Wedding Photos

Alright in between having to say goodbye to everybody and having the hillside across from us burn down I've finally got the pictures my brother took all edited and happy. Here's a quick sample, but the rest can be viewed on my website. There will be more to come as I haven't gotten photos from Tim or Stephanie yet and I'm eager to see what photos they took.

Our first look at one another

Cake Kissing

First Dance

Mother & Son Dance

Some amazing girls who did a ton for us.

Near Town

Near Town
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Flames reach up the hillside behind the Okanogan Courthouse tower.

Hot Bingo

Hot Bingo
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The bingo casino and hotel by hwy 97 were evacuated because the fire jumped the highway.

Burning Hillside

Burning Hillside
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Threatening Fire

Threatening Fire
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

There will be more coming. The fire has now swept over the entire hillside that you can view from my living room window. We spent quite a bit of the time up on the hill behind us with Amy and Jeff. I've taken over 350 pictures, but bedtime for me tonight. Check back tomorrow for more photos of the fire and its aftermath.

Wildfire Excitement

Our first wildfires of Okanogan. It really seems like we are surrounded right now. The fire siren went went off three times in about 30 minutes starting around 7pm. There is one fire south near Malott on Rattlesnake Butte, one just up the hill from us near Glover Lane and two on the reservation, apparently all from lightening strikes. From our back porch we watched one of them crest the hill. It's now so smoky that you can't even see the hillside. The fires are just a bit of encouragement to buy a house in town.

Reservation Fire

Reservation Fire
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Reservation Fire

Reservation Fire
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

My Wedding

My Wedding
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Here's the first wedding photo to post from the big day. My brother, Jason, borrowed my camera and snapped away for me and it is so nice to get a little preview as to what the two pros, Tim and Stephanie, captured. There will be lots more to come and probably a link to all of them soon, so keep checking back. I'll also have to do the run down on the whole day. It was so wonderful!

Oak in Sepia

Oak in Sepia
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Since I have at least one very close watcher of my blog who has been eagerly awaiting a new post (and I appreciate it very much) I dug around in my picture file and found one from last May. I took a trip to South Carolina and ultimately Virginia for a friend's graduation. I used to live in Aiken, SC and went to one of the most picturesque places around, Hopeland Gardens. This oak sure is the epitome of the south to me.

Travels

Stateside Travels

I had to copy Lisa and at least show off my stateside travels. The world map was a bit sparse as all the countries I've been to are dots, but the US is impressive huh? I've lived in 3 of those states too :0)
Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Engagement Photo

Engagement Photo
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

So I have had the idea for this photo in my head for a while. I wish I had a bit better of a setup to do it, but I think it turned out super cute. Kind of an abstract way to show off the ring.

Birds Gone Wild

While at Lake Chelan over Memorial Day weekend I found a comfy rock to sit on right in front of a creek and snapped photos of birds for probably a couple hours. It was pretty fun and I saw a lot of cool birds. The ones below are just a sample, but there were goldfinches, osprey and even a lazuli bunting which I thought was a bluebird. You can see all of them in my portfolio. I even created an all new Bird section because of all the photos I took. Shawn and I have decided that bird watching is kind of fun. Maybe it's the hunt for them with the camera too.

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Thanks to Amy for the ID on this little birdy. The red eyes sure are intriguing.

Two Birds in a Storm

Two Birds in a Storm
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The depth of field in this photo really turned out cool. All the colors mesh and I just really like this photo of the two swallows hanging out on the end of the dock at Chelan.

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Can you see the hummingbird? I have never seen one taking a bath. This little guy landed right in front of me in a creek at the cabin on Chelan. I snapped away photos of the little guy drinking and playing.

Pale Swallowtail Butterfly

Pale Swallowtail Butterfly
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The markings don't even look real on the full size photo. It was fun to snap away photos of all the butterflies trying to get drinks of water from the wet rocks.

Track and Field

I'm a little bummed I'm not sitting on the track in West Spokane watching my track kids compete in regionals, but alas, it's going to be almost 100 today so I'm pretty thankful for the a/c :0) Not going also gave me time to get some photos edited from last Friday's Districts. I tried to get photos of more then just the throwers, but since I coach the throwers I'm in a different part of the track for the most part.

