Ian's Studio Head shots | Olympia Portrait Photographer

July 15, 2018 in Portrait

Check out Ian's fun and stylish head shots! Ian is so handsome, fun and easy to work with. I look forward to the next time!

Can't get enough Ian?? Follow him for more awesomeness.

AMPLE BLACK - Branding

Ian Vogue - Stylist/Model

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

10 Tips to Prepare for Your Maternity Portrait Session

July 09, 2017 in Portrait Resources

Plan your session well in advance. We recommend that you have your maternity photos taken between 27 an 34 weeks. Every woman, and every pregnancy is different, but ideally you want your belly to be distinctly showing yet you don't want to be so far along that your are uncomfortable and miserable. Between the 27th and 34th week most women have a distinguishable, and beautifully round belly but haven't started to experience the swelling and weight gain that is typical of the end of pregnancy. Keep an eye on your body and if you are showing early (are you having multiples?!?) then we can definitely discuss scheduling your session sooner.
Plan your session on a day you won't have to rush. Your maternity session will take between one and two hours depending on the package you have chosen and if you have an event to get to right after you will be checking the time over and over and not having fun. Maternity sessions capture such a magical time in a woman's life and the experience should be fun and relaxing. My specialty is capturing those candid moments where you are relaxed and wearing your true emotions, if you are rushed with other events on your mind then it will show.
Bring your loved ones! Your significant other, older siblings and even the grandma to be are all great additions to these memories. Not only will they help you relax and enjoy your session but the photos will be extra special and a great memory for you, them and your child.
Mentally prepare for your session. You may be in a tight fitting dress or a dress where your belly is exposed and many pregnant women feel self-conscious about their changing bodies. Change of shape, swelling or extra weight and stretch marks are all normal parts of pregnancy and deserve to be documented! Love your body and own it - it is working hard to create and house a tiny life so it deserves to be celebrated. If you are uncomfortable it will show in your images, just relax and try to remember that not only is this a special time that needs to be documented but that it will eventually pass and believe it or not you may miss it.....
Tight clothing can leave marks on your belly so skip them for a few hours before your session.
Wear Comfortable Clothes that show off your belly. After all that is why you're having your photos taken!
Bring nude underwear! I know this sounds weird but we have a closet full of maternity dresses available to our clients and if you decide there is one you love you'll need those nude underwear.
Bring some props, one or two special items to customize your maternity session and document those special items for your baby's baby book.
Show up well rested and hydrated. I know, I know .. easy for the non-pregnant woman to say and after three pregnancies I know how hard it is to get sleep but try your best to get some extra rest before you shoot. Pregnant women have a beautiful glow to their skin and adequate sleep and staying hydrated will ensure you and your skin look amazing!!!
Lotion! Speaking of skin...dry scaly skin is a NORMAL side effect of pregnancy. Slather up before your session to add to that glow we discussed.

Bonus Tip: RELAX!!! Relax and have fun. Pregnancy is such a special time in life and creating positive memories during it will enhance your experience. Relax.... and let's do this, let's create something epic that you can't wait to hang on your wall!

Rattlesnake Lake Maternity | North Bend Maternity Photographer

YES! Maternity boudoir and milk baths are an option! Book a traditional session, book a boudoir session or ask about the special for booking both together!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Romantic + Moody Styled Winter Wedding | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

March 09, 2017 in Wedding, Stylized

I recently joined a group of talented photographers and vendors to pull together a dreamy stylized winter wedding and what a great time we had! The original plan was to shoot outside at Auburn's Flaming Geyser Park but since we caught a standard Seattle winter day we were forced to switch to the Tacoma Graffiti Garages to stay dry. Although I missed the rich greens of the park the dramatic light of the Graffiti Garage set a very romantic and rich mood to the day.

One of my favorite parts of putting together this event was all the incredible vendors I was able to meet! There is so much local talent and creativity in the PNW that I am frequently in AWW at the amazing creations that I photograph. A custom ring box, carefully designed invitations, handmade barn tables and s'mores bar, elegant and detailed dresses, rich and textured floral arrangements, a unique and delicious cake, a rustic wooden sign and professional hair and makeup are just a few of the items designed and created for this event. We absolutely could not have pulled off such an amazing event without the help of these hard working companies. Special thanks to the following companies!!

Ring Box and Wood Decoration/Cake Toppers: Lee Six Laser & Design

Invitations, Menus, S'mores sign, Paper Table Decorations: Sandpaper Custom Stationary

Wooden Table, Benches, green goblets, S'mores Bar: Puget Sound Farm Tables

Wedding Dresses, Veils & Headband: Country Bridal

Flowers: JNJ Floral

Cake: Delicately Sweet Confections

Wooden Welcome Sign: Happy Heart Design Co

HMUA Couples: Alisa Clark

HMUA Single Bride: Brenda Beauty Guru

For more vendor information please see Sarah Gonia Photography's Preferred Vendor List or contact me if you have specific needs.

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

T.C.C. Global Discovery Program Farewell Celebration

September 19, 2016 in Event

On August 11th, 2016 I drove from Olympia to Tacoma Community College to photograph a Farewell Celebration for the students from the University of Kitakyushu (UKK in Kitakyushu-City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.) Tacoma and Kitakyushu are sister cities and every six months approximately 25 students come to study at TCC for 2 quarters. The students attend classes at TCC and live with local host families so that they get a truly immersed and authentic experience. Making new friends, improving English speaking skills and to be happy were some of the goals these students arrived with. Now, in these final days I captured friendly encounters, comfortable conversations in English and so many smiles. The positive impact of their time here in Washington was very real and very apparent. Side by side with the members of their host families, fellow students, student mentors and TCC Global program staff these students celebrated their experience and prepared themselves for their futures after returning home. I saw many tears but more importantly I saw love and laughter, in their six months here the students formed so many special bonds, and thanks to social media, they will never be broken.

This experience was very familiar for me and seeing the students emotions and interactions with their host families brought back a flood of memories. In summer of 1999, at age 16, I myself embarked on a journey of a lifetime and traveled to the city of Catamarca, Argentina. As an exchange student, I spent one year living in another culture, speaking a different language and interacting with people from all over the world. Memories from this year are, to this day, some of my most coveted. I learned so much from my experience and I see study abroad as such a powerful tool for learning tolerance, acceptance and independence.

Just for fun....

I dream that, someday, my children will become 3rd generation (yes, I said third!) exchange students. Maybe even to Kitakyushu...

This was the 16th cohort and 2016-2017 will be the 9th year for this fantastic and oh-so vital program. I look forward to capturing more events for the TCC Global Program.

For more information and to follow along on the student's adventures check out TCC Global Discovery Program's Facebook -------> https://www.facebook.com/tacomaccinternational/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf