Tonhya Kae Photography / Wedding & Lifestyle photographer based in Seattle, WA. » ENGAGEMENTS

JONNA & DONALD / ENGAGED.

Tonhya — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:15:41 +0000

When I get asked to photograph someone I *know*…I immediately feel a little extra pressure. I don’t know why that is, but deep down inside I just get a little nervous. I think nerves are good though…at least for me anyway. With those nerves I’m challenged to really push myself creatively…I challenge myself to see the world a little differently that day.

This past summer my best friend got engaged. Her name is Jonna. She is my sister.

When I found out I immediately wanted to run to my computer and share the news here on my blog…because that’s what I do, share my entire life with you guys haha! But I told myself to calm down and just wait for the right time. After my sister asked me to shoot her engagement session, I knew that when I blogged her session it would be the perfect time to share the news with you all. I could not be happier for my sister…

Donald could not have entered my sisters life at a better time. I am so thankful for him and I can’t wait to watch them grow as a couple and I especially can’t wait to see them say “I do” in May. Shooting their engagement session was a complete adventure and I loved it. We were able to cover so much ground driving around to soooo many different locations and we were completely racing against the last bit of daylight. Shooting their session in Spokane on a snowy day was such a nice change of scenery for me, I could not have asked for a better shoot or a better couple.

In doing this shoot for my sister and her fiance, it really gave me an inside look as to what my other couples experience when working with me. It was so comforting and fun to watch how excited they both were for this shoot. Making sure everything from outfits to hair and makeup were juuuust right. When I went home for Thanksgiving, I knew I wanted to reveal their session to them so that I could be there to watch. I was soooo nervous to watch their reaction, but it was exactly what I had hoped for. They looked at their photos for over an hour…flipping back and forth, laughing, crying, then flipping back and forth some more.

It was perfect.

When they were done, my sister looks up at me from the sofa they are cuddled up on…tears welled up in her eyes and says, “I think this is exactly what your couples do when they see the photos you take of them.” I smiled then I instantly imagined all my couples…cuddled up together somewhere…flipping through their own photos that I’ve taken of them. There is no better feeling than making my clients happy…this is what it’s all about…I promise you that.

Enjoy.

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Something special.

Tonhya — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:28:35 +0000

Something special happened this weekend.

Take me back 2 years ago and I would have never imagined that I would one day be photographing my sisters engagement session. It’s still so crazy to me. My sister means the world to me so going into this shoot I was a little nervous. The pressure was ON.

I couldn’t be happier for my sister. I can’t wait to share the rest of their session…

Happy Monday.

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ASHLEIGH & IAN / ENGAGED.

Tonhya — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:08:12 +0000

It’s that time of year already. The time where I’m finishing up weddings from all my wonderful 2011 couples and getting introduced to all my new 2012 couples. It’s a bitter-sweet time…wish I could continue to love on my 2011 couples forever, but I’m also super excited for the next wedding season. I know I mentioned this before but I can’t say it enough, there is nothing that makes me happier than meeting a couple who just GET ME…

They aren’t shopping around through tons of other photographers.
They know my work inside and out and they relate to it.
They trust me completely and allow me to just BE ME.
They are excited and enthusiastic about going on this journey with me.
They know right away that I’m the photographer for them. No questions.

That is Ashleigh and Ian…and I simply love them for that. I have had so much fun getting to know these two little love birds. They both have kind hearts and a quite love that is so fun to watch. Their engagement session was wonderful. Started the day grabbing brunch at 5-Spot Cafe and then hit the town to just explore and enjoy the day! Love these types of engagement sessions.

Enjoy.

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COURTNEY & JOHN / CELEBRATING LOVE

Tonhya — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:44:52 +0000

Someday when I’m married I want to make it a point to get our photos taken every year….just because. Every year in a marriage is one to be celebrated…so why not get your love documented? That is exactly why Courtney contacted me…she wanted to celebrate her 3rd year of marriage to John and to document this time in their lives. I think that is so special…and I love people like this. I also love Courtney because she is a photographer and she completely trusted me to do my thing. She also understands the importance of having your hair and makeup juuuuust right for a shoot, so who else better to call than the fabulous Jenny Bowker? Jenny did an amazing job of course.

I had so much fun photographing these two. They still have that young love. That spark. That giggle. That look. Nothing makes me happier than working with couples who have all of that and more. A few weeks after their session I received the sweetest email from Courtney about their session…another reason why I love her! I just love the reminder she gave me…that photography is so much more powerful than most may think. Photography has the power to let us relive moments, to feel all sorts of different emotions, and to remind us of the things in life that are most important. Here’s what she said:

“It’s funny, the night before you released our sneak peek image John & I had a bit of a spat and I was still a bit upset at him the next day as he headed off to work. But, when I saw your image, it totally just reminded me of how blessed I am to have him in my life and I couldn’t help but tear up a bit (what a sap, right?!). Thank you so much for your beautiful talents Tonhya! Man, photography is a powerful thing and I’m really glad we’ll have some images to put up around our home to enjoy and remind us how good life is! ”

It’s emails like this…people like this…shoots like this…that make me fall in love with my job all over again.

Thank you Courtney & John, love you guys.

Love this girl.

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I’M HEADING HOME / BOOK YOUR SESSION!

Tonhya — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:34:47 +0000

Hey everyone back east…I’ve got great news!

I’m making a quick trip back home this coming weekend and wanted to give all of you a chance to start booking some sessions while I’m down.

I’ll be shooting all day Saturday and Sunday. Anything from family sessions, seniors, or newly engaged couples…just shoot me an email and we’ll get you taken care of! : )

So excited!!!

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