Toujours Photography

Annual Pictures

2011-11-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

Every year Dr. Fankhauser calls us to take an annual staff picture for their Christmas cards. In recent years the Dr.'s grandchildren have been included in the picture and they sure ham it up!

Couples Portraits

2011-11-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

While family portraits make for a great memory, it can be just as important to update husband & wife pictures. Taken in the comfort of their own home, we had fun taking traditional shots but also love capturing the more candid moments.

Time for Christmas card pictures!

2011-10-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Capitol campus is not only a great spot for landscape photography but it is also perfect for family portraits. One of our favorite families requested their annual Christmas picture and we decided to change it up a little bit by shooting at the Capitol campus. We waited for the fall colors to turn and then caught the kids having some fun in the leaves. We stuck around for some pictures at dusk which made for a unique and beautiful family portrait.

Fall colors in Olympia

2011-10-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places to take pictures is the Capitol campus in Olympia. In some areas fall seems to be in full swing but around the Legislative Building the colors are just beginning to emerge.

Family Photos

2011-10-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Whether you need pictures for Christmas cards or just want to refresh the family photos, we do it all. This lovely family hadn't taken a portrait in 5 years. We were excited that they considered Toujours Photography to help update their wall of family photos.

Merle Haggard guitar

2011-10-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

Toujours Photography received a rather exciting request for pictures. A friend of ours owns a guitar that we did not realize had a unique history. This guitar was ordered from the Fender Custom Shop by Merle Haggard. Haggard sold it at a pawn shop in the mid 90's and Scott picked it up for a song! We were honored to take some shots for him.

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, August 20th, in the heart of Olympia, we were honored to take part in a beautfiul wedding. Pre-ceremonial pictures were taken down at the Olympia waterfront, the Port Plaza Park. The ceremony & reception were at the Grand Holiday Ballroom. It was an intimate ceremony & reception and we felt priveleged to be part of Mr. and Mrs. Wright's special day.

Newborn Portrait

2011-08-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

There's something spcial about seeing a newborn baby who is not even one week old. Being able to capturing their features... the baby curl... the tiny fingers & toes... the precious moments where a family welcomes their little treasure... it's so beautfiul it's beyond words. What a beautiful little girl. Thank you, Rosalie Cushman, it was an honor to take your first portrait.

Sleepy baby girl.

Beautiful Family.

Sweet Dreams.

Our little treasure.

Portraits of All Kinds– Olympia, WA

2011-06-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

Back in late May Toujours Photography was asked to take some pictures for a young violinist. Elizabeth Shoemaker spent the last few months performing around the Puget Sound area, raising money so she could attend the Lilienfeld Summer Academy in Vienna, Austria. After the Academy she will then perform at surrounding churches in Europe. It was a unique experience, we have never been asked to take these kinds of portrait pictures before and we shot pictures both in a home as well as the Olympia waterfront. The results were exciting.

Father’s Day Surprise, Sibling Pictures- Olympia, WA

2011-06-24T11:33:00.001-07:00

Pictures can be a great surprise any time of the year and sibling pictures can be a neat present for Mom & Dad. In this case we had to take the pictures in February before Zoey left for Navy boot camp. We took the pictures without Mom & Dad knowing. Then Toujours Photography sent pictures to Mom in time for Mother’s Day and then sent some to Dad for Father’s Day. It was great timing, just as parents were thinking about their little girl and wondering where she would be heading in the world. As an added gift we took pictures of the kids with Dad’s Mom. Pictures speak to the heart!

Father’s Day pictures- Monroe, WA

2011-06-22T10:19:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the best Father’s Day present can be family pictures. This year we were able to take pictures of some granddaughters and those pictures were given to their grandparents as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day presents. We were also able to capture the grandpa while holding one of his granddaughters which made a for a sweet addition to the Father’s Day gift. Pictures are a great present for anyone!

Taking pictures of children is a joy. It can also be a challenge since they like to move (hence the moving subject in the background).

Babies have the greatest smiles.

Sometimes you wonder what they’re thinking…

The unsuspecting Grandpa…

Pure joy!

