Lessons in youth.

This post has absolutely nothing to do with my photography. Actually, it does sort of. My life has been pretty hectic this past year. I have been busy with photo shoots, editing, snuggling, driving, and just normal life things... I have been so incredibly absorbed with my own life ( I could elaborate on this subject, but that would just continue this self absorbed state I would so very much like to grow out of!), that I have missed some of the most beautiful little (but so huge) things that make this world so worth living in.

My little brother turned 17 on October 5th. He got his first job at the end of Summer, and has started his Junior year of high school. A few nights ago I came home and he asked me to sign a birthday card for a man named Gary. My brother works at Safeway, and Gary is a homeless man who is known by everyone there. My little brother got over 70 people to sign a card for Gary. On Gary's birthday, my brother took him to Johnny Carino's for dinner. If you have ever eaten dinner at this restaurant then you know it is not cheap. My brother, who drives a mid 80's Subaru Brat (so cool!), and could easily spend his paychecks on gas and crazy doodads for his car, decided to spend his money to give someone who has nothing, something.

I only found out about this overhearing my mom telling someone about it over the phone. I am reminded to slow down and listen. Look at all the beautiful things happening every moment of every day. There is so much good in this world, and it literally is right in front of us.

-marika

jon + linnea 08.28.10... details... Skagit County Wedding Photographer, Marika Garland

changes are on the horizon...

Between shooting, editing, planning, and sleeping, I have been working on changes to my website... stay tuned for an entirely new look...

a recent image with the new logo and name...



More to come!!!

-Marika

Yay for Doggies!!!

Okay, so over at iheartfaces they are having a "pets only" challenge this week... HOORAY! It is PERFECT timing because I just shot the local 4-H dog club's portraits for display at the fair! It was AMAZING! I only get to pick one image for the challenge at iheartfaces, but I will for sure post more of my favorite images from the shoot soon... :)

I chose this image because I LOVE the look in the dog's eyes... it seems to say, "really?... you have me sitting on a bench???"



make sure to check out iheartfaces and all the great pet entries this week!!




-marika

The moments they find themselves just letting go...

...are my favorite moments with my clients...

She was so beautiful in this particular moment.

It is all within reach...

I had a great shoot with my friend Jennifer a few days ago... These are just a few images from the beginning of our shoot...

-Marika

DO IT LIKE DOLLY!!!

I can't wait!!

-Marika

Danielle... my beautiful friend.

I love this woman. She has been a true friend to me, and an inspiration. She is a wonderful mother. And she is GORGEOUS. What fun we had last night with a bottle of red and seamless white paper in the studio... The only thing spilling, though, was creativity!

-Marika

soles for souls @ iheartfaces...

Help iheartfaces support this great cause!!

About Soles 4 Souls: Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner’s World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide, and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help.

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This is my contribution to this week's topic at iheartfaces...







-marika

Hills Of Elysium Studio Shoot 4.4.2010

There are moments in my life when I find myself doubting my abilities as a photographer... those are usually moments when I am not working on anything... and then the big moments come along and tell those doubting moments to just shush! This past Sunday (Easter) was one of those big moments... Hills Of Elysium, an incredibly talented band from Seattle, came in to the studio for a quick, simple shoot for their new website. They were looking for high-key imagery to go along with the look of their new music video. These are just a few of my favorite group shots so far. I hope you all enjoy them as much as we have... and you should check

Hills Of Elysium out on facebook....

Thanks!

-marika

Never stop growing...

I took this self portrait one particularly challenging day. These trees stand tall beside my home, and I have yearned to capture them for the longest time. The process began in tears, and ended with a joy in my heart I could only find within myself. This image is the first of a series of three. The series is titled "never stop growing, sweet girl."








Thank you iheartfaces for having a place for me to share a piece of myself.





-marika

new video!!!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Mother's Day!!!

PDN Photography Contest... VOTE FOR ME!!!

please VOTE for me in the People's choice at the PDN Faces photography contest!!!!





Thanks!

-Marika

2010 Music Photography...

Musicians!!! I love you and I want to take your photos!!!

:)





-marika

scrabble and self portraits...

There are two things in my life lately that have helped me find strength within myself...

self portraiture and scrabble.





-marika

Jarrod Gorbel @ The Vera Project in Seattle, WA 03.02.2010

Last night I drove 60 miles to downtown Seattle to see a musician who I have been trying to see perform live for the past four and a half years... Jarrod Gorbel of The Honorary Title. For some reason, I always find out his band is in town about two days before the show, and either have something going on, or I get too lazy to drive all the way to Seattle. This past Sunday, I was looking around online at shows, and saw that he was going to be playing at The Vera Project for his solo tour. I wasn't going to miss it this time, so I bought my ticket online. I ended up having to work late at the frame shop last night, so I was nervous about whether or not I would get to the show on time. Luckily, it was a piece of cake, and I was actually early.
The show was beautiful. Jarrod stood onstage with just his guitar and hauntingly beautiful voice.

And I did what I do best...

this is my favorite shot.

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make sure to check out Jarrod's music here...

http://www.myspace.com/jarrodgorbelmusic

and here...

http://www.myspace.com/thehonorarytitle



-marika