Sunshine! Flowers! Can it really be...SPRING?!!

I don't care what the calendar says - it FEELS like Spring has sprung! Allow me to share my exuberance for this fabulous and unseasonable weather with a couple of snaps of the first flowers to come up in my garden. I'm enjoying it while I can as the weatherman insists that gray clouds and rain are in our immediate future...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a wonderful session the other day, maternity sessions being one of my very favorite type of session to shoot - it seems very appropriate to post these images on the day we celebrate LOVE!

Cecy is due in May and I can hardly wait for her to bring her brand new daughter to the studio for newborn portraits! Yes, they know it's going to be a girl - and they are naming her after the Aztec Goddess of Beauty, how cool is that?! (don't ask me to spell it just yet - I need more practice...)

Florida here I come!

In less than 36 hours I'll be on my way to SYNC 2010! The Senior and Youth National Conference is happening January 29 through February 1, 2010 in St. Pete’s Beach, FL - it's the professional portrait photographer’s leading educational conference in High School Senior portrait photography. SYNC provides professional photographers a venue to learn from talented, experienced industry leaders that are willing to share their expertise on senior and youth photography and business tips. Each evening has unique events planned that will provide even more education, networking and fun. SYNC welcomes the industries top vendors to the trade show pavilion throughout the conference to share the latest and greatest products and services used to help run a successful business.

This is my first ever SYNC and I am really jazzed to be attending! I'm signed up for so many GREAT classes and will be coming home with my head filled to bursting with wonderful new ideas and techniques in service of all my clients. I can't stop smiling just thinking about it!

Every minute will be jam-packed with learning, so I don't anticipate having time to return phone or email messages between January 28th and February 2nd. Thank you for your understanding - I promise to return calls promptly and do a full report when I get back!

Announcing Pretty in Pink Limited Edition Mini Sessions!

Pretty in Pink sessions are ONLY available on the following dates:

• Saturday, February 13
• Sunday, February 14
• Monday, February 15
• Friday, February 19
• Saturday, February 20
• Sunday, February 21

Dress your princess in pink and let her choose fun accessories from our Dress Up Box to complete her outfit! Choose a fun and funky look or something more formal and dressy!

The $95 session fee INCLUDES a mounted 11x14 print with a custom metallic finish and silver beveled edge AND a display easel. Available reservations are limited, so don't miss out - call me at 541-436-2755 today!

Wardrobe 911!

Are you as addicted to TLC's What Not To Wear as I am? Have you ever fantasized about Stacy and Clinton coming to YOUR home and redoing YOUR wardrobe - minus the humiliation of appearing on national TV, of course?!! If that's the case, then come to class this Thursday and learn about proper fit, stylish alternatives to fleece and how to best flatter your shape. You will get to see several before and after makeovers and deconstruct the surprisingly simple steps to achieve your best look for the tiny price of $10! Taught by wardrobe reDesigner Mary Bokovoy from Hood River reDesign - you will not want to miss this class! Mark your calendar for this Thursday, 7 to 8pm, at the Hood River Middle School, 1602 May Street.

Follow this link to register or simply show up with your check - What Not To Wear!

Learn more about Hood River reDesign and the fabulous Mary Bokovoy at www.HoodRiverreDesign.com and www.HoodRiverreDesign.blogspot.com . (Oh yeah, that's Mary looking fabulous at the top of this post...portrait created by yours truly, of course!)

Collage Happiness!

I LOVE designing portrait collages, especially for baby clients! With SO MANY wonderful images of this adorable baby girl to choose from, the best solution for clients who want it ALL is collages and, of course, custom-designed books (more on those later)...I can't wait to show these to her parents - and yep, you're right - that's Cari Streeter's beautiful baby again...

Just one more!

I meant to add this to the previous post - this is one of the prettiest "Madonna" images I have ever created! It is for sure destined to become a large display print in my studio...

Feels like comin' home...

