Totten Photography

Congratulations to Helen of Radgal Adventures for winning the first ever Totten Photography blog competition!! And huge thanks and hugs to all the rad folks who participated- there were so many good guesses! The final total of images taken last week was definitely a record for me: 5,521! Helen’s guess of 5,799 is only off by 278 shots, and Rochelle came in at a close second with 5,227 (just off by 294). So both of you radgals receive gift cards!

Dave and I had an awesome time at the 3 weddings, pushing each other to get more and more creative. We feel so lucky to work with such lovely couples who encourage us and play along as we get fun and romantic shots. In celebration for such a successful weekend, I’m sharing a few “woooHOOOO” images. YeYaH!!

Hello my friendly readers! I am soooooo backlogged with my blog! I have so many cool things to share, and notta lotta time to share them. I do, however, have a $30 Visa gift card for the person who can guess how many pictures I’m going to take this week. Sharing my work through my blog is a rewarding and creative outlet for me each week, but since I’m so busy shooting, I though it would be fun to make my blog a bit more interactive and reward my fabulous readers. I just finished a day long fashion/editorial shoot, tomorrow I ‘m doing professional headshots, Thursday is a family session, and I have three weddings this weekend. The closest guess will win the gift card, each contestant only gets one guess, and the winner will be announced on September 2nd, when the polls officially close at noon and I’ll hopefully have some images to share. Until then, I’m yer trigger-happy-ever-sassy-fun-lovin’-black-tea-caffeinated-YeYaH-my-life-is-on-fire photographer!

Neil Halstead is a quiet lyricist from England with some of the most haunting songs I’ve heard. He played live yesterday at KEXP, and I had tears in my eyes from his moving performance. Accompanied by two other blokes on an acoustic-electric guitar and bass, their sound is beautifully rounded and the dynamic is dreamy yet solid. I will definitely be enjoying their show tomorrow night - it’s not one to be missed!

You can’t help but fall in love with Ellen the instant you meet her. Her exceptionally warm and compassionate personality draws you in and fills you. And Jim’s huge heart only exaggerates her exuberance- making a power-team of some of the kindest people I’ve met. This fabulous duo wed in the newly-landscaped backyard of their newly-remodeled home in West Seattle, surrounded by loved ones and with colors streaming. The Indian inspired wedding was all about the colorful details- from Ellen’s custom gown and their sari-draped huppa, to the brilliant paper globes and sunset-colored streamers that set the ambiance.  Zeke, owner of Tagla Cafe (Ellen and Jim’s favorite Ethiopian restaurant), catered the event and he and his wife personally served everyone. Beautiful tabla and sarod medleys filled the room as two musicians from Kali Productions entertained us during the reception, and guests ate the delicious meal the traditional way- with their hands!  This colorful celebration continued into the night with dancing and dessert- gourmet ice cream sandwiches! Ellen and Jim are so blessed to have found such great love in each other, and I wish you the best in your “new” home as your married life begins!

The much anticipated wedding of Amy and John extraordinarily commenced the sunny Saturday of July 19th. This was over a year and a half in the making, and so many great people came together to make this a celebration like no other. Friends came from as far as Sweden, and many close friends had known them since grade school. Their wedding was at their friend’s gorgeous home in Issaquah, and my favorite officiant, MaryLee Lykes, married them under a beautiful flowered archway. There were lots of kids, which means lots of fun images of sweet lil’ ones, and lots of toys all about (check out the image of their rings, which my talented assistant Dave so artfully composed). John created a beautiful design that adorned their invitations and programs, and my favorite piece was the beautiful banner that hung outside the home. The toasts were entertaining and tear-jerking, and so many great stories unfolded about this couple. Amy’s father was the dj, and they danced under the twinkle of warm lights late into the night. Amy and John are such a fun-loving and much loved couple- I wish the two of you the best as you begin your life as husband and wife!!

I have had the pleasure of working with Craig of Craig Williams Interiors on quite a few of his projects over the last couple years. But his last project I photographed is easily my favorite. I am constantly impressed with how well he amplifies his client’s style, and creates elegant yet livable spaces over and over. Here are a few fun pictures from a home in Ballard he worked on recently. It is an incredible balance of space, light, textures and bold patterns. It inspired me to hire him to help decorate my house. Party here when he’s finished!!

I have often been accused of having a wild imagination (someday I may post images from my college art classes…), but never could I have dreamed of photographing mermaids in landlocked Montana. I am eternally grateful to Emilia and TC, who celebrated their wedding with a true country shindig, and kicked off their festivities after their rehearsal dinner at Great Falls Montana’s infamous Sip-n-Dip lounge, where saucy mermaids abide. The Sip-n-Dip, with piano bar entertainer Piano Pat, deserves it’s own blog post (or it’s own photo project…), but there is so much to tell that I suggest you book a direct flight to Great Falls and check it out yourself. There’s absolutely no place like it…

Under wide blue skies, we celebrated in style at their home on the river with all sorts of live music (TC is a talented musician with many talented musician friends), enjoyed bbq ribs and sno-cones, learned to dance with a local square dance caller, and were wildly entertained when Emilia and TC surprised us with a choreographed first dance to Louie Armstrong’s “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.” Emilia was stunning in her red gown, and TC was a perfect gentleman with his western double string tie. It was a fabulous day of much laughter and tears, and so many sweet speeches and good words of advice. One comment in particular seemed to resonate well with the ladies: grooms- these two words could save your marriage… “Yes, dear.” I wish you two the best as you begin your life together!

This is TC throwing the garter belt- thought it was a cool angle…

I’ve certainly grooved out to two turntables and a microphone, but Telepathique rocks two microphones and a turntable. Mylene sings haunting vocals while Erico mixes and scratches, artfully distorting her words. I had only heard the Brazilian group on myspace, and their KEXP live performance was nothing short of awesome. Check them out at Paragon tomorrow night. More images here! YeYaH!

Ah- I am experiencing some serious bloggage issues. I have to share pictures of two fantastical weddings, a diva DJ, bridal bootcampers, a Seahawks fashion shoot, a dreamily decorated house, the most precise and beautifully crafted art installation, a Rad Gal rocker, mermaids in Montana, and other randomly magnificent kung fu-lery.* I have to do all of this, but it will have to wait until August. Dave and I are heading out the door in exactly one minute to explore the awesomeness that is Glacier National Park (before it becomes “The Park Formerly Known As Glacier”) for the next 10 days. In the meantime, Ipsos and Roman are keeping Team Totten alive and well. Adios amigos!

* “kung fu-lery” is my new favorite word, birthed from one of the many talented poets of the Seattle Poetry Slam. Go ahead and spread the good word…

Michelle and Frank married at the stunning Lord Hill Farms on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. Heavy clouds threatened rain, but it only sprinkled a bit as we were heading inside after playful pictures under a dramatic sky. Sunlight spilled through the clouds during the ceremony, and made for fantastic light during cocktail hour. Billy Joe and the Dusty 45s got everyone dancing at the reception, and they backed up Frank’s brother, Ryan, while he “Ol’ 55″ by Tom Waits for Michelle and Frank’s first dance. Such an awesome celebration!