From the Haugen Heart

You Make Me Happy

2012-01-30T17:18:00.000-08:00

I just created a short little video for you to enjoy. Have fun!

Wedding at St. Patrick's and Green Villa Barn Independence Oregon

2012-01-15T23:56:00.000-08:00

It was a sunny day in September when I first heard Monica's voice on the other end of the phone. "I was just on your website and liked what I saw. Are you available on January 7 to photograph my wedding?" Neil and I were open so we set a time to meet in person.

As we talked, it was clear that the ceremony meant a lot to Monica and Matt. It was to be a full Catholic Mass with all that entails: singing, praying, sermon, full communion, sitting, standing, kneeling.... after an hour and 20 minutes or so, you really feel married! The ceremony was to be performed by the priest that they had gotten to know as part of Campus Ministries at OSU.

Its More Than a Party
This got me thinking about how the typical wedding of the modern era places so much emphasis on the party. The vows the couple is making is a small blip in a day full of hairdressers, photography, cake cutting and first dances. But the vows are the reason for all the rest of the hoopla and what the couple's life together, their lifelong commitment is based upon.

Of course I think that professional photography is really, really important. But when it comes to the ceremony, we do all that we can to capture meaningful photographs without being seen. There is no flash during the ceremony and we will not position ourselves where we might be a distraction. It is my hope and belief that when Monica and Matt look at their wedding photographs in the years to come and show them to their children, they will be reminded of the vows that they made to each other. Neil and I were reminded of our vows that day, as we are at every wedding that we photograph.

Call me old fashioned, but I am a sucker for a traditional church wedding. Thank you, Matt and Monica, for inviting us to be a part of your wedding day. May the years that you spend together be filled with joy.

A Little Goodness for the Tummy: Lars' Cornbread Recipe

2012-01-09T17:59:00.000-08:00

Warm, yummy, fresh out of the oven, cornbread!

I can smell it now........ ahhhhhhh!

I am not a gourmet cook. I have never been one to try new recipes for the fun of it or long to spend a day in the kitchen creating. Give me my camera and a few hours with Photoshop as my creative outlet, any day. But I do love the feeling of putting a home cooked meal on the table and having the family come running. Nothing speaks more to hearth and home and good feelings .... and that feeds me!

I also love spending time with our 13 year old son, Lars. I love teaching him things, helping him with his homework (did I just say that?), helping him earn that next Boy Scout merit badge or get 4H exhibits ready for the county fair. Lars really likes to cook. It shouldn't be surprising because he loves to eat and he loves hearing people tell him what a great cook he is.

What does this have to do with cornbread? Well, Lars had some in a restaurant and wanted to duplicate the sweet, moistness that you find in really good restaurant cornbread. I hadn't made cornbread in years but, because Lars wanted to do it, it became a priority for me. We went online, researched recipes, tweaked, and wanted to share with you what we came up with:

Buttermilk Cornbread Lars Haugen

Source: allrecipes.com servings: 9

Dry ingredients: wet ingredients:

1 cup cornmeal ½ cup butter

1 cup all purpose flour 2 eggs

½ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup buttermilk

½ teaspoon salt (or substitute 1T lemon juice and milk to make one cup)

1 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Make buttermilk substitute by putting 1T. Lemon juice in measuring cup and adding milk to make 1cup. Set aside.

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.

Melt butter in cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.

Remove from heat. Stir in sugar. Add eggs and beat until well blended.

Stir in dry ingredients until well blended and a few lumps remain.

Place skillet in oven and bake 25-35 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let leftovers cool for about an hour before sealing in a plastic bag.

Just in case you would rather have someone else do the baking for you, this is the recipe that Lars' 4H club will be using for the chili feed on January 28, 2012 at the Polk County Fairgrounds. So if you don't want to go into the kitchen yourself, join us at the fairgrounds, support Relay for Life, and fill up on chili and Lars' cornbread!

Perfect for a cold winter night.

People Come From Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Monmouth, Dallas, and beyond for Children's Portraits with Santa

2011-11-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Schedule an Appointment
The secret to a relaxed experience with Santa is that we schedule appointments. There is no waiting in line and plenty of time to talk to Santa and calm frazzled nerves. He will be here all day on December 10 but the appointment times are filling fast so send us an email or call 503-838-5416 if you would like to schedule.

How Much Is It?
This event is really affordable. You can purchase a 4x5 print for just $12, or a package for $35-$65.

Come on and join the fun!

Black Friday? You bet!

2011-11-22T16:32:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I am not a big shopper so I generally avoid the malls and big retail stores on Thanksgiving weekend. If I have to pay full retail for socks on a different day, I will.

That got me thinking. Wouldn't it be great if you could Shop Local while still cozying up to the fire in your jammies on the day after Thanksgiving?

You can do just that by purchasing gift certificates to Haugen's online! We are having our own Black Friday and Cyber Monday special. Just go to our online shopping cart and purchase gift certificates for all your friends and family for 25% off the face value. We can even mail the certificates to you. Wow, that's easy.

Now that is MY idea of a great way to shop!

Time to Party at Haugen's!

