WaterWeb Photography

A+AJ Engagement! | Houston Wedding Photographers

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:40:00 -0800

I was excited when A contacted me for some engagement photos while she was up north visiting her family along with her fiance AJ. I have know A for a while as she used to be a schoolmate of my youngest sister. Meeting AJ was a treat. He suits A to perfection. Both of them are fun, outgoing, and laugh a lot, at least during this session. They were up for anything. Even treks through knee deep snow, causing nose bleeds, and climbing over fences. It was a blast!

Thanks A+AJ for this session! I had so much fun with you both. We wish you the Lord’s blessing as you plan your wedding and look to the future as husband and wife! Enjoy!

Chilkoot Trail 2011 Day 6 | Day 4 on Trail | Happy Camp to Lindeman Camp

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:46:16 -0800

Last night was not the best sleep that I have ever had. Actually it was quite miserable. It was cold, and wet. The tent and my sleeping bag got wet from the blowing rain. Not fun.
We packed up camp and ate oatmeal for breakfast.
We headed out onto a rocky trail along the river. Ankle breaking trail actually. Tough to walk on. Not long after we left, we met a man heading in the opposite direction carrying 90lbs of food to Happy Camp to prepare for a group that was coming through in the next couple days. 90lbs! Tough guy!
Lots of spectacular views along the way.
We came to Deep Lake, a great looking campsite, beautiful colored water and the start of the scary Canadian bridges. We also saw lots of artifacts near Deep Lake; old sleds and old boat frames.
Not long after Deep Lake we met up with 2 wardens. One was the warden the checked us in, in Skagway.
We then came up to The Gorge where the lake channels into a deep ravine/river. We hiked right along the top of the ravine. It was quite high up and in some places we hiked right along the edge of the ravine. Thankfully the trail was not as ‘ankle breaking’ as before. We stopped for a few pictures of the heights in The Gorge and then made our way to Lindeman Camp.
There is an upper and lower camp there and we stayed at the upper campground. It was a campground right along Lindeman Lake. We lit a fire in the warm up cabin to dry off all my stuff from the night before. We set up camp. One of the rangers came and visited with us for awhile. We enjoyed a ‘Cup of Soup’ and a granola bar for lunch. It was then that Klaas realized that he had left his stove back in Happy Camp after using it for breakfast. So we used another hiker’s stove.
We then walked to the lower campground to check out the displays at the ranger station. We also hiked up one of the mountains there via a stairway trail to see the old graves that were up there.
When we got back, we walked along the sandy beach of Lindeman Lake (sandy up to the corner of the lake and then it turned very rocky) just to look around and take pictures and take in the sights. I also got Klaas to filter the water during this walk. It was his turn. (about time actually! :) ) To make up for it, Klaas kicked my butt in a game of 10,000 before supper. Stupid dice.
One of the hikers that we met up with daily had an extra stove with her. She lent it to us for the remainder of the hike.
Hawaiian Chicken was on the menu for supper tonight. Not the best dinner I’ve had, but it was tasty none the less. We spent the rest of the evening chatting and visiting with the other hikers that had arrived there that day. A few of the regulars and quite a few new faces as well. After that we were off to bed. It looked like it would be a better night then the night before. G’night!

Start of the day, along the rocky path. Oh look!!! I’m in the lead!!! :)

Pit stop for our chocolate break.

Some of the sites hiking above Long Lake along the trail. It was often surprising that we didn’t hike along the lakes, but rather up and above them.

The start of Deep Lake.

A great Canadian bridge. A ‘one at a time’ bridge, as in one hiker and one hiker only was allowed on the bridge at a time. And hikers were not allowed to use these bridges during winter.

Hi Klaas!!!

Remnats of a sled.

Deep Lake.

The start of the gorge.

Top right hand of the this picture is where two rivers meet to form waterfalls.

Klaas standing by the waterfalls.

An idea of how far down the gorge was. My foot was just off the path.

First sight of Lindeman Lake.

Shoot, I’m not in the lead anymore.

The graves up on the hill.

Cabin at the upper camp.

Camp.

Klaas’ turn to filter the water.

Self portrait.

Mt. Harvey.

