Pet Portraits Fundraiser { Auburn Photographer }

The Pet Portrait Fundraiser for the Auburn Valley Humane Society was so much Fun! The event was to support a good cause, but spending a day playing with dogs was the result. I met a lot of very nice people who are very committed to their pets.

Auburn Valley Humane Society Fundraiser { Auburn Pet Photographer }

I an pleased to announce that Tyson Studio is hosting a fundraiser for the Auburn Valley Humane Society. The AVHS is set to open January of 2013 and is currently in fundraising and adding memberships stage. The benefits to our community will be a facility dedicated to the needs of the animals in our town, but also working with our neighboring communities. I am so excited to be involved in this event! If you have never been to an animal shelter you should go visit one to see what they are like. I have a personal story to share… when I was five my dad picked out a puppy for us. He was a pomeranian with something else mixed in – yes, a mutt! (His mother was a purebred pom and somehow got mixed up with the wrong crowd.) My only memory of that event is the little puppy on the car seat beside us on the drive home. Our dog was very much a part of our family and went everywhere the kids went. One day years later he followed my younger sister and some neighborhood kids one day and didn’t come home. We searched for three days before the King County Animal Shelter in Kent called to say they had our dog. Someone had found him down by the Auburn Golf Course and called Animal Control. He had wandered through the canyon for days in the winter, one of the few times we had snow! When we brought him home his eyesight started going and he could only see shapes in daylight. We were just grateful to have him back! He was 14 years old. In spite of our search efforts we would not have found him by ourselves. We need facilities like these!
Please join me in the Pet Portrait Fundraiser to raise money for the Auburn Valley Humane Society! You will receive a portrait of your dog and AVHS will benefit – a win for all! Call Tyson Studio at 253-249-6694 today for your pet photo appointment!

Do You Notice Good Customer Service { Auburn photographer }

I recently went to a new hair salon for a much need haircut. I booked an appointment with them because the prices were comparable to other studios in the area and they are very close to my home. The most memorable thing about my hair appointment (besides the friendly staff, the head massage and the great haircut) was their customer service. They give new clients a goody bag of sample hair products and offer complimentary bang trimmings between booked appointments. Now I have been know to occasionally trim my own bangs because it seems like a waste to go in for a complete haircut every couple of weeks when you do not need it. The fact that they get this and would like to help curb clients desire to grab scissors and whack away absolutely thrilled me. They are now my hair salon. As a business owner who relies on happy clients who want to come back again I am constantly looking for examples of good customer service. I think this is an outstanding example! The studio is Salon Mogano in Lakeland Hills and their website is http://www.salonmogano.com – check them out if you need a great hair salon.
Now I am looking for ways to kick my customer service up a notch ( or two or three). Feel free to give me suggestions of ways to keep you coming back!

Winter Wonderland in Yakima { Auburn Photographer }

Last weekend I travelled to Yakima to photograph a holiday event for Washington Beef. The weather on the other side of the mountains was foggy and COLD (or at least seemed that way to a Puget Sound dweller)! I am used of seeing snow covering tree tops and the ground, but this was different. The fog had frozen on everything and created this quiet surreal image. This was something I had never seen before. Traveling for a long period in the car can be hypnotic and I quietly studied the scene from my window. Have you ever noticed the different tones of white? As I watched the scenery fly by my window I noticed the white had different tones. The trees had some pink casts in their white branches and the frozen grasses had yellow undertones. I had this strong urge to stop and document what I was seeing. I could have photographed the beautiful scenery for hours but it was 24 degrees outside and my camera was ice cold in my hands. As I warmed up back inside my vehicle I felt a peaceful glow. My working weekend had given me time to unwind and look at the beauty in the winter around me.
This is a busy time for most people and I am no exception. I would like remind you to take time to see the beauty around you because life flies by very quickly! Will you remember next month the many errands you did on the second Tuesday of December? Take time to sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy your family, your Christmas tree, your pet…whatever is meaningful and important in your life!
Happy Holidays!

Seattle in December { Auburn Photographer }

Seattle – Westlake Center style!
Although it looks like September weather in reality it was Sunday, December 4th. The weather was gorgeous – the sun was shining – the air was not cold! As I drove in to town I remembered why I love Seattle. The bustle of the city makes me smile. The Christmas lights and decorations put me in a festive mood and while I did not get much crossed off my shopping list I had a good time. The kids loved the horse and shopping downtown was just a side note to the day.

Fall Wedding at the Lodge in Point Defiance Park { Tacoma wedding photographer }

I absolutely loved the extra touches that gave the bouquets that special feeling. The photos in the frames were the bride’s grandparents! I would have loved that idea for myself! These were created by Blooms at the Windmill in Sumner, Wa for a recent wedding I photographed. The wedding took place at The Lodge in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. The Lodge certainly has a look of historical grandness and beautiful wood windows.

Thanksgiving Family { Auburn Photographer }

Today is Thanksgiving! I am looking forward to going to my parents house and spending the day with my family. The day will be filled with the smells of a turkey dinner cooking in the oven, the sounds of kids playing and lots of visiting. My family looks forward to my mom’s homemade dill pickles and buns every year! After dinner we will sit around making Christmas lists to give to each other. Some traditions never grow old.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!