Rich Imaging Photography

Calling It Good… For Now

Mark — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 04:50:22 +0000

I started writing this post this last spring (around February, I think), but life just got away from us and here we are. If anyone’s too terribly upset about us not posting this sooner, maybe we can find a way to make it up to you.

Thanks,

-Mark

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As you can see, it’s been over a year since we posted anything on this blog. Last November, Judy and I sat down & took stock of our lives and how we were spending them. I especially took a long look at what I had been spending my time on, what I wanted to spend my time on, and how that all had been affecting my growing family. I could go ’round and ’round giving many details of how and why we arrived at the conclusions we did, but I’ll spare you all of that rubbish. It mostly comes down to one issue.

When it comes to having a family and starting a business, one of them will suffer at least some degree of neglect. If it’s the business you’ll never grow and be able to support yourself with its income. If it’s the family you will grow in all the wrong ways, namely apart (at least that’s the trend I’ve noticed). Suffice to say that I chose, at this time, to quit the business instead of my family. I have a growing career in the IT world that has grown to exceed our needs financially (though it certainly took a lot to make it that way), so letting go of a dream I’ve had for quite a while made sense in light of the fact that I already had a healthy career.

Don’t get me wrong, and don’t mistake me for wanting you to cry me a river, either. I love photography but I love my family more; this was not a hugely emotional decision for me. By (at least temporarily) giving up my dream of being a photographer and business owner, I’ve gained back my ability to grow with my wife and children and truly become more connected to them as we go.

I also have many other dreams that I hope to attain and add to my list of dreams I’ve lived out (move to a Latin country & learn Spanish… CHECK!!!). Some items still on my personal list of things to do are:

Obtain my Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) certificate;
Earn my bachelor’s degree;
Become and live debt free for the rest of my life (we’re Oh-so-close on this one);
Learn how to live a sustainable lifestyle;
Live a sustainable lifestyle in a house that we build ourselves and that is completely paid for (shoot for the moon, right?);
Help people;
Write Andoid apps (that newish phone thing);
Learn how to shoot well (real guns, that is);
Get my pilots license;
Expand my knowledge of theology dramatically;
Help people;
Produce my own music CD (with songs I’ve written or helped to write);
Teach my kids how to live without limits (but inside boundaries);
Buy my own (little) airplane;
Play well with others;
Help people; etc., etc.

In January 2010, Judy and I officially closed our business with the State of Washington. Our affinity and love for photography endures, however. So, if you count yourself among our friends and would like a few good looking photos of yourself, we’d be so happy to get together and create some with you! If you’re a past client of ours and would like to place one last print order we will keep files on hand until at least March 2011.

It has been a pleasure working with all of you, our clients, many of whom we now call friends. Maybe someday we’ll be back at it, creating art with and for people who value enduring keepsakes. Until then, may you be blessed and may you find the path the G-d has for you.

Cheers,
-Mark

P.S.:
Did I mention I’ll be writing some Andoid phone apps? If you have any ideas on an app you’d like to see in the Andoid Market, please let me know. Who knows, it might be my next project!

{Erik & Laura’s Wedding Weekend} | Seattle Wedding Photographer

Judy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:44:28 +0000

Mark and I have a dear friend who we’ve known for many years now. Laura was the maid of honor in our wedding, and this past weekend, we enjoyed being a part of her wedding in Montana! I was a bridesmaid and Mark did a stellar job playing “Mr. Mom” for the weekend. Although we weren’t the wedding photographers (we got to enjoy the special day and leave the technical stuff to someone else), we couldn’t resist the urge to get a few shots. Enjoy!

Erik and Laura after the rehearsal - almost there!

Laura and her mom sharing some time together the morning of the big day:

The beautiful bride, all ready to become Mrs. Johnson!

All smiles from the bride - she was so laid back all day!

And who can resist these boys! Nephews of the bride:

Laura and Erik, we are SO happy and excited for you! It was an honor to be a part of your special day, and we know that the Lord’s blessings will be on you! Congratulations!!

-Judy

{Caleb’s Newborn Session} | Lynnwood Newborn Photographer

Mark — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:52:35 +0000

We have a new baby! This is our new son, Caleb Elijah. He is only 5 days old in this session (yep, he’s a chunk!):

Our family is so blessed to have another child, and we can’t wait to see what kind of a person this little guy grows up to be!

-Mark

{Judy’s Maternity Session} | Lynnwood Maternity Photographer

Judy — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:53:31 +0000

Mark just recently did this maternity session of me. I have felt so beautiful and sexy during this pregnancy - just the way a pregnant woman is supposed to feel! And I really wanted to capture that to remember on those days that I’m not feeling either. :o) He did a fantastic job of making me feel and look absolutely fabulous!

I felt beautiful:

And I am so excited to be welcoming another little baby to our family!

It’ll be SOON!!!

-Judy

{Rylee’s Urban Session} | Seattle Portrait Photographer

Mark — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:20:06 +0000

Rylee and I met in downtown Seattle a little before 7pm for her portrait session, hoping to catch some wonderful golden sunlight for our session. Well, we were blessed with some nice gray clouds instead and had a great time during our session. Here are a few of my favorite images we made together…

Rylee, I hope you enjoy your pictures. I had a lot of fun creating them with you, and once you settle on a direction I know you’ll go far!