Notice the sandy beach? Our camp off to the right of this photo. The beach that goes out into the water at the far right side of the lake is the corner where the beach turned to rock.

Supper!!

The J Family Sneak Peek | Houston Family Photographers

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:01:47 -0800

H contacted me about getting some fall family portraits done. We ended up getting fall portraits, in the snow! :) One of the first real snow falls this year and we still braved the cold, wind and wet snow. Their daughter C, was a trooper as well. She can make some of the funnest faces I’ve ever seen! And the ‘gross kissing’ by Mom and Dad, well, she really did think that that was gross! :)
B and H, here is your sneak peek. I look forward to our next session. No snow this time! :)

K and Boys | Houston Family Photographers

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:56:23 -0800

K and I have been emailing back and forth to set up this photo session. The day started out rainy, then out came the sun, then some more rain and just when we needed it, more sun! Perfect!
K had 2 rambunctious boys. They were making faces, jumping, running, giggling, more jumping, climbing the entire time! What a blast!!
Thanks K for the fun! I now know that 2 boys is crazy busy and that you have to drag them kicking and screaming anywhere they don’t want to go. LOL
Enjoy the sneak peek!

D Family | Houston Family Photographers

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:26:00 -0700

K has been trying to arrange a day for family photos for a while now. Last Wednesday was finally a day that worked out! What a great family this is. Farmer boys being raised here. I was avoiding all kinds of ‘plops’, not used to getting my feet dirty while they all just took it in stride as in “hey, that’s life”. And for them it is! They live on a beautiful piece of property with all kinds of animals roaming around. And they’re all just part of the family. One big happy place, one big happy family, lots of little ‘plops’ for a not so country girl like me to avoid! :)
The little boys, B and M, were constantly running, jumping, playing, following Dad around, helping Mom with the animals, all the fun stuff little boys should do on a farm. High energy and oh, so cute!
Thanks K and J, B, M for showing me around your place and getting a glimpse of your day-to-day lives. What a fun place you have there! I had a blast, ‘plops’ and all. Here’s some of my favorites! Enjoy.
PS K, I edited the boy’s photo like you asked. I LOVE it. :)

G Family | Houston Family Photographers

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:11:13 -0700

D emailed me a while back saying that she had wanted to get some family photos done with her Mom, husband and thier dogs. I warned D that I was not really a dog person, as in I don’t own any dogs and can’t see my self owning one either. But these two beauties won me over! Beautiful! I can see why D and K call them their children. They are true members of the family and act that way too! They even have a wonderful Grandmeow…. E, D’s mother. What D did not tell me in the emails that we exchanged was how much fun they were. They had great stories to share, kind words and were wonderful to work with. Even stories of an unexpected outhouse need that could have turned out into an outhouse tipping!!!!
D, K, and E, thank you for traveling to Houston to have your session with us! I had so much fun with you and your family! Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

Chilkoot Trail 2011 Day 5 | Day 3 on Trail | Sheep Camp to Happy Camp

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:04:00 -0700

Today we started out early as planned to make it to the summit. It was a cloudy day, but no rain. It started to get cold and windy at the scales. This was going to be the longest day on the hike.
After a (long while) of climbing we made it to what is called the Golden Stairs. Basically, it is a steep wall of boulders that we had to scramble over in order to get to the summit of the trail. It was called the Golden Stairs because during the winter when the trail was used, the prospectors and gold seekers would cut stairs into the snow. The stairway to gold….
Along this climb there are also two false summits. Just when you think you are at the top (not just once, but twice) you still have a ways to go. And by the time I hit the ‘first’ summit, Klaas was probably sitting in the cabin at the summit waiting for me. :) A brown black bear that we had met at the scales decided that it would be a good idea to climb the Golden Stairs alongside us. It was not at all interested in us, rather it put us to shame the way it scaled the Stairs.
At the summit there is a monument dedicated to the prospectors and gold seekers that passed through there. It was also a marker of the border between the US and Canada. We started out in the US this morning and ended up on Canadian soil by the end of the day.
I was known as the guy with the orange pack. I don’t think you could lose me in a crowd with my pack cover :)
By the time I made it to the summit, Klaas (and many others that started behind me) were well rested, fed and warm. After a short break (for me) we continued on our way . We still had another 4miles to go before we made it to Happy Camp, our camp for the night.
Just after the cabin on the summit there was a snow field that we had to climb down. I made it about halfway down on my feet. The rest I slid on my …. well, not my feet. :) Klaas just happened to have his camera ready. (see below ) Just for the record, Klaas also wiped out, but I didn’t get a picture. Just ‘cause I’m nice like that.
After we made it down the ice field, Klaas kind of ditched me ( I’m sure he ran). I took my time making my way to Happy Camp. I needed the down time to regroup. Just before camp I saw a pile of elephant sh*t. One of the guys at camp mentioned that he had seen a grizzly bear not far from camp. Kinda creeped me out.
Made it safely to camp, a bit cold, but happy (haha) to be there.
A yummy supper of lasagna (it was awesome!), a bs session in the cabin while staying warm, and a hot chocolate before bed made for the rest of the evening. Onward tomorrow! G’night.

