a thousand words photography by Vanessa Powell

Families.  They come in many different numbers, styles, sizes and distances.  This particular one is a favorite of mine.  Sweet Brandy and her adorable boy Joe are so very close to my heart.  Brandy and I have been friends for years but this was one of my first times meeting and spending time with Joe, as well as watching her in action as a mama.  What a fantastically fun time we had chasing around the house and playing, giggling and sweeping the floor.  Trains, cars, drums, teddy bears, hugs and kisses.  It’s all part of their wonderful little family.  I am so fortunate to be a part of their lives and to photograph them together.  Much love to both of you! 

I had the pleasure of meeting Diane at one of those last minute moments in a photographer’s life where everything seems to kind of conspire against you to create a shoot that’s a hassle instead of the fun, creative experience it’s supposed to be.  A former client of mine bailed me out by giving me Diane’s name as a makeup artist.  I had less than 24 hours until shoot time and voila, Diane (via Elizabeth!) to the rescue!  She came into her shop on her day off to create a masterpiece on my model.  She followed our ideas and energy to perfection and created a beautiful Rocker Bride of the already lovely, Angela. 

So of course, when Diane needed me, I was more than willing to oblige.  Diane owns and operates Dermaglow in Wasilla.  Facials, treatments, lashes, makeup and more.  She and her staff are extremely talented and gracious and they have a new a new location opening soon.  Diane and I met on a very chilly day and found some time for new promotional shots for her lash extension business.  Amazing lashes, aren’t they?  Just beautiful.

I love it when creativity works out that way.  One creative to another, sharing, borrowing ideas and trading inspiration.  There really isn’t any other way to go.  Thank you to Diane and to Dermaglow for their support.  I look forward to working with you all again VERY soon.  I cannot wait to see what this new friendship inspires.

Some familes just exhude joy.  The Gittleins are such a family.  When you’re in their presence there’s a rich sense of closeness and love.  No siblings bickering, no jostling for positions.  Nothing like it.  Instead there’s giggling, inside jokes, pride and such a beautiful sense of belonging.  I love this family to bits.  Every one of them is fantastic in their own way.  They made our chilly winter family shoot such fun.  Heck, they’re just fun to be around!  Merry Christmas Paul, Trudi and the gang.  Love you guys.

Angela and I first contacted one another before her engagement shoot in the summer of 2011.  She and I instantly hit it off and enjoyed chattering away about her amazing dog Kimber, fashion, relationships, photography and eventually…modeling.  Ever since that first meeting I’ve been thinking about ways I can shoot with Angela.  When the Rocker Bride idea entered my mind, there was no doubt who I wanted as the model…ANGELA!  YES!  She worked hard on her wardrobe, finding all the inspiration pieces and even sewing up a makeshift dress to complete the look.  It would be a challenge to make Angela look bad…but I feel like these photos truly showcase her unique and timeless beauty. 

Special thanks to: Diane Lytle, The Lash Chick, and owner of Dermaglow for doing such an absolutely beautiful job on Angela’s makeup. With less than 24 hours notice, she came in on her day off to do the makeup for our shoot.  She met our expectations to a tee, and then some.  Amazing. Also, special thanks go to Christina Mulneaux owner and designer for Lotus Floral Designs for creating the flowers for the Rocker Bride bouquet.  I LOVE her artistic walk on the wild side with this bouquet.  SUCH fun!  Just perfect for the theme.

Photography has this sneaky way of challenging me on every level.  A shoot can cause me to question my choices, to see in new ways, to search out texture and to chase light (I’m always chasing the light!).  But photography also allows me to let loose and to feel the comfort and rhythmic hum of my creative energy.  I love that part.  To me, it’s like just rising out of the water and slowly being swallowed by sound.  Truly inspirational.

When I met with Ruth and her fantastic mother about this shoot I had ideas romping through my creative head.  I saw gauzy light, soft looks, beautiful, natural women with curves, spaces with light and life.  I think we hit the mark really well.  I love the looks of each of these beautiful ladies.  They embody such strength of spirit and soul.  The age ranges in them, the life experiences, the style and personality distinctions…all of it makes them an amazing and memorable team of ladies to work with. 

