Keep Calm and Chive-O-Ween On!

Two weekends ago I photographed a fundraising event, Chive-o-ween, for Oly Chivers and I had a blast!!! This wild crowd took over O'Blarney's Irish Pub in Olympia to "Party with a Purpose" and together with a few other Washington Chive Chapters raised over $7000 for Operation Supply Drop AND collected costumes for a local Boys and Girls Club! For those of you who aren't familiar with theCHIVE I recommend checking them out! Contact Oly Chivers if you want to get involved or see how you can help.

Also take a minute to check out The Chive's link, FIVE of our photos made it including the cover photo <3

Chive on!

XOXO,

Sarah

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Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Jade + Kenton's Romantic Downtown Tacoma Session | Tacoma Engagement Photographer

From the way they pop from the background to the passion in their embrace, I love everything about this fun and adorable couple and their rainy downtown Tacoma session!

MUA: MoxieGlam Makeup Artistry (Check her out, she is awesome!)

Design Assistance and Creative Goddess: Anne Snider of Skye Phoenix Photography

Couple: Jade Snider and Kenton Kiwoong Pak

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Abigail's Pioneer Park Senior Portraits | Olympia Senior Photographer

On a beautiful, sunny September afternoon I met Abigail, her mom Jen and her little sister Sidney at Pioneer Park in Tumwater, Washington. Abigail is fun, creative, goal-orientated and sweet as pie! I had a blast chatting with her and her family. Abigail plans to join the military when she graduates and then continue her education. She is making things happen!

Abigail and her sister, Sidney, are the best of friends. Their light-hearted banter kept me laughing and smiling. I can only hope that my kids have a similar relationship and have a friendship on top of being siblings! So cool!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Maddie's Percival Landing + Horse Farm Senior Portraits | Olympia Senior Photographer

Maddie was the recipient of a Senior Portrait session that I gifted on my local Buy Nothing site, and I am so glad she was! Maddie is one in a million, as sweet as she is smart and as smart as she is funny. Even from our short time together I could tell what a well-rounded, creative and inspiring individual she is. So excited to see this girl take on the world next year!!

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XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Tipsoo Lake Mt. Rainier Stylized Senior Shoot | Olympia Senior Photographer

On August 21st (My Anniversary, don't judge!) I joined a group of local photographers for a stylized senior session at Lake Tipsoo and it was as fun as it was beautiful! Lake Tipsoo is a beautiful little lake located about 90 miles from Olympia in the Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington. Between the lake and the view of Mt. Rainier it is well worth the drive, plus the wildflowers add stunning little pops of color. Special thanks to Tammy from Tammy Dalquist Photography for coordinating and bringing her team of gorgeous model seniors!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Jaime's Boho Session

Jaime! I just love this girl! Not only is she gorgeous but she is smart, funny, caring and just an all around amazing human. Jaime is super fun to photograph and I can't wait to work with her again! Keep being fabulous, girl!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Avalyn Gets her food on!

So...this happened tonight!!!!

My four month old baby girl ate her first solid food, carrots. Although she was slightly unsure of what to think she was as happy as a clam! Stop growing up so fast, sweet babe...

Parents, snuggle your kids as much as you can - they grow up way too fast!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Char + Nate's Rustic Country N' Lace Wedding | Olympia Wedding Photographer

The Venue

The venuuuuue! I could gush all day about Country N Lace, what a gorgeous place to get married. Located just outside of Olympia, Washington in the small town of Toledo, Country N Lace is a 50+ acres privately owned property that is THE place for a wedding in the area. With multiple barns, fields of horses, a beautiful wooded area, a long dreamy driveway and an amazing old stable that has been expertly transformed into a dream location, it is truly a unique and versatile venue. Throughout the day I had the pleasure of working with Michelle, owner/designer/multi-talented/wedding coordinator and enforcer (haha) of Country N Lace. Michelle is a firecracker and I enjoyed her personality immensely! One great thing about choosing Country N Lace, is along with a venue you also get MICHELLE!! She not only acts as a wedding coordinator to ensure your event goes smoothly but also her and her husband Luke decorate for you! You choose the basic color and themes and they set it up! Michelle has a simple, elegant and country chic style that I was thoroughly impressed with. She nailed every detail!

The Details/Behind the Scenes

In early afternoon, Char and her bridesmaids sat in the quaint little loft of Country N Lace. They sipped icy beverages and smiled and joked as they prepared for the big day. Nicole and Stephanie from Glam to Go did a lovely job on their hair and makeup and were both so sweet and fun. Although the normal wedding jitters were present, the atmosphere of the room was light and fun and these girls all made for an amazing time.

