Thanks Again Tacoma! :: Best of 2011

Wanted to extend a big THANK YOU TACOMA & The Tacoma Weekly for voting me best photographer for the second year in a row. It's a true honor!

storybooks by Ada Rosman

custom storybooks are the most popular way my clients choose to showcase their wedding experience and now they're even better! Thanks to the endlessly talented metal smith, Ada Rosman, these pieces have even more character and make the story of your love that much more special.



visit adarosman.com for more information on this amazing local artist.

Shall we? :: Let's make it Facebook Official

for the latest photo stories from c.pelland photography become friends with principal photographer, Christy Pelland. it's simple, it's fun and you probably won't regret it. heheee!



Come now, let's make it Facebook official!

Betty Jean's Words of Wisdom // Special Discount

To celebrate my 28th year of birth, I'm giving the gift to you! Book your 2012 Sweet Betty Jean Experience during the month of October and receive $280 off the package of your choice.

2012 is your year! Sweet Betty Jean is here to help you delight in the unique beauty that is you. Make your pinup experience a gift to yourself simply because you deserve it. Book your experience now because if not, you'll be one year older when you do! (not that that's a bad thing, but it works for a marketing spiel, aye?)

Contact Christy at christypelland@mac.com for more information and booking.

Rules & Restrictions:
Discount may be applied to other referral and special credits acquired from Sweet Betty Jean. Must be used for specific dates during April 2012 - July 2012. Deposit of $200 must be received by October 31, 2011 in order to qualify for Words of Wisdom Special Discount. Please inquire at sweetbettyjean.com for more information on packages and requirements for booking.

Stand Out Prom // Ladies Takeover Oktoberfest!

Grab your ladies, break out your lederhosen & celebrate the coming of fall Bavarian style! Join us for an exclusive ladies only pre-funk party for Puyallup’s Oktoberfest! All proceeds go to Stand Out Prom Scholarship Program.

$40 price includes // Admission to Puyallup’s Oktoberfest • Prizes • Harvest Fare • Photobooth • Music & More • Come dressed & ready to take over Oktoberfest!

6:30p-9:00pm at Salon Ish • 107 West Stewart, Puyallup

purchase your tickets at www.standoutprom.com

RSVP and check out the latest on prizes and costuming ideas on Stand Out Prom's facebook.

Signature Stand Out Event Designed by TLB Events, hosted by Salon Ish & Stand Out Prom Directors

Sweet Betty Jean's Ultimate Giveaway

Always wanted to do a Sweet Betty Jean but just don't have the cash?
Now's your chance to score the deal of a lifetime & champion cancer research here in Washington!



Winner receives the best Sweet Betty Jean & her vendors have to offer:

~ Sweet Betty Jean - Miss Betty Package
~ Including 15 perfectly polished pinups & a lil' black book
~ Signature hair & makeup styling by Che'mel Salon
~ Lash Extensions by Salon Ish
~ Shopping spree at Orange Clothing Boutique
- Shopping spree at Vanity Fashion Boutique
~ Retro inspired jewelry by Ada Rosman
~ Over the top hairpiece from Lillie Miller
~ Custom pinup bottoms by Gay Springer
~ Six weeks of training with Taiso Fitness

All together more than a $3000 Value!

All you have to do is donate to the American Cancer Society!
For every $25 donation, your name is entered into the drawing for the ultimate Sweet Betty Jean session. So on and so forth.
Donate $100 and you get 5 entries!

100% of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

AUGUST 13th - THE WINNER IS ADRIENNE EMMEL!

ENTER YOUR $100 DONATION TODAY AND GET OUR LIMITED EDITION DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' TSHIRT! Available for donations made only from August 5 thru August 12!

