Katelyn Jane

“And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!”

-m. sendak

Meaghan and Myles are a couple I photographed several years ago during their first pregnancy with their son, Rhett. I remembered them being playful and utterly, unapologetically themselves. When Meaghan asked me to do family photos for their now family of 4, I wondered what, if anything, would be different about their dynamic with two children now in their home.

What I found was not a diminishing or neglect of the love I witnessed several years ago, but an ecstatic, warm expansion of it expressed in each face, reflective of a deep love they had made even more their own.

I entered their home, and heavy metal music was blaring. It made me smile.

Rhett and Elliot were charmingly dressed in outfits inspired by the illustrations from Maurice Sendak’s classic childhood work, Where the Wild Things Are.

They were perfect.

As I photographed, laughed, and chased children with them, I felt my own joy kindled by the wildness of the love each of them embodied.

May you witness, as I did, the many sparks of love and tenderness and playfulness that comprise the bonfire of this family’s exuberant existence.

~KjD

“But the wild things cried,

“Oh please don't go-

We'll eat you up-

We love you so!”  -m. sendak

Lauren and Dave are a profoundly playful and deeply thoughtful couple with hearts of gold. During our session, I was struck by the quiet, tender mutuality of their love--a love grounded firmly in friendship and a steadfast commitment to their faith. It was a privilege to document these final few days before the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Selah Faith! 

The bond that this sweet baby and her mama share is truly special. During our session, Ava rested securely in her mother's love. Below is an excerpt from one of my favorite children's books by Robert Munsch; it hangs over Ava's crib like a blessing:

"A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held her, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."

Ava, may you be blessed and held by a Love that is bigger than you could ever hope or imagine.

~KJG

Karen is a woman of confidence and grace—a woman who knows who she is and stands firm in her identity. I was blessed to have the opportunity to take some headshots for her writing endeavors, so we ventured through Seattle one rainy afternoon. Our time together was sweet, creative, and adventurous!

Karen, may you continue to walk in your identity as a leader, encourager, inspirer, and daughter of the King. Much love to you!

~KjG

It has been so sweet see this family grow and change over the years. To work with a family and witness the birth and growth of children, family reunions, and the quiet intimacy of their day-to-day lives is an honor.

One thing that has not changed with time is their deep, affectionate, playful love for one another.

Fava Family, thank you for letting me take part in the joy you share.

"Let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls."

-Kahlil Gibran

Shelby and Nick, I loved spending time with you and photographing the beauty of your relationship on that windy morning by the sea. May your life together bring you more adventure than you ever thought possible.

-KjG

D & T are a couple who have truly found each other. As a military couple, they take no day for granted and celebrate each day together. While we trekked through snow and trespassed a little bit around empty winter cabins, I couldn't help but think about how sweet, how precious, how good it is to find the one person in the world whose hand fits yours in a way that leaves you ruined for all other loves. 

D &T , may you never stop celebrating the fact that you have found one another. Happy Anniversary!

-KjG

"We stood
Steady as the stars in the woods
So happy-hearted
And the warmth rang true inside these bones
As the old pine fell we sang
Just to bless the morning."

-b. howard, "old pine"

I fall more in love with this family each time I'm with them. Tim and Taylor have entered the realm of parenthood with unity, patience, and grace. Baby Emerson is a joy, a treasure, a delight. Watching her parents delight over her and in her fills me with joy. Taylor and Tim, may you receive this blessing as you continue your journey as parents:

As a Child Enters the World

As I enter my new family,
May they be delighted
At how their kindness
Comes into blossom.

Unknown to me and them,
May I be exactly the one
To restore in their forlorn places
New vitality and promise.

May the hearts of others
Hear again the music
In the lost echoes
Of their neglected wonder.

If my destiny is sheltered,
May the grace of this privilege
Reach and bless the other infants
Who are destined for torn places.

If my destiny is bleak,
May I find in myself
A secret stillness
And tranquility
Beneath the turmoil.

May my eyes never lose sight
Of why I have come here,
That I never be claimed
By the falsity of fear
Or eat the bread of bitterness.

In everything I do, think,
Feel, and say,
May I allow the light
Of the world I am leaving
To shine through and carry me home.

~John O'Donohue

This beautiful family has become dear to my heart. It has been an honor to follow them through the pregnancy and birth of their youngest daughter, Madeline, and to experience them again through this session a year later.

