the day flies by anyhow. . .we've got lots to look forward to in 1st and 5th grade. And as I walked back to the house, I grabbed this shot of our cat Carmen. Woe to all you rodents. You haven't a chance. lol


Okay so back to business! Here's the LATEST:

KING 5's Best of Western Washington

For the start of the new season, lots of plans are coming to fruition! First off, check out my nomination for KING 5's Best of Western Washington Contest http://best.king5.com/julie-watts-photo/biz/138487 !! I'd love it if you'd review me! There's nothing like first hand experience to make an awesome review that could really help another person navigate the dizzying world of choosing a photographer that's right for them.

So thank you for that! I appreciate all the support you've given me over the past 9 years!!

There are several projects I'm working on, not to mention some stunning weddings & shoots (like Amber & Mike's wedding at Laurel Creek Manor last weekend and a crazy awesome senior portrait with Lindsay). Oh and I should add:

NEW WEBSITE GOING LIVE WITHIN 72 HOURS!!

Yes, you heard it right! I am falling out of my chair over the totally new website. Designed by my trusty teammember, Ron Ford, owner of WebVisuals.com. I can't wait for you to see it!! Stop by soon or make it easy and subscribe to get the latest!