2011-11-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

Time to party!

I have a number of small business owners that will be coming to the studio and sharing the fun stuff that they do. You can do a little Christmas shopping, sip some wine, get a massage, and have some fun with friends.

FAQ's
There is NO CHARGE for this event. Seriously. We were just wanting to say thank you to our clients and meet some new people along the way. We would love it if you supported the vendors by doing a little Christmas shopping and buying a raffle ticket would be awesome (see the next paragraph) but if you want to come and just hang out, that would be great, too.

We will be selling raffle tickets for a gift basket full of goodies. Funds received will go to support Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. This is an organization that provides beautiful photographs to parents suffering from the loss of a baby.

If you plan to come, give us an RSVP so we know how much food to buy!

McNary High School Reunion- Salem, Oregon

2011-09-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

40 years? You have got to be kidding!

Neil's high school reunion was this summer and a good time was had by all. (He is the handsome devil in the white shirt standing on the right.) The Blues Brothers gave us a command performance and we danced and partied like it was 1971 (well, almost.) Big thanks to Danny Bisgarrd and the crew for putting this all together.

I did not go to McNary (my reunion for West Albany is next year) but this group gets together every five years and have really made me feel welcome.

Family Portraits in Bend and Sunriver, Oregon

2011-09-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

We have a family reunion every Labor Day weekend. My parents, siblings, and as many nieces, nephews and grand kids as we can manage converge on Sunriver to enjoy the warm sunshine and hiking in the beautiful Oregon Cascades.

When my father turned 40 he started climbing mountains and he has scaled every significant peak in the northwest. There were many family backpacking trips during the summer as I was growing up and a love of the outdoors was instilled in each of us. Most of these trips were to the Cascades and it just might be the nostalgia that keeps pulling me back to the high mountains, clear lakes, Douglas fir and Ponderosa Pine.

My father is 93 now and doesn't climb mountains anymore but he is still an avid hiker. The trails my sister chooses for him are shorter and gentler than he would have chosen 15 years ago. 15 years ago, my sister and I couldn't keep up with him. Now we get to spend time visiting with him as we stroll at a more leisurely pace. This year we hiked to Doris Lake which is a five mile round trip. Pretty impressive for 93, don't you think?

This year we did this portrait of my brother and his family with the Deschutes River and South Sister in the background because it is a place with many happy memories of family times. We look forward to sharing our love of Central Oregon by doing a portrait event at Sunriver on October 1. If you would like to do this now or at some future time, drop me a line.

Root Beer Cake Anyone?

2011-09-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Lars spent the summer learning how to bake cakes for 4H..... and we have the waist lines to show for it! In a six week period we consumed three chocolate birthday cakes, two angelfood cakes, one 7 layer torte and two Rootbeer cakes. That was a lot of cake.

Lars can now separate egg whites like a pro, whip up a 7 layer torte that will melt in your mouth and learned how to bake a moist and yummy Root Beer Cake.

Lars with his other 4H projects: Our dog, Aphrodite, and his Holland Lop, Cheez-it.

When I announced that his Angel Food Cake and Root Beer Cake both won blue ribbons at the Polk County Fair, the requests for the Root Beer cake recipe started flooding in. I am not one to hold secret family recipes close to my chest so I thought I would share.

Blue Ribbon Root Beer Cake

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1 c. margarine

2 Tbsp. cocoa

1 c. root beer

½ c. buttermilk

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 c. miniature marshmallows

Combine flour and sugar in mixing bowl. Heat butter, cocoa, and root beer to boiling. Pour over sugar and flour. Stir well. Add buttermilk, eggs, soda, vanilla, and marshmallows. Beat well. Use a 9x13 inch pan greased on all sides. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 40 minutes.

A Wedding in Oregon.....Somewhere Between Salem, Monmouth, Corvallis and Forever

2011-08-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

The dress slipped quickly over Megan's head and the transformation from kicked back mama to wedding diva began. "Will I be flashing everybody when I bend over?... Will it work to have this rose in my hair?" In spite of the white gown and all the primping, Megan was determined to have a low stress day. The makeup was natural, the hairstyle: simple, the shoes: comfortable.... and Amy was there at her side to fix what needed to be fixed and to be the calm voice of experience.

The two moms were flitting about outside, fixing this, helping with that like two hummingbirds lighting on this flower and then that. The two dads moved with the calm assurance of those that have been through this before and the knowledge that no matter what else happened, Ryan and Megan would soon be officially starting their life together.

Ryan wiped the perspiration from his brow. It took some convincing, but we finally assured him that there were other people that could finish getting three year old, Joey into his tux and now he fidgeted...... waiting. He was waiting for the love of his life, his angel, the one that made him complete.

Megan, thank you, thank you, thank you. I love your joy, your love of life, and the way Ryan looks in your eyes and loves every bit of what he sees. And the most important thing of all, he is going to be a great dad to Joey.

This was on a hill overlooking Ryan's parent's home where the wedding took place. It is on the road to Dancing Oaks Nursery, an amazing place to wander, photograph, and dream of the lush gardens you could create. We had planned to photograph Ryan, Megan and Joey there but we were lured away by this perfect wheat field. I am looking for an excuse to go back and photograph in the bamboo grove.

