This morning I had a meeting with my son’s teacher so after that I decided to go somewhere closer.  I went to the Bellevue Botanical Garden and this time only used my 100mm micro lens.

At first I tried to ‘chase’ the bees with my lens but they were too fast, then I learned to set a smaller aperture, spot a bee busy working, pre-focus on the nearest flower pedal and wait.  When it just about to take off, firing some shots to capture it in flight…very interesting.

Robin and Brian’s wedding was a small and intimate event last Saturday.  The wedding was managed by Jody Taylor-Smith  of Good Taste Events and her ‘Women in Black’ team.  From the set up, to the flowers, to the hotel balcony, everything was amazingly elegant and colorful.  Robin and Brian had this orange color theme running through the whole event.

It was very beautiful.We started off by going to the water front for some bridal images.  Due to the nice weather and the game, there were a lot of people walking around at the waterfront and we had a hard time even finding a parking spot for Robin’s Mercedez convertable.  When they managed a temporary spot, the nearby water scene was not very commandable.  However, there was happen to be a ‘Learn to Sail’ sail boat coming back from its trip and the owner was very nice to allow us go onboard to get some fun images (’Titanic’ - hint, hint)

The session was followed by a sweet ceremony and then Jody’s team showed their magic -setting up a beautifully decorated table for the reception on Hotel 1000’s fourth flooer open-air balcony to host Robin and Brian’s families and close friends to share the joy.It was a great way for me to start the long weekend!

Wedding consultants - Good Tastes Events (Jody and her W.I.B team)

Venue: Hotel 1000 SeattleFlowers: Aria Style

Dress/Jewelry:  Kiko House of Couture

Cake: New Renaissance Cakes

Pipe & Drape: Prop Gallery West

Invites, menus, favors: DIY Good Taste

Music: Darren Motamedy Duo

Transportation: MTR Western

Please click the link below to see more images in a slideshow!http://www.jackzyoung.com/seattle-wedding-photography-client-proof/

I decided I am going to get away from all the business stuff and do something fun and relaxing: just go out and shoot whatever appeals to my eyes and heart.  Today is Wednesday so I call it ‘Shoot Wednesday’.  Since downtown Seattle is always my number one favorite spot, I grabbed my beloved Nikon D700 with a 24-120 lens and hopped on a bus to downtown.  I got off at International District and wandered toward Pike Market, and then headed back.

Pioneer Square - Smith Tower Reflection

‘Silo’

Mopeda

How long is the break?

Glass art:

The Market:

Gum Wall:

RED:

It’s only 9:30AM Sunday morning but Lake Washington Blvd in Madrona was already buzzing with joggers, and cyclists in their flashy outfits (you never see joggers wearing super tight, neon colored outfits with specially made shoes and backpacks and water bottles, but always the cyclists…).  How could it not be?  It’s a beautiful day.  ’Couldn’t get any better than this.’ as Brian’s neighbor observed.

So we had a pre-wedding lifestyle session with Brian, his lovely fiancee Robin and their two year old ‘boy’ Pedro.  Brian and Robin adopted Pedro when he was one and now he is living his dream chasing tennis ball along the lake!  It was such a fun session!

Yesterday we went U District street fair with our friend and their little cute and pretty daughter Sophia.  It was just so super sweet to see them (my son Anton and Sophia) holding hands walking together.  They got along so well and created nice ‘peer pressure’ for each other, such as Anton will drop his game and play ‘jumping over blocks’ with Sophia and Sophia will eat apple with skin the first time.  We definitely need to schedule more play time!       

I went to the zoo with my son Anton last Friday.  We checked the new Penguin exhibit.  It happened to be the live feeding time…they dumped a bucket of live baby trouts.  Before the penguin can find them and despite the constant ‘Get away!’ from the caregivers, the more resourceful seagulls and crows were already starting the feast.  It’s pretty funny.  These opportunists really know how to ‘take advantage of the system’.  This guy was just bluffing 

Last Sunday I had the absolute pleasure photographing Zoe and Gary tying the knots at the World Trade Center in downtown Seattle.  The weather was nice and everyone spent a happy evening celebrating this wonderful wedding.  Apparently Zoe and Gary put a lot of thoughts into reflecting this international union, from a Celtic bank to the tiny candles with ‘Double Happiness’ in Chinese.  I wish I could have spent more time alone with the lovely couple.  But in the end, it was a great event!

Vendors:

Venue: WTC

Wedding gown: La Belle Reve

Flowers: Loves Me Flowers

Cake: Sharon’s Catering and Cakes

Videographer: Ken Smith

Wedding Officiant: Len Smolen

To view more, click the link for a slideshow!

http://www.jackzyoung.com/Webshow/Zoe_Gary_Wedding/index.html

It’s about 2:30PM Sunday afternoon and sunny, we just left our friend Bibi’s house for her lovely daughter Sarah’s 5 years birthday and now on our way to go hiking at Rattlesnake.  My wife and I looked at each other and our son Anton sitting in the backseat…whew…a big sigh of relief!  Reason?  As our son handled the party really well.  As some of you know, our son is with this so call high function autism.  The first time we went to Bibi’s house for her younger daughter Emma’s birthday, he refused to enter the room…just too many strangers!  But this time we did some pep talk before and I took him there early to give him plenty of warm up time and he did great!  Yes, it was a big deal for us

From there we went to Rattlesnake.  My son may not be as athletic as his dad, but he loves walking and hiking.  Twin Falls was a routine last year and we are planning a longer hike this year.  But for this Sunday, a walk around the lake was very rewarding!

Sarah’s hitting hard:

Emma and Anton:

Bibi and her two lovely daughters:

Another loving family:

big tree trunks:

A fisherman’s cast: