Fashion designer Lisa Vian Hunter, of Mercer Island, at her shop, Vian Hunter House of Fashion, in the Madison Valley neighborhood of Seattle on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Vian Hunter is a design competitor on NBC’s new reality series ‘Fashion Star.’  More photos after the jump…

To be honest I had no idea what to expect when I was assigned to photograph Lisa for the Mercer Island Reporter. A quick walk through of her shop gave me three ideas for portraits — a leopard print couch, a dressing mirror and the store front to give a sense of place. I like the mirror portrait since it gives a near 360 degree view of Lisa, and hey, I did avoid getting myself or lights in the reflection.

Above, Lisa wears one of her designs a black raincoat, “Vanessa,” made from fabric from Como, Italy.

Above, Lisa wears one of her designs, a black pucker jacket “Sylvia” and skirt “Isabella,” made from fabric from Lyon, France. The skirt and jacket are also shown in the opening photo. With a full slate of assignments that day, I almost ran out the door without taking a single frame of the shop… so below is a quick peek into her space in Madison Park.

Kathryn Luster knocks snow from the palm trees in her front yard along 7th Place near Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Michael Mulligan, 10, takes flight on his skis as friends, background from left, Marco Faine, Cosmo Neames and Conor Mulligan, watch at Homestead Field on Mercer Island on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Cosmo Neames, 10, catches air as he and friends enjoy the the snow at Homestead Field on Mercer Island on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Mercer Island firefighters clean up equipment after a small fire at a house near SE 42nd Street and 82nd Avenue SE on Mercer Island on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Michael Mulligan, 10, looks on as his friends are reflected in his goggles at Homestead Field on Mercer Island on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Crews work to repair power lines at 53rd Place SE and East Mercer Way on Mercer Island on Friday afternoon, January 20, 2012.

The first portrait was made with natural light, something I admittedly find as a second thought when assigned a portrait. Above, an artificially lit portrait in Degginger’s office.

Holly Zhang, owner of Holly Zhang Pearl Gallery, is reflected in a mirror at her store at The Bravern in Bellevue. Zhang was born in rural China and has made her way to the Eastside and started her own business.

Holly Zhang at her shop Holly Zhang Pearl Gallery in The Bravern in Bellevue on Thursday, January 5, 2012.

Edward Kim, sophomore with the Eastlake Wolves boys swim team, at Boehm Pool in Issaquah on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Kim is eyeing a shot at the Olympic Trials.

Classical saxophonist Andrew Nelson, a Interlake High School senior, photographed in Bellevue on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Fire investigators photograph the scene of a van explosion in the 1600 block of Kamber Road in Bellevue on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Three people in the van were burned and sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. How this started is where the story really is interesting… pouring fuel directly into the carburetor with a water bottle and bucket of gasoline.

Arif Amaani, owner of the Totem Lake Cinemas, in the theater seats in Kirkland on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. A business story about a thriving Bollywood theater.

Mercer Island resident Ana Ko Glass has a role as a “Good Fairy Attendant” in the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s upcoming production of “Cinderella” and was photographed during a full dress rehearsal at McCaw Hall in Seattle on Thursday, February 3, 2011.

An overturned truck spilled a load of lumber across the roadway blocking the Westbound I-90 ramps from both directions of I-405 in Bellevue on Tuesday,  March 29, 2011. It was a chore to get this vantage point, as I noted previously on the blog.

Silhouttes of Style 2011 “A Royal Affair” at the Westin in downtown Bellevue on Friday, April 29, 2011. More images from the runway show can be viewed here.

Hands down one of my favorite portraits of 2011 was the cover image for The Scene for a feature on spring beauty trends.

Pave the Earth performs their set during the Rockathon finals at the Old Fire House Teen Center in Redmond on Friday, May 6, 2011. The group Los Gentlemen won the event.

Wildcat SP Reece Karalus (12) throws a pitch during the WIAA 3A state baseball championship game at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, May 28, 2011. Mount Si beat Shorewood 5-4.

Cambodian national Tun Channareth, the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize winner, during a visit to Seattle University, June 2, 2011.

Hand therapist Clyde Johnson, second from left, fits a brace for the surgically repaired hand of Daniel Coffey, as medical assistant Jennifer Schoneman, left, shares a smile at Bellevue Bone and Joint on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Coffey’s parents Alice and Pat watch the process in the background.

