Something More Abstract

These photographs demonstrate the interesting images that life can hand you. My husband is restoring a 1969 Mustang Grande. Before he could paint the body, he had to remove the decades of poorly done paint jobs. The result is a few interesting photographs before the piece became flat black.

From the Skies

Tulips - New Editions

Memorial Day

In honor of those who have sacraficed for this country, on the field of battle and beyond. In memory of those who have not returned. Thank you for your service, thank you for our freedom.


"Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic." —General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters

Shadow and Light

Making the Old New Again

My previous camera was the static lens Olympus 3030z, which at the time I bought it, was a relatively good camera. As the years have passed, and the technology has grown by leaps and bounds, the photographs that I took with this camera, seem to have lost a bit of luster in my eyes. Though a few stand the test of time, the majority of my old images are in a file to get a once over review, with some gentle tweaks for quality and some not so gentle tweaks for artistic purposes.


This photograph is of a wall at Point Defiance Park's Owen's Beach that is yearly covered in green moss and used as a public note pad as people scrape off the moss to create temporary graffiti.
I cleaned up the noise in the original image and then added some contrast and light. For a more artistic twist, I change removed the color information and then added back just enough red and yellow to create a mock sepia finish.

Gallery Free Art Exhibit

I deeply appreciate all of the people who attended and made this event successful. If you were unable to attend but would like to see the display, it will be up for awhile and I would love to give you a one on one tour of my art. Give me a call (253)-566-6175 or E-mail me at sarah@ardentphotography.com.

Thank you,
Sarah McTernen

Portfolios: Finding the Many Faces

Shooting a portfolio is all about showing off the range of a person and finding the emotions they can portray in a single instance. Whether the portfolio is for modeling or acting, it is the same concept. The model/actor has to have the instinct for on-demand emotion, but at the same time, the photographer has to have the talent for capturing the emotion the minute it surface. There is no greater example of this challenge than with creating a child portfolio. Children have their own agenda. Directors know this and have techniques to get a child to do what they want on the set, but for a portfolio, it is more about letting the child be expressive.


The example above is my daughter. She is a girl of a thousand faces. These photographs were all taken in a brief ten minute photo session in our backyard. This was unscripted. If you would like to talk about portfolios or photographs of your child, give me a call at 253-566-6175 or send me an e-mail at sarah@ardentphotography.com.

Thank you,
Sarah McTernen

Happy Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, I am offering up a handful of free maternity/mother and child photography sessions. Session will include a half hour of photography in the location of your choosing. To be eligible for this offer you must live in the Puget Sound Region and either be pregnant (photo sessions can be either with just the mom-to-be or with family) or have an infant under 1 year of age.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please E-mail me at sarah@ardentphotography.com and mention this posting.

This offer runs through Sunday May 10th.

Open House Gallery Exhibit

My gallery will be open from 5:30-8pm for all those interested in seeing my art up close and personal. My gallery is located in my home and I would appreciate it if everyone would be courteous to my neighbors, and not park in any way that impedes access to their driveways.

If you have any questions or comments, please E-mail me at sarah@ardentphotography.com or give me a call at 253-566-6175.

I look forward to seeing you.

Sarah