CHAR AND NATE'S BIG DAY

The whole day was just beautiful! I am so grateful that I was able to join Char, Nate, Addi and their friends and family on their big day!

Thanks to Memories By Monica Jo Photography for second shooting!

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

T.C.C. Global Discovery Program Farewell Celebration

On August 11th, 2016 I drove from Olympia to Tacoma Community College to photograph a Farewell Celebration for the students from the University of Kitakyushu (UKK in Kitakyushu-City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.) Tacoma and Kitakyushu are sister cities and every six months approximately 25 students come to study at TCC for 2 quarters. The students attend classes at TCC and live with local host families so that they get a truly immersed and authentic experience. Making new friends, improving English speaking skills and to be happy were some of the goals these students arrived with. Now, in these final days I captured friendly encounters, comfortable conversations in English and so many smiles. The positive impact of their time here in Washington was very real and very apparent. Side by side with the members of their host families, fellow students, student mentors and TCC Global program staff these students celebrated their experience and prepared themselves for their futures after returning home. I saw many tears but more importantly I saw love and laughter, in their six months here the students formed so many special bonds, and thanks to social media, they will never be broken.

This experience was very familiar for me and seeing the students emotions and interactions with their host families brought back a flood of memories. In summer of 1999, at age 16, I myself embarked on a journey of a lifetime and traveled to the city of Catamarca, Argentina. As an exchange student, I spent one year living in another culture, speaking a different language and interacting with people from all over the world. Memories from this year are, to this day, some of my most coveted. I learned so much from my experience and I see study abroad as such a powerful tool for learning tolerance, acceptance and independence.

Just for fun....

I dream that, someday, my children will become 3rd generation (yes, I said third!) exchange students. Maybe even to Kitakyushu...

This was the 16th cohort and 2016-2017 will be the 9th year for this fantastic and oh-so vital program. I look forward to capturing more events for the TCC Global Program.

For more information and to follow along on the student's adventures check out TCC Global Discovery Program's Facebook -------> https://www.facebook.com/tacomaccinternational/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Danielle + Jeff's Columbus Park Wedding | Olympia Wedding Photographer

On August 20th, 2016 I photographed the Miltier/Downing Wedding. Danielle and Jeff united not only their lives but their families on this beautiful, sunny summer day! The venue was a fun little summer destination in Olympia, Washington (Thurston County) called Columbus Park that boasts RV hookups, Volleyball pits, a large swimming area and a cute little on location convenience store. A great location for such a fun and low key wedding. As the day unfolded I observed and captured fun and nerves, laughter and tears, and hugs and happiness beyond words! If I had to pick just one thing about the day that was my favorite it would be the love that I witnessed!! Two families becoming one, the look in Jeff's eyes when he looked at his bride, the love Jeff and Danielle have for their children... what a truly special and memorable day!

Cheers to Danielle and Jeff, I look forward to witnessing your bond grow over the years to come. Enjoy each other and all that you share, forever and always.

Below are some of my favorite moments from the day.

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P.S - Thank you to Monica Bongcac of Memories by Monica Jo Photography for second shooting this wedding! It was fun having you along.

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm Stylized Senior Shoot | Olympia Senior Photographer

The 'what'

Hello there, first time blogger alert!

I recently had the pleasure of working with Tammy Dahlquist of Tammy Dahlquist Photography, her gorgeous team of model seniors and a handful of extremely talented photographers to create a stunning photo shoot at Evergreen Lavender Farm in Olympia, WA. As a Pacififc Northwest Senior Photographer, this was a dream event!

The 'where'

Evergreen Lavender Farm is located at 9733 Evergreen Valley RD SE in Olympia. It is a small farm but what it lacks in size is more that made up for in it's beauty, charm and a surreal fairy tale like environment. There is a neat little gift shop on the premises that boasts some amazing lavender products including but not limited to jewelry, culinary lavender, essential oils, jam (try the the blueberry lavender, it's a bit of heaven on your tongue,) art and lavender beauty products. Fresh and dried lavender bundles are also available for purchase. The owners, Thane and Peggy, are super nice and very knowledgeable about lavender. It's amazing to see the spark in their eye when they talk about their farm and their products and it warms my heart to watch such nice people living their dream.

This little local farm is very worth a visit and much closer than the big farms in Sequim, so stop in and say hi and tell them I sent you!

The 'good stuff'

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Such a lovely evening and the portraits turned out amazing! I had a blast and look forward to this being the first (ok second, last year I took my kids there) annual adventure at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm! I Can't wait for next year. Would you like your own beautiful lavender field portraits?? Contact me to schedule your one of a kind, tailored just for you, senior portrait (or amazing engagement or maternity) session.

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful