Going out with a BANG!

I'll end this year's blog posting with images from my favorite location session of the year: working with HRVHS senior Liseth in downtown The Dalles! Liseth was up for anything, really wanted to go for "something different" and enjoyed the funky, historic feel of the locations we found wandering the back alleys of The Dalles.


A BIG thank you to all my wonderful clients this year - it is my greatest pleasure to share my gift with you and help you create and preserve special moments and memories...best wishes for a fabulous, happy and healthy New Year!

 












































My Favorite Color is Leopard Print!

And if someone shows up for their portrait session with any article of clothing that features leopard print, I will most definitely include it in the session! So imagine my delight when both these lovely young women showed up wearing it! All I can think of to say is, "Rowwwwrrrrrrr!"

HRVHS Homecoming 2010

Had an Open Studio the night of HRVHS's Homecoming this past October and enjoyed the students who dropped in to say hi and have their portraits created... a great night full of glitz and glam!

Man of 1,001 Faces 

(Ok, you only see 7 of them here, but there's only so much you can showcase in a blog posting, lol...) Brian was a BLAST to work with - it didn't hurt that we both have the same twisted sense of humor, lol! I imagined that it was alot like working with actor Jim Carrey - lightening fast facial and posture changes, mood shifting through the gamut of emotions, all coupled with an outrageous sense of FUN...

Class of 2011

Over the next couple of days, I'll post some of my favorite images from the Class of 2011 sessions this past year - many thanks to all the guys and gals who chose Photosensitive Portraits as their senior photographer!

A Rainbow in the studio

I had the distinct pleasure of working with a young woman recently who radiates confidence and sparkles with intelligence - you would barely suspect she is just entering her teens. Not to worry, we also captured the energy and silliness that are the hallmarks of her youth - and had so much fun doing it!

Happy Holidaze!!!

Has it REALLY been since September since I posted on this here blog?!! My, my...I hadn't realized my FaceBook addiction had gotten so far out of hand, lol! Well, the holidays are upon us (hello, Denise, it's freakin' Christmas EVE?!!)  so I figured I should at least post a Happy Holidays message to all my clients and fans out there (all 6 of you)...I may even get a few posts in before the New Year - a couple of catch-up posts are certainly in order, doncha think?!

In the meantime, please accept my very best wishes for a Holiday filled with family and friends, love and laughter!

HRVHS Class of 2011!

Wow, been so busy I have forgotten all about my blog! It's raining seniors and let me tell you, the HRVHS Class of 2011 has some pretty AMAZING young women and men! Here is just a little taste of what we've been up to...(btw, if you haven't already taken your senior portraits, there's still plenty of time to do so - call me at 541-436-2755 and find out what your options are! Remember, this is the time to celebrate YOU - no need to settle for less than what YOU want!)

Top Models in the "Beauty Box"!

When I was an apprentice photographer back in San Francisco (way back in the olden days of film!), I was exposed to ALOT of different styles of shooting and had the opportunity to learn many different lighting techniques. One of my favorites is the "Beauty Box," a technique used by fashion photographers specializing in close up faces to be used in ads for various beauty products (think Cover Girl makeup, L'Oreal, etc.).  It's just SO doggone flattering to every woman, regardless of age or shape! 


Here's one image each from Top Models Nancy's and Yessi's "Beauty Box" sessions - I think they look amazing! (You too can look amazing, you know - just call for YOUR senior portrait consultation and find out more!)

Top Models for HRVHS Class of 2011!

Announcing the debut of Photosensitive Portraits' 2011 Top Models: the Lovely Yessi Guzman and the Vivacious Nancy Lopez! 

Remember, if you see these gals, be sure to ask them where to go for the BEST Senior Portraits - not only will they tell you where the best place to go is, they will give you a card that you can redeem for a FREE GIFT from Photosensitive Portraits! 

So remember these beautiful faces and be on the look out for them this summer - it could save you some cash AND get you FABULOUS senior portraits at the same time!

Summer Is Finally Here!

I can't believe I've been soooo negligent of this blog the past month! Quite alot has been going on - STILL working on the studio re-design, making plans for the big Grand Re-Opening party (now pushed into August, ack!), creating portraits for fabulous clients, finding my Top Models for the HRVHS Class of 2011 (congrats to Nancy and Yessi!), a trip to Ashland for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival over the 4th of July holiday, whew! There's more, but I'm getting tired just thinking about it all...

I promise to be more diligent from now on - let me start out small by sharing with you my Very Favoritest Image from a recent session with the amazingly talented young singer, Hood River's own Makenzie Rose...

Tiny Dancer

Amongst the whirlwind of graduation ceremonies and parties last weekend, I had the chance to attend the dress rehearsal for the Columbia Gorge Dance Academy's Intermediate and Junior dancers. My good friend Kate's daughter and my Favorite Model, Keeley, was performing so I just HAD to be at the rehearsal!

Since I was on my way to a graduation ceremony, I had my camera gear with me and grabbed a few snapshots. Okay, here's where I 'fess up - I inadvertently had the camera settings all wrong for the venue and ended up with less than sharp images. (I'd like to blame the fact that I was seriously under-caffienated for 9 a.m., but that's a pretty lame excuse!) However, upon reviewing my less-than-sharp results, I was still struck by Keeley's poise and attitude in the images I managed to capture. Next thing you know, out comes the digital toolbox and voila, a sow's ear has been turned into a silk purse through the magic of technology! (aka digital painting...)