Summer Flowers- Puget Sound, WA

2011-06-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

We’re entering summer and it’s time to share our spring flower pictures. From parks to gardens there are so many beautiful species of plants around the Puget Sound. Our favorite place to take pictures is at a garden in Monroe, WA.

Lupine- Monroe, WA

It’s amazing how the sun brings out different colors in the same flower. Here is another Lupine flower but the sun makes it more red than pink. So beautiful!

Cosmos- Monroe, WA

Bachelor Button- Monroe, WA

Columbine- Monroe, WA

Daisies by the river- Monroe, WA

It’s that time of year, the bees are busy!

Wildflower- Monroe, WA

Newest Member of Toujours Photography

2010-10-05T19:20:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the world, Camille Elizabeth Wilson. Toujours Photography joyfully adds another member to our business.

Maternity Pictures- Olympia, WA

2010-09-02T20:49:00.001-07:00

With Camille’s approaching arrival we realized it was about time to take some Wilson maternity pictures. Lilly loves giving kisses to her soon-to-be sister, Camille. It was a beautiful moment to capture.

James Wedding- Orting, WA

2010-08-20T08:11:00.001-07:00

What a day in Washington for a wedding! It rained during the ceremony and the reception but the guests of the James’ wedding couldn’t have been happier. What a joyous occasion to be a part of. It was evident that those who attended the wedding were thrilled for the couple. We had the opportunity to capture beautiful, memorable moments as well as those times that reflected the couple’s personality (feeding one another the cake).

Ceremony location in the evening. Beautiful!

Dancing in the rain.

Feeding one another the cake. We Capture the Moment!

Mr. and Mrs. Michael James

Senior Pictures- Monroe, WA

2010-08-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

It’s that time again, time for senior pictures for the graduating class of 2011. We met William at Al Borlin Park in Monroe, WA, a great spot to get pictures by the water. It turned out to be a perfect afternoon, not too hot and the sun peeked out from time to time. We enjoyed taking traditional senior pictures as well as more rugged pictures that were characteristic of William.

Matthews Family Portrait- Tumwater Historical Park

2010-08-06T19:29:00.001-07:00

We had the privilege of taking portraits of the Matthews family at Tumwater Historical Park, Olympia. What an awesome family, the kids hammed it up towards the end which made for some fun candid shots.

Sequim Lavender Festival- July 16, 2010

2010-07-18T03:26:00.001-07:00

Last week Toujours Photography was at the Sequim Lavender Festival. It was a cloudy morning with afternoon sunshine and perfect for taking pictures. First we visited Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm. Live music and lavender burgers made for a great start to our afternoon.

Secondly, we visited Lost Mountain Lavender Farm.

Last but not least we visited Purple Haze Lavender Farm which is known for its lavender ice cream and lavender iced tea. The sun came out making it the perfect end to a perfect day.

Joey & Kristi Wisniewski Wedding- Bellevue, WA

2010-07-09T15:48:00.001-07:00

Wow, what an honor it was to be a part of the Wisniewski wedding a couple weeks ago. The bride & groom didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony so we took advantage of the bright and sunny weather and headed to Bellevue Park for some bridal portraits. Joey & his groomsmen took pictures at Bovee Park and later Joey & Kristi tied the knot at the First Free Methodist Church in Bellevue. Then the bride and groom danced the night away at the Marriott Hotel in Bellevue. I have never seen a bride and groom so loved and cherished as these two. Their genuine kindness was apparent and you could see that all those present were blessed by having Joey & Kristi in their lives.

Oregon road trip- Cannon Beach, Crater Lake & Portland

2010-06-13T13:38:00.001-07:00

Last week we took a drive down the coast to Seaside and Cannon Beach. On top of Ecola State Park is an incredible view of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Then we rounded out our trip by going to Crater Lake, Bend & Portland.

Two different views of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach.

Crater Lake had quite a bit of snow.

Fountain in downtown Portland near Waterfront Park.

