Super Senior Model on Location!

I had a BLAST working with Deisy on location this past weekend! AND her "posse" came along for the adventure - many thanks to Miguel for all his assistance with the reflector plus his portrayal of a light stand and to Deisy's BFF Sandy, who also posed for my camera (photos of the two friends coming soon!)...

I'm leaving this afternoon for a photography workshop in Great Falls, Montana and I'm really excited about it! It will be a great chance to reconnect with other photographer friends who are spread throughout the country, as well as learn from the amazing Travis Gugelman...six days of friends, fotography and fun! If I get a chance, I'll post from some images from the workshop - I'm sure they have the Internet in the wilds of Montana, right?!!

A More Modern Karina

Still making magic with all the wonderful senior images I shot the other day - thought you'd like another view of Photosensitive Portraits' Senior Super Model, Karina, this time looking decidely more contemporary than the previously posted Golden Age of Hollywood image!

Want to make sure I give a shout out to Hood River's Relay for Life teams! Fantastic effort, amazing dedication, unparalleled commitment to a cause - you have my and every other cancer survivor's gratitude for what you do, year after year!

Kickin' It "Old School-Hollywood Glamour" Style!

Wow, today was a whirlwind of senior sessions! I'll be working on today's images over the weekend and hopefully get a couple posted here - but for now this one will have to do...introducing Karina, Senior Super Model #4 in the Photosensitive Portraits' fabulous Class of 2010 line up! Her sculpted good looks made it imperative that I pull out the Hollywood style lighting and glam her up a bit - I think she looks like a real old school movie star, don't you! More images of Karina to come, so keep checking back next week!

My Very First OpLove Session!

I had the pleasure of doing my very first OpLove (www.OpLove.org) portrait session yesterday - I'm honored to have the opportunity to do something for our soldiers and their families...I'll post a few more from this session later tonight!

On location with Elizabeth!

I had a blast yesterday shooting out in the countryside with Senior Super Model Elizabeth (and her two friends, Maira and Illiana - thanks, ladies, for being impromptu photo assistants!) - she braved the chilly wind and we got some fantastic captures! I've been working "outside the box" lately and this time around shot directly into the setting sun (which created this beautiful rim light on Elizabeth) - I told my lovely model I was just testing my camera settings and she gave me this wonderful, naturally charming series of images...

Senior Super Model Elizabeth

I'm having such a good time with my Super Models this summer! All of them gorgeous, all of them bright, all of them wonderful to work with...I've been polishing some of the images created with Elizabeth - I turned off the studio lights, opened the drapes and went "au naturel" using only the available light...color me Very Happy with the results!

Senior Super Model Rocks Her Photo Session!

I'm working on hundreds of images from the many portrait sessions over the last week or so, and when I find one I think is exceptional, I like to post it on my blog as a little tease, a sneak peek if you will...this is Deisy again, one of four Senior Super Models from the Class of 2010 who are representing Photosensitive Portraits to all their friends - I think she looks SMASHING in turquoise, don't you?!! (Deisy looks good in just about ANYTHING, actually...) And to show that the apple didn't fall far from the tree, here's a quickie portrait of Deisy with her equally beautiful Mom (and little sister)...

July 4, 1776 :
Declaration of Independence

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. "

Today let us give thanks to those courageous and forward-thinking men who drafted and signed this world-altering document, and to all those who have laid down their lives in the defense of our rights and our liberties.

A teaser...

I had the opportunity to meet this lovely couple this weekend past - more about that wonderful experience a little later as I am still furiously editing and processing the rest of the images! But when I saw these two, I just HAD to create a portrait for them - aren't they gorgeous in love?!!

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?