ENGAGED // bryan + rachel's downtown tacoma engagement shoot

I've been shooting more clients this year and I wanted to share some of my shoots here on the blog!  I've posted a few of my sessions in the past but haven't blogged most of them so in addition to sharing newer sessions I want to share a few of my favorite sessions from years past.

I'd shot some portraits of Bryan and Rachel in the past so when Bryan was planning to propose to Rachel he asked me to shoot the actual proposal!  A couple weeks after the proposal we got together again to do some more formal engagement shots downtown. We met at Anthem's downtown coffee shop, which was perfect because their first date was at the Anthem in Puyallup (and that's where Bryan proposed).  Keeping things in the Anthem family!

Their wedding was this January and they've already got a little bun in the oven set to arrive in January of 2015, so maybe some new family portraits will be in order after they add their new member to the family!

 


 

a delightful giveaway from becky murphy

Hi guys!  I'm excited to be hosting a giveaway today from Becky Murphy for one of my favorite prints in her shop!  You guys might remember Becky from the giveaway I did last year for her book, I'd Rather Be Short (which you can still get your hands on!).  If you can't tell already, she's a rad gal and today I get to do a giveaway for her Should I Wash My Hair Today? print, which I have hanging in my own bathroom.  One lucky reader will get to take this print home, and if you want to buy any of her amazing prints I have a special 20% discount for you guys to take advantage of!  Just enter "delightfullytacky20" at checkout to get the discount.  The code expires on Oct 1. so head over and pick out your favorite print before then to get the discount!
To enter the giveaway just follow the directions below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

in with the new

esterday I got to go to CreativeLive's studio to be part of the live audience and learn from some amazing photographers.  They're doing their annual PhotoWeek, which is a week long "conference" full of seminars on all aspects of photography, and it's totally free this week, while it runs live.  I love CreativeLive's classes, so it was really fun to get to go to their studios in Seattle and get to be a part of the production!  They rebroadcast the day's classes after they wrap at 5, so if you work during the day you can still catch the action on the evening rebroadcast.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, transitional seasons always seem to transcend just the changing of the climate.  It almost always feels like a time for life changes too.  Fresh starts.  New projects.  Goals.  Fall always hits me particularly hard with this, probably because for so many years it really was the start of a new season of life with school starting.  New exciting classes, new stationary, new notebooks, pens and pencils, books, new clothes.  As sad as I am to see summer go, fall is such a great time for refocusing and settling down.  I love all the holidays, birthdays, and events that the end of the year brings, it seems like there's always something to look forward to.



dress/modcloth :: cardigan/ruche :: chevron necklace/courtesy of moorea seal long + short necklaces/courtesy of adorn by sarah lewis :: shoes/minnetonka

poached apples

pple season is nigh!  Bring on the apple crisps, apple pies, apple cider, all the apple things.  This little dessert is kind of like a single serving apple pie, sans crust.  I like apple pie, but this is a bit more fancy looking, like apple pie's sophisticated little sister.  Before making this I don't think I'd ever poached anything and I certainly hadn't thought about poaching apples, just eggs.  The first time I did it I poached the apples too long and they turned into a disintegrating mess but the second time they were just right.  You can poach apples in just water, but I saw quite a few recipes that recommended doing it in apple cider, so I opted for that and I really liked the results.
I've also seen some really amazing looking poached pear recipes that I think I might try next.  This poaching thing is so new to me!  Have you poached anything before?  I still haven't poached eggs, so maybe I should try that, eh?  Eggs Benedict anyone?  
Poached Apples with Whipped Cream
(recipe via epicurious)

6 medium Gala apples (about 3 pounds), cored from bottom, leaving stems on
1/2 lemon
1/2 gallon apple cider
1 cup packed light brown sugar

1. Peel the top third of each apple and rub peeled part with lemon half. Put apples in a large 5-quart pot and add cider and brown sugar. 
2. Bring to a boil, covered, over medium heat (this will take 25 to 30 minutes). 
3. Remove from heat and cool apples in cider, covered, about 1 hour.  While apples are cooling, make the toppings.

Candied Pecans
1 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg white, lightly beaten Pinch sal

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lower third.

2. Stir together all ingredients with a pinch of salt, then spread out on a baking sheet.  Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until golden, 5 to 6 minutes.

3. Transfer to a rack and loosen nuts, then cool (nuts will crisp as they cool).

Whipped Cream
1/2 cup chilled heavy cream
1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp dark rum
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Beat cream with sugar, rum, and vanilla using an electric mixer until it just holds soft peaks.

2. Drain apples (you can save the poaching liquid for another use), and put an apple on each plate.  Sprinkle with candied pecans and some cinnamon sugar. Dollop cream next to each apple and for extra decadence, drizzle caramel sauce all over!

submit your project!

ince I started blogging six years ago the internet has become a much larger place, and there are so many more of you with fun, pretty, crafty blogs!  It's getting harder and harder to keep up with all the creative sites and blogs out there, but I've been loving getting a peek at more blogs through my Share Your Story link ups, and thought I'd expand that kind of thing by putting out a call for guest post submissions!  At this time I'm only accepting DIY Projects, Home Tours, Hair & Beauty Tutorials, and Food & Drink recipes.  If your post does not fall into one of those categories it will not be considered.   I'm really excited to see what you guys submit.  I know there are so many amazing creators out there, I feel like I'm constantly discovering new blogs that blow my mind.  The collective creativity and quality that is out there in the blogosphere is so inspiring!

How to submit your post:

  Send 4-6 of your best photos of the project/tour/tutorial/recipe you'd like featured to me at partnership@delightfully-tacky.com.  Please include your name, your blog or business link and a short description of your project, tutorial, recipe, or home!  If your post is a good fit I will e-mail you back within one week requesting more images and the full post instructions (if it's a project, recipe, or tutorial) or with interview questions about your space (if it's a home tour).
  Photos should match quality and look of photos currently on Delightfully Tacky (no vignetting, heavy filtering, text, etc).
  Projects should be unique and not previously posted on any other sites. I can't wait to see what you guys share!