McIntosh Art Co. | Rally for Black Lives March & Protest | Magnuson Park to University Village, Seattle, Washington | June 6, 2020

With the Solid Ground housing in the background, thousands gathered at Magnuson Park for Rally for Black Lives to peacefully protest and march to the University Village. The former home of Charleena Lyles at Magnuson Park where she was shot five times by officers in front of her children while 14-15 weeks pregnant, served as a reminder to those that protested in 2017. Charges against the two officers involved were dismissed.

The protests in response to George Floyd’s murder (captured on video), began on March 26, 2020 and have stretched two weeks. During this peaceful protest in Northwest Seattle, many in the crowd were following the violent protest and police response Capitol Hill near the East Precinct.

Once the group arrived to University Village, they sang “Happy Birthday” to Breonna Taylor and kneeled on one knee for eight minutes and forty six seconds, the same amount of time in which the officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota used the knee-on-neck tactic on George Floyd, only to render him unconscious or dead on the scene. In the last few seconds of the silent protest, the leaders were told that the National Guard had surrounded the entire property of University Village and that all participants were to exit the property immediately.

Zero National Guard nor police were seen upon my exit from the property.

McIntosh Art Co. | Black Lives Matter Protests | Capitol Hill (CHOP / CHAZ), Seattle, Washington | June 2, 2020

I attended the Black Lives Matter Protest on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington near Cal Anderson Park on June 2, 2020. This protest was the 4th day of protesting in Seattle, despite a strict, city-wide curfew of 5pm. The protests are a reaction to the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, in addition to hundreds of years of systematic racism and police brutality in the United States. These protestHere are some images I captured.

* Please be sure to tag me if you repost these images, as they are my property. *

McINTOSH ART CO. | BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST | Capitol Hill, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON | JUNE 2, 2020

Several medic stations were set up throughout Capitol Hill to treat emergency medical situations including tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs. In addition to supplies such as water, milk, and food, these people have volunteered their time for several days in a row to provide a restroom and any other needs protesters might have during the long days of speaking their minds.

Medic stations are set up all over Capitol Hill and this one is fully stocked with supplies to help protesters with any injuries or medical needs, including providing a restroom. They say to always look for the helpers and there were many on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020.

Bok Bok Fried Chicken feeds protesters with free fried chicken sandwiches and bubbly water for several days in a row.

McIntosh Art Co. | October Newborn In-home Session | Renton, Washington

I was contacted by this beautiful mama a few months ago in regards to her new arrival and committed immediately, as her family is lovely and comfortable in front of the camera. I’ve known this mama since she was little, as she is friends with a younger family member and I was fortunate enough to take photos of her first born two years ago. I coerced her into being the model family for a newborn shoot during a class with the incredible Elena S Blair and this mama and her family were incredible. Anyhow, I was flattered and thrilled to get the call about this new arrival.

As with all in-home newborn shoots, I try to schedule them for mid-morning at the client’s home. I am not concerned about any mess or chaos or state of affairs at the home. I am just going to find the room with the best light and move things around to make it work. My clients really don’t even need to lift a finger. Remember, I have had four babies myself and very little surprises me at this point. My goal is to make the clients feel comfortable, capture the love in the family and the tiny details of the new baby, sometime within the first 3 weeks of arrival. In this case, I stayed at the house just about three hours. Some shoots are shorter with newborns and some take longer. The infant is in charge so I am happy to wait for feedings or diaper changes or whatever baby or mama need to be comfortable. And, if the family is adventurous, I always like to capture these moments as well, as growth and these phases of life are fleeting.

I hope you enjoy looking at these gorgeous people and their perfect new baby. I had the best time ever capturing these precious family! I’ve posted a few shots, below, and will be sharing them on my Instagram and Facebook pages, as well, in the coming weeks. Follow along!