From the Haugen Heart

I love what I do! Every day brings something new but the greatest satisfaction comes from bring joy to other people's lives. I just got a message from one of my favorite clients, Cristy, and thought I would share: "These portraits have made all the difference for me. "At the beginning of November, our house was flooded. All of our possessions that were salvageable were put into storage and we had to move into a hotel while all the flooring was replaced, the walls repaired and the entire house repainted. I love the holidays and being in a hotel during this time was really depressing. "To make matters worse, the people doing the work did shoddy workmanship and we had to fight with them every step of the way. It was a nightmare! "We spent Christmas Day in the hotel. We watched the kids open a few presents but Paul and I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to open our own presents. Finally, Paul told me that someone had brought a surprise out to the house and we needed ...

"We want a portrait that expresses who we really are." This came from Christy, a pretty and vibrant mother of three that I met with recently to talk about their upcoming family portrait session. She told me that they are passionate about athletics (basketball in particular) and try to instill in their children to always be improving, always doing their best. Like good coaches, Mom and Dad lead by example. They stay clear about what is most important in their lives and work hard to be the best they can be. My challenge is to capture something more than just another attractive family portrait. Something that captures the essence of who they are without being artificial. Another factor is that it is December so we need to be thinking about studio options. I have an idea of them on a hillside with lots of sky but that will need to be another day.... another month. I promised Christy that I would show her some ideas and I thought that the best way would be in a blog post so that ...

I LOVE the Holidays! Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, beautiful music, candles, cozy fire in the fireplace, presents, Christmas trees and lots of hubbub. I love it all! To add to the craziness, we have some crazy sales going on at Haugen's... Gift Certificates are 25% off, Black Friday Door Busters, Holiday Card Special... make sure to read on to find out more! Black Friday @ Haugen's! Friday, November 26th Yes, you read it right, we're doing a BLACK FRIDAY DOORBUSTER from 4 to 6 am on the day after Thanksgiving (yes, I mean the wee small hours of the morning when all the sane people will be sound asleep). In fact, I plan to be one of those sane people at home in bed so don't come beating on the door of the studio at 4 am. Just log onto your computer (or your Iphone while waiting at Fred Myers to buy socks) and purchase our BLACK FRIDAY special. During those hours we are offering a certificate for a Signature Portrait Session PLUS $100 toward your portrait session fo...

We all have our heroes. Some are famous, some are not. Abraham Lincoln is at the top of my list of famous heroes. This week I met a man who is never going to be famous but goes on my list of heroes because of his courage, his pride and his belief that no debt goes unpaid. The story began a few weeks ago when I picked up the phone at the studio. The voice at the other end was craggy but vibrant. "Hello, my name is Wes, I am a Navy veteran." "A few years back, I donated a model of a Corsair airplane to the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville and I haven't been able to go to the museum in years to see it. I am crippled up and can't really get out and about anymore. I would like to pay you to go and take pictures of it so I can feel like I am right there looking at it." “You called the right place,” I told him, “Neil and I love that museum and we would love an excuse to go and take photographs.” I never told him what our normal fee would be for travel ...

“I like my job because it involves learning. I like being around smart people who are trying to figure out new things.” Bill Gates I came across this quote from Bill Gates this morning. I totally agree with the sentiment. I have found that being a photographer is not just about creating visually pleasing images, it seems to be all about learning new things. New software, new equipment, new ways of marketing, new ideas. The amount of "new" stuff to absorb is breathtaking, sometimes scary, but never, ever boring! Sometimes, I need to let the left side of my brain rest and let the right side play for a bit so I am working on new backgrounds and sets, both for the studio and for 8.5 acre portrait park. Here is one that I have been having fun with. I am calling it "Silver Tiles" but really need a catchier name, don't you think?

I got to meet baby Emma today. At 10 days old she is still settling in to this life on the outside. She misses Mommy's nice warm tummy but she loves music and Daddy's touch.