Drawing Rules
1. Entry. It is the responsibility of the drawing participant to enter her name in the drawing. Participation is voluntary. Should you wish to enter the drawing, simply click on the donate button above and contribute the amount you would like. Winner must be female. Only those who complete designated forms and donate total amount are eligible for the drawing.
3. Prizes. Winner will receive one (1) Sweet Betty Jean package. Specific prizes are as follows:
~Sweet Betty Jean – Miss Betty Jean Package
~ Signature hair & makeup styling by Che'mel Salon
~ Lash Extensions by Salon Ish
~ certificate to Orange Clothing Boutique
~ Retro inspired jewelry by Ada Rosman
~ hairpiece from Lillie Miller
~ Custom pinup bottoms by Gay Springer
~ Six weeks of training with Taiso Fitness
4. Odds of winning. Odds of winning depend upon the number of completed donations received.
5. Availability. The drawing is open to eligible participants on Wednesday July 13, 2011 and will close at 10pm on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Winner will be chosen at random during the Hick Party event on August 13 – hickparty.org. Winner need not be present to win. Winning pinup shoot will occur after December 2011.
6. Eligibility. The contest is open to any woman. Winners must be at least 18 years of age. Winnings can not be combined with any other offers.
7. Promotion. Participation in the contest constitutes acceptance of these contest rules and permission for use of winners’ names and images for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity utilizing the media of the Hick Party, American Cancer Society and Sweet Betty Jean.
8. Limits of Liability. Neither Sweet Betty Jean, the Hick Party nor the American Cancer Society bear any responsibility whatsoever for injuries, losses, or damages of any kind that result from acceptance, possession, or use of any prize. Sweet Betty Jean reserve the right to cancel, terminate, or suspend the drawing at any time if the members deem necessary or the integrity of the drawing is compromised in any way and in such event, to select the winner from among all valid entries received, up to such time of cancellation, termination or suspension.
9. Winner Responsibilities. Winners are solely responsible for contacting Sweet Betty Jean for all pre session planning.
10. Release. By entering, participants release and hold harmless the American Cancer Society, The Hick Party and Sweet Betty Jean and their directors, officers, employees, and agents, from any and all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or incurred with respect to the awarding, acceptance, receipt, possession, and/or use or misuse of any prize and acknowledge that the Sponsors nor Administrators are not liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition or fitness for a particular purpose.
11. Rights. Participant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys' fees, other than Participant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with entering this Contest), and Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of Participants and Sponsor in connection with this Drawing, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Washington, USA without regard to Washington’s choice of law rules.

Contest Sponsor: Sweet Betty Jean p.o. box 443 graham, wa 98338

Sweet Betty Jean :: website launch!

Sweet Betty Jean officially launches Valentines Day! check it out! sweetbettyjean.com

Sweet Betty Jean :: Peep Show

Our new venture, Sweet Betty Jean, and the official website will launch Valentines Day, February 14th. In honor of that launch, we're hosting a Sweet Betty Jean Peep Show on Saturday, February 12th at Che'mel Salon on Tacoma's 6th Ave from 6pm - 9pm.



The Peep Show will give you sneak peeks at never before seen Sweet Betty Jean pinups and showcase all the elements that make Sweet Betty Jeans so delightful. You’ll meet the Che’mel artists that create the signature hair & makeup styling, unique vintage clothing and accessories by Vanity Fashion Boutique, sexy shoes and lingerie by Vixens, learn about custom tailored looks by Gay Springer and one-of-a-kind hair pieces by Lillie Miller. We'll also have a bevy of Sweet Betty Jean images on display, novelty items and the Sweet Betty Jean books.

Tammi Barber of TLB Events is designing the space which will feature a sweet treats chocolate bar, wine & champagne bar and of course, her signature TLB Events look with all that swanky décor we just love!

There will be swag bags for each guest including discounts and other sweet goodies for all! Not to mention some pretty sweet prize drawings including major Sweet Betty Jean discounts and other fabulous free stuff.

Please RSVP – God forbid we run out of wine! We sure hope to see you!

For more information on the featured vendors – check them out!

Che’mel Salon
Vanity Fashion Boutique
Vixens House of Shoes
Flourish by Lillie Miller
TLB Events

Christy's Bombshell Birthday Contest :: WINNERS!

And the winner is ...


Mrs. Selena Boone of Newberg, Oregon - come on down! - you've won all this:

Sweet Betty Jean Pinup Session
Phone & Email Consultations to create your specific look
Professional hair & makeup by Melissa Anderson of Che’mel Salon
One Hour of shooting at c.pelland photography studio
Three perfected print ready images
Joint Copyright to all images
Full resolution image files on archival DVD

Selena's hot mix was TOTALLY HOT and completely original by adding a song she composed and recorded. Talk about taking it to the next level!

Selena's Winning Mix ::

Selena Boone
New York – Cat Power
Leather & Lace – Britney Spears
Fruits of my Labor – Selena Faith (HER!)
Big Heavy – Amanda Blank
Fever – Madonna
Stay Here Forever – Jewel
Butterfly – Crazytown
I Do – Gin Wigmore
Tears of Joy – Lucinda Williams
Poor – Meaghan Smith
Sun Dirt Water – The Waifs
Red Red Wine – UB40
Money Honey – Lady Gaga
Livin’ on Love – Alan Jackson



We (meaning my main lady - Mrs. Rebecca Stewart-Johnson and I) decided to go with a Top 5 list of winners who get a lil' something extra special for being so dang awesome! Each of the top finalists will receive $250 off their Sweet Betty Jean pinup experience. And the winners are:

Sage Niebuhr of Cannon Beach, Oregon
Hot Like Sauce – Pretty Lights
Suffri – Nneka
The Way You Move – Outkast
Halfway Tree – Damian Marley
Carry Out –Timbaland
Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
Fancy Footwork – Chromeo
Lovesick – Lindstrom & Christabelle
Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
Shutterbug – Big Boi
Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
Black Betty – Ram Jam
We Trying to Stay Alive – Wyclef Jean
Dat New “New” – Kid Cudi
Kangpe – Nneka
Seed 2.0 – The Roots
Hung Up – Madonna

