I wish life’s decisions were still a simple matter of who was going to sleep next to whom in the stuffy lineup.

And his dad thought it might be a nice idea to hire a professional to take a few photos.  I’m not so sure Andrew was totally on board with the idea, but “these aren’t for you, they’re for your grandparents” won him over.  He was a VERY good sport about it and his date could not have been any sweeter.  They oozed infinitely more confidence than I ever mustered my entire high school career, much less prom night.

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph {again!} for 1859 magazine’s Spring 2012 issue.  I was tasked with taking portraits of two Portland women who were being profiled in this issue… Kara Goucher, a hero in the world of women’s running and bound for the Olympics this summer, where she’ll be competing in the women’s marathon.  And  Myrna Yoder, an icon in the local art community, known for her most amazing murals that grace many-a-wall at McMenamin’s locations throughout Portland.

I had to pinch myself {twice}…I’m so fortunate in my work to meet such incredible, interesting, and inspiring women who are following their own passions to such great heights.

Peas + rats, rats + peas…however you look at it, these two sassy ladies know how to have a good time AND tell a great story.  The story being Three Green Rats, a cautionary tale written for children, which highlights the perils faced “in the land of Here and Now”, in the city of Tintown, when the other rats don’t follow the lead of three rat brothers who “lived simply, never taking more than they needed to survive.”

A collaborative effort featuring the storytelling genius of Linda Hunter and the fabulous, whimsical illustrations of Suzanne Summersgill, I had the honor of reading a few drafts over the last two years, and then landing in Vancouver on the very day they signed a book deal!  Three Green Rats will be published this fall, and there’s even talk of a reading at our very own Powell’s Books here in Portland!

Huge congratulations to two very inspiring women I’m so fortunate to call friends.

Tucked away in the trees above Portland lives my beautiful + talented friend Angie.  And her Treehouse Yoga.  She instructs small groups + individuals in the ancient art of tying yourself up in knots in order to bring strength to your body and peace to your soul.

And I know that I, for one, would rather look out into an expanse of trees than a sea of spandex when seeking said strength + peace.