Like so many others this winter, I have been laid low with "the cold that won't go away" - you know, the one that morphs into something even nastier every time you think you're FINALLY starting to get better?!! Knock on wood, I think I finally have it beat this time...so last Saturday I doubled up on my Vitamin C and got ready for my first real portrait session in two months. I admit to being a little nervous, but once that camera was in my hands it all came back to me in a rush - it felt like coming home.

What an afternoon it was - I had the pleasure of working with Stella, THE most adorable 6 month old little girl, who had the temperment of a Buddhist monk and the smile of an angel! And her parents, Cari and Rory, who were uber-cool and so much fun...days like this, I just LOVE my job! Stella performed like a seasoned model as we put her in one outfit after another and a myriad of set changes - I've never been able to create so much variety from one 6 month old portrait session ever!

I seem to be using ALOT of exclamation points, but you would understand WHY if you'd been there - better yet, if you could see the final images! Oh wait, this is the internet, I can SHARE a few of Stella's amazing images with you - that's her up there; ain't she just the sweetest little bean?!!

I don't want to forget this part: Stella's mom, Cari, designs the most wonderful jewelry - please check out her website at www.jewelrybycari.com to see her fabulous designs for yourself!

Operation: Love Reunited

I am happy to announce that Photosensitive Portraits is now a member of Operation: Love Reunited (OpLove for short), a nationwide group of professional photographers volunteering FREE professional photography sessions for military service members and their loved ones. These special sessions are for deploying, deployed and returning military families.

As a member of OpLove, Photosensitive Portraits offers a pre-deployment (or already deployed) session and a reunited session at the homecoming of the military member. To help keep his family and loved ones a little closer, a 4×6 album with 10 images from the deployment session will be created and sent at no charge to the deployed service member. For the homecoming, a dvd with a slide show of images will be created and presented to the family at no charge.

***Please note that orders and current military ID may be requested. Pre-deployment sessions in which the deploying spouse or loved one is participating, should include their military uniform, dress, working, or BDUs, being worn for most of the session. If a session takes place and the spouse has already been deployed, the session is required to keep a patriotic theme, including military gear such as hats, uniforms, boots, etc.***

Please visit www.OpLove.org for more information.

In addition to the sessions and services offered through OpLove, Photosensitive Portraits also offers a military discount to all active duty military whether deployed or not. Please call 541-436-2755 for details.

Holy Cow, it's 2009 already?!!

I feel like I've lost the last two months of my life...where did they go?!

See, I traditionally close the business down in December and January, to better enjoy my own holiday season and also take that time to get things ready for the start of a New Year. Unfortunately, in early December I caught what I thought was just a bad cold - that cold continued to morph itself over the next six weeks until I finally collapsed with severe bronchitis and a throat infection! Ugh.

The good news is that I (finally!) dragged myself in to a doctor and was promptly medicated within an inch of my life. I'm on the mend, out of bed, walking, talking, heck even THINKING and getting a little bit of work done too! Sure is nice to have a clear head again...

Many thanks to all of you who called or wrote asking how I was - especially my good friends from Portland, Daron (a fine photographer) and his gorgeous fiance, Tara (both Daron's and my favorite model AND an amazing artist)...I was feeling good enough for company the day they visited and we all played with my brand new toy, a ringflash - that's Daron and Tara being goofy in the photos atop this blog entry.

More exciting new things coming from from Photosensitive Portraits in 2009! So watch this space!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful today and every day for the unwavering love and support of Steve, my hunky husband of 22 years.

I am thankful for the old friends that have stuck with me through the wild ride that's been the last 30 years: Alica, Lucy, Maia - I am so blessed to be able to name three BFFs!

I am grateful to photography, for giving me a way to express myself and a channel for touching many lives in a positive and meaningful way.

