Find your people. Hold them so very close. Find the ones who will lift you up yet tell you straight up when you are making a mistake (even if it hurts to hear it.) Find the ones who make you laugh so hard your body hurts. Find the ones who will let you cry without judgement. Being an entrepreneur is lonely. I would be lost without my people. Absolutely lost. Like Charlotte says in Charlottes web “good friends are hard to find.” Tag your people here to let them know that we are absolutely all in this together! And apparently @brethurston and I loose our eyes when we smile big. Lol . . . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle #communityovercompetion
Family Posing Tip: Always capture the transitions. Any time we move to a new spot in a location I make sure to keep shooting. ⠀ ⠀ Photographers: @canonusa 5D Miii, 50mm 1.2L, all natural light. Edited by my friends @imgsalon shot for @creativelive ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
Building community in the industry of photography is a HUGE passion of mine. Bre and I just hosted our first alumni retreat (right after our first full retreat of the year) and to see how ladies from many different retreats were able to just instantly bond was nothing short of amazing. 💫So much inspiration and encouragement in this space. I’m on a plane home with a very, very, very grateful heart. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ @blair_thurston_retreats #communityovercompetition #blairthurston #photographer #photographereducation #photographerworkshop #bayareaphotographer #seattlephotographer #sonoma #napa #wine #girlstrip
A new week. Pick one goal, one thing to focus on and don't move on until you have achieved that goal. Stay motivated! You got this! Photographers: @canonusa 5D Miii, 100mm f2.8 Macro. Natural light. Edited by my friends @imgsalon . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle #macro
"You will be too much for some people. Those aren't your people." I can't remember where I saw this quote. But I love it. I have had the absolute pleasure of spending a lot of time this past month with a lot of highly talented and successful females. Some photographers, some pilots, some entrepreneurs who have started kick ass companies, some mothers but all of them had a particular high energy that I can't help but notice as a common trait. I adore being around it. I thrive in the presence of powerful women. But I often see women stifling their inner bad ass. Keeping it quiet. Afraid to unleash all that they are capable of. Here is the thing friend, you won't be able to make everyone happy. You will be too much for some. I know I am too much for some. I am a lot in my tiny frame. But I won't stifle my inner fire just to help someone else stay lit. And neither should you. You got this! 💥 . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
A word that I use when I describe my work is "romantic." How can you use that word when you are referring to family work? Well, I like to romanticize the crazy. I like to celebrate the romantic relationship of the parents because I know how hard it is to have children. And I want my work to have a romantic feel. What can I say, I am romantic at heart. So ask yourself... what is one word that you use to describe your work? If you can't think of one then think of a word that you would like to be used to describe your work. This will help you craete your vision. Photographers: @canonusa 5D Miii, 135mm 2.0L, natural light. Edited by my friends @theimagesalon #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
I am becoming. I am shedding layers of me that I thought were permanent. I am learning what it means to be whole. I am learning what it means to be free. Never stop exploring different versions of you. Turns out, the best may be yet to come. . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #thesincerestoryteller#mynameismama #clickmagazine #dearestviewfinder #illuminatechildhood #ourcandidlife #dearphotographer #treasuringlittlememories #kidsforreal #momazine #writeyouonmyheart #mom_hub #clickinmoms #childofig #dailyparenting #mothering #bringbackthevillage #fridayintroductions #insta180 #creativelive #shootproofme
When a child is in a silly mood during your shoot and it seems like you are never gong to get her in a photo with a family member, play! Ask mom to pick her up and spin her! Spinning is a beautiful way to capture connection and a lovely way to get the little ones involved. Try it out and tag me with the results! Photographers: @canonusa 5D Miii, 50mm 1.2L, edited by my friends over @theimagesalon . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
OBSESSED with how Dad is looking at Mom here. That look that says "we are on the same team." That says "thank you for giving me these babies, this life!" It is everything. Photographers: @canonusa 5D miii, 50mm 1.2L, shot at sunset all natural light. . . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
My job as your photographer is to show you that your children are perfectly wonderful just as they are. My job is for your session to feel fun, relaxed, and meaningful. 9/10 times my families tell me after their season “wow, that was easy." Mission accomplished! If you are struggling with your sessions feeling laid back and fun, grab my free mini course, How To Create A Relaxed Family Session. Link in bio! Happy to answer questions in the comments as well. Photographers: Canon 5D Miii, 50mm 1.2L, natural light. @canonusa . . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
Nearly five years ago this soul came into my life. ✨She was doing a summer in Seattle with her family and she and I had only “met" online. She did my family photos and we decided we should meet up for coffee. The rest is history. 💫⠀ ⠀ In the past five years our friendship has grown to a place that I literally can't put into words. I recently went through a tricky time in life and she was the first and only one who knew about it for a while. That is a big burden to bare but she did it, gladly. I get emotional just thinking about it.❤️I just know I can rely on her to support me without judgement and only love. Not many in life can do that. ⠀ ⠀ Now, we are on year three of our business, @blair_thurston_retreats, and I am hopping on a plane to head to Napa Valley so we can host our first of three sold out retreats this year. 🙌🏼Our retreats are so enriching for both us and our attendees. I can't wait to see what this next few days brings. Be sure to watch my insta stories to see our retreat happenings. It is surely to be fun! 👀⠀ ⠀ Find your tribe. This industry can be very lonely but I promise you, your people are out there and they will change you life. 💃🏻⠀ ⠀ Love you, Wifey! See you in a few hours!! 😘 ⠀ Photo by the crazy talented, and other member of our tribe, @chloeramirezphoto ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle #bayareaphotographer #weddingphotography #blairandthurston #blairthurston
I took this photo years ago, I still love it. Do you ever do this, revisit old hard drives? I highly recommend it. It is so wonderful for me to see my growth but to also see that I was always there all along. Our work is so personal, friends. Photographers: Canon 5D Miii, 35mm 1.4L, natural window light. Edited with a custom action in @adobe Photoshop @canonusa . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle
So much beauty in the anticipation..... Photographers: @canonusa 5D Miii, 35mm 1.4L, natural light at sunset. . . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #teamcanon #canonlenses #canon #beyou #showup #bare #exposed #vulnerable #creativelive #fastcompany #seattle #expecting
They grow inside you. Turning and hiccuping and all you can do is imagine what it might feel like to hold that little human in your arms. You wonder what they will smell like, what they will feel like, how you will find the strength to love them enough, give them enough, protect them enough. And then just like that you realize that not only did they fit perfectly inside your body but they fit perfectly in your arms, right against you heart that literally beat for them for 40 weeks. It is real life magic I tell you. Photographers: Canon 5D Miii, 35mm 1.4L, natural window light. Edited by hand with a custom B&W action in @adobe Photoshop @canonusa . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #newborn #newbornphotography
Motherhood is my favorite thing to capture. It is so complicated but so beautiful. . . . . . . #elenasblairphotography #seattlefamilyphotographer #seattlenewbornphotographer #seattlematernityphotographer #letthekids #clickpro #thefamilynarriative #familyposing #familyphotographer #dearphotographer #magicofchildhood #dailyparenting #cameramama #momtogs #lightinspired #the_sugar_jar