McIntosh Art Co. | In-Home Newborn Session in Snohomish County, Washington

A friend from long ago reached out for a client gift idea: a newborn session for a couple that was expecting their first child. I was thrilled at the opportunity because, as you probably know by now, I love all things pregnancy, birth, baby and families.

So, on day eleven of this sweet boy’s life, I traveled from Seattle to Snohomish County to capture his new beginnings with his family that includes horses, chickens, two dogs and a cat. I've always had a fascination with farm life and many days feel like we made a mistake raising our kids in the city so don’t think I didn’t consider staying to ride the horses. I fell in love with this baby and his very easy temperament. Here are a few photos from our session.

McIntosh Art Co. | Backyard Prom | Seattle, Washington | August 2020

For the Class of 2020, everything was cancelled. Prom, graduation, life. All of it. I can’t imagine having to have my Senior year in quarantine. So, this brilliant mama came up with the idea to throw a Backyard Prom with her son, his girlfriend, her identical twin sister an her boyfriend. The entire evening was so much fun and I love the way this family put in a lot of effort to make their kids have a memorable night, despite such a terrible last few months. The couples started with outdoor dining at a fancy Italian resturant and then traveled back to the house to celebrate with homemade desserts from their professional chef daughter to s’mores and sparkling cider by Snoop Dogg ( 😉 ), this night packed all the ingredients for awesomeness. The backyard was decorated with flowers and string lights. And their cat was a frequent visitor. I loved how these portraits turned out and the challenge the dark night presented for me. Enjoy!

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. | Coronavirus / Covid19 Washington State Stay Home Order | Downtown Seattle, Washington | April, 2020

I had to go to downtown yesterday to pick something up and decided to take a bit of time to walk around the empty streets of Seattle. The sights I saw were semi-expected but also so sad. The homeless seem to be particularly struggling and I don’t know what the answers are for them. I just know that other countries and cities have figured out how to solve the problem with shelter insecurity. I’m hopeful one day, Seattle will as well.

One encouraging piece is that many artists have been busy painting beautiful murals on the plywood that many businesses are using to protect their windows. Most businesses seem to have been closed for the last 50+ days with at least four more weeks to go, according to our Governor Inslee. I know most people aren't even leaving their neighborhood so hopefully this allows you to witness what the streets near Pioneer Square, Belltown and Pike Place Market look like during this Covid-19 shutdown, without leaving your couch.