My photography goals really seem to be changing as I try various things and I'm really starting to enjoy photographing the kids in sports. I enjoy being able to freeze that moment that catches something, whether it is concentration, pain or just being purely athletic. I even put together a slide show for the baseball banquet and I think the kids really enjoyed seeing themselves in action.

In other news our honeymoon has been set and I'm thrilled to be taking my camera to Alaska. We are going to take a 7 day cruise leaving Seattle and going to Sitka, Juneau and Prince Rupert. Hopefully I can get a photo of a bear :0)

Shotput

Shotput
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Relay Start

Relay Start
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Triple Jump

Triple Jump
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

"Wild" Horses

Protecting Baby
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Alright not really wild, hence the quotes, but probably as close as you'll get around here. We were headed up to Camp Progress, the 6th grade outdoor camp, for clean up and saw these guys hanging out on the side of the road. A lot of the reservation is range land, so no fences, and this little herd had two brand new babies. They were pretty protective and got the babies behind them pretty quick which was disappointing for my camera.

I'm also trying out a new watermark. What do you think? Does it take too much away from viewing the photo? Suggestions?

Prom Photos

Oh man, prom was so much fun! My date didn't want to come with me, instead he stayed home and graded papers, but I was turned loose with a big flash unit on my camera. I came away with over 400 candid photos. Edited that down to 127 and they are all posted and can be purchased through Tim Patrick Photography. Check on the event page and you'll see a big fat link for "Kendal's Candids." It was a lot of fun and I hope Tim will invite me back to help him out with events.

First Doubleheader

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The first of the doubleheader against Omak is posted in my portfolio. I'm kind of wearing out the artistic photos now and just hope for some action when I go to the games. I'm going to go back and post more of the previous games so the kids can all have a look at themselves. I think I've gotten at least one good photo of everyone batting by now. It's only been over 300 pictures :0)

I still have to edit the game from today against Omak, but will have to save that for another time. I'll be helping out with prom photos tonight. Tim will be loaning me a flash and I'll get the kids coming down the red carpet. Should be fun.

Sign of Spring

Sign of Spring
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

A honey bee greets the first flowers of spring in Leavenworth.

Track & Field

I made it out to my first track meet yesterday afternoon. Boy was it cold up in Tonasket. Did I mention it snowed this morning and we are going to be under a winter storm watch starting tomorrow night? Goodness... okay back to subject.

Going to the track meet was great. I had a blast watching the kids and they seemed like they enjoyed my "coaching." Of course I feel like I'm getting the hang of looking for the technical aspects of throwing and I may actually be helping them now. There is another track meet on Tuesday at Cascade, but may be a bit far for me to venture.

I did get about 100 pictures in before my camera battery started telling me it was too cold to be taking photos. My hands agreed. It was interesting to me, that although I don't think most of the photos turned out very good, they show the kids' techniques pretty well. They kind of helped me to see what they are doing right or wrong.

Javalin

Javalin
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Javalin
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Shotput

Shotput
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Shotput
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Double Play

Double Play
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

I have more baseball pictures from the last game, but since I've already entertained you with many, I just decided to post my favorite. There are some more new ones in my portfolio.

It's amazing to me how the "mistakes" can turn into such great shots when viewed on the computer. The focus on the ball is phenomenal. I do wish I could have gotten the players at 2nd base, but it still seems to balance out.

Speed Scrapping

I knew the laptop would be a bit better then my desktop, but I never expected so much speed! Although I probably took the longest on a page it went the quickest. Confused? Between watching a silly movie on the Sci-Fi channel and the speed transformations took affect on Photoshop, I've had a great time creating my first scrapbook page on my laptop. I haven't transferred my scrapbook folder to the computer yet, so I just decided to download a new kit for the page. I like it a lot and being able to sit here and veg from the page is actually kind of nice. Hopefully this means there will be more to come soon.

Beach Dogs

The water is so low at Lake Chelan, we actually had a beach to play with the dogs on. I snapped a photo of Buddy, Shawn's parents' Great Pyrenees puppy. I did say puppy, he is only 8 months old and weighs a 100lbs. He's going to be one big doggy.


Buddy with no Color
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Amber

Our friends' Golden, Amber, posing for a nice head shot. She has a few more years of experience and was actually willing to hold still for a photo, unlike the other two puppies.


Amber
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Marmot

Marmot
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

I've never seen so many marmots running around Lake Chelan. While the others in our party searched for a geocache, I ran around with the camera chasing this little marmot.