A large electrical fire broke out at a Puget Sound Energy (PSE) electrical substation in Redmond and caused major power outages across the Eastside on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

Jack Bittner, of Bellevue, makes a rubbing of a childhood friend, Jack D. Falk, from the traveling Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue on Friday, July 1, 2011.

Teenage girls get a taste of the fire service at Camp Blaze during a day of hands on learning in Bellevue . Above, campers suit up for drills at the Bellevue Fire Department’s Public Safety Training facility on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. To see more photos of the camp, check out this post on Focus Northwest.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice their routine for the Seafair airshow over Lake Washington on Friday, August 5, 2011. I can’t get enough the Blue Angels as I proved here by photographing one, two… make that three performances.

Ose Esangbedo, 11, of Sammamish, creates bubbles during Day of Play in Redmond on Friday, August 19, 2011.

Bellevue Fire Department paramedic Phil Pierson, left, and nine-year-old Lily James, of Mercer Island, throw out a ceremonial first pitch  before a Mariners game at Safeco Field in Seattle on September 14, 2011. Pierson received the Medic One Foundation’s €’Spirit of Team Play Award’€ for helping save James after she suffered life-threatening injuries in a boating accident.

Blake Miller, a senior, photographed at Issaquah High School on Monday, September 19, 2011. Portrait for a two part piece on concussions in youth sports, Part I and Part II.

Candidates become citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Arjun Sirohi has a red line painted where he believes the Link Light Rail tracks will run through the yard of his Surrey Downs neighborhood home in Bellevue on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Part of the continuing story of Link Light Rail coming to the Eastside.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks about trade during an appearance at Microsoft in Redmond on Wednesday, October 13, 2011.

Cary Johnson, of Bellevue, works on a bouldering problem at Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Signs asking for tips in the case of a missing two-year-old boy, Sky Metalwala,  along 112th Avenue NE near SR 520 in Bellevue on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Maj. Mike Johnson, of the Bellevue Police Department, briefs the media on Day 9 of the search for missing two-year-old Sky Metalwala during a press conference at City Hall in Bellevue on Monday, November 14, 2011.

Ciara Hu, of Oak Harbor High School, swims in the final heat of the 200-yard individual medley event during the WIAA 3A girls state swim championships at the King County Aquatic Center on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

The Interlake Saints celebrate their 2A state soccer title at Shoreline Stadium in Shoreline on Saturday, November 19, 2011. Interlake won the championship 1-0 over Cedarcrest.

Wolverine KR Bishard Baker (32) breaks a long touchdown return against O’Dea during the WIAA 3A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome on Friday, December 2, 2011. Bellevue won their fourth consecutive Washington state 3A football title.

Spartans LB Peyton Pelluer (52) celebrates a tackle for a loss against Skyview during the WIAA 4A state championship at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Skyline rolled to a 38-7 win to seal the Washington state 4A football title.

R.J Williams, dressed as the Grinch, and fellow demonstrators chant outside Crate &Barrel along Bellevue Way in Bellevue on Monday, December 19, 2011.

Rachel Hartmeyer, of Marysville-Getchell High School, swims in the consolation heat of the 500-yard freestyle event during the WIAA 3A girls state swim championships at the King County Aquatic Center on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Bainbridge’s Sarah Grundman swims the final heat of the 500-yard freestyle event during the WIAA 3A girls state swim championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Mercer Island relay team shows their excitement during the WIAA 3A girls state swim championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Islander Olivia Cero makes a dive during the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Clare Kucinski-Murphy, at top, of Lake Washington High School, competes in the 50-yard freestyle final heat at the WIAA 3A state swim and dive meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday.

Islander fans cheer during the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Ciara Hu, of Oak Harbor High School, swims in the consolation heat of the 100-yard butterfly event during the WIAA 3A girls state swim championships at the King County Aquatic Center on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Islander diver Meg Lindsay hugs a competitor during the dive medals presentation at the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Islander Laex Seidel on the block moments before the 400-yard freestyle relay final during the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011. This is my personal favorite from the day, as it really represents the calm before the storm.

