I don't often do engagement sessions, but I couldn't resist when one of my husband's best childhood friends invited us to be there with him while he proposed to his girlfriend.  I felt like we had been waiting for this moment forever! Although probably not has much as Chantel did!  

The Smith Tower

The Smith Tower is a piece of history for the city of Seattle.  It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi for many years.  There is an observatory deck, old time elevators, with an elevator attendant, old time bathrooms, and even a pent house apartment at the top.  Such a cool piece of history.  At the top of the tower is the observatory deck with a bar attached.  In the bar area is one of the original chairs to the smith tower, it is said if you sit in it you will be married within a year.

The Plan

Chantel's friends told her they were going to the smith tower to learn about the history because they had tickets for it.  Somehow they got her to dress up for it too! They picked her up and she took her sweet time getting to the top of the tower where Chris and several friends and family members were waiting for her.  She looked at all the exhibits! If only she knew what was waiting for her at the top.  The entire Smith Tower staff was in on the plan as well! We got a phone call in the bar that she was headed up the elevator, her friends guided her to sit in "the chair" when out of no where Chris appears on bended knee in front of her.  Such an amazing moment! I'm so glad I was there to witness it and capture it on camera.  

Congratulations Chris and Chantel, I am so excited for you!

If you are wanting to have your engagement captured, please contact me at Kristin@Kristingroverimages.com to discuss the details!

Now that I have a couple kiddos myself, thinking about them graduating from high school is slightly terrifying.  Luckily I have many years until that becomes a reality.  The parents of my senior clients do not.  This is such a special time, their senior year of high school.  The last year of their childhood, before they are on their own, taking the world by the horns.   I want to make their senior portrait experience something to remember.  An experience for their parents too.  

What makes my senior sessions special?

You may be wondering why I keep calling it a senior portrait experience.  It is because I strive to make it just that!  When parents invest in something so special as capturing their child's senior year of high school, they want it to be a true experience.  So what does your experience include?  Hair, Makeup, several outfit changes and 2-3 hours on location shoot.  You may have a hard time choosing a location, not to fear, as long as the location choices are close to each other we can fit up to three locations in our time.  It really provides some amazing variety.  In Ana's session we were able to go to 3 (but kind of 4) different locations!

What if having your picture taken makes you nervous?

I want to get to know you as a client as much as possible before our shoot.  It allows me to really help you feel at ease.  If I know what types of things you enjoy I will be able to cater your session to you.  What other things might make you feel at ease?  Do you play the guitar and want to bring it? Do it! What about your family dog?  I love dogs!  Want to play your favorite music to help relax and dance a little?  Send me a list, I'll make sure I have it on hand.  What about bringing your friends.  Do it! the more the merrier.  This is all about YOU! So let's make it all about you, and have fun while we are at it.

Ana's senior session

After Ana's hair and makeup were done (did I mention I supply a hair and makeup artist too?) Ana, her mom, and I headed off to location number one.  We went to an old farmhouse that has recently been renovated.  It made such a beautiful backdrop and it is a location I love because it is special to the little town we live in, and where the high school is.  Next we headed off to the blueberry farm.  Bybee Blueberry farm is so gorgeous, they even have weddings there! it makes for such a beautiful location with a bit of variety.  After the blueberry farm we headed to meadow brook farm where the light was starting to set and gave us some really gorgeous golden light shots.  This was our last location, but we drove all over the farm for some really incredible shots chasing the light.  We had so much fun, and I hope it was truly the senior portrait experience Ana was hoping for.