Postcard Happy!

Even though my "official" grand opening is months away, that doesn't mean I haven't been busy getting ready. Lately, I've been doing something I really enjoy, designing promotional pieces for the different products and services I will be offering. One of my favorite ways to introduce my work and also keep in touch with clients is to use postcards - I've finished two and have several more in the works. Both of these are oversized, 6"x9", for maximum impact.

The first one features some of my favorite headshots from last year - an actor, a director, a CEO, an interior designer, an actress, a real estate broker, a newlywed, an engineer (not necessarily in that order). I thorougly enjoy working with people, bringing out their very best for all the world to see. Now that I've done a business portrait for Louise, I've set my sights on the rest of Hood River's real estate professionals!

The second postcard features some of the work I've done for a couple of San Francisco artists, Denise Duffy (www.DeniseDuffy.com) and Elizabeth Jonasson (www.ElizabethJonasson.com). Photographing artwork is a challenge that is completely different from portrait photography - correct perspective and color accuracy are critical components when producing images that the artist will use to represent and promote his or her work. It's a nice change to work silently and slowly as opposed to my typically lively portrait sessions! I am currently working with the Columbia Center for the Arts to provide photography services for artists - I will announce more details about this very soon!

Thank You, Louise McCulloch!

Finally, another portrait - I received the opportunity to do some headshots for my own terrific real estate agent, Louise McCulloch - this is her looking fabulous and ready to do business! Louise works for RE/MAX Results in Hood River and let me tell you, you will have to look hard to find a more personable or knowledgeable agent than Louise! I originally called her while we were still living in California and she made doing business long-distance easier than I ever would have thought possible. Then once we were in town, she continued to smooth the way for us - my husband commented that he has never had a real estate transaction go as efficiently as our recent home purchase in Hood River.

So, no matter if you're buying or selling, please consider using Louise's services - I can guarantee you won't regret it! You can contact her at RE/MAX Results by calling (541) 387-6700 or (800) 387-6703; her email is Louise@GorgeProperty.com. You can learn more about RE/MAX Results by visiting www.GorgeProperty.com.

Yeah, I like Louise alot - and I love my new home here in Hood River! Thank you so much, Louise, for helping make our dreams come true.

Hostess with the Mostest

As in "most cool truck"! Jonny, our hostess for yesterday's Ring Kings' get-together, has a really fine truck, built for her by her personable and charming husband, Moe...I just LOVE the decal Jonny has on the back window! It reads, "This is NOT my husband's truck!" They have a beautiful piece of property up above Hood River and it was the perfect setting for shooting this classy-looking truck...

More hot rods

Went on a little jaunt today to visit with Hood River's hot rod club, the fabulous Ring Kings! Everyone drove their hot rod, of course, presenting me with several squeal-worthy moments as I hopped from one vehicle to another, chasing that "just right" angle to showcase each car's unique features...here's my favorite - this one belongs to Ring King member Dennis and it's sitting pretty on his '37 Ford sedan!

Hot Rod Swap Meet

Traveled to Bend/Redmond for the weekend to check out the Oregon High Desert Swap Meet - went looking for parts for the 1934 Ford pickup truck that is my husband's latest project. Even though the trip was a bust as far as finding parts went, we still had a great time! In addition to the swap meet, there was also a little car show - and of course I brought my camera to add to my collection of hood ornaments...here's three of my favorites from the weekend.

A lovely afternoon

One of the adventures in moving to a new place is meeting new people. It's a littler easier for me than for most, I admit - I'm a chatterbox, I'll talk to just about anybody who will listen! Well, I met a young woman a few weeks ago and in the course of conversation I told her I was a photographer (I tell EVERYONE that - can't help myself, I love being a photographer) and was looking for someone who would be my "guinea pig" (I think I used the word "model" actually). I explained I was working in a new space and needed someone to practice on - I promised it would be fun and that I would be happy to give her prints in exchange for sitting for me. Imagine my delight when she said yes!

And so the lovely Yasmin Acosta-Myers visited my studio about a week ago and boy howdy, did we have fun! These are are a few samples from our afternoon together - I am ecstatic over how well they turned out! Yasmin is a delight to work with - easy going, warm, fun-loving and photogenic as all get out - what more could a photographer ask for?!

Look Ma, I'm blogging!

I'm pretty excited - this is a brand new thing for me, "blogging." Yeah, for a photographer, I'm a bit techno-phobic (!), so with the help of a good friend holding my hand the whole way, ta-da, here it is, my very first blog, Light Reading.

I wasn't so sure about doing this at first - who would be interested in what's going on in MY head? Then I realized that through this medium, I could introduce myself to alot of new friends...see, I should tell you this right off, I'm new here. Not just to blogging, but new to Hood River, new to Oregon. Ok, not "new-new" since I've been vacationing here every summer for the last 18 years - but when my husband had the opportunity to retire this Spring, we made the big decision to follow our bliss and it brought us here to Hood River. So far, so fantastic!

We've been residents of Hood River a whole 2 months now - things are finally all unpacked and we're starting to settle into a comfortable rhythm. I'm converting the downstairs living room into a studio - there's still painting to do and draperies to be sewn. (I've ordered the most gorgeous copper-colored Dupioni silk! Can't wait for you to see it!) I hope to integrate myself slowly into my new community, so don't plan on opening my doors "officially" until Spring 2007 - then "watch this space!" because I've got a truly grand Grand Opening in mind!

Well, this is pretty good for a start - it is truly a pleasure to be here, like a dream come true! I'm looking forward to meeting you soon...