Islanders with the championship trophy after the WIAA 3A girls state swim and dive championship meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Note: This is a part of my effort to share single images here on Focus Northwest in the a “Photo of the Day” style, but it will admittedly be sporadic – aka not daily – with my work responsibilities. Hope you enjoy…

Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym’s roped climbing space at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. The gym also has two large bouldering (unroped) climbing spaces, as well was a weight lifting and exercise area. I got to check out the new business for a piece in the Bellevue Reporter. More photos after the jump…

Cary Johnson, of Bellevue, works on a bouldering problem at Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Emily Estrada, a staff climbing instructor, tackles a route at Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Cary Johnson, of Bellevue, works on a bouldering problem at Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Peter Dixon, a pro route setter, attempts a dynamic boulder problem at Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

A ‘climb’ bike rack outside Stone Gardens indoor climbing gym at Crossroads in Bellevue on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Sam Roos, age 9, pauses near his family’s wheelbarrow at the pumpkin patch at Serres Farm in Redmond on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

Jackson Roos, 11, picks a pumpkin at Serres Farm in Redmond on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

Twin sisters Sally Roos, left, and Jane Roos, age 4, put their picks in a wheelbarrow at the pumpkin patch at Serres Farm in Redmond on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

Visitors pump water by hand to race rubber ducks at the pumpkin patch at Serres Farm in Redmond on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

Jackson Roos, 11, left, and brother Sam, 9, pose for a portrait at the pumpkin patch at Serres Farm in Redmond on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

An attendee holds up his laptop featuring a live video feed Romney’s visit to Microsoft on Thursday, October 14, 2011.

A worker scrapes a layer of tinting off an external window during the construction remodel of the new grocer, Your Local Market, at 410 Bellevue Way NE in downtown Bellevue on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. Just in time for October, I made this ghostly image during an assignment this morning… reminds me of a horror movie poster.

Above, bulgogi bibimbap (beef) after sauce is added and stirred, ready to eat at Oma Bap in Bellevue.

Above, Red Barn’s Fire Barrel Cider photographed for the October issue of The Scene. A product shot at home with available props… in this case a black blanket and my dining room table. Below, seasonal beers for another Scene column. I wrote about this one before showcasing that the surroundings of a product shoot do not necessarily influence outcome.

Pork Belly Benedict at Lot No. 3 in for an October feature on breakfast in Bellevue for the Scene.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, a seasonal dish, at Lot No. 3 in Bellevue. This is a seasonal dish, an I am looking forward to the pumpkin pancakes they trot out in the fall.

Kale, mango and pumpkin seed salad for the September food column in the Mercer Island Reporter.

Magnus (last name withheld) rides a horse for hippotherapy as, from left, volunteer Mary Miller, occupational therapist Sarah Niwa and Shannon Shields assist at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

Magnus rides a horse for hippotherapy alongside occupational therapist Sarah Niwa, center, ans Shannon Shields assists with the long line at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

AnnDee (last name withheld) rides Raffi during a therapy session at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

The welcome center at the new Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond, September 20, 2011.

Above, Bellevue’s Deputy Mayor Conrad Lee, a naturalized citizen,  speaks to candidates during a naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Diego Perez, formerly of Ecuador, poses for a photo during a United States naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Thuy Pham, formerly of Vietnam, receives her citizenship certificate during a United States naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Danny Khen, formerly of Israel, poses for a photo during a United States naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Paul Cunnington, formerly of the United Kingdom, kisses his daughter Tara, age 5, during a United States naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Yair Cohenca, formerly of Israel, in white, gets a hug and kiss after a United States naturalization ceremony held at City Hall in Bellevue on Friday, September 23, 2011.

The following demonstrate a variety of people, locations and lighting styles from recent portrait photo assignments.

Above left, one light was used to augment the library’s mix of natural and florescent light. The portrait of Ptacek at right utilized to lights.

Above, Penny Vrachopoulos, founder and artistic director of the Eastside Lyric Theatre, with production pieces from “La Vie Parisienne” and “The Sorcerer” at her home in Bellevue, July 22, 2011. This image for The Scene was 90 percent natural light, with a little fill flash to bring up shadow detial from camera right.

Totem football captains Austin Lee (10) and Acie Black (33) at Sammamish High School in Bellevue on Monday, August 22, 2011. Artificial lights to the left and right, highlight the players for the Bellevue Reporter prep football season preview.

Knights captains, from left, Spencer Bursek, Isaac Dotson and Neil Hones at Newport High School in Bellevue on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. All artificial light on this one, with maybe just a bit of the locker room’s overhead florescent light leaking into my exposure.

Above, Ose Esangbedo, 11, of Sammamish, creates bubbles during Day of Play outside City Hall in Redmond on Friday, August 19, 2011. Just wanted to share a fun photo from an recent photo assignment. A pleasant surprise during my edit, it brings a smile to my face when I see it. I really like the way the bubble mimics the shape of his smile.

