Dog Days of Summer

(Well, we're not really into those days yet - traditionally the "dog days of summer" are late August - but I couldn't think of a better title for this blog post!)

I was doing a little digital house-cleaning, backing some image files, when I ran across these dog images. I photographed them as a learning experience, since I have not photographed very many pets, at least not as a solo portrait. The owners of these fine dogs (all of them sweet and good-natured animals, well-behaved in the studio, too!) all volunteered their time to let me create these portraits - and I'm afraid I fell down on my part of the bargain. Life got busy and I let the files get shuffled to the back burner - until now, when they've resurfaced. I owe these generous pet owners some prints and want to state publicly that I will contact them asap and follow through!

I had a GREAT time working with both owners and their dogs - because of their assistance, I am developing a pet-themed fundraiser this year for PROD (Promoting Responsible Ownership of Dogs). PROD is a small, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that serves the Columbia River Gorge communities. Their programs, which have been in operation since 1996, are made possible solely through the support of local donors and foundation grants. Over the years, PROD has helped spay/neuter more than 4,800 animals, made possible the adoption of hundreds of stray and owner-released animals, and helped educated countless children and adults on responsible pet ownership.

(So be on the lookout for an announcement in the next month or so - I'm targeting late September for this fundraiser, when everyone's back from vacation and back in school!)

Kodak Discontinues Production of Kodachrome

I can't help but mourn what I feel is the passing of an era, the beginning of the end of a way of seeing, a way of "being" with photography - maybe that officially makes me an old fart, but I'm going to miss Kodachrome (and carefully hoard the few rolls I've got left in the freezer!)...I started in photography as a black and white specialist, but when I did shoot color, Kodachrome was the film of choice - Paul Simon got it right when he sang that Kodachrome "makes you think all the world's a sunny day" with its renowned vibrant and saturated color. Shooting transparency film was an exacting task - it didn't have the exposure latitude of b/w or color print films, oh no, you needed to be spot on or risk blowing the shot. I think it made me a much better photographer as a result...sigh. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my brave new digital world! I even make my digital choices based on color preferences acquired while shooting lots and lots and lots of film. (Ask me sometimes why I shoot with a Fuji camera...) But every once in awhile I wax nostalgic and think back to the thrill of laying out a new box of slides onto a light table and learning how successful (or not!) I had been...bye bye Kodachrome - you will be missed.

Read a well-written obit here.

Why I do what I do...

(I feel very lucky in that as I got older, I became very close to my Dad; he's been gone for a number of years now, but every Father's Day I make a point to take time out to remember him and reflect on everything he meant to me. I first posted the entry below in 2007 and re-post it every Father's Day since...my way of saying, "Thank you, Dad - I miss you.")

I love working with families - capturing their time together, a particular moment in their personal histories preserved so that they might look upon it and remember how it was, how they were. It's hard for me to describe just how much that means to me, to participate in this process, to play a part - I feel that it is such a privilege to be asked to create these "documents" of memory, to be allowed a glimpse into what makes each family unique and special.

I don't have alot of photos of my own family growing up. My Mom died when I was in my 20s and Dad passed several years ago - so the snapshots I've inherited mean the world to me. The photo at the very beginning of this entry is one of my most precious images. It was taken with my Dad's first digital camera (remember cameras with mini-floppy discs? Dad had one of the earliest Sonys and was very proud of it!) and was the last time I was with him; we were sitting in the Alpena, MI airport waiting for my flight to Detroit and then back to California. Dad passed away a few months after this image was taken. Even though it's just a snapshot - horrible overhead lighting, funky background, odd perspective - I love it and cherish it regardless of its faults. Because it reminds me just how much my Dad and I loved each other - the image is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Every time I photograph a father and child, I think of my Dad. I am so proud to be able to create an image that someone else will cherish, that someone else will hold dear - I am happy to hold my Dad's memory in this way. I was definitely thinking of my Dad when I created the second set of images of a father and son. There is so much great chemistry between those two! It was such a pleasure to work with them; it reminded me fully of why I do what I do.

Be sure to give your Dad a big hug today (and every day!) and make sure he knows how much you love him!

Super Senior Model #3!

Presenting the model-icious Deisy, the latest addition to my Class of 2010 Super Model line up! And yes indeed, she is also wearing a Special Edition "10" necklace - only available through Photosensitive Portraits. Call 541-436-2755 to find out how YOU can have this fabulous piece of jewelry for yourself!