Cheers,

-Mark

{Jenn’s Headshot Session} | Renton Headshot Photographer

Mark — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:57:23 +0000

A few weeks ago our friend Jenn asked us if we would do some head shots for her. Of course, we were happy to!

While our kids were busy playing outside to stay cool (this was during the heat wave) we were busy working inside getting some great shots for Jenn!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Jenn, thanks for the opportunity to do this for you. Judy & and I really enjoy hanging out with you, Tim & the boys.

I hope Chicago was a nice change from the heat we had around here!

Cheers,

-Mark

{Yossi & Tonya’s Family Portraits} | Sammamish Family Photographer

Mark — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:34:22 +0000

This is one of those posts that is long overdue.

Our friends Yossi & Tonya Goldberg were moving to Israel (referred to as ‘making aliyah’) and thought it would fitting to have their family portrait done before they left to begin this new chapter in their lives together. About a month and a half ago we made our way over to their house for pictures and dinner. We had a wonderful time together!

We had some great fellowship (way too short, as is usually the case) and had a good time creating some memorable portraits!

Here are a few selections from the day:

Yossi & Tonya, we wish you well and pray for G-d’s blessing on you and your family. May you be blessed as you begin your new lives in the land of Israel!

Much love,

-Mark & Judy

{Rich-Beall Wedding Sneak Peak } | Payette, Idaho

Mark — Sun, 03 May 2009 06:14:27 +0000

What started off as a blind date three years ago culminated in two lives joining together last Sunday afternoon.

My brother, Daniel, and the love of his life, Kellie, were married in their hometown of Payette, Idaho.

To be fair, that first date wasn’t the first time that Daniel & Kellie met. They had actually gone to school together for some years before Kellie went on to another school and Daniel graduated and moved on with his life. I think the blind date was actually a happy surprise for both of them. At one point, after they had been dating for a while, Daniel moved to California; he moved back because they missed each other so much!

Daniel & Kellie were made for each other and I know I have never seen my brother so happy as he was last Sunday. I think having a beautiful, loving bride will do that to you!

Here is a sneak peak at the pictures from their day:

Daniel, you’ve got a huge heart and the perfect girl to have it, too.

Kellie, you and Daniel complement each other perfectly.

Daniel & Kellie, we are SO HAPPY for you both! You deserve each other in the best way. We are all so happy to have Kellie as a part of our family and we eagerly anticipate years of memories yet to be made, as I’m sure you do, too.

We wish you well and may you have many, many years of happiness together!

God bless,

-Mark & Judy

A Little Feel Good!

Mark — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:42:58 +0000

Some one at work today posted a link to this video and it really brightened my day.

The song is a cover of ‘Stand by Me’, literally composed around the world. It starts off simple enough, but then begins to build. I hope it brightens your day just like it did mine!

This cover of Stand By Me was recorded by unknown artists in a street virtual studio all around the world. It all starts with a base track—vocals and guitar—recorded by a street musician called Roger Ridley outdoors in Santa Monica, California. The base track was then taken to New Orleans, Louisiana, where someone known as Grandpa Elliott—a blind singer from the French Quarter—added vocals and harmonica while listening to Ridley’s base track on headphones. In the same city, Washboard Chaz’s added some metal percussion to it.

Those tracks were then taken around the world to various countries & tribes, each adding their own unique flavor to the song. All of this was done only with a few microphones, headphones, a laptop computer, and a lot of travel!

Playing For Change | Song Around The World “Stand By Me” from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

{Madrona’s Newborn Session} | Arlington WA Baby Photographer

Mark — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:51:36 +0000

Natalie and Julian were students in the natural childbirth class my wife was teaching (www.apuregenesis.com). They came over to our house every Tuesday, and sometimes Sunday, for several months. One day they called and said they wouldn’t be taking any more classes because their baby was about to arrive!

After one of the most difficult labors we’ve ever heard of, little Madrona made her grand entrance to the world! She’s so sweet and already such a good little girl. Natalie & Julian say that she doesn’t cry or fuss unless there’s something she’s in need of. Once she gets it, she calms right down. I can attest to this first hand and, from a parent’s perspective, it’s a wonderful thing!

Madrona’s sweetness continued right on through our photo session, too. From beginning to end she remained very sweet and calm. Just see for yourself:

Natalie & Julian, we’ve had a good time getting to know you over the past months and you are so blessed with Madrona (I know you know that, but I just had to say it anyway!). The session was fun and I can’t wait to show you the rest of the images! See you in a while!

Cheers,

-Mark

Rich Imaging Photography

Calling It Good… For Now

{Erik & Laura’s Wedding Weekend} | Seattle Wedding Photographer

{Caleb’s Newborn Session} | Lynnwood Newborn Photographer

{Judy’s Maternity Session} | Lynnwood Maternity Photographer

{Rylee’s Urban Session} | Seattle Portrait Photographer

{Jenn’s Headshot Session} | Renton Headshot Photographer

{Yossi & Tonya’s Family Portraits} | Sammamish Family Photographer

{Rich-Beall Wedding *Sneak Peak* } | Payette, Idaho

A Little Feel Good!

{Madrona’s Newborn Session} | Arlington WA Baby Photographer

{Rich-Beall Wedding Sneak Peak } | Payette, Idaho