Andtego Financial Group

This is the second round of shots for the Andtego Financial Group. We selected their offices as the indoor locations for these. It was a mix of Cletus Coffey and all together with his team. Strangely, the two flash strobe lights kept going off on their own. We found that the static electricity in the room and carpet caused the strobe to go off on their own. That explains why when I shook their hands upon arrival that they shocked me with static electricity. This did not effect the photo shoot negatively but only proved as a nuisance and odd conversation piece.

Brett & Melissa | September 1, 2007

A trailer to the wedding story of Brett Johanson & Melissa Villalobos who were married on September 1st, 2007 at Holy Family Parish in West Seattle with reception at the Seattle Tennis Club. The portraits were taken at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill.



I met Melissa Villalobos, the bride, through Pablo who is the son-in-law of Kathy Overman. I used to rent a room Kathy and Pablo was an musician at this wedding.

We started the day at Melissa's house where she and her mother were getting ready. It was a beautiful day in West Seattle and the family seemed to have everything under control. At the guys house next, they were watching football and trying to figure out how to get the tuxes looking sharp. I remember one of the jackets not fitting correctly which brought on lots of laughter.

The wedding was traditional mass in this very large church that was gorgeous. It was so FUNNY when I was in the side room off stage left and they two alter kids asked me to light their candles so they could continue the ceremony ritual. Here I was loaded with camera and sound equipment and they wanted me to stop recording and light the candles. Good thing I had a second videographer (my wife Laura Cooper) up in the balcony who could cover for me. I lit their candles and they walked off onto stage like it was no big deal. I asked them afterwards what they would have done if I was not there or would not have lit their candles, and they said they did not know. I'm sure the wedding ceremony would have found a way to continue.

At the reception, the montage video was shown that we created. It was a hit among the family with evidence of the laughter, cheering and ahhhs. That is always such a blessing and reward to receive direct genuine feedback from an audience.

All the best to Melissa and Brett!!!

Cletus Coffey

Cletus Coffey of Andtego Financial Group hired Cameography to capture a few "head shot" images for their corporate marketing materials. Andtego is developing their branding with the help of Jeffrey Smith of www.smithdesignworks.com who are doing excellent work. The goal was to take a trendy, hip and cool photograph above the waist shot and outdoors.

Casey & Allison "take the plunge!"

Casey Bui and Alison took the plunge by getting engaged! These series of photographs will be included on a Save-the-Date postcard that they'll send out shortly.

This is October mind you, so the water was freezing. This was not just an easy jump into a lake, and nor will marriage be easy. It's quite a good comparison and very creative on the part of Casey and Alison.

Alison was the first one out of the water, we have the whole thing on video too. This was Phantom Lake in Belleuve, WA.

David & Siunie | 07.15.07

This was the third wedding for David and Siunie. The previous two were in their home countries in Asia. At the Seattle Tennis Club, the setting was perfect an outdoor wedding along Lake Washington with croquet, cocktails on the lawn, and portraits with colorful umbrellas.

The wedding ceremony included personal vows followed by hugs and kisses. Following the ceremony, two ceremonial dragons came to action with the beating of drums in the background. These dragons then led the wedding guests up to the reception.

The reception was unique with a variety of games and activities. There were two MC's to keep things moving and each table had to answer a question about the bride and groom before they were released to eat. If they answered the question incorrectly, someone from the table had to sing karaoke. It was a hoot!

Please enjoy this short wedding video trailer. Congratulations to David and Siunie!

Sarah Mae Jeffries

My last grandparent passed on. Grandma was a great woman. I rest easily with her passing for several reasons. First, I'm thankful that I was able to have my mother read her an email I wrote the same evening she passed. She responded with an "amen" after my mother read the letter and prayed with her. It was her last night and I could not be there in person. The second reason I can rest easily is because I know she is in heaven!

To see a video of her on YouTube, please press play:



Here are some photos of the funeral service and graveside:


Sarah Mae Jeffries of Glendale, Arizona, graduated to Heaven on July 18, 2007, and is now reunited with her beloved husband Glenn Gerhart Jeffries who passed away in 2003.

Sarah was born on May 18, 1916, in Civil Bend, Missouri, to Charles and Atha Childers. Her only sibling Oscar Roy Childers preceded her in death. Sarah was a dedicated Mother, Wife, and Christian. For decades she helped the family-owned business while serving as Sunday School teacher and lay minister. Her "Telephone to Glory" radio program proclaimed God's power and deliverance and helped listeners accept salvation and healing. She had four children: Leroy (deceased), Barbara Shoaf (Dave), Charles (Cheryl), and Frieda Cooper (F. Dale), nine grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Monday, July 23, at 9:30 a.m. at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 North 27th Avenue, there will be a viewing with funeral service following at 10:30 a.m. Donations may be made to either Phoenix First Assembly or Hospice of the Valley.

"From Hiroshima to Hope" Annual Lantern Floating

On Monday, August 6th, we joined up with photographer Loren Callahan at Green Lake in Seattle to practice night photography. We participated in and took photos of the annual lantern floating to remember those lost in Hiroshima, Japan during WWII. There were a lot of peace activists and anti-war protesters along with those emotionally remembering destruction by atomic bombs. (Below is Loren and our daughter Kaiah)

This was one of my favorite shots

1000 paper lanterns serenely floating on the tranquil waters of Green Lake at twilight in honor of those that have died worldwide. Lantern Floating Ceremony features live and recorded music by World Meditation Ensemble.

Culminating in the 9 pm Toro Nagashi Lantern Floating Ceremony with music by World Meditation Ensemble (for the fifth straight year).

Commemorating all victims of war and violence and the 62nd remembrance of the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This is a sedate ceremony where those who have prepared a lantern are led to the water's edge to have it gently placed in the water at twilight with perhaps a thousand others, to serene, sacred world music performed by World Meditation Ensemble. Symbolizing souls, the lanterns are a metaphor for the transmigration of the spirit after death, leaving this shore and reaching the farther shore on the waterway of life. It's a very profound sensory and spiritual experience.
From: http://seattle.tribe.net/event/Lanterns-on-the-Lake-Ceremony-Mon-Aug-6th/
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