My wife and I were recently on our way back from Vancouver where I had been teaching a Lightroom workshop. We ended up getting to the top of Snoqualmie Pass around nine or ten in the evening. There were wispy clouds, a nearly full moon and the lights from the ski slops reflecting off the peaks. It was incredible. I stopped and spent about an hour working with different angles and compositions.

It was amazing because while there were clouds, beautiful stars (a little hard to see on your computer screen) and a great moon. A combination that’s not always easy to get up here in the mountains. Here’s some of the results. My favorite is this first one, a panorama of the two peaks that I’m calling Whispering Peaks. Chances are it will make the cut form my Signature Canvas collection in the future and will probably be going to competition as well. You can click any image for the larger version. Let me know what you think… Gav

Our new baby girl is here. Ariana was born at Holy Family Spokane on Friday the 27th at around 11PM and my wife Sondra did a great job. So did the attendants at the hospital. There were some concerns during the pregnancy which is why we ended up in the hospital instead of at the local midwife birthing center where we wanted to be. She was just 5lb 9oz, but long for her weight at 22 inches. Baby and mommy are healthy though and that’s enough for me. I’m thanking God.

It was fast. Much faster than I expected. Crazy story though. We headed to Spokane and I was doing 10mph over on the nearly empty interstate 90 and got stopped by a State trooper. I’m thinking “no officer would be a jerk enough to give us a bad time when my wife’s sitting next to me having contractions and we’re trying to the to the hospital” I was wrong. He was totally a jerk, gave us a bad time and held us there nearly ten minutes. Finally he let us go, walking off in a huff and saying we may get a ticket in the mail.

Anyways off we went to Spokane and Ariana came about 90 minutes after we arrived there. Sondra was not even fully checked in. Even as fast as she came, turns out Ariana was in a less common position that made the birth slower than normal. We were told that had she been in the more common position we probably would delivered on the way to the hospital. Now I confess was not very patient with the officer who held us up, but had that baby come in the car it would have been worse. His boss would have gotten quite a phone call from me.

Here some photos I’ve grabbed over the past week and a little video of Ariana & Cy (our 20 mos old). He’s been a little jealous since mom is so taken up by the new one. I’m trying to make sure I give him plenty of attention though and overall is doing great with her. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers along the way to this baby… Gavin

Sondra is looking dang good for having has a baby fifteen minutes ago.

]]> http://seimstudios.com/ariana-marie-seim/12/05/2009/feed/ 9 http://seimstudios.com/cyrus-seim-boy-at-work/05/18/2009/ http://seimstudios.com/cyrus-seim-boy-at-work/05/18/2009/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 06:14:52 +0000 Gavin Seim http://seimphotography.com/index.php/?p=1599

I was at a local park the other day doing some experimentation with various types of light. Sondra and Cyrus came by to help and Cyrus really enjoyed working with the lights. I’ve been playing with this Sima LED video light as a small constant light source. Cyrus and he went right to work trying to put it on the stand.

I had to help him a bit in the end, but hey he’s only 15 mos. He’s takes such an interest in things and catches on so fast. I’ll be running to keep up with him soon. Here’s a few photos I took. I just cant resist photographing him. I have so many, but always want more… Gavin

I had some of my photography and tips on HDR portraits featured in Rick Sammons new book, Digital Wedding Photography Secrets. I just posted an image of the page and some additional details right here on Seim Weddings.

This is a shot I took last fall of the old bridge spanning the Wenatchee river near Leavenworth WA. On Saturday it won the Icicle Prize 1st place color and peoples choice award. It took home $2000 in prize money.

I’d like to give a big thanks to a great local photographer, Julie Waites, who told me about this contest. I’m told the judges were unanimous and I’m excited and humbled that is did do well.

This is an HDR image taken with my Canon 30D. Such a cool old bridge. Here’s some history about it. Prints can be found in my canvas store.

Score 74:

It’s actually been awhile since I’ve entered competition and it’s time I started doing it. It’s alot of work to prepare, print and submit so it’s easy to let it slide. Here’s the four 16×20 prints I’ll be entering this Spring. Since I do lots of wedding work I decided to enter two, and then one senior and a nature shot (you can only enter four). Here I come world

Score 77:

Score 74:

Score 77:

The cliffs along Banks Lake headed towards Grand Coulee get some amazing frozen waterfalls this time of year. On my escapades recently, I came across Jay and Brian, two climbers from the west side of the State, come over to brave the cold weather and get some climbing in. Here’s a few shots I took of them taking on these neat looking ice falls.

There’s a new baby in town. My brother Blake and his wife Alisha just had another boy. That makes for two boys and one girl. Ivan was born on November 15th and was 8LB 9OZ at 22″

These pictures are when he was one day old. Their just snapshots, but I wanted to post him up before he started getting old. He’s getting more active as the days pass. Congratulation to Blake and Alisha.

Cyrus (my boy) and Gracie (my bother Grant’s) get acquainted with Iven. Gracie just wants to eat, so this just makes her uncomfortable Cyrus does not yet understand the meaning of “gentle” and Ivan is oblivious to it all. He’s a quiet little guy. He was very colorful for the fist few days as you can see.

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