The Fava family reminds me that togetherness is messy, playful, joyful, frustrating, and deeply tender. As a photographer, the most meaningful moments to me are the moments between poses—the moments that cannot be scripted but only lived. . .felt.

When I capture such moments, my heart thrills. As you view these photos, may you remember to cherish the moments between.

~kJg

Tye and Donovan reached out to me for a photo session before Donovan left for Alaska with the Coast Guard. From Guam, they told me the story of how they met, fell in love, and followed their dream of moving to the U.S. so Donovan could join the Coast Guard. 

This couple embodies playfulness, passion, and steadfastness--to each other and to their dreams. It was an honor to work with this couple who is choosing to sacrifice time together and the security of a risk-free job for the purpose of serving and protecting our country.

Tye and Donovan, I wish you all of the goodness that life has to offer. May your reunion be sweet, indeed!

~KJG

Lauren and Jordan are simply fantastic people. The joy, romance, mutual respect, and playfulness they share was a gift to capture on this cloudy Seattle morning. Lauren and Jordan, I cannot wait to see you welcome baby Madeline into the world! 

She is blessed, indeed.

KJG

Crystal and Jake are a couple whose presence invites authenticity. Their at-home-ness with themselves and each other created space for a photo shoot which wasn't perfect, but very very true. When it started raining about ten minutes into our session, they sort of shrugged and said, "These will look more real anyways."

And they do.

Crystal and Jake, thank you for the gift of your time. I am so honored to have captured this sweet season before the arrival of baby Maddox!

KJG

These two are so much fun. Kaitlyn & Todd exude playfulness, delight, and an ease with one another that only comes from time. . .time spent growing, understanding, laughing, fighting for one another.

Their love makes love look easy, but they have also overcome significant obstacles and have made sacrifices to be together. Todd serves in the U.S. Army, which has shaped the timing of their relationship, engagement, and wedding.

Kaitlyn & Todd, may your days, months, years be an adventure, and may your marriage and friendship be blessed.

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, your love.

~KjG

Christine and her beautiful family were such a pleasure to work with. Their playful tenderness, creativity, and enjoyment of each other was evident from the start. 

Following them through trees and dunes towards the setting sun, I found myself marveling at the goodness of family, of commitment, of mutual embrace. 

Little one, may you come to grow and thrive in the love that awaits you.

-KJG

Betty and Chad are a couple who are up for adventure. They played in the rain, ran down muddy trails and through forested paths together; it was a joy to watch them love and play and delight in one another's company. 

Betty and Chad, may your life together continue to hold beauty and grace. 

~KjG

Ashley and Kaden wanted some photos to celebrate their relationship after one year of marriage. It made me happy to witness and capture their happiness!

A & K, I wish you a lifetime of love, joy, and friendship.

KJG

Taylor and Dan have an easy, organic way of being together which embodies mutual respect, strength, and tenderness. They are naming their daughter Athena, goddess of wisdom and war.

Taylor and Dan, I have every confidence that your daughter will grow to be a woman of courage, valor, and wisdom...just like you.

KJG

Amy and Austin are two dear people who make the world brighter and better together. We trekked through snowy woods to take some pictures that celebrate their once-in-a-lifetime love. 

Amy and Austin, may you be blessed and live boldly and beautifully for all of your days!

This song by Dustin Kensrue--"Of Crows and Crowns"--is for you.

-KJG

You are a sight for aching eyes
A river for my thirst
When all the world is harsh and dry
Wasted by the curse
All words seem beggarly and poor
Then set to sing your grace
What could I've know of love before
My eyes had seen your face

My love, how beautiful you are
My love is ever where you are

I know you feel the wounds of time
The wondering feet of crows
But I am yours and you are mine
And none but me could know
How all of you enraptures me
Till I can't look away
I pray that I will live to see
You wear a crown of gray

My love, how beautiful you are
My love is ever where you are

And when you kiss me I am lost
Or is it that I'm found
My feet send roots beneath the rocks
To fix me to the ground
Never to float away again
A captive to the tide
No more to wander in the wind
Without you by my side

My love, how beautiful you are
My love is ever where you are

Taylor and Tim have that certain sort of love that is spacious enough to welcome others in. They're the kind of couple who couldn't 'third wheel' someone if they tried. I believe this speaks to the strength and intimacy of their marriage, evidenced in their strong commitment to God and each other. And this faithful, big-hearted love has created a new little life, a life to be celebrated. The tender joy which accompanies the anticipation of this deeply longed for baby girl is written all over their faces; so, with these photos, may you feel invited into their happiness. 

