We had the best time in Homer Alaska taking pictures of the eagles. We saw bald, immature and golden, I can ‘t wait to get back there!

Our Pika photo got chosen for the local phone book cover and 2 other photos made it into the calendar. We have been getting a lot of great feedback on these, thank you everyone!

Here is a beautiful collage of some of my favorite Alaska Wildflowers found at Hatchers Pass. First row left to right. Western Columbine, Blue bells, Fireweed, & Valerian. Middle row left to right. Columbian Monkshood, Mastodon, Starflower, & Star Gentian. Last row left to right. Nagoon Berry, Lupine, Sitka Rose & Forget Me Nots. I will have many collections of these and hopefully will make posters this year. I love Alaska Wildflowers!

We have another custom classy postcard series rack at a local bookstore coffee house in Wasilla Alaska. Shannon C of Pandemonium Bookstore/Coffee Co graciously let us be a part of their fabulous showcase of products. They just moved in to their new location off of the Palmer Wasilla Highway and let me tell you, they made the new place shine. Their new address is 2201 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.

They supply homeschool curriculum and have built a comfortable atmosphere for customers to drink coffee, browse the internet and just well.. relax.

So be sure to stop in and check the place out. Pick up a yummy coffee, buy a postcard or two and you will be so very glad you did.

We recently returned from our trip to Denali National Park partaking in the professional photographers program. Let me tell you, it was amazing! The first day started out with perfect weather and meeting the staff at the park.  They were all friendly and a pleasure to work with. As soon as we drove past the gate I was in awe of the beauty all around me and was instantly at peace. All of life’s stress and worries were left at the gate and I had new eyes for God’s creation in it’s almost untouched state. I was sure to get some great Denali National Park Pictures. We stayed at Teklanika Campground the whole trip and most likely will choose that one again.

The first wildlife we saw were caribou. They were just shedding their winter coat and kind of raggedy but still very interesting to observe. The bugs were bothering them and made the caribou reach their heads back and chomp their fur on their back until large pieces of fluff filled the air around them. We saw a herd of them on the mountain side one morning and saw something that caught our eye, a shade darker just below them in the bushes. Bill grabbed the binoculars and sure enough it was a bear sleeping. I couldn’t believe they were so close together, the hunter and the hunted, so close but not caring. The caribou tip toed past the bear one at a time and then the bear lifted its head, looked around then went back to sleep. They must know when a bear is full is all I have to say about that.

We saw wild rabbits, moose, bears, ground squirrels, porcupines and a wolf. The ground squirrels stand tall over the ledges, soaking up the sun and looking like they really enjoy the scenery around them. The wildflowers were abundant and so colorful compared to ours in our yard. We drove on Polychrome Pass and I loved it even though I prayed that no tour buses would come around the corner and sure enough every time we drove that sharp corner, no buses. We met some really neat photographers Steven Kaufman & Matt Swalling and drank coffee on the mountain side of Stoney Hill.

We got up at 4:11 and were driving by 430 am on the last 2 days. The lighting was worth getting up for and being almost the only people on the roads in the park was indescribable. I am already planning my next visit and looking at the pictures takes me back there but the longing to return is so strong. I tell everyone they should take the tour buses and see the unbelievable  beauty of Denali National Park.

I was ecstatic when Wendy, one of my last years senior moms, called and told me her family was visiting from Wisconsin in the summer and wanted some Alaska Family Portrats. You see when I met her and her daughter Jenna I really wanted to get Wendy behind the camera because she was so cute. Photographers love beautiful people, hee hee. She picked Hatchers Pass as her location and there I met her parents, Don & Kaye, her sister Dulcie and her brother Jake. Dulcie’s daughter Lilly, was also there to cheer the family on.

We started at the main touristy spot to get the stiff pictures out of the way but surprise surprise this family was not stiff in the slightest but very comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too chilly, the whole family was dressed nice and the laughter was heard from miles around. We walked together and drove until we found pockets of light for the best possible portraits. Then we pulled out the ultimate prop , a couch I bought a while back and haven’t had the chance to try out yet and viola, some new portfolio favorites. Then we added some Alaska Magazines I won from a photo contest and the results were superb!

My favorite moment was the jumping part in front of the mountains. You guys can jump high, lol.  My kids saw that picture later and said that the dad looks just like Mario. Good job Don!

Thank you Wendy and your beautiful family for the chance to share this special time with you and for the honor of being a part of your Alaska Family Portraits. Blessings to all of you.

The following was from the owners site at http://doodlesartstudio.blogspot.com

Open Studio:
Have you heard of the popular “paint your own pottery” studios? Well, open studio is the same concept but with a canvas instead of pottery. Come in to any of our Open Studio times and paint your own masterpiece at your leisure. The creative atmosphere is sure to stir you up whether you have never painted before or you’ve been playing in paint for years. There is no instructor during open studio, but plenty of inspiration!In a relaxed, no-pressure, & social environment, an artist will guide you through the sessions featured painting. No need for any experience, by the end of the session, you will have created a masterpiece that is uniquely yours! Painting sessions are 2 hours on average. It is suggested to arrive at least 15 minutes early to pick your seat and set up.

Scheduled Painting Sessions: In a relaxed, no-pressure, & social environment, an artist will guide you through the sessions featured painting. No need for any experience, by the end of the session, you will have created a masterpiece that is uniquely yours! Painting sessions are 2 hours on average. It is suggested to arrive at least 15 minutes early to pick your seat and set up.

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