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!

Women's Opportunity Awards -
FIVE $1,000 awards to be given away!

• Are you a single Mom or a woman with the primary financial responsibility for your household?
• Are you enrolled in school or vocational training to better your life?
• Do you need financial help to reach your goal?

If you answered YES to these questions - or you know of a woman who fits this description - you should know about the Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Awards!

This year Soroptimist International of Hood River is presenting FIVE $1,000.00 cash awards to eligible women! These awards are NOT a scholarship; they can be used for babysitter, gas money or books! But you've got to apply in order to be considered for these awards. You can pick up a hard copy of the application at the Hood River County Library or you can copy and print the 6 page application available at www.SoroptimistHoodRiver.blogspot.com - you will need to print TWO copies of the Reference Form.

The deadline for the submission of applications is December 1st, 2008. Completed applications must be mailed to:
Soroptimist International of Hood River (SIHR)
Post Office Box 51
Hood River, OR 97031

A local area winner may be selected to compete for a regional $3,000.00 award!

If you need help filling the application out or have other questions about the awards, please contact June at 541-387-7062.

WINE, WOMEN & WOW!
Ordinary women working together to do extraordinary things.

Soroptimist International of Hood River invites all Gorge women to an "after hours" event to be held Wednesday, October 29th, from 5pm to 7pm at
The Pines Tasting Room located at 202 State Street in Hood River. There will be a no-host wine bar and complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served. A "goodie bag" will be given to the first 50 women through the doors, courtesy of Photosensitive Portraits; ONE of those bags will contain a Gift Certificate for a FREE Studio Family Portrait Session PLUS an 8x10 Canvas Print, a $300 value!

The event is designed as a forum for women in the Hood River area to get together, have some wine, network and talk about the needs of our area and how we can get involved or partner to achieve goals. This is a great way to meet other interesting and involved women; a chance to promote your own event, project or program and ask for help with it; an excellent way to find out what's going on and learn how YOU can get involved!

If you'd like to reserve space to promote your own organization, project or event, contact Lisa Hargrave at 541-386-4785 or lhargrave@virtualpremise.com - space IS limited, so be sure to reserve YOUR spot as soon as possible!

One of the inspirations for this event was that evocative quote by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (Women's History professor at Harvard University): "Well-behaved women rarely make history." Let's all get together for an evening of "misbehaving"!

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!

A "Must See" Film for All Women!

Iron Jawed Angels - for more info, check out the Soroptimist International of Hood River's blog at www.SoroptimistHoodRiver.blogspot.com - and plan on being at the Skylight Theater on Saturday, October 11th before 1:00 pm to see this remarkable film!

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.

HRVHS Class of 2009 ROCKS!

Thank you, HRVHS Class of 2009, for choosing Photosensitive Portraits as your premiere Senior Photographer! Here's just a few of the wonderful seniors I've had the pleasure of working with over the past couple of weeks...