Butchart Gardens- Victoria BC

2010-05-28T14:46:00.001-07:00

What a treat it is to go to the gardens every couple of years. You can tell from the pictures that it was raining, but we didn’t let that get in the way for long. 55 acres of flowers, shrubs and trees, it was too beautiful not to take pictures, even in the rain!

This spot, with the reflection in the water reminded me of Giverny, where Monet lived and painted his famous water lilies.

Family Portrait- Tumwater Falls Park, Olympia

2010-05-28T14:17:00.001-07:00

Last weekend made for typical Washington weather. We scheduled a family portrait with the Cushmans as well as Judah’s 1-year portrait pictures and although we weren’t sure if it was going to pour down rain or if the sun was going to come out the sun made an appearance a couple of times while we took pictures. Judah was cuter than words could describe. Although not yet walking he was active and eager to get out and about. It made for a fun afternoon.

Annual Family Portrait, Olympia, WA

2010-05-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

One evening while playing with our two-year old at Tumwater Park, we took advantage of the evening sunlight and decided to capture a family portrait. While taking pictures of a two-year-old can be a challenge, Lilly was cooperative and enjoyed watching territorial ducks play in the lake while we set up. Evening sunlight makes for great portrait pictures and here the sun was shaded by the trees so it really made the colors around us pop. What was a spur-of-the moment idea turned out to be a rather nice family portrait.

Lilly waiting for her picture to be taken.

And captured some precious in-between moments as well.

Maternity Pictures- Secrist Family

2010-05-08T13:53:00.001-07:00

I recently ran into an old friend and found out she was expecting a little girl soon. Although we typically take maternity pictures late in the second trimester (Angela is four weeks from her due date) Angela was feeling well and we went for it. Her son, Micah, loves to talk to the baby and we were able to capture some precious moments with him talking to his soon-to-be little sister.

One-year Portrait at Capitol Lake, Olympia

2010-05-01T17:05:00.001-07:00

I recently spend the afternoon with Ashley and Sloan down at Capitol Lake in Olympia to capture some one-year portraits. We weren’t sure if Washington weather would hinder our efforts but we were in luck and found a little break from the rain. I love how little Sloan walked casually along the path, looking down at the water and talked to the ducks as she passed by.

West Family Portrait

2010-04-29T13:28:00.001-07:00

There is something magical about capturing a family’s first portrait. The baby is young and curious and the parents are beaming with pride. We first met the West family last fall when we took maternity pictures for them. They had the most adorable little girl, Emery, who has been growing so fast that it soon came time for a family portrait. What a joy Emery is to everyone who meets her!

Easter Service, Mars Hill Church, Olympia Campus

2010-04-28T22:09:00.001-07:00

The evening service for Mars Hill Church, Olympia included moving testimonies and baptisms. It was a touching event where some fathers had the opportunity to baptized their children.

Good Friday Service, Mars Hill Church, Olympia Campus

2010-04-28T21:16:00.001-07:00

We had the honor of capturing the Good Friday service for Mars Hill Church, Olympia branch. It was a moving service, you could almost feel the emotion in the air as the congregation reflected on the death of Christ and the significance of His sacrifice.

Mt Rainier, April 3, 2010

2010-04-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

Took a scenic drive up to Mt Rainier and weren’t disappointed, there was plenty of snow. Always fun to take up the challenge of capturing snow with a unique perspective and Mt. Rainier offers some breathtaking views.

View from Paradise.

View from Longmire.

We were greeted by one of the locals.

Woodland Park Zoo, March 7, 2010

2010-04-28T20:23:00.001-07:00

Toujours Photography enjoyed a birthday celebration at Woodland Park Zoo. The animals were in fine form. The roaring tigers were probably the highlight (for the parents too).

The lion was enjoying a snack.

The birthday girl found the elephant extremely fascinating.

The bird sanctuary was a highlight.

The tigers were a bit grouchy as they waited for their lunch.

Our Blog

2010-04-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody out there in internet land! Welcome to the first of hopefully many blog entries by Toujours Photography. Our hope with this blog is to provide you with a little insight into who we are as photographers while providing a few handy tips and techniques that will be of service to you as you roam about the world with your camera.

Until later,
Matt