Another day of chasing the U.S. Navy Blue Angels across the sky had mean feeling a little deja vu, as last year’s weather was the same for the airshow — sunny Thursday, cloudy Friday. Above, the Blue Angels practice their Seafair airshow routine over Lake Washington on Friday, August 5, 2011. More photos after the jump…

Teenage girls get a taste of the fire service at Camp Blaze during a day of hands on learning in Bellevue . Above, campers suit up for drills at the Bellevue Fire Department’s Public Safety Training facility on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. The program was lead by women firefighters from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kirkland and more from around the region and West Coast. More photos after the jump…

The annual Seafair visit of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels kicked off today with two practice sessions under blue sky. Here are some of my favorite photos from the practice runs over Lake Washington near Interstate 90. More photos after the jump…

Beer. Just looking at this photo makes me want to go hoist a pint. As a photographer for a news publishing group, I am called upon to shoot many assignments that I may not feel are my strong suit. These are the moments that make me a better photographer… taking deficiencies in my skills and working to improve. I learn something every time I pick up a camera, no matter how many times I’ve had a similar subject. No two photo assignments are exactly alike. Below, you get a peek behind the scenes of the beer photo shoot for The Scene that clearly demonstrates a good image can be made almost anywhere… like my messy garage with an old diaper box, some copy paper, a mirror and duct tape. Cheers!

I shot two rounds of their routine during practice, and then coordinated with the athletes to get in close to find some different perspective on their moves, such as the ‘subway’ maneuver above. I was lying on the gym floor between the legs of one of the rope handlers for a couple of these images to get a feeling of being inside the action.

I know I’ll never look at a jump the same…

I had no idea what a taiko drum was before this assignment for The Scene, but now I’m in the know. Above, taiko drummer Jaymi Matsudaira plays during a multiple-exposure  photograph made in camera at the Japanese Community and Cultural Center in Seattle. The sound was big, the motion graceful and the photos fun. More photos after the jump…

Jaymi poses in her traditional taiko drumming clothing.

Making portraits on location is always about thinking on your feet, and recent photo assignments for The Scene magazine of a princess and a novelist had me jumping due to rain. Above, Isabella Figueroa, a member of the Miss Hisapanic Seafair Royal Court, was photographed at the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) in front of artist Lacey Jane Roberts installation We Couldn’t Get In. We Couldn’t Get out. The original plan was to be outside at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. More photos after the jump…

New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni was slated to meet me at Downtown Park to connect him to the city of Bellevue. Of course it was pouring rain and I’m about to drop a noted author in the middle of the downpour. Then it pops in my brain to stash a small flash in an umbrella to make a dramatically lit portrait AND to keep my subject dry. It also lends to the fact Dugoni uses the greater Seattle area and Pacific Northwest as the backdrop to his thrillers. I had nice time working with Robert — he offered back my umbrella as I stood dripping wet in my jacket — while we pulled off the shot by thinking outside the norm.

Hand therapist Clyde Johnson, second from left, fits a brace for the surgically repaired hand of Daniel Coffey, as medical assistant Jennifer Schoneman, left, shares a smile at Bellevue Bone and Joint on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Coffey’s parents Alice and Pat watch the process in the background.

Last week I photographed the bandage removal and post-surgery hand check up on quadriplegic Daniel Coffey for a piece in the the Bellevue Reporter about the procedure performed by Overlake Hospital’s Dr. Thomas Trumble that saved Coffey from having a his thumb amputated. My words won’t do the scene justice, so take in the images and read the article linked above.

More photos after the jump…

Dr. Thomas Trumble, center, inspects the surgically repaired hand of Daniel Coffey, as hand therapist Clyde Johnson, left, assists at Bellevue Bone and Joint on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Coffey’s parents Pat and Alice watch the bandage removal in the background.

Cambodian national Tun Channareth, a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, speaks to students during a visit to Seattle University, June 2, 2011. I had the opportunity to photograph and listen to a few stories from Channareth for a piece in the Mercer Island Reporter as he traveled to the States to receive on honorary graduate degree from Seattle U. Channareth was honored with a Nobel Prize for his advocacy of banning landmines with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the weapon that cost him his legs in 1982. A portrait and more photos after the jump…

It was prep spring sports state tournament time this past weekend, and I covered baseball at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, and softball at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey. Here are some of my favorite images and moments from the weekned. More photos after the jump…

Wildcat SP Reece Karalus (12) throws a pitch during the WIAA 3A state baseball championship game at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, May 28, 2011. Mount Si beat Shorewood 5-4.

