Rosario Bay has got to be one of my favorite places for a family session on and around Whidbey Island. The steep bluff does a fantastic job block the light when the sun is a little too bright, there’s a fun calm beach with tide pools, and oh year - GORGEOUS views that really remind you that you’re near the San Juan Islands.
Read MoreIf I've learned anything from COVID, it's that I can't do it all. (And that it's okay!). So while I finish editing the last ten sessions on my plate, here's a look at all the fall goodness I've captured so far. Eventually I'll get around to sharing each session and the story behind it, but for now - here's your daily dose of eye candy.
Read MoreWhere do we go from here? In the midst of COVID shutting down the world, all of my sessions were put on hold for several months, but living in the middle of nowhere comes in handy every once in a while. We've now been in Phase 3 for some time, so I've had a super-busy-crazy-summer trying to fit six months of sessions into three. But listen - I'm not complaining AT ALL. I'm so grateful to be working, and I've literally had my best season ever. I've worked with the most amazing families, and have so many plans in the works for next year.
Read MoreThis incredible session was my second time working with mama Kirstin, and her two adorable boys. She invited me into her gorgeous home earlier last year to shoot an indoor motherhood session while hubby was deployed, but as soon as dad was back, she knew she wanted updated pictures with all of her favorite people in the frame.
Read MoreOkay universe, what is going on?! Seriously though - looking back at images from the beginning of March makes me feel like I've time-traveled to an alternate universe. We're really living in the upside down now, right? Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic, but WOW. Just WOW.
Read MoreThis month went by so, so fast. Yes, it’s the shortest month of the year, but I also felt like our family was running both on auto-pilot and overdrive. Ryan is working so hard right now, holding down two jobs that keep him away from us quite a bit.
Read MoreThe first time I met this beautiful family, baby girl was in mama’s belly! Now she’s a vibrant, bubbling little babe and the light of mama’s eye. I met Katelyn and her gorgeous fam at Fort Ebey State Park for a lovely (and windy!) fall sunset session earlier this season.
Read MoreI’m not sure if “discovering your why” is just photographer-speak, if it’s something all creatives seek out, or if we are all looking for the meaning behind what we do and WHY we do it. Regardless, from the time I started my photography journey nearly seven years ago to today – I finally know why what I do is important – and I’m making it the center of what I do going forward.
Read MoreFall on Whidbey Island may be a bit gray, but there is so much beauty to be found in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. First of all, gray is a lovely neutral background, so the families I document this time of year seem to pop a bit more out of the frame. You can also take advantage of one of the PNW’s most recognizable weather conditions - fog! If you’re up for a morning adventure session, the fog will add dimension, context, and a bit of mystery to your gallery.
Read MoreWords like “epic” and “other-worldly” were created for places like the Valley of Fire. An hour from the Las Vegas strip, this natural wonder was the perfect setting for a truly adventurous family session. From the Mars-like landscape to the dueling lizards (like Mortal Kombat street-fighting lizards) I knew I wasn’t in Kansas (or Washington) anymore when I stepped into this gorgeous park.
Read MoreI’d love to say that I’m a super-adventurous, ready-to-climb-a-mountain kind of gal. But I’d be lying. The truth is I try to leave Whidbey Island as little as possible. (I even cancelled my Costco membership when we moved here!). I’m a homebody, and I’m not ashamed to say it friends!
Read MoreI remember when I first moved to Whidbey Island and was slightly (okay really) overwhelmed by the number of gorgeous locations for family pictures. There were so many beautiful spots - but which had the features I was looking for and access to the type of views I needed?
Read MoreThis family has been one of my faves ever since they moved across the street from us two years ago. Okay, we already had an awesome neighborhood, but the DuBois fam definitely added to the fun. And now that we know them and love them, of course the military would move them!!
Read MoreSummer is here (finally!), and the weather is PERFECT for family pictures in the PNW. Don’t know what to wear? I got you boo! Welcome to my new seasonal styling tips! I’ll be sharing palettes and pieces I love and recommend to my clients throughout the year. I want to help you visualize a stunning wardrobe that will take your family photo session to the next level.
Read MoreLove is at the heart of what I do. Love and mamas. Mamas give. And give. We don't ask for much, and often put the needs of our family above our own. We see the light in our friends WAY before we acknowledge it in ourselves. We doubt our beauty. We doubt our talent. We doubt our strengths.
Read MoreMilitary homecomings have my heart. They are always special, unique, and emotional. It’s even more special when I get to document a homecoming for a friend, especially someone I admire and look up to as a mother and military spouse.
Read MoreMilitary families are constantly in transition. So much so that you’d think they wouldn’t have time for annual family pictures, or that it would be too challenging to plan a family photo session with changing schedules, dets, and deployments.
Read MoreNow that Ryan has been in the airlines for about two years, I’m starting to take advantage of the non-rev perks and plan a few trips here and there when our schedules allow for it. We found a weekend that worked where I could go see a few friends in D.C. and shoot a few sessions last month. Friend time and time to recharge my creative batteries? A total win-win, right?
Read MoreWould you like to join my team? Or know someone who is looking for part-time, creative work in the Oak Harbor area? Kara Chappell Photography is growing, and I’m looking for someone to help me grow and manage my social media and back-end business tasks. Apply here!
Read MoreFor most people, January is the start of a new year. I like to think of February as my own personal starting line. Maybe it’s the holiday hangover that creeps into January, or the optimism of resolutions that keep me dreaming all month, but for me personally, reality sets in on February 1st, and the short month FLIES by before I know it.
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