It's my birthday!!

...and I'll have a sale if I want to!

I've never been one to be bothered by my age. I honestly have no problem saying I'm 45... my brain just doesn't always remember how old I am. In fact, since I started taking better care of myself following a two-surgery-summer three years ago, I feel more like I did when I was in my early twenties! In fact, I just went to my first concert, Sia, with my husband! Next we are going to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers this spring thanks to a gift from one of our daughters! So I really have no complaints when it comes to age. I just have no idea where the time went, and how in the world my kids got so old.

So to celebrate, I've got something special for YOU!
Till midnight tonight, Oct 29, 2016, receive 29% OFF ALL PRINT ORDERS of $29 and up, through your online gallery at www.BonellPhotography.com! 

Simply enter the coupon code: HAPPYBIRTHDAY at checkout!

Need to regain access to your gallery from years past? 
Just EMAIL ME your session info and I'll send you a new private gallery invite.

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The Most Profound Wedding I've Ever Photographed: PNW Olympic Pennensula

What I do is far more important than you or I realize.
I don't mean that *I* am important.
I don't mean monetarily.
I don't even mean in some grandeur way regarding talent and skill.

Sure, your wedding day is important to you. Of course it is. There are actually many special times in your life that you will value enough to be worth hiring a professional photographer. But here's when I realized just how significant, how important, how truly momentous my chosen career really is...

Not long ago, I photographed the wedding of a young lady, Shayna, whom I'd known her entire life. Her mom, Lisa, and I grew up together. Lisa and I had been fast friends since our very first day of Kindergarten. In grade school, she was one of my shiest friends, and by High School, she was one of my craziest, funniest, and most outgoing friends. And later, as we both had families, our daughters grew up together as she and I were their Girl Scout Troop Leaders.

My sweet bride, Shayna, had lost her Dad when she was quite young. So when she walked down the isle, there was Lisa, her mom, walking with her to give her away. 

The whole wedding was incredibly emotional with such wonderful connections to her dad; from the charms on her bouquet of flowers, to the entire "village" of men in her life who collectively helped raise her, each taking turns dancing with her in place of her Dad. The whole day was truly extraordinary.

Two days after Shayna and her groom Curtis's wedding, the bride's mother, my dear friend, died unexpectedly. Devastated does not even begin to describe how I have felt ever since.

I needed to do something. I was in shock and hurting, but I needed to do something that might help Shayna and her family because I couldn't imagine what they were going through. So I immediately set everything else aside and worked non stop to make sure that Shayna received all her wedding images right away so that she would have her full gallery of images as soon as possible, to help her and her entire family heal and to display all around Lisa's Celebration of Life. That was the most difficult week I had ever worked. I cried with every single image I edited. But the experience made me realize just how important and meaningful my personal reasons for WHY I do what I do, actually are.

Take nothing for granted, for nothing is guaranteed.

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How my clients inspire me each day: Western Washington Photographer

You would think that most of my days are basically the same. You spend most of your time either on location, in the studio or at the desk. But in reality, there are so many things that make each day unique.

I absolutely love all the people I have gotten to know in what, next month will mark, 6 years since starting by business. I'd always been an artist in some form, but as a photographer, I get the great opportunity to meet and work with some of the most fun and inspiring people.

I have documented gorgeous weddings that have blossomed into amazing and wonderful families.
I have photographed countless athletes who push themselves to always be better than the day before.
I have had so much fun working with hundreds of High School Seniors as they prepare to embark on their future endeavors and become rather impressive adults.
And I have reintroduced beauty to women who, all-too-often, have lost touch with their confidence and self love.

Each of them inspire me in different ways and they don't even know it; They make me proud, make me laugh, I empathize when they experience great challenges, and they push me to be my best "me" and appreciate the life I live, and people who are in it.

So this morning, I was at my desk editing and playing videos on my split screen when a particular music video made me think of one client in particular...

Meet Cheri...

Cheri graduated from Montesano High School last year and I was honored to take her Senior Photos.
Cheri is also among the toughest and bravest people I know because she also lives with Cystic Fibrosis. She also shares her story & fight on her Facebook page and Instagram. So check her out if you want to cheer her on.

So while I was editing this morning, and a particular video came on, I couldn't help but to freeze. I'd heard the song over a hundred times, but had never really listened to the lyrics... until today.
Watch the video and you will see why it made me think of Cheri and why I am so proud of this strong and beautiful young woman.

Every single person I photograph and work with.... I may occasionally, and casually, refer to you all as my "clients", but you are my friends, my family, my inspiration... EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Thank you all for pushing me to be a better me.


Show appreciation for even the little things... because those matter too.
Live everyday to your fullest.
Love each other AND YOURSELF.

No go out and be a better YOU.
Live.

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Humans of Grays Harbor [The Photographer]

"I consider myself an introverted extrovert. I don't like the idea of having to talk to people, or especially a group of people, but I'm not shy at all, and have almost no problem having hour long conversations with people I'd never met."

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