Bonney Lake’s McKone Christian (4) slides safely into second base during WIAA 3A state tournament play at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Redmond 1B Zach Abbtuzza makes contact on a swing during WIAA 4A state baseball tournament play at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Saturday, May 28, 2011. The Mustangs lost 9-7 to Richland to place fourth.

Redmond’s Patrick McGrath (9) slides home safely during WIAA 4A state baseball tournament play at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Saturday, May 28, 2011. The Mustangs lost 9-7 to Richland to place fourth.

Juanita SP Allison Rhodes (11) throws a pitch against Mt. Si during WIAA 3A state tournament play at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Friday, May 27, 2011. Juanita went on to win the 3A softball championship.

Bellevue players, from left, Emily Fleischman, Lisa Bennett and Taylor Cooke (20) celebrate an opening round win during WIAA 3A state tournament play at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Redmond’s Zach Abruzza, foreground, during WIAA 4A state baseball tournament play at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Saturday, May 28, 2011. The Mustangs lost 9-7 to Richland to place fourth.

Wildcat SP Reece Karalus (12) throws a pitch during the WIAA 3A state baseball championship game at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, May 28, 2011. Mount Si beat Shorewood 5-4.

Juanita’s Taylor Paddock (5) hits safely against Mt. Si during WIAA 3A state tournament play at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Bellevue C Anjini Briggs (25) looks to the umpire for an out call at home during WIAA 3A state tournament play at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Redmond 2B T.J. Whidbey is upended on a force out at second base during WIAA 4A state baseball tournament play at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Saturday, May 28, 2011. The Mustangs lost 9-7 to Richland to place fourth.

Los Gentlemen, above, put on a winning performance during the Rockathon finale at the Old Fire House Teen Center in Redmond on Friday, May 6, 2011. It was my second year to cover the music event for the Redmond Reporter, which was an 80′s theme with each of the four band finalists performing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” during their set. Photos of each group including Pave the Earth, Stuck on a Bus and D-Frost after the jump…

Los Gentlemen

Pave the Earth

Stuck on a Bus

D-Frost

Yesterday’s sunshine also brought with it an afternoon assignment to Olallie State Park to watch Eastside Fire and Rescue firefighters complete their annual refresher training for swiftwater rescue. Above, four firefighters cross the Snoqualmie River to help establish a highline for rope rescue during a training session, May 4, 2011. More photos after the jump…

Before firefighters can transport a patient across a river on a highline during a rescue operation there are several steps that need to be completed. Basic tasks include rescuers physically crossing the river, establishing anchor points for ropes, getting rope across the river and the adjusting the highline for safe passage. This is a gross simplification of the process, but will give an idea of what you will see in the following images from the training exercise in a rough chronological order.

Rope gets across a the river in a variety of methods, below in order: 1. Firefighters take rope with them as they ford the river.  2&3. Firefighters take turns firing a rope gun the shoots a projectile attached to rope and propelled by compressed air. 4. A firefighter throws a ball attached to a light-weight string that can then be attached to the rescue rope to pull it across the body of water.

Two models sport formal looks during the Silhouettes of Style runway fashion show at the Westin in Bellevue, April 29, 2011. Continuing my recent informal blog post theme – fashion – I had two assignments on Friday that fit the bill. Started my day at the Bellevue Goodwill to watch people scramble and jostle for clothing and items during the annual designer label sale, followed by a fundraising runway fashion show. More photos from the catwalk after the jump…

I’m the first to admit I’m not big on fashion and not fashion photographer, but I’ve covered a handful of runway shows and try to make interesting photos that give a sense of the whole pageantry… not just the clothes. Of course good looking people and dramatic stage lighting sure help make my job easier! Here are some of my favorite frames from the event, enjoy.

I recently got to take my turn as a fashion photographer for an article on spring makeup trends in The Scene magazine. We partnered with noted stylist and makeup artist Rosaline Hampton… that right there makes my job easy, not to mention the good looking ladies that enthusiastically hopped on board the project! Above is the image we used for the cover, showcasing Rebekah and a vibrant makeup to add pop. More photos after the jump…

Inside we featured two more wearable styles with Cathy, below, and Johanna.

We had great time turning our office conference room into a studio for the shoot. You can check out some behind the scenes snaps over on The Scene website and take a peak at the simple three little light setup. Thanks to all the ladies for making this fun photo shoot a success!