Chelan Snow

Snow in Chelan! This is supposed to be our summer cabin. Who would have guessed that when we arrived to open the cabin for the season we'd have 3" of snow everywhere and we would have snow flurries for the first three days we were there. I guess there is a first for everything. Shawn's folks made it over, but our friends weren't too sure of the pass so they chose not to come.


Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

OKHS Baseball

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

A New Era

My newest post is being typed on my newest computer. Yes, I finally got my laptop! I'm very excited to be exploring my first laptop. I bought one for Shawn a few years ago, but it was very basic and I always swore by desktops so I could play my games. Well, I've broken down and bought a very nice 17" HP laptop. I would say this one is a big step up from my desktop. My photography can now travel around with me and I have a feeling I'll be able to play a few games on this beast.

Spring has sprung... sort of. I sit here, looking out the window at the snow that has been falling all day long. It hasn't stuck at all, but as soon as the temperature drops it will start. We are supposed to be opening the cabin at Lake Chelan tomorrow. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to staying a few days at an uninsulated cabin. At least we'll be surrounded by family. We'll be meeting Shawn's folks and our friends tomorrow morning, if they can make it over the pass, to do some renovation work before the cabin starts getting used regularly. I have to say, I'm not planning on taking my swimsuit or my sun tanning lotion.

Along with spring has come the sports. Yesterday, after track practice, I headed over to the ball field for a home baseball game against Liberty Bell. Although it was a forfeit from the start the two teams played anyway in some brutally cold wind and even some snowflakes. I really didn't want to take my hands out of my pocket to take photos, but I did get a few. I will post them in a new entry as I'm going to set up my flickr account to post photos easier, so please hang in there with me.

Busy Times

Well I powered up the big computer and got some photos edited to post and alas, blogger is not behaving. It's been a busy few weeks and it is just going to get busier and my photos do no justice to what has been happening.

We were proud puppy owners for about a week. A gal brought a stray chow puppy into the pharmacy one morning and I immediately contacted Shawn and begged if we could take it home. Apparently it had just jumped into her arms in front of the post office and had no collar, but was really calm and well behaved. Shawn said it was okay so I brought her home after work and she immediately settled in and we promptly became attached.

Being the morally correct people we try to be I called the newspaper and put an ad in and posted an ad at the post office and even online at petfinder.org. Shawn said we could name her after a week and as the day got closer and closer we became more and more excited that we may have a dog. Then she got sick. I felt so bad for the puppy and I couldn't let her suffer so I took her to the vet Wednesday morning dreading it was parvo. Luckily it wasn't and $90 later I was headed out with a sick puppy and some antibiotics for her 104 degree temperature. When I got home from track practice (that story is coming) there were 3 messages on the answering machine about the puppy. They described her perfectly and I told them about having to take her to the vet and I'd like to be reimbursed and they agreed. We had one two more evenings with her until the owner called back Friday morning saying she had $70 and wanted to know if she could get her dog back. I agreed that that was plenty because it showed to me that they had good integrity to take care of her. So the puppy left us Friday morning. It was a bittersweet reunion, but I guess in the end we can just be happy we did the right thing. Now of course we really want a dog, but we've gone back to our original plan of waiting until after the wedding to find one.

Okay now to answer those questions about track practice. I'm a volunteer coach on the track team. I did track in 8th and 9th grades and I really enjoyed doing the field events. I did shotput, javelin and long jump. I may have not been the best, but I have the general idea and I enjoy working with the kids (as intimidating as they may seem at times) The bonus of being volunteer is I'm just kind of there for support and to help run the kids through the drills. I've only done it two days because I had to work late last week, but I'm looking forward to more this week.

I have also met some great horse people that sound like they have welcomed me. There is a 4-H judging clinic coming up on March 22nd and I volunteered to handle and ride someone's horse in it and one of the gals, Melissa, volunteered her older Arab gelding. I went and met him last night and we had a very nice ride. He's a fun little horse and Melissa and her daughter seem to have very similar views to my horse philosophies. We plan on getting together at least one more time before the clinic and I hope I can find the time with everything else happening.

After all my typing it would appear blogger is still not behaving with uploading pictures. I put them in my portfolio if anyone wants to take a look. A couple new photos in scenery and animals. Hope everyone else is enjoying the tidbits of spring were getting and the light in the evenings now.