Lillie Miller of Tacoma, Washington
Dick in a Box – Justin Timberlake & Andy Sandburg
Nasty Naughty Boy – Christina Aguilera
Bounce – Timbaland
Ride – Ciara
Rude Boy – Rihanna
Shoop – Salt n’ Peppa
Futuresex Lovesounds – Justin Timberlake
Lovers and Friends – Lil’ Jon
Wetter – Twista
Is This Real? – Lisa Hall
Feelin’ Love – Paula Cole
Wicked Games – Chris Isaak
Nice and Slow – Usher
Falsetto – The Dream
Pony – Ginuwine
Live in This Club – Usher
Like I Love You – Usher
Birthday Sex – Jeremih

Kristina Franklin of Tacoma, Washington
Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon – Urge Overkill
Boom, Boom – John Lee Hooker
Your Touch – The Black Keys
Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix
Shut Up and Let Me Go – The Ting Tings
No You Girls – Franz Ferdinand
Rock n’ Roll Queen – The Subways
Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
Midnight in Her Eyes – The Black Keys
Gold Guns Girls – Metric
Make it Wit Chu – Queens of the Stoneage
Girl is on my Mind – The Black Keys

Adrienne Emmel of Issaquah, Washington
A Little Something for you – Adrienne Emmel
Hot Mess – Cobra Starship
Maneater – Nelly Furtado
Buttons – Pussycat Dolls
Gimme More – Britney Spears
Peaches & Cream – 112
Lips of an Angel – Hinder
Suga Suga – Baby Bash
All Nite – Janet Jackson
In My Head – Jason Derulo
I’m a Slave 4 U – Britney Spears
La La – Ashley Simpson
Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
Right Round – Flo Rida
Yeah – Usher
Boom Boom - Vengaboys

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest! it was truly such a joy to receive all these great sets of music - each one packaged so creatively with lil' extras to make me smile. I just might have to make this an annual event. Thanks again ladies!

Christy's Bombshell Birthday Contest

In honor of my 27th birthday I'm giving the gift to you! Sweet Betty Jean is the name of my classic pinup artistry that will launch this coming Valentines Day. It's my new favorite and I want to share it with you!

Winner receives:

Sweet Betty Jean Pinup Session
Phone & Email Consultations to create your specific look
Professional hair & makeup by Melissa Anderson of Che’mel Salon
One Hour of shooting at c.pelland photography studio
Three perfected print ready images
Joint Copyright to all images
Full resolution image files on archival DVD

How to Enter:
Send in a mix cd of your favorite songs (Minimum of 10) that make you feel your sexiest! What makes you wanna dance? Is it the smooth seduction of Usher, sweet cooing of Michael or thumping bass of Beyonce? It's completely up to you - just make sure it's HOT!

Mail submissions to:
Attn: Christy Pelland
c.pelland photography
p.o. box 443 graham. washington 98338

Submission are due by Sunday, October 3rd - my birthday!

I will choose the winner by who has the best mix. No majority rules on this one - decision is completely determined by my personal opinion. The winner will be announced Wednesday, October 6th.

any questions - email sweetbettyjean@gmail.com or visit www.sweetbettyjean.com

Official Rules:

Description of the Contest: The Christy’s Bombshell Birthday (the “Contest”) is designed to encourage eligible participants to use their creativity to create their own interpretation of the ultimate hot mix. Judge (Christy Pelland) will choose the winning entry and prizes will be awarded in accordance with these Official Rules.
Sponsor: The Contest is sponsored by c.pelland photography, a Washington Company with principal place of business in Graham, Washington, USA.
Eligibility: The Contest is open only to Facebook friends of Christy Pelland.
Contest Period: The Contest begins at 6:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) on September 21, 2010 and ends on 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Time (PT) on October 3, 2010.
How To Enter: Send in a mix cd of your favorite songs (Minimum of 10) that make you feel your sexiest. Include full name of participant, email, phone number, mailing address and full list of songs with artist. Mail submissions to: Attn: Christy Pelland c.pelland photography p.o. box 443 graham. washington 98338. All entries must be received by October 3, 2010. Only submissions mailed to this address will be accepted as valid.
Judging and Selection of Winner: All entries will be judged by Christy Pelland "Expert Judge" and qualified associates based on the following judging criteria: 1) artistic merit, 2) creativity, 3) theme communication, 4) appropriateness of the supporting statement, and 5) whether the submissions adhered to these Rules. Decisions of the judges are final and binding. If the winner is not able for whatever reason to accept their prize, then c.pelland photography reserves the right to award the prize to another Entrant (as applicable).