Photography has also brought me talented and generous mentors who I can also count as dear friends:
• EJ Knapp, who wields a pen now with the same artistry he brought to his photography - check out his blog and see for yourself.
• Jay Jones, THE most versatile and creative photographer I have ever met (truly the "McGyver" of Photography!) - I am so proud to be a part of his "family".
• Bob Weaver, for his incredible depth of knowledge of studio lighting that he has so patiently shared with me and the many creative collaborations we enjoy.
• Monte Zucker, who not only taught me how to grow as a portrait artist, but helped me grow as a human being as well.

Which leads me to all the wonderful people I've met at clients over the years and who have become friends - that's the highest compliment I could receive as a photographer!

I am grateful for the new friends I've made here in Hood River:
• Louise McCulloch - World's Best Realtor, with a Green Thumb that she exercises with great enthusiasm!
• Tammy Kravitz - a FABULOUS photographer in Washougal, WA, who I first met in a photography forum online and who has become both friend and working partner.
• Kate Brownback - we met through Soroptimist International of Hood River and NEVER EVER EVER have I met a woman so filled with positive energy and creativity! (I am so glad she uses her super-powers for good!) Plus her two adorable children are my favorites models evah!

And last but not least, I am thankful for Susan and Roy York of Carson, WA, breeders of extraordinary Airedales, for the World's Bestest Puppy, Sofie! I can't remember what my life was like before she came along, but I know it's oh so much better now!

May you spend the holiday surrounded by family, friends, love and laughter!

Benefit Concert TONIGHT!

Enjoy the incredible song stylings of Hood River's own Makenzie Rose Bassham at 6 pm TONIGHT, November 15th, at the Hood River Middle School Auditorium. In addition to the concert, there will also be a bake sale and silent auction. You could do a little Christmas shopping and bring home dessert for after the concert!

The concert, bake sale and silent auction are part of a project that has been undertaken by this year's freshman Leadership Class at Hood River Valley High School - to raise funds for the Foster Care programs of Hood River DHS Child Welfare. A visit by Soroptimists Judy Jensen, Chavalla Lopez-Bassham and Denise Rehse Watson, who spoke about Soroptimist International of Hood River's plans to renovate the Family Visitation Rooms at the Hood River DHS facility, inspired the class to take on this cause as their own. All members of the class have been involved in the planning and execution of tonight's events, including Makenzie Ross Bassham who is a member of the class.

Tickets are $7.00 for students and $10.00 for adults; tickets will be available at the door. All proceeds go to the Foster Care Programs of Hood River DHS Child Welfare. Tonight's event is presented by the Hood River High School Freshman Leadership Class and sponsored by Soroptimist International of Hood River, Mountain Views Therapeutic Massage and Photosensitive Portraits.

Hurray for the Class of 2009!

I just want to give a big THANK YOU to those members of Hood River Valley High School Class of 2009 who chose Photosensitive Portraits as their senior photographer! Every single last one of you was a pleasure to work with - every single one of you made my job fun!

Presented above are the images chosen by the 20 seniors I was privileged to create portraits for - I wish you all the very best!

She's Here, She's Home!

On Saturday, October 4th I officially became a "Puppy Mom"! My husband and I drove out to Morning Star Airedales in Carson, WA and picked up our new bundle of joy from breeder Susan York! We have christened her "Sofie" and she is the light of my life at the moment! Saturday afternoon was spent playing in the yard and getting to know each other a little better. I learned that a stout stick is a waaaay better toy than anything you can buy at the store and Sofie learned that a parrot can make a heck of a racket when faced with a young puppy!

Sunday was a Big Day also as I took Sofie on her first loooong car ride to visit my friend and fellow photographer, Tammy Kravitz of Studio K Portraits, in Camas, WA for the exxpress purpose of having Tammy create a portrait of me and my new love. We had a great time - Sofie got to play with Tammy's two dogs, Wendy and Mopsie, Tammy and I had a wonderful time working together (we always do!) trying to coax Sofie into position for her portrait...I've posted my favorite here - isn't she beautiful?! (Spoken like a truly besotted Puppy Mommy!) Yeah, I know, there's no photo of me with Sofie up there - yet. That's cuz I insisted on doing a "bit" of retouching to it first before posting! Sofie, of course, needs no retouching since she is gorgeous just the way she is!

