Dipnetting - Alaska Life
I’ll admit it – I don’t know why I love dipnetting. It’s one of those activities that’s just pure, unadulterated joy, and I can’t explain it in any other way. Maybe it's the simple thrill of it all, or perhaps it’s the way the community of people gathers along the beach, all of us working together with one common goal: to catch fish.
You're missing out if you've never been to a Kenai beach on a sunny day during the dipnetting season. Picture this: the water is glistening under the sun, the air is filled with the salty scent of the ocean, and everyone around is happily hauling in fish, laughing and shouting as they pull in one after another. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s a whole lot of fun.
Of course, it’s not all pristine beaches and perfectly caught fish. The sand gets everywhere, no matter how careful you are, and if you’re standing in the water, fish guts tend to fly. It’s part of the process – part of the experience. Pooping seagulls are a constant, and there’s the occasional fish you didn’t quite land the way you wanted, but it’s all part of the charm. When you get a solid catch, and your net is full, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of success.
But let's be real — it's not always sunny, and dipnetting definitely has its tough days. On those freezing, overcast, rainy days, it can feel like the fun has been sucked right out of the experience. You’re cold, wet, and watching the rain beat down on the water. The fish are nowhere to be found, and you start questioning your life choices. But as soon as that sun breaks through and the fish start biting, all of that fades away. There’s a unique satisfaction in knowing that, no matter what, you’re part of something bigger. It's the heart of Alaskan living – gritty, raw, and yet, so rewarding.
For me, there’s no better way to spend a summer day than on the Kenai beach, dipnet in hand, a bright sun above, and the excitement of the catch filling the air. It’s more than just fishing. It’s about community, tradition, and the simple joy of getting out there and being part of the world around you.
As an Alaskan gal, I’ll take a sunny day on the beach with a dipnet in hand over anything else. It's not about what I catch – it’s about the experience, the people, and the moment. And on a day like that? There’s no place I’d rather be.
Dipnetting on the Kenai
We took a family trip down to Kenai, and let me tell you, it was an adventure! We went dipnetting, and it was so much fun—imagine standing knee-deep in the chilly water, trying to catch those big fish with nothing but a giant net. The kids had a blast. There is nothing better than pulling a salmon in! The catch was great, but wow, by the end of it, we were all wiped out. Our muscles were sore, and our feet were freezing, but the memories (and the fish!) were totally worth it. What a day!
Quick Tips to Help You Survive Your Senior Year
You’ll never experience anything quite like senior year. It’s one of your life's busiest and best times, but it can also be overwhelming. If senioritis is hitting you hard, here are a few things you can do to boost your mood and make your school days more enjoyable.
1. Make as Many Memories as Possible.
The last thing you want is to get to the end of your senior year, only to realize you don’t have any fun memories. You are busy, but this doesn’t mean you can’t make memories with the most important people. Participate in as many senior events as you can, including senior nights and prom. You can also arrange a senior photo session with your friends. These professional photos can accompany you to college and are a keepsake you can look back on, again and again, years from now. It can help you feel better when you are homesick.
2. Don’t Stay Couped Up Alone at Home.
Senior year can be a whirlwind of emotions. Many people want to stop putting effort into their relationships and friendships because everyone is moving away anyway. To survive your senior year, it’s so important to maintain your friendships and forge new ones. Just because you or your friends are moving away doesn’t mean you will lose touch. Plus, having the support of friends during a tough year can make all the difference to your overall experience.
3. Be Thankful for the Experience.
Gratitude has a powerful effect on your mind. Even when things get complicated, it’s important to be thankful for how far you have come and for all that lies ahead. You are about to close an important chapter and embark on a new adventure. If you are feeling particularly stressed and low on any given day, simply jot down 3 things you are thankful for and watch how quickly it lifts your mood.
Senioritis is a reality, but you will get through it. You will never get this year back again, so do everything you can to make the most of it.
How to Make Your Senior Photoshoot More Personal
Your senior photoshoot is not only a celebration of a significant achievement but also a reflection of your personality. Selecting a distinctive location and an outfit that you adore forms just a part of the experience. The personal touches you add to your senior session are what will genuinely make it your own.
For example, you could take a photo in your sports uniform to highlight your sports career but adding other smaller details is what will make your photos more personal. This could be anything from having trophies and equipment in the background to surrounding yourself with jerseys from different years.
Didn’t play any sports in school? There are many other ways to personalize your senior photo sessions. Here are some other examples:
- Showcase your musical instrument.
- Add in props that speak to your personal hobbies. This could be an art canvas, camera, or craft supplies.
- Include your pets in some of your shots because they helped you get through your schooling career.
- If fashion is your thing, put together a unique outfit that celebrates your quirky style.
- Pose next to your dirt motorcycle or off-road bicycle.