STAND OUT PROM 2010 :: prom fashion shoot

Stand Out Prom was started with the idea that we'd pull together the best senior experience for one young lucky lady. it's grown quite a bit since that simple start but the most fun and excitement still remains in the day of prom. the build up is crazy - this year Kayleigha picked out shoes from Vixen, designed custom jewlery with Ada Rosman, total hair re-styling by Melissa Anderson at Che'mel Salon, mani & pedi from Pepper's Salon in Puyallup, handcrafted boleros from Salchar & The Secret Boutique and of course, complete styling from her personal team of specialists (The Stand Out Prom directors).





there's nothing quite like coming up with a random idea, getting it sketched out, pitching it with high hopes and seeing it come to fruition. especially, when you have a creative team that can pull off anything - the elements just fall into place.









the Stand Out Prom Directors minus Tammi Barber of TLB Events who was workin' it at a wedding.



Kayleigha had never been to Northwest Costume before and was blown away when we took her back into the archives. rows and rows, shelves upon shelves full of unique costumes, old Vegas garb and the most outrageous head pieces you'll ever encounter. basically, the coolest place in the South Sound!



the second story of Northwest Costume is a large event space with ballroom, private bar and the signature Sherlock Holmes room. Mary Johnson, the owner of the costume shop, graciously let us use the space which fit our Victorian theme to a 't'!





after a lightning fast shoot at the costume shop we headed down 6th Avenue to Wright Park for a few 'sunny day in the park' shots. the classic features of the park made for a perfect backdrop - Kayleigha looked just like a Victorian lady strolling through the manicured grounds.





Jennifer at j.robbins florist totally hooked us up again this year with her amazing floral designs.



Heidi Campbell at Unabashed Bliss designed this flower just for Kayleigha - the shades of purple and black were just what she wanted.







a bit of coaching is always a good thing. hehee. that parasol was custom painted by Mary at Northwest Costume - when i told her what look we were going for and the items i had in mind, she mentioned having a parasol that would work but it was white - i hinted that black would be way better and what do you know - when we showed up on saturday, Mary had that parasol spray painted black. it photographed like a dream and will definitely be a favorite item of mine in shoots-to-come!







ohhh the richness of this image blows me away - color splash!



we wrapped up at the park and cruised on down to the Meeker Mansion, a historical landmark and museum in Puyallup.









i could have played all day in the mansion but we only had a short time because these kids had to get to prom! after all, that's why we were doing what we were doing. hehee. these next few images were such a crack up - i can't believe they were keeping a straight face. after firing off a few shots, i commented that this setup totally looked like the cover of a romance novel - possible title, 'Forbidden Love' - baahahaa. with that everyone bust into laughter ...













and there you have it - a quick peak at what we were up to last weekend! to see all of my favorites from the shoot head on over to the Stand Out Prom facebook page.

becca and i are headed to the coast today for the Cannon Beach wedding of Holly & Tony. i'm incredibly stoked to get this weekend going and soooo looking forward to their rehearsal dinner where they're serving my signature red sauce! whoop whoop! have a great one folks!

samantha + matt :: teaser

last saturday, i had the pleasure of covering the wedding adventures of samantha and matt - a local (and i mean real local to me - living just down the way in Graham!) couple who's simple ceremony and private dinner party reception were SIMPLY PERFECT!





talk about a GORGEOUS group of women! and if you can believe it - they're all related! everyone of the bridesmaids were samantha's sisters and the lovely woman in red featured above - her stunning mother! i think it's safe to say we know where the girls get their looks! fabulous ladies! simply fabulous!





really, could a first look be any more perfect!?! these two are just adorable and every bit of the excitement and build up was soooo worth it!







even the wildlife couldn't get enough of these two! this lil' bugger got a bit too close though - i had to run him off!







the Wright Park Seymour Conservatory is so perfect and usually off limits to shoot in unless you have a permit (teheee or a really charming smile!) It was an ideal location for the two's very intimate vows in front of immediate family.



after the short and incredibly sweet ceremony - we took off toward the reception on Tacoma's waterfront gem, C.I. Shenanigans. we stopped off at a few spots on the way there - couldn't have asked for more perfect shooting conditions on this early spring day especially since the forecast was for solid rain!











a big thanks to Melissa Anderson of Che'mel Salon for completely rockin' out samantha and the rest of the bridal party's makeup! having perfect, photo ready makeup done by a professional is a MUST for your wedding day and Melissa is truly one of the best!







these two were an absolute delight to photograph - every part of this blissed out day was filled with the carefree, loving attitude that they exude. i can't wait to share the rest of this moment in their life with you! stay tuned my friends!

oh and if you just love teasers - my facebook friends get the advanced peek at all my weddings - so get in on the buzz and LET'S BE FRIENDS!