2012 Best of Western Washington | Wow, what an honor!

My business has been involved in the Best of Western Washington contest for 3 years now and I've gotta say, this is just such an honor!   I know many of the photographers in this category and they are not only amazing artists but good friends and great people to know!  I'm really proud of the local quality in this industry.  In fact, if I didn't have this photography business, I would have a hard time choosing who to vote for!
So much of portrait photography can come down to the personal connection between the photographer and the client.  Many of my clients either were friends first or are friends now!  I end up seeing them at my kids' school, at the grocery store, at church and around the neighborhood.  I love that most of the kids are already comfortable with me and that eases them into natural poses and faces.  I'm not a stranger with a giant black machine in front of my face asking them to do funny things.  I'm "AJ's Mom" or "Nickie from down the street" or "my mom's friend."  For some kids this makes a big difference. 
I love knowing the story that preceeds an engagement and a wedding!  I thoroughly enjoy getting to bring a little of that history with me into a session.  For a few folks, I met them in a mom group like MOPS or a playdate group.  I've seen their relationship with their child or husband grow and mature and then we get to express that together in pictures.
Things have changed over the last year from offering discs of the collection exclusively to offering prints that are ready to hang on the wall.  Each print package contains an album now!  Grandma and Great Grandma couldn't enjoy the pictures as much on a digital screen as they could with their hands.  I can bring our family pictures in my purse now and not need to lug my computer or ask Grandma to try and see them on my phone.  I'm really happy with the way things have gone this year.  I believe my clients agree! 
I'm not expecting to make it into the top five.  I know that I have a much smaller client base (about 10% in comparison).  But I also know that my clients are awesome.  They are cool and fun and we enjoy ourselves both during the portrait session and after!
So if you have a minute and haven't done so already, please log in and give it a vote!  One vote per email address each year!

BEST Portrait Photography

Thank you!

Help me pick a new header photo! | Graham Wedding and Family Portraits

Hey friends!

I have decided it is time to  update the header photo here on the blog.  I love this photo, still even 3 years after it was taken.  But I want to update a little and freshen up this space.  I won't be changing the background because I adore this blue & black damask pattern!

I'd love to have your help picking what to put at the top here. 

My criteria for a new photo are:

1) needs to evoke a strong emotion

2) needs to be simple in color

3) needs to communicate my focus on relationships

4) needs to connect with my fans

5) needs to be easily identified

Here are some of my picks:

So what do you think?  If you'd like to let me know, please leave a comment here or on FB, where I'll be posting these same options.

I'd love to hear from you!

Fresh Faces, time to vote! |Graham Puyallup Women's Portraits

The time has arrived! 

I received so many wonderful questions and submissions for the Fresh Faces Contest. 
Let me clarify one point before we begin voting.

YES, we are voting for women. The winner must be in the portrait session.  HOWEVER, we may have time to include the family, children, spouse, siblings or girlfriend in the session, particularly if it makes the winner more comfortable.  But this is about a FRESH face, a new face for publicity, and maybe a new and fresh start for someone not completely comfortable with being in front of the camera.

These ladies have decided to put themselves out there and let the public decide.  I hope that the blog post right below this one (Real Moms, Real Women) helped put some at ease.  I'm not looking for a model.  I truly want real women in real life situations.  And now it is up to you, their friends and family, to help them out.

TO VOTE:

1) leave a comment here on the blog with your name and which picture number you are voting for.  You may vote here once a day until May 19th.

2) LIKE the ND Robbs Facebook page, LIKE this picture and leave a comment about which picture you are voting for.  You may vote there once a day until May 19th. 

VOTING IS OPEN UNTIL 9 PM ON MAY 19TH.  I will total the votes and notify the winner. 
There are some pretty great second places prizes if the ladies choose to be included!

So share this with your friends, family, anyone who will help bring in some FRESHNESS!

Here we go....

And again, here are the terms and conditions

Now go!  To the polls!  :)

FRESH FACES Contest |Puyallup Graham Family Photographer

Are you so excited that spring is finally in the air!  I am!  Okay, honestly spring comes with seasonal allergies for me, so while I'm thrilled to see the sun and longer days, I am also constantly with tissues in my pocket.  Most of my clients like to wait until we have a good stretch of sunny days before booking their spring and summer portraits.  Well now is that time.  And to kick it off I am starting spring with a contest!  Ooooo, ahhhh!!

What is it?  Fresh Faces contest is like a model search.  You submit a photo (fine print details are below) and then I place all the photos onto the blog.  You tell your friends and family to vote for you.  Someone will win a free session and four others will win great prizes and discounts! 
 ***this contest is in no way connected with Facebook***

You may begin submitting photos immediately and I will collect them until Saturday night on May 12th. 

On your marks.....

Get set.....

GO!

(see you soon!)