- Do you love to read, bring your favorite book for a few photos.
- If you love to camp, we could do a whole stylized shoot. The ideas are endless.
Personalizing your senior photos is key, even though there are no set rules for it. These photos should be a reflection of you, capturing the essence of your personality and the things that excite you.
Props come in all shapes and sizes, and no prop is too big or too small.
If you aren’t entirely sure how you want to personalize your senior photos, take a look around your room and keep track of how you spend your time over the next week or two. You will easily find some inspiration this way. You can even speak to friends and family about how they see you for extra ideas.
Top Tips for Taking Senior Photos with Your Pets…Yes, Please Include Your Pet!
Your furry family members are an essential part of your life, so it only makes sense that you’d want to include them in some of your senior photos.
To make this a fun experience without sacrificing the quality of your photos, here are a few tips to read through before your session.
-Consider your pet's usual behavior before selecting a photographer and location. Are they comfortable around strangers? Do they dislike being held? Is traveling with them by car a hassle-free experience? Understanding your pet's temperament and habits will assist in planning a successful photo session.
- Bring someone along with you. Since your pet might not be in all your photos with you, bring someone along who can manage your pet in between shots. I also suggest having that someone take your pet after about 30 minutes. The pet wont want to be stuck in the car the whole time while we get the rest of your portraits taken.
- Have a carrier or leash with you. Depending on where your shoot will take place, it is important to bring a carrier or leash with you. This will prevent your pet from running away and putting themselves in harm’s way during all the excitement.
- Bring some treats. If your dog or pet responds to treats as a reward for good behavior, bring them along to your session.
- Think twice about the location. The location you pick should fit in with your pet. If you know that your dog would go crazy in a setting where there’s a lot to do and see, you may want to have your shoot at home or in a quieter park instead.
- Just as you would prepare for your senior photos, ensure your pet looks their best as well. Arrange a grooming session for your pet either the day before or on the day of your photo shoot.
- Choose the right outfit. Find an outfit that matches your pet. For starters, your outfit should be easy to move in and not show hair or dirt easily. You should also find a way to match your outfit to your pet’s collar or bow – whatever you choose to dress them in. It’s best not to opt for wacky pet outfits as this could the focus off you.
Relax into it. You never quite know what might happen during a photo session with a pet, so it’s best to have fun and go with the flow. Not every photo with your pet needs to be perfect, and honestly, they won't be. It can be very challenging to photograph a pet, but it is 100% worth it and worth trying.
When you think of photo sessions with a pet, you may be thinking of cats or dogs, but remember that you can include any type of pet you want. My daughter has a rabbit, and every so often we do portraits of her with her rabbit. If you have some chickens…I would love to photograph you with them!
The Basics of Planning a Graduation Party You Will Remember Forever
Nobody knew the lasting effects coronavirus would have on our lives and many seniors have had to put their celebrations and plans on the backburner.
You deserve recognition and to celebrate this important milestone. So, until you can have the graduation party of your dreams, you can start planning out the specifics.
Here are the elements you need to focus on.
The Guest List
Deciding who you want to invite will help you determine whether you need a venue, entertainment, and a caterer. Do you just want it to be family or friends and family? How many people do you plan to invite? Will it be a grand party or something more intimate?
Set a Budget
Sit down with your parents and work out a budget for the party. Start by listing what is most important to you and allocating budget towards that first. Whatever is left over can be used to pay for small extras.
Search for Venues
Many seniors choose to have their parties right at home. If you would prefer to hire a venue, start searching for something in your area that fits in with your theme and your budget. Once you have a shortlist, find out about venue hire fees and whether you have to purchase food and drinks directly from them. Being able to supply your own food and drinks always works out much cheaper. There are some great venues in the Palmer, Alaska area.
Decide on the Food
Easy-to-prepare and eat foods are often the go-to for graduation parties, though a formal sit-down meal is also an option if preferred. For home parties, it's convenient to choose dishes that can be made ahead of time. Alternatively, hiring a caterer or opting for restaurant catering services can simplify the process.
Plan Your Décor & Entertainment
Planning the look and feel of your party is thrilling. Decide on a theme, then gather inspiration on a Pinterest board. There's a wealth of creative ideas you can explore to make your graduation party truly your own.
Remember, this is your graduation party, so you don’t need to do what everyone else does. Celebrate in style, your way!
Using Power Poses to Get Awesome Senior Pictures
Confidence and a touch of attitude can take your senior pictures to the next level. The more comfortable you are in your skin, the more memorable your photos will be, and it all starts with your body language.
Research on body language shows that your posture and body language effect your brain. This means the more confident your stance is, the more powerful you will feel in your senior photos. With that said, the shoot style needs to match the attitude. The style also needs to be powerful.
Enter the power pose.