Unknown grave along the trail.

Part of the trail, weaving in and out of the boulders, made for hard climbing.
A wagon wheel hidden in the shrubs.

The view looking up (when I dared to see how much farther I had to go…)

The view looking down. We had already hiked quite a ways by this point.

Looking down as well.You can see a bit of a glacier poking out beneath the clouds.

Looking up at Klaas. Seems like that’s all I did today! :)

Looking up (yes, up. Look at the way the stream is flowing.) We still had to climb all the way up into the clouds….

(pic by Klaas) A much needed break.

See, me and my nice ORANGE pack. Should have worn gaiters.

(pic by Klaas) Just about bift’er in this creek.

Hi Klaas!

The tram tower (or what is left of it.)

Still looking up!!

We’re at the scales. This is where the gold seekers would reweighed everything. Every ounce would make a difference if you hired someone to help you take your goods over, or used the tram.

Just about to climb the Golden Stairs. The stairs are to the right of Klaas’ (the idiot wearing shorts :P ) head, straight through the pass on the right part of the picture. It was stinkin’ cold here!

The Stairs are located in the middle of the picture, veering left. The pass is slightly visible through the clouds.

Straight ahead…

Klaas, and the markers that we were to follow up the Golden Stairs. (follow the red stakes)

(pic by Klaas) Me climbing the Stairs.

Looking down, I’m about halfway up the first part of the Stairs.

Our friend, the brown black bear, that joined us on the Stairs.

Top of one of the false summits.

(pic by Klaas) Looking up at the Golden Stairs.

(pic by Klaas) The bear.

(pic by Klaas) Woo! Made it. (slightly before the top, but close enough)

Looking down at where we had climbed.

The border.

The summit, where the tram ended.

The cabin, and a ‘loo with a view’.

Black bear print (the one that climbed up with us)

Pretty much, the view from the loo!

(Pic by Klaas) Made’r.

Crater Lake

(pic by Klaas) Going down the ice field. Erm, not on my feet…..

(pic by Klaas) Where I stopped. Just before the lake.

Views along the trail on the way to Happy Camp.

Happy Camp.

Our resting grounds for the night.

Chilkoot Trail 2011 Day 4 | Day 2 on Trail Canyon City to Sheep Camp

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:03:00 -0700

The day started out with a yummy breakfast of yummy oatmeal again!! ( I still think Klaas’ oatmeal was better…)
There was lots of uphill today, and we crossed over another suspension bridge. We stopped at Pleasant camp for a break as well as a piece of chocolate that Klaas packed for us. (one piece a day) There was a sign (sorry no pic) at the old Sheep Camp that said the ‘new’ Sheep Camp was only 3/4 mile away. That was the longest 3/4 mile I’ve ever hiked in my life! At Sheep Camp there were two warming shelters and the tenting sites were on wooden platforms. These platforms are nice to set the tents up on (other then then actual setting up of the tents, that part is hard) because you’re off the ground, on a level surface and there are no rocks poking you at night while you attempt to get some sleep.
Had dinner (Pad Thai ) and lit a fire in the cabin. While I’m the unofficial wood splitter, Klaas beats me hands down at starting fire. So I chopped the wood while Klaas rescued my attempts and made a rip roaring fire. Toasty warm.
After dinner we enjoyed (*cough) a talk from Ranger Brian and a old Klondike era song. We got to participate in a long, boring, drawn out game of Jeopardy, hosted again by Ranger Brian. The ‘highlight’ to our evening! (*cough cough)
Camp got really busy while we were sitting around and enjoying our hot chocolate. Lots of hikers left from Dyea and came straight to Sheep Camp. We crawled into bed with hopes of a good sleep as we need to get up early the next day to hike to the summit. G’night!