Celebrate your family!

One of the things I love most about my "job" (can it really be called a job when you love what you do so passionately that you even dream about doing it?!!) is the connection I get to make with so many wonderful people. I love getting to know them, watching the family dynamics, capturing the warmth of their relationships. I was privileged recently to work with a lovely Mom and her 3 children and on Mother's Day of all days - a perfect day to celebrate one of life's most cherished relationships!

Senior Super Model #2

Announcing the latest addition to Photosensitive Portraits' Senior Models line-up: the vivacious Elizabeth! We're shooting her first studio session next week, so I'll be posting more images then...

Note that both Senior Super Models, Elizabeth and Ely, are wearing the Special Edition Class of 2010 necklaces! When you see them around town, be sure to ask them how YOU can own one of these custom made pieces of jewelry and ask for the card that will get you 24 FREE wallets from YOUR senior portrait session (a $75 savings!). Don't wait until school's back in session - schedule your session this summer, the best time of the year for location portraits!

Want more information? Visit Photosensitive Portraits on MySpace at MySpace.com/PhotosensitivePortraits (you must have a MySpace account) and look in My Pics for Senior Portrait Information. Call me at 541-436-2755 if you have any questions, just want to chat or, even better, want to book YOUR Senior Portrait Session this summer!

Special Edition Necklace
for the Class of 2010!

Cari and Rory of Jewelry by Cari are not only the parents of one of the most adorable baby girls on this planet, but they are also genuine artists and great business partners. After talking with them about an idea I had, I am now THRILLED to be able to offer this custom-made Special Edition of the necklace Megan Fox wears in the upcoming Transformers movie - ONLY for the Class of 2010 and EXCLUSIVELY available through Photosensitive Portraits!

How can YOU get one of these Limited Edition necklaces? Book either the Urban Safari session or the Ultimate session and receive the necklace as my gift to you. It's that easy...but it's the ONLY way to own this special, Limited Edition jewelry!

This summer you'll be seeing this beautiful jewelry around the necks of my fabulous 2010 Senior Models - be sure to ask them for a card because it will be worth 24 FREE wallets (a $75 value!) when you book your senior portrait session with Photosensitive Portraits!

Local Jewelry Designer in Hollywood Blockbuster!!

Wow, I am so thrilled to share this great news - one of my very favorite clients, Cari and Rory Streeter, are making a BIG splash in the papers lately for their beautiful, custom-made jewelry! It's all because actress Megan Fox, who plays Mikaela Banes in the upcoming movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, wears a unique tiny disc initial necklace designed by Jewelry by Cari. The necklace is a hand-sculpted sterling silver Teeny Tiny Disc hand-stamped with any initial. The disc is hand-finished with a satin sheen, accented with a smooth quartz briolette and hangs on their adjustable link chain with a lobster clasp. You can catch glimpses of the necklace in the beginning of this trailer on YouTube: click HERE

No doubt you saw the blurb in our local paper, the Hood River News, but now the state-wide Oregonian has picked up the story! Jewelry by Cari is now offering this exact same necklace at a very special price (usually $95!) for a limited time only; click HERE to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to own a piece of fabulous, custom-made-in-the-Gorge jewelry!

Wahclella Falls

Went hiking with Kate, one of my favorite people in the world, this morning - you know I love her 'cuz I got up before 8am to go! (me, not so much the early morning person...) She suggested the short but beautiful Wahclella Falls trail (Bonneville Dam exit off 84 for you local readers) and I realized I hadn't visited those particular falls in over ten years, so I was in...

Took my little point and shoot and tried to convey just how magical a morning it was - the trees and small creek conspired to keep us cool and the filtered sunlight caused the leaves and ferns to glow...

However, my FAVORITE shot from the hike was taken by Kate! When I first walked up to the waterfall, I reached out my arms to embrace the cool mist and I could hear Kate in back of me yelling, "Gimme your camera - I want to take that picture!" How could I not give in, despite my instinct to hide whenever someone points a camera at me?! (a common affliction amongst photographers, btw...)

So thank you, Kate, not only for a lovely start to my day, but my favorite photo of me in a Very Very Long Time!