Thank you Ruth, and In-fu-sion Boutique, for your confidence in me and for offering me the opportunity to step toward something I’ve been intersteted in for a long time.  I’m just thrilled with the results and I cannot WAIT to do it again and again!  Also, a very special thank you to Beehive Beauty Shop in Wasilla, Suzanne at Body Boutique, and of course the ever fabulous Alaska Makeup Team for the work they did with the ladies. 

Oh the Saiki family!  I LOVE THEM!  What a fun bunch of madness, love and life!  The Saiki’s were so patient with getting me out to their place to photograph their family with the entourage of animals they love so very much.  We had fun wrangling all the animals and playing together in the yard.  I got to pet and smooch nearly every animal (which was SO fun for me!)  I mean what could be more fun than trying to get three horses, three dogs and two cats to look at the camera?  ha!  I just love the way their final shots showcase the crazy love they have for one another and for their animals.  We even found some time to shoot Kassi’s senior shots while I was there.  Kassi is a beautiful, natural and wistful young lady with a kind voice and such a beautiful smile.  Thank you Saiki’s for your generosity and for allowing me to shoot with your huge wonderful and fantastic family.

This Valley we live in is a funny little place.  Sort of at the cusp of being something a little to big for my taste.  Like trying on mom’s high heels when you were little, just to turn around and twist your ankle.  Sometimes, when it feels a little too big, a little too fast I inevitably come across a friend who I’ve known for a long time.  We may bump into one another at a coffee shop, or reconnect via a mutual friend, or, as it happened with the Hammond family, we may meet for the very first time and it suddenly feels like small town Alaska again.  This family has a solid and silent strength and warmth to them.  From the moment we met it was like coming home.  What a special and unique gift it is to be able to connect in such a way.  Thank you to the Hammonds and to their sweet and amazing friend Joanie who brought us together on the day of their shoot to capture these beautiful moments.

Some people just shine from the inside out don’t they!  Alyssa is one of those people.  She’s sweet, vivacious and up for fun at a moments notice.  Alyssa and her siste drove out to the Valley on a BEAUTIFUL fall day to shoot her senior shots.  We started at Wasilla Lake and were quickly greeted by many friendly little mallards.  So cute!  Alyssa was a great sport, playing in the leaves, climbing in the vintage trucks at Metro Cafe, and even lying down in the grass before the shoot was done.  I love the way Alyssa’s smile spreads all the way into her eyes and just makes her glow.  Such a great girl.  Have a super senior year Alyssa!  All my best, and thank you for the opportunity to shoot your senior photos.  It was my pleasure!

I am truly blessed.  Truly, I am.  My photography opens so many fantastic creative doorways to such fabulous and friendly people, and such beauty, that it humbles and amazes me with the gifts it gives.  The Ackles family is one of those families that just makes me so proud to have the honor to join in their lives for a day. Their supportive nature and welcoming ways made our shoot in Palmer such fun.  We started out the the Old Matanuska River Bridge for some ‘out of the box’ shots of their daughter Allison who is quite a talented dancer.  Shana wanted something unconventional for Allison’s dance shots and I feel confident that we got just that.  Allison was a trooper in toe shoes in the silty Matanuska River mud and again on the old bridge.  She leapt, posed and took direction like a professional.  Bob and Shana just beam with pride for their little girl, as well they should.  At only 13 years old she shows such beauty and grace.  Here’s a peek into Bob, Shana and Allison’s shoot.  So many great images came from our time together.  Thank you Ackles family for your generosity and kindness.  I had such fun with you. 

Talent, beauty, athleticism, personality and brains.  She really does have the whole nine yards.  Jessie is one of those kids with a global view of life and a brightness that just about blinds you from the first time you meet her.  She’s easy to talk to, fun to trudge through the woods with (ha!) and just an all around great girl with a personality that makes her memorable and unique.  You just can’t NOT love a girl who brings her Xtra Tufs to her senior shoot and doesn’t bat an eyelash when asked to climb into the river.  She’s just amazing.  Jessie’s senior year is sure to be full of fun, lively athletic events and lots of lasting memories.  Thank you Jessie for allowing me the honor of documenting this next chapter with you.  Have a GREAT senior year!