Along the trail. This doesn’t even begin to show how staight up and down this was! Steep!A mushroom that did not go unnoticed by any of the hikers.

The suspension bridge that we crossed today. A loonnggg way up! (or a long way to fall…)

Wow!

Another side creek that looked nice. :)

The mountain side right above Sheep Camp.

The two warming shelters and food lockers to keep the bears away. Our ‘hotels’ for the night.

Ranger Brian’s ‘steller’ entertainment….Just loving it!!! :)

Chilkoot Trail 2011 Day 3 | Day 1 on Trail Dyea to Canyon City

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:26:22 -0700

The morning brought a pleasant visit with our neighbour. The one we camped beside. Actually, we camped with him apparently. He gave us sh*t for parking our tents over the border of our campsite, taking up some of his campsite space. His wife just about biffed it walking past my tent, or so he said. Even with all the space that there was, she nearly fell. Not sure who peed in his cornflakes that morning!!
Typical oatmeal for breakfast (Klaas’ was way better then mine….) and we headed out, driving the 7miles to Dyea, the trail head.
We were warned at the beginning that it was straight up the first 3/4mile. If we couldn’t get past this point, it would be a good idea to turn around there.
Part of the trail was across a beaver dam area. We were told that the boardwalk that we had to use was a bit tippy, so be careful. Not sure when that guy last did the trail. The boardwalk was in perfect shape. Except for one….
We walked past Finnegan’s Point, a camp on the trail, with not very much to see.
We crossed some bridges, (which are much nicer on the US side then on the Canadian side) hiked through a boulder field, had a nice break at a beautiful waterfall and made it to Canyon City. 12.5 km in all. We set up camp.
We were the first ones at camp so we had the pick of the place. We refueled with a granola bar and a cup of chicken supreme cup of noodles. Klaas went for a nap. And there were NO bugs!
We took a hike to the Canyon City ruins, crossing a suspension bridge to get there. From Canyon City they had a tram to carry the gold seeker’s supplies over the pass. They used a boiler to power this tram, and it is still there today, one of the most photographed pieces on the trail. So I had to get my picture of it as well!
Headed back to camp for supper. Pad See You with Chicken was on the menu for tonight with hot chocolate for dessert. Definitely must buy that one again. Went to bed looking forward to the ‘short’ 7.8km tomorrow to Sheep Camp. G’night.

My ‘before’ picture at the start of the trail.

Off we go!

Coming down after the first 3/4mile stretch. We didn’t turn back!

Beaver Dam Boardwalk.

Filling up on water at the first break.

Ruins along the trail.

Through the bolder field.

Canyon City Camp.

Our pick of the place.

The suspension bridge to the Canyon City Ruins.

An old cookstove.

Oh look!! The boiler!

Hi Klaas!

G’night!

M Family Session | Houston Family Photographers

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:28:44 -0700

B met me in the grocery store one afternoon and was wondering about a family session. Their family had never had formal portraits done and she felt that it was about time to do it! We chatted a few times at the bus stop and set the date for today. A quick phone call this morning made me even more excited to do this session. H and J (their daughter) had been doing some location scouting and stumbled on the most awesome-est place for the photos. Old buildings, an old sawmill, old farm equipment littered the area and made for great back drops. I fell in love with this place and promised I would be back again! There was just so much to see. Thanks B&H! I had a blast today. You guys were all great. Here is the sneak peek. Enjoy.
(Remember, as with all our other posts, if this post receives 10 comment the M family gets a free 11x14 print of their choice!)