It Was a Glittery Day I have been a member of the Corvallis Chamber for awhile and just love going to Greeters. Every week, a bunch of business owners meet at someone's business for coffee and networking. I enjoy the open, friendly atmosphere and have gotten to know some really nice people there. Louise-Annette Burgess, a very dedicated Mary Kay rep, has been a very faithful attendee at these functions right up to her due date. Baby Emma decided to make her debut into this world on Sunday so I have a feeling we won't be seeing Louise-Annette as much at Greeters! These images were done a week ago today. At last week's Greeters, Louise-Annette introduced me to Ananda Elyse Reeves who, in addition to teaching and Life Coaching, paints pregnant tummies! Photographer of expectant moms and painter of expectant moms is a natural fit, right? And gee, here was a very pregnant mama right before us. A painting/photography session was meant to be! Since Louise-Annette's baby, Emma,...

The Oregon Coast doesn't often get this sunny and warm so we were reveling on Saturday! My favorite time is September. There is less chance of rain, fog and wind than at any other time of year. I got a chance to meet the whole Naughton clan and play with Dashiell and Clara. Doesn't get much better than this!

Alison and Brian Click on the link above to see the slide show.Alison and Brian were so much fun to photograph!

Wedding video

1. A color scheme is the first priority with group portraiture. There is not one color scheme that is the best and only possibility. Take a look at the room in which the main portrait will hang and select colors that will harmonize with that room. You don't want a portrait over the mantle that clashes with the room! Here are some ideas. • Dress everyone in one family of colors. For example, light to medium blues (like denim) work well with many decors, compliment any skin tone, and are easy to find in most closets. White or pastels can be wonderful, particularly at the beach or with a lighter background. • If you are challenged getting everyone to agree on one family of colors, try for muted tones, like blues, grays, and browns. • With large family groups, consider separating sub-family groups by color. This works best if clothing styles match closely. (For example, everyone wears blue jeans and each sub-family group wears a different colored shirt or sweater.) 2. Solid colo...

I just got a Facebook message asking about family portraits from a friend who has never been to our studio before. "WooHoo! That is so cool," I am thinking, but once again I need to explain the different options. Then it occurred to me that there are probably other people out there that are curious about how it all works but are afraid to ask. "How much is it going to cost?" is naturally one of the first questions. The real answer is that everyone is different, makes different choices about what they want, and therefore invests widely varying amounts of money. That answer is not very helpful, however, so here is some info that will tell you what is involved and help you make some decisions. There are two directions you can go. The first and most popular option is called our Signature series which includes a portrait planning consultation, custom portrait session with lots of choices, and beautifully finished, fully retouched prints. The session itself can be in th...

Sometimes I feel so ordinary. I really love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, making turkey pot pie for my family, building a fire in the wood stove on a cold winter day, and even doing laundry. Sometimes, I think I could be quite content filling my days with the simple pleasures of these everyday things. But...would I be truly happy? I do have an inner drive that pushes me to do more. To be more. It is a push for Excellence with a capital Ex . I have always pushed myself to give the best that I have to each client, to enter print competition, to stretch beyond what I know and am comfortable with. And now, to teach and help others to stretch and learn, to see the world more clearly as they follow their photography passion through MyPhotoMentor. Now I will be teaching live classes in addition to online. They will be great because they MUST be. 2010, here I come! Miriam

This story was in my email in box this morning. You might think it touching or you might find it sappy but there is a basic, important truth in it that bears repeating. Here goes: A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. “Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.” “That doesn't have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happine...

The entry fee for the contest is $35 and goes in it's entirety to benefit children in the Mid-Willamette Valley. We support Operation Backpack sponsored by the Willamette Valley Auxilliary of the Assistance League which purchases school supplies for needy school children. You will receive a complimentary 5x7 portrait with your entry. The sessions are 30 minutes with master photographer, Miriam Haugen, one of the Northwest's top children's photographers! View a slideshow of entries from previous years. How does the contest work? 1. Schedule your portrait session before March 31 by calling the studio or emailing us today - (503)838-5416 or miriam@haugensgalleri.com. 2. Select a background and clothing to match. We don't have a set theme this year, but feel free to be as creative as you want with props and clothing. Click here to see background choices. 3. Arrive at the studio a few minutes early for your session with clothing (and props?) in hand. Don't st...