A power pose is any pose that exudes confidence. Examples include:
- Standing with your hands behind your head
- Posing with your hands on your hips (think Wonder Woman)
- Leaning back in your chair with your hands behind your head
- Standing tall in a wide stance with your arms crossed
- Raising your hands in a V shape and your chin lifted (think victory)
Practicing Your Power Poses
If you have never used a power pose before, practice at home in a mirror prior to your shoot. You may feel a bit awkward at first, but you will eventually feel more at ease. Plus, practicing beforehand will leave you feeling even more confident in front of the camera, which is precisely what you want.
It is important to let me as your photographer know of the specific poses you wish to incorporate into your session. By doing so, I can tailor my approach to meet your vision and also offer further creative suggestions.
The great thing is, these poses can be integrated into your daily life even after your senior session. You never know when you might need to take headshots for a job or an interview in the future.
When Is The Best Time To Book My Senior Portrait Session?
When Is the Best Time to Book My Senior Photo Session?
There is no one answer to when you should book your senior photo session—several variables must be considered.
Availability and Season
To ensure you find a time that works for you, start by looking at your availability. You never realize just how little time you have until you try and work a photoshoot into a busy senior year. Before you know it, it’s a month before you graduate, and you don’t have a date for your session yet.
For example, many extra circular activities occur in the fall, leaving little time for a senior photo session. If you are more involved in sports such as softball, spring is a difficult season to plan around.
The main goal is not to be stressed before or on the day of your senior session – it will show in your photos. On the day of your shoot, you want to be relaxed and enjoy every second.
You also need to consider the seasons in Alaska. If you have your heart set on being photographed with the wildflowers in Alaska, think about the different wildflowers are blooming at different times. Lilacs, daisies, and Lupine bloom in June. Fireweed and peonies bloom in July. Clover blooms in July and August. If you love fall colors, be sure to get on my schedule asap, as fall sessions are super popular.
The Theme
You most likely already know the types of photos you want to take to commemorate your senior year. Outfits play an important role in the overall style of your shoot. If you want to wear a beautiful boho outfit for your senior session, shooting in winter isn’t quite going to work. If you love warm chunky sweaters, then fall would be a great time to shoot. Get a clear idea of your preferred style before choosing a date for your photo session.
The Location
Your location will also fit in with the theme of your shoot. However, not all locations and settings look good at certain times of the year. Want an urban shoot? This works at almost any time of the year. Would you prefer to take photos at a local park? Spring and fall create the best backdrops.
There is no right or wrong time to schedule your shoot; you just need to plan for it. When you have an idea of the season you want to shoot in, start selecting a few dates and contact me – you won’t be sorry.
A Guide to Senior Portraits for Parents in Alaska.
Senior portraits aren't just a tradition anymore; they've evolved significantly in the past twenty years, embracing more creativity and personal expression than ever.
Nowadays, seniors can choose from a variety of styles. It's an ideal chance for them to highlight their individuality, interests, and spirit, all while capturing memories that will stand the test of time.
Yet, the sheer number of choices can make selecting the perfect portrait session daunting for seniors and their parents.
Here are a few quick tips to help you prepare for your child’s upcoming senior session.
1. Make a Note of the Yearbook Deadline
Knowing the yearbook deadline is a great motivator for booking a senior photo session early rather than delaying it. My sessions offer a diverse portfolio of images. I take pride in capturing the stunning Alaskan scenery alongside your graduating senior, crafting photos tailored to your child. Typically, the turnaround time for the final images is at least two weeks, so it's wise to schedule with that in mind. Also, please keep the weather in mind! It might be fun to get a couple of photos in the snow, but my hands can’t take the cold anymore. So most of my senior sessions happen in the spring, summer, and fall.
2. Keep Your Senior’s Schedule in Mind
As a parent of a senior, you already know how frantic their schedules can be. Before you go ahead and schedule a session, sit down with your senior to discuss a good time. They should be just as involved in the planning as you are—even the time of day matters when scheduling a senior session. Ideally, you want to take photos just after sunrise and before sunset, as this is when the lighting’s the best. However, the right photographer can make any time of the day work. Midday should be a last resort, though, as the lighting is far too harsh.
3. Compromise with Your Child
You may have a specific idea about the photos you want to see, but this is about your child and what makes them feel confident and comfortable. Most senior sessions allow for several outfit changes, so use this as an opportunity to find a happy balance between what you want and what your senior wants. Be patient and hear them out before you brush off their ideas. Their portraits should represent who they are and what they love.
4. Encourage Sharing
Before a senior session, get your child to open up about their ideas for the session. This information will help guide the shoot and ensure the most authentic photos. Knowing what your senior wants these photos to represent will also guide their outfit and location choices.
Don’t forget to include your senior in the search for a photographer – a photographer’s style needs to fit in with the images you hope to create.