Meaghan and Myles are magical. Their love is pure and effortless. They make each other laugh. They made me laugh. From behind my lens, I felt I was witnessing that rare brand of wonderful, that once-in-a-lifetime love. 

Meaghan and Myles, may your love spill forth and multiply upon the arrival of baby Rhett! Thank you for letting me into your world for a day. What you have is something special.

The love these two high school sweethearts share is delightful and restful, bold and tender. It was a gift to watch them play together throughout our shoot with the kind of intimate familiarity only time can bring.

A John Denver lullaby comes to mind as I think of them and the warmth with which they will soon welcome their first child:

No One Like You

I like your eyes.
I like your nose.
I like your mouth.
Your ears, your hands, your toes.

I like your face.
It's really you.
I like the things you say and do.
There's not a single soul
Who sees the skies
The way you see them.
Through your eyes.

And aren't you glad
You should be glad
There's no one, no one
Exactly like you.

Amanda and Jacob, your little boy is so lucky to have exactly you for his parents. ~KJG

What a delight it was to meet baby Maddox!

As I post these pictures, I am thinking about the goodness of anticipation and fulfillment. Both are necessary to make joy complete. Crystal and Jake, thank you for the honor of choosing me to document both the awaiting and the rejoicing of Maddox's arrival! 

I drove to beautiful Port Orchard one summer evening to photograph the recent arrival of baby Ruth. Eight days before, Cori and her husband Michael--a military couple--had moved from Death Valley, CA. Amidst the moving boxes, the newness of place, and a new little face added to the family, they chose to stop and celebrate by marking the importance of these changes through photographs. I love that celebrating their baby's arrival came before unpacking, before settling in, before comfort and familiarity. It was an honor to join in the beauty, friendly chaos, and hopefulness which marks this season of their lives. Many thanks to this wonderful family! 

Taking both maternity and newborn photos with this lovely couple was truly awe-inspiring. Watching a couple transition from pregnancy to parenthood is rather incredible, and I remain grateful for the opportunity. Amanda and Jacob, thank you for welcoming me into your world and the newness you are experiencing as a family of three.

-KjG

I spent a rainy morning with this beautiful family, capturing their sweet joy as they welcomed 9 day old Wyatt into the world. It was truly such a gift to be in their home, sharing in the quiet wonder that accompanies the miracle of new life.

Naomi hired me to take family photos featuring her adorable four month old, Kennedy. We had a lovely morning wandering around a wooded lake, taking photos while Kennedy posed for the camera like a natural. I so enjoyed my time with this sweet family!

Tristan & Aaron graciously welcomed me into their home to bear witness to this new little life, Nessa. Amidst blankets, diapers, and hair bows, Nessa shone like a tiny light. It was a sweet honor and joy to photograph this family! 

With gratitude,

KJG

Lyndee & Marybella are some of the fiercest, funniest, loveliest ladies I know. Their mother-daughter connection is truly something to behold, and their bond brings joy to many--including me. 

L & M, thank you for your strength, love, and kindness. You make my heart smile!

Paige is a woman of boldness, courage, and an insistent, wise beauty which persists even through the darkest of circumstances.

An avid lover of nature and pursuer of peace, Paige is following her call to become a therapist. As one who has experienced the advocacy and support of Paige firsthand, I can truly say that any client who receives her services will leave her office with head held a bit higher, burdens lifted, and buoyant expectation for goodness to come.

Paige, may you continue to follow your call to the wild and beautiful places of the human heart. May your steps, words, and actions be blessed. 

-KJG

Victoria hired me to take some "just because" photos to commemorate her recent move from Boston to Seattle. A native of Russia, Victoria came to America several years ago to begin her education and pursue a career, leaving family and home behind. As I got to know her, I learned that she had (oh-so-bravely) begun to make a new life for herself here among people she has adopted as her own. "They are my family," she explained.  I asked if she wanted to stay in America or go back to Russia, and without hesitation she said:

"I want to pursue higher education and do what it takes to have a good career so I can afford to stay. When my children ask me how I came to be here, I don't want to tell them, 'Because I married your father.' I want to do it on my own."

Victoria, people like you give me hope for our country. You are strong, tender, courageous, and brilliant. I'm so glad you came.

May these photos reflect the strength of a woman who is blazing her own trail.

Joy is a dancer, a writer, a dreamer, a fighter. It was marvelous to witness both her strength and her grace emerge as I took her portraits. 

Joy, you are something fierce.

<3 KJG