The heat and humidity in Dubai were impressive, like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Midnight and it was 95 degrees and 90% humidity. Midnight. Let that sink in. Yes, Dubai is definitely a city where your live from air conditioned car to air conditioned office building to air conditioned apartment. Growing up in Central Washington and having spent some time in the dry heat of Albuquerque, NM I thought I knew how to handle the heat but this was a completely different animal. It didn’t even compare to the summer I spent in Georgia where I watched person after person fall prey to heat stroke.

At one point we found ourselves out on the beach looking at that crazy ‘6 star’, sail shaped hotel the Burj al Arab where a suite for the night will run you a minimum of $1,000. Mind you, it’s a 1,820 sq. ft. suite… That’s bigger than my first house!

A bit more driving in the cool but cramped minivan through a tunnel and down a long road and we appeared before this grand hotel and beach resort on ‘The Palm’ island that you may have seen on tv. The resort is a replica of the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. Complete with the bridge suite joining the two halves of the resort. We ventured inside for a look and found a beautiful Chihuly art glass display in the lobby and a massive aquarium down one hallway complete with a whale shark. It just goes to show how small this world has become. Dale Chihuly is a Washington native and created the Pilchuck Glass School . I had the pleasure of shooting his glass school’s auction event for Seattle Metropolitan Magazine last year.

Whale sharks are awesome, by the way.

Somewhere between the Burj al Arab and The Palm Atlantis we stopped at this other cool resort with a very old world Arab feel to it. I would love to stay in one of those little ‘villas’ for a few nights.

Dubai is now home to the worlds tallest building, the Burj Dubai. I only know this because while on the freeway our cab driver pointed right and I caught this horrible image of it while buzzing down the freeway. At 818 meters tall it dwarfs Taipei 101 at 509m.

By the time we whizzed by the Burj Dubai over half of the cab was asleep. Exhaustion had kicked in. The early morning plane ride was looming only a few hours away and we all needed sleep. Back at the hotel we staggered up to our rooms and cooled off in our chilled ice box rooms.

All in all, I wish I had more time in Dubai with good light and a full night’s sleep to take in all the new architecture and really get a feeling for the culture. As it was, the thick hazy air at midnight didn’t leave me with the best impression of this super modern city. Next time.

Project Red Dress was a huge success this past Friday night at the always fashionable Fairmont Olympic Hotel! Ten design students from area fashion schools competed to create the best red dress in a VERY limited amount of time. Monir Zandghoreishi created the Project Red Dress fashion contest in Seattle to team up with the American Heart Association’s cause to create awareness for heart disease.

Stylists from Gene Juarez were on site to do the amazing hair and makeup for the models from Seattle Models Guild. Courtney from Half Past Lavish produced a beautiful show with the help of her team. I also saw some of my friends there from Seattle Metropolitan magazine volunteering their time to make the show a success. The floral designs were created by Daniela of Bella Signature Design. Brook and Monti from Movin 92.5’s the Ladies Room Emceed the festivities and among the talented judges was Seattle Metropolitan’s Laura Cassidy, designer Nick Verreos of Project Runway and Nikolaki Design and Seattle dressmaker Victoria Glenn of V Custom Design.

My friends Barbie Hull, Danielle Bortone-Holt and Mike Adams were there photographing the event as well.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the runway followed by some of the behind the scenes moments. Click on the images to make them larger.

Update: Check out Laura Cassidy’s blog post — Black and White and Red All Over — featuring images from Barbie and I.

Seattle Metropolitan Magazine / Arts & Entertainment / Charity Events / Glassy Affair

As well as the Great Figgy Pudding event held in downtown Seattle last month:

Seattle Metropolitan Magazine / Arts & Entertainment / Charity Events / Great Figgy Pudding

There’s a lot more, just go hunting around their new archives. Fun!

Project Red Dress

I am excited to be working with FGI International and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine again this year for the second annual Project Red Dress event coming up this February 13th at the exquisite Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.

Last year I photographed the runway show and captured all of the unique dress creations. This year I’m venturing further behind the scenes to tell the story back stage as well. I can’t wait!

Here’s a few of my images from last year’s event to whet your curiosity. I hope to see you at this year’s show!

Anna modeled a dress picked by Liz Navarro – the Gown Diva from the selection at La Belle Reve in Bellevue. Makeup by Erin Skipley of Bellatrix Studio

Last night I shot the first annual Get Hitched Give Hope event at the recently remodeled Arctic Club Hotel in downtown Seattle. If you weren’t able to attend, check out the slide show above to see what you missed!

The dome room at the hotel is great! It made for an awesome space for their event. My good friend Jason Parker was there with his quartet busting out some sweet jazz to liven up the room and so many of my friends and colleagues were either donating their time volunteering at the event or displaying their craft as vendors. The incredible Steven Moore provided the massive floral center pieces and Kate McElwee setup a photo booth complete with props near the bar. (Check out her blog for some sweet snaps.) Movin 92.5’s Brooke and Monti from The Ladies Room were there to MC.

On first count I hear they earned $24,000 for breast cancer last night! Way to go ladies!

The founders:
Michelle Loretta – Mmm Paper
Eliza Truitt – Eliza Truitt Photography
Barbie Hull – Barbie Hull Photography
Michelle Engvall – Married & More With Michelle
Kelly Simants – Sweet Pea Events
Laurel McConnell – Laurel McConnell Photography

I’m certain you’ll be able to read more about GHGH on their blogs in the next day or two.

Urban Unveiled had their annual bash on October 16th! I joined several other notable Seattle Wedding photographers at Benaroya Hall in Seattle for the event and mingled with all my friends in the industry. It was great to see everyone!

Luly Yang presented a fashion show for the guests. Check out the slide show above of her dress designs.

Announcing Seattle’s Premier Bridal Giving Event

You’ll get gorgeous goods for your wedding while giving back. Lovely libations and amazing appetizers. With raffles, auctions and jellybeans. Lots of jelly beans.

My friends over at Get Hitched Give Hope are holding their premier event on October 23rd at the Arctic Club Hotel in Seattle. You should go check it out! Your attendance is helping to fight breast cancer too!

They’re going to have all sorts of cool stuff to auction off, great swag bags and awesome food!

I’m a sponsor and I’ll be there photographing the event for them. If you see me, come say hello.

Go get your tickets and we’ll see you there!