Bags by Babycakes!

I'm very pleased to announce a brand new partnership - Photosensitive Portraits is proud to be a vendor of the fabulous line of custom photo handbags, Bags by Babycakes! Knowing that my clients always carry their children and grandchildren in their hearts, I thought what better way to share the feeling than by putting their images on a purse!

Bags by Babycakes manufactures fashionable, custom photo leather handbags of supreme quality. Each bag is individually handcrafted and custom made to order in Colorado; then they are individually inspected prior to shipping to maintain the highest quality possible. Their non-leather line includes beach bags, diaper bags and more! Photosensitive Portraits will help you design your custom bag, choosing from a wide variety of fabrics and leathers and tailoring your chosen image to fit the bag of your choice.

When you own a BabyCakes Bag, you can be sure you have the best photo bag there is! Can't you just imagine the look on a grandmother's face when she opens her Christmas gift to discover a beautifully crafted purse that proudly displays images of her beloved grandchildren?!! You just KNOW you're going to "wow" the other moms when you show up for the first time with your good-looking kids on a gorgeous handbag! (I'm going to be ordering one of these for myself, with my beautiful new puppy on it - I can't wait to get it and show it off around town!)

Bags by Babycakes are an individually crafted, custom product which means there is a minimum of 4-6 weeks wait for delivery - so if you'd like to order one of these beauties as a Christmas gift, please contact me asap to avoid disappointment!

I'll even give you a little more incentive to call - I will WAIVE THE SESSION FEE for the first person who calls to make a portrait appointment for the specific purpose of ordering one of these fabulous handbags! THAT'S A SAVINGS OF $150! BUT you have to be the FIRST person to call me...so call NOW and be one of the first in the Gorge to own these gorgeous bags!

PUPPY!

Oh my gosh, I am sooooo excited! Last Christmas, my dear husband FINALLY caved in and agreed to my pleas for a puppy - ALOT of research later, we decided upon an Airedale, well-known for their intelligence, sense of humor, courage, faithfulness, and playfulness. Several months ago, after much searching, I located a breeder of Airedales and to my delight she lived close by, in Carson, WA (Susan York of Morning Star Airedales) and better yet, was expecting a litter to be born in late summer. I visited the pups when they were only 2.5 weeks old, just furry little jellybeans and it was love at first sight!

Work has been so busy, I hadn't had a chance to get back out to Carson until yesterday. Susan graciously gave up her afternoon to let me visit and play with the puppies! THIS time I remembered to charge the battery in my little point and shoot camera so I could take a few photos home with me. Pictured here is My Precious (which is what I'm calling her for now since I simply CANNOT decide on a name! Feel free to offer suggestions) and her mom, Holly - aren't they both beautiful?!

I get to take My Precious home at the end of the month and I'm busily prepping my home and studio, making things as "puppy-proof" as I can - I can't wait to introduce her to you when you come by the studio!

(oh, and by the way - Susan has 3 male puppies still looking for loving owners! If you are interested, give me a call at 541-436-2755 and I'll pass on her contact information.)

96 Days Until Christmas!

Ha, scared ya, didn't I?!! I know, I know, summer hasn't officially ended yet and here I am yapping about Christmas...but I'm just so excited about some of the new products I'm offering for the holidays, I just couldn't keep it to myself any longer! For starters, I've got some unique and beautiful photo cards this year - here's the first offering, created by a Very Talented Artist of my acquaintance...I've got more to share, so check back and see what else is going to be available! (and if you're starting to contemplate a family photo session for YOUR holiday cards, NOW is an excellent time to call and make those arrangements - no sense in waiting until the last minute now, is there?!)

All portraits shown in holiday card samples © Denise Rehse Watson / Photosensitive Portraits 2008.