Finding a Photographer

An attempt at our own family pictures from a year and a half ago.

I've only done professional pictures of Cadence once, and we went to JC Penney's. After that, I swore I would never pay somebody to steal her soul again. I just felt like I paid them almost 100 bucks to put her on a white sheet and make her look personality-less, which seems impossible. So, I've put it off. But I really should get some pics done of her, and soon. Also, we've never had a family picture professionally taken and I think we should before we have another.
So my question is this: does anybody have recommendations of creative/interesting photographers that wouldn't cost us a billion dollars? I don't know what I'm willing to spend (ok, I'm willing to spend anything, but I'm not sure what I could convince my husband to agree to). I just don't want to come away with a pic that seems like I should have only paid 20 bucks for and shouldn't have spent two weeks preparing for, you know what I mean?

The Bay Area would be best, of course, but we could also do it in Tacoma/Seattle area, or the LA area, depending if there are openings at the times we'll be there.

Thanks!

This One's for You, Daddy.

Yesterday:

This morning:

What are little Clives made of?

(sorry it's sideways. I'm not very "up-tech", as my mom would say.)

Oh the Craftiness of Me!

If you know me, you know that's a joke. Until now.

My last several sewing projects: pillowcase made of John Deere material for a missionary, an Apron that is still 1/2 done, and manly pajama pants that I never even started.

Enter Edda (my fellow weekday-widow, we keep each other company while our husbands work the weeks in Tacoma), who was like, "Oh, Mardee, you should just make your own dress for the Ball!" I searched and searched for a suitable ball gown, but it was much harder finding one that would fit a basketball inside. So, I accepted Edda's challenge, and with her patient direction (she had to help me with EVERYTHING, including what to do with all that tissue paper in the pattern envelope) and with my mom's patient help in finishing, came up with this:

Edda and I at the Ball. Edda also made her own shrug to go over that gorgeous red dress.

I must say that I am very proud of myself. That fabric isn't just an amazing color. It's stretchy and slippy and really thin. Not the easiest stuff to sew with. Yay!

Now, I know you are all wondering about this so-called Ball. Well, it's simply the most premiere event of the year. The Northern California branch of Spencer's company puts on this really extravagant party each spring (I believe it was called the 'Spring Gala'). It's really formal with endless tables of h'ordervouireiruslkdjs (it's a fancy french word for party food) and drinks. After an hour the little LDS crowd is the only thing not drunk in the whole place. Dancing, fine dresses, Spencer in a three-piece suit... it's a dream come true. And this year's took place at the Exploratorium, which is a really fun hands-on science museum in SF.

Mimi and I were pretty proud of smuggling watermelons into the ball.

Also, we had just returned from Elisabeth and Tyler's wedding.

A most beautiful bride and her handsomely deserving prince. What a perfect couple.

Their receptions was also a dreamy evening with old friends, family, dancing, and strawberry shortcake all in one gorgeous greenhouse. Cadence had so much fun being with my family this last week.