45 Life Lessons

A friend sent this list to me this morning, and it struck such a chord with me I had to share it. The list was written to celebrate growing older by a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio - Regina Brett, now 90 years old. It is the most-requested column she's ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.

Don't save it for a special occasion, Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone and everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

More collage fun

I'm starting to get addicted to creating these cute little collages! This one features the adorable Alex who I met at a recent get together - I just couldn't resist photographing those chubby cheeks! Ain't he a sweetie pie?

A GORGEous Weekend!

Boy howdy, have I been waiting a looooooong time for a stretch of weather like we are enjoying this Memorial Day weekend! So nice to be out of the house and taking advantage of the adventures to be had practically at my doorstep...here are a few images from a hike my husband and I took (with my darling puppy, Sofie) at Catherine Creek Trail in Washington - so wonderful to still find plenty of wildflowers to photograph! Hope you're all having a fantastic holiday...

Ever think you'd like to be a model? Well here's your chance to find out what it's like!

I'm still looking for 2 more models from the class of 2010, so if you think you've got what it takes, give me a call at 541-436-2755!

The many moods of Ely

One of the things I look for in a Senior Model is personality - when you come for your Top Senior Model interview, make sure to let all the facets of YOUR personality shine through! Here's an example, two completely different sides of my first Senior Model, the lovely Ely...

Top Model for Class of 2010!

okay, I HAD to include at least ONE image of Ely, especially since I posted one of her little brother first...you're going to see ALOT more of her this next year as she's one of my Top Models for the HRVHS Class of 2010! and I think she is DEFINITELY a '10, don't you?!!

I think I used up my monthly quota for capitalization with this post... : )

Little Brother

Photographed the gorgeous Ely, one of my Top Models for the Class of 2010, in the studio last Friday - got SOOOO many great images, I'm STILL editing and trying to pick the very best ones to present! Even though there's still so much work to do, I couldn't resist playing with this shot of Ely's brother and thought I'd share it with you all...(I was really impressed with what a great little brother he was - helpful, cooperative and alot of fun to have around! Now why couldn't MY little brothers have been like that?!!)

Soroptimist Spring Bling!

I had a wonderful time at last Saturday's Spring Bling! luncheon put on by Soroptimist International Hood River! This annual event was started last year to celebrate SIHR's 60th year anniversary of service to women and girls of Hood River. A new twist this year was the addition of three custom jewelry vendors who displayed their creations for purchase - hence the "Bling!" in the title! Showcasing their glittering bling were Jewelry by Cari (ahem - the photo used in her Mother's Day promo shows Cari and her adorable daughter, Stella - created by yours truly!), Pearl Girl Tags, and Tricia Losee for Silpada Designs. The fashion show was such a hit last year, we HAD to have our local style mavens back! Showcasing their latest designs were Ananas Boutique, Flow Day Spa, Frolik, Melika, Outside Baby and Parts + Labor.

As a member of SIHR, my contribution to the event was the set up of a mini-studio where I created portraits for mothers and daughters as a fundraiser for SIHR's charitable programs. Many thanks to all the women who participated and helped make this luncheon a FUNdraising success!

Bellies & Babies!

Maybe because it's Spring, but I've been innundated with maternity and newborn baby clients lately! I LOVE working with expectant mothers and who doesn't love a sweet little baby new to the world?! Just wanted to share a couple of images from recent sessions...

Custom Graduation Announcements!

Why settle for placing a wallet print in a card? Stand out from the crowd with custom-designed graduation announcements made just for you! Here are just a couple of examples of what Photosensitive Portraits can create for you - call 541-436-2755 for special pricing for the Class of 2009!

Puppy Update

It's been 3 months since I last took my adorable puppy's portrait! (right about the same time I got sick AND lost/misplaced my much-loved point and shoot camera...) So last week, almost exactly 8 months from the day she was born, I attempted to create more portraits of my precious Sofie. These are the two best from that brief session - I say 'brief' because, well, have YOU ever tried to take a formal photo of an Airedale?!! it ain't easy, lemme tell ya... I'm having the close-up shot printed as a 16" x 20" gallery wrap for my office! C'mon, admit it - ain't that the cutest face you've seen in a long time?!!

Happy April Fool's Day!

To honor this most under-appreciated day and because I've been working on my taxes for the last few days, I'm sharing one of my favorite cartoon strips from What the Duck? (check WTD out at www.WhatTheDuck.net!)

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...