Sometimes you have to just stop and take it all in… a quick snap of last night’s sunset while covering a high school soccer game in Bellevue. Nice to see some color in the sky other than the long grey of spring we’ve had so far.

Olympic-hopeful boxer Alex Love poses for a portrait at Ring Sports United in Bellevue, March 1, 2011. I was assigned to photograph a female boxer for the Bellevue Reporter before she moved to Colorado to train for a chance at a spot on the women’s 2012 Olympic team. I walk into the RSU gym in the North end of Bellevue and met a confident athlete, with work-ethic, drive and a great attitude – even if she likes throw a verbal jab once in a while. More photos after the jump…

I decided to make a mix of images on this assignment, with some lit portraits, ambient portraits and photojournalistic moments. Here’s to Alex and her pursuit of the Olympic Games!

And a street clothes portrait of Alex to round out the set.

It’s spring time here in the Pacific Northwest and we’ve had a particularly cloudy stretch to start the seasonal change. Thought I’d take a minute to share a couple of snapshots from the last few days pausing to take in the momentary sun breaks. Above, the power line trail in Redmond on Wednesday. April 6, 2011. More photos after the jump…

Park on the Lid on Mercer Island, Thursday, April 7, 2011.

A cyclist rides through Park on the Lid on Mercer Island, Thursday, April 7, 2011.

Mercer Island resident Lois Jacobson, 86, holds a hand-tinted photograph of her first solo piano recitial in the eighth grade in the late 1930s. Photographed at her home on Mercer Island, March 21, 2011. Lois is a great example of why I love my work as a photographer — meeting people and hearing their stories. More photos after the jump…

Lois estimates she has taught nearly 1,500 piano students in her career since she began teaching is a 20-something-year-old in the 1950s. It was a pleasure listening to her play the piano, adding a soundtrack to our photo shoot.

Piano teacher Lois Jacobson, 86, plays one of the two grand pianos at her home on Mercer Island, March 21, 2011.

This morning I saw a Tweet that an overturned truck that had spilled lumber across the Interstate 90 Westbound on ramps from both directions on Interstate 405 in Bellevue. The frame above tells the story, though the overturned truck had already been hauled away by the time I found this vantage point. As a photographer, I am always looking to find the best angle for and image — one that is interesting or helps tell the story. Some times you have to work for the the good view, and that was the case on this breaking news shoot. More photos and thoughts after the jump…

When I arrived close to the scene of the accident via surface streets, I found a nearly obstructed view, see the photo below.

So I notice the embankment to the abandoned rail road bed above me and start to head up the hill, until I ran into a thicket of blackberry brush. The view from here was better, but still not getting me the story telling photo.

By now I know where I want to be — on the rail overpass — on the other side of the thorny foliage. There is no way around at this point, and I can barely see the tow truck hooking up to the overturned vehicle to take it away… my scene is starting to disappear. At this point the drive to get a good photo combined with some sheer stupidity, lead me to the decision to forge ahead uphill through 50 feet of thorny blackberry brush and slick rocks. Dirty, bleeding and lightly swearing at myself, I got to the top and made the good images I was chasing. Needless to say I found myself a long way around to exit down the tracks… Wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Below is a quick screen capture from my phone, showing the WSDOT traffic camera and the accident scene. My vantage point was the rusted train overpass visible in the background. Totally worth the bloodied hands and an afternoon pulling thorns out with tweezers, but I am absolutely taking the easy way I found next time…

Emmanuel Day School pre-kindergarten students Ellie Sadlier, left, Hailey Petersen, center, and Annabel Little give chase around the new labyrinth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 4400 86th Avenue SE on Mercer Island on Monday. I was tasked to make photos of the labyrinth to accompany a column for the Mercer Island Reporter.  Since I had no idea what to expect, I thought I’d share it here on the blog as a point of interest as well. The Emmanuel labyrinth is a “path for new growth through meditation, prayer and self-discovery,” according to columnist Jeanette Petersen. More photos after the jump…

Congregation members walks the new labyrinth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 4400 86th Avenue SE on Mercer Island on Monday, March 28, 2011. The church members were kind enough to loan me a ladder to photograph this view from a high vantage point.

Emmanuel Day School pre-kindergarten student Annabel Little runs around the new labyrinth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 4400 86th Avenue SE on Mercer Island on Monday, March 28, 2011.

Sandy Maloof walks the new labyrinth at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 4400 86th Avenue SE on Mercer Island on Monday, March 28, 2011.