First Caches of 2008

We got out to enjoy the sunshine today by finding our first geocaches of 2008! This has brought our grand total of finds up to 500 now. Hard to believe that number. Our first cache was May 1, 2004, so in less then 4 years we've found 500 of the little buggers. The adventure just keeps going with no end in sight.

Geocaching also brought my photography to the forefront in my mind. Through all the hikes and adventures we have been on I have had the camera with me since spring of 2006 and in this short period of time have evolved a style I consider very unique due to the places we go.

Today we headed up to Tonasket, actually our first time that far north since we've moved. Quite a cute town, but we headed off to the other side of the tracks to Chief Tonasket Park which follows along the Okanogan River. We found the first cache with no problem, it was just in extracting it that Shawn had some problems, as it was quite frozen in. We then trekked on for about 0.8 miles to the baseball fields. While I waited patiently (and eying the birds flying all over) Shawn bounded across the snow and found the second cache (#500 overall and actually third for the day).

Since my feet were nice and dry because I stayed behind while watching Shawn walk through the still very deep snow. I meandered back snapping photos of some waxwings and just plain enjoying the nice sunshine. I know Amy had taken some photos and when I got home I inspected her blog, inspected the web and compared my photos. I believe I have pictures of Bohemian Waxwings, but please point out if I am incorrect.

Scrapbook Tag

I've apparently been tagged by Amy for a some scrapbooking info. Although still relatively new, figured I'd play along. No being a party pooper for me even if I don't have anyone to pass this on to.

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: My photography which crosses all subjects and probably my family, Shawn and kitty Mickey.

2. Where are the two best places you’ve been to?
Hmm.. so many places I still want to go, but Belize and the Olympic Peninsula have been a couple of my favorites.

3. Name two things you do every day:
I take it Amy and I are both on the same page: tied to our computers because one is checking my email and tied to our men, cause giving Shawn a kiss everyday is important.

4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you:
I love photography and horses

5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN’T know about you:
I love wearing high heels and I collect Disney movies on DVD

6. Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping:
Wanting to do something with all my photography to display it and finding a great way to use the digital format of my photos.

7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months:
Have a great wedding! Throw a celebration summer party with all our new friends we've made since the move.

8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools:
My camera! and the delete key on my computer :0)

9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration:
SBB & Amy and Lisa's pages

10. How has your scrapping changed since you started?
I tried scrapping the old fashioned way with paper and couldn't stand it, but am loving the whole digital side of scrapping.

11. What scrapbooking project have you yet to try but would love to?
I really want to scan in my regular photo prints and scrap them in the digital form. I have the photos piled up beside the computer, just haven't gotten to scanning them in.

Fresh Update

The web page has been freshly updated. Mostly in part to a new service I'll be offering for 2008. I want to break into photographing animals, primarily horses, and the interactions with their owners. I have a brochure available discussing the options I have and what my main goals are.

My other exciting photography news is that I will be offering postcards soon at the local drugstore in Okanogan, J&S. There will also be a 5x7 portfolio of some of the photos if you would like to see them in person.

There will be a local fund raising auction at the Elks Lodge in Omak for The Children's House Montessori Preschool on February 29th that I will be donating to. There will be an options to bid on a gift certificate for a fine art print and also for a location fee for my new animal photography.

This last week I also attended a 4-H leadership training and wow, leaders have to do a lot. It sure didn't seem that complicated when I was 10 years old doing the program. I'm hoping to start helping out with 4-H this spring in the horse projects and if their are kids interested in photography, maybe helping out there too. I also want to be able to use the opportunity to learn about other large animals and pretty much just to learn in general, you're never too old for that and sometimes kids are the best teachers.

Snow Dog Super Mush

This morning we headed up to Conconully with Jill and her family to take in the Snow Dog Super Mush. Although I grew up with dogs and showing them, I was never exposed to sled dog racing. Boy I wish I had been. What a fun time everyone looks like they are having, except of course the dogs left behind! I even got to try out driving a sled with one young, tired malamute.

I really had fun taking some of the pictures too. I gave some detail shots a try and really played with the black and white. I've really enjoyed some of Stephanie's detail shots so thought I should give that idea a try. I like what I got and I could have posted a ton of pictures, but here's a sampling, go check out the rest in the portfolio.