I've watched Keeley grow up before my eyes and can see the lovely young woman she will become when I look at this image. I'm quite in love with it and though there's still some refining to do, I'm looking forward to printing it as a 16x20 watercolor art print for my studio. Kate loves it too, so will be getting one as well - what better art could you want on your walls than your own fabulous kids?!

The Never Ending Studio Remodel...

I should have expected this. After all, I've seen every single remodeling/decorating show on HGTV for the last 5 years! *sigh* Any remodel ALWAYS takes longer (and costs more) than you think it will. *another sigh* I am an impatient type - after living with the vision in my head for some time now, I want, no EXPECT it to just happen, as in "Poof! It's all done!" Ha. Welcome to reality, my dear...

Okay, now that I've whined about it a little (ok, ALOT), let me just say that things ARE coming together finally and you can expect some kind of grand reveal in a week (or so, lol)! Back ordered bits are on their way, found a source for the electrical thingie I needed, additional paint purchased, etcetera...I promise, you're gonna LOVE IT when it's finished!

I would be remiss BIG TIME if I neglected to thank everyone who has helped me make this transformation a reality: first in line is my darling husband, Steve, for without his practical mind and technical expertise nothing would have happened! Second is my UBER-FABULOUS intern, Claudia (HRVHS Class of 2011!), who not only volunteers HER time, but brings along helpful friends! Many many thanks to Bryce, Johanna and Johnny for helping out! (that's them you see in the photo, giddy from paint fumes and Domino's pizza - don't you just LOVE the wall color behind them?! Also pictured is my chandelier which arrived the other day!) Third but certainly not last or least, is my dear friend, Tammy Kravitz, a woman of impeccable taste (and a fab photographer!) who has helped me in the myriad of choices I have had to make - you are PRICELESS, dahling!

Graduation Party Fun!

Boy, did I eat ALOT of really tasty food yesterday, lol! I attended my intern Miguel's graduation ceremony at Columbia High School in White Salmon at the morning and the grad party in the early afternoon. Then I skipped on down to Mt. Hood Town Hall for a grad party celebrating several fabulous HRVHS grads, Ely, Tania, Lorena, Nubia and a couple more whose names I missed, I'm so sorry! (it seems like all the gals were wearing the most outrageous, gorgeous SHOES!) Being "off duty," I only had my little point and shoot with me AND my newest toy, a Flip HD video camera...here's some snaps and vid for your amusement!

Many many thanks to the parents who hosted these events - I thoroughly enjoyed myself (and went home stuffed to my eyeballs with good food, yummy!)...plus it was sheer delight to watch the giddy joy of the new graduates one more time - best wishes for a fantastic summer!

Last of the Class of 2010...

Every year there's always a few "last minute seniors" - to my surprise, only one this year! But since he's such a sterling fellow and alot of fun to be around besides, I can easily forgive his last minute request...here's Miguel, one of my photography interns from the Class of 2010 at Columbia High School - looking good, boy-o!

Trash the (Prom) Dress!

"Trash the Dress" sessions have become very popular with some brides - an artistic free-for-all portrait session for the bride in her wedding gown taken days AFTER the wedding. (Don't believe me?! Just Google "trash the dress" and prepared to be amazed at some of the wonderfully creative images you will see!) I've always thought it would be fun to do something similar for young women and their prom dresses - breathe easy, no dresses were harmed during the production of this session, lol! (well, nothing a little dry cleaning won't fix...)

Once again Lily and Nancy got in front of my camera, this time out at Horsetail Falls - both were fabulous and fearless in the face of freezing cold water, blowing mist and the eyes of countless tourists (who no doubt wondered why the heck that crazy photographer was making those gorgeous girls pose in the water!)...thank you SO MUCH, gals, for playing along with me with such fearlessness and sense of FUN! A special thank you to Julie, an exchange student at HRVHS from Milan, Italy, for filling in as my photo assistant - so sorry I froze your toes off!

4th Semi-Annual Frugal Fashionista!

Calling all women and teen girls to Hood River's largest clothing swap! This is a LADIES ONLY EVENT - sorry, no men or children.

ALL ITEMS ONLY $1.00!!! Your cash will go to support Gutsy Girls, a self esteem & empowerment program for elementary school girls.

When and where you ask? Friday, May 14th, from 6pm to 9pm, at the Alliance Youth Center, 2650 Montello in Hood River!

HOW IT WORKS: Clean out your closet and bring your no longer needed, gently used clothing and accessories (jewelry, purses, scarves, shoes, hats and belts) to the Alliance Church OR May Street Elementary School between May 10th and May 14th - all seasons, styles and sizes are welcome! We will set up the donations "store style" and yes, all the items are ONLY $1.00! All leftover goods will be donated to charity.

Enjoy a Girls' Night Out and discover new-to-you treasures! Treat yourself and sample the wares and services of the Spa Vendors! Be good. Be green. Be Glam!

Questions? Contact Mary@HoodRiverReDesign.com - see you there!

HRVHS Prom Night!

One of my interns, Lily, and one of my Marketing Associates, Nancy, stopped by the studio on their way to the Prom last Saturday night and OF COURSE I was happy to create portraits for them! (see, you don't have to settle for boring, same old-same old Prom photos...) Nancy also brought along her friend, Lupita, so I had my hands full of gorgeous young women in beautiful dresses and handsome young men in tuxes - lots of nervous giggles, much checking of hair and makeup, alot of re-pinning of the guys' boutonieres...we still got some smokin' hot images! Here's a few...