Ryan and Megan were not at all sure that Joey was going to put on that tux and be in the wedding. He is a three year old trying to take on the world in his own terms.

Sassy! I love the way Megan clowns in front of the camera!

And now they are one...........................................................

Party time!

Corvallis Family Portraits- All in a Summer's Day

2011-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

This was our second time photographing the Ehler's family on their property in King's Valley. You can find one from the last session on our website.

What a perfect day it was! We were a little nervous with all the rain that we had in June but God smiled on us.

We managed to do some senior portraits of Jake, while we were about it. Surprising enough, there was not a basketball in ANY of the portraits. Jake is already negotiating with colleges for the best scholarships and perks. I think we will have to take in a Corvallis High basketball game this year!

All our Dreams can Come True...a Tribute to Walt Disney

2011-06-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them" This is a quote from Walt Disney, a man with unfailing determination and vision.

I used to look down my nose at the vast Disney empire with its amusement parks, cutesy fuzzy animals, and too formulaic movies. I was especially annoyed when he took my favorite children's stories of all time, A.A. Milne's, Winnie the Pooh and "Disneyfied" them. In the original, the characters have depth and the humor is sweet but sophisticated. Not so in Disney's version.

As I have grown older and wiser, I have to admit that good, old Walt was quite a guy. There was a lot more to him than a keen sense of what would sell to the masses. He truly was a visionary and had the single mindedness and perseverance to bring his dreams to fruition.

He knew exactly what he was about.... what "Disney" was about, and knew how to lead others along with him without falling into the traps that most of us do along the way: self doubt, distraction, running down side paths and forgetting the main focus.

"Disneyland is the star, everything else is in the supporting role." This quote may not sound earth shatteringly brilliant but it gives great insight into how he built his empire. He knew that if money becomes the focus, the dream will be lost."Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money."

I think that is why so many great companies falter when they get bought out by huge corporations. Remember how cool Snapple used to be? "Made from the best stuff on earth." It was quirky and cool. Now it seems to be just another bottled beverage lost in a crowded field since it was bought by Dr Pepper. They should have taken a few lessons from Walt Disney.

My favorite Disney movie is "Meet the Robinsons." I love it because it is quirky and different and doesn't follow a formula. I watched it thinking it was just a light hearted romp until the very end and they hit us with that quote from (guess who?)..... Walt. Suddenly, the movie became more than mindless entertainment. It was a testimony to a great man.

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." Walt Disney

May I remain curious and always moving forward.

Sonia's Senior Pictures: Dallas High School

2011-06-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Sonia just joined the ranks of high school graduates. I have photographed her older sisters, her little niece, the family....what's next?

I hope you are heading out into the world to do great things, Sonia!

Can you tell that Sonia has a thing for Nike's?

The Epic Battle of Miriam against THE WEED

2011-06-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

I better start out by saying that I am no Martha Stewart. You won't find me creating perfect centerpieces and creative name cards for all my soirees. My cooking is basic, my home is hardly pristine and the decorating is less than picture perfect. I hardly dare to say that I like gardening. That might cause one to come to my home with visions of lush flower beds brimming with color and a neat and tidy vegetable garden laid in symetrical, neat, weed-free rows. The reality is that I am still trying to figure out how to keep the flowers from drying up in the heat of summer, how to keep the deer from eating the tulips and tomatoes, and how to keep THE WEED from taking over my garden.

I have been doing battle with THE WEED when I can squeeze in time between photography and family time. I don't know what it is but it has been slowly taking over my garden for the last three years. Maybe someone will tell me what it is and I really hope they will tell me about some nasty chemical that will kill it. It looks like an ancient plant that has been around since the Paleozoic Era.

Here is what I have learned about it after three years of battle: 1) It thinks that Round-up is a new kind of plant food. 2) It laughs in the face of Cross-bow. 3) Hoeing or pulling doesn't get rid of it because it sends out runners underground and reproduces itself from this underground root system. 4) Think you can go after all the underground roots? Guess again. The roots break easily and I strongly suspect that breaking the roots is like cutting an earthworm in two. Now you have two earthworms.

I do have a battle plan. It came to me this morning as I was digging up huge clumps of earth and painstakingly breaking the clumps apart and fishing out every root. I have boards that define my low lying raised beds with wood chips covering the walk ways between the beds. THE WEED has invaded the beds but they are the thickest in the walkways between the beds. My new plan is to whack down the plants that are above ground and lay down Preen over the wood chips. "If I can keep it from sprouting in the walkways and keep digging it out of the beds, maybe it will be gone in another three years?" she says hopefully.

Neil and I thought of a new business venure. Is there anyone you don't like? We could go plant this in their garden for you. At night, of course. Please pay in advance. :-)

Publicity Portraits Should Not be Boring!

2011-06-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

I get to know the most interesting people! Yesterday it was Janie.

Janie Martin is an entertainer. I first met her as a singer with the Salem Big Band a few years back but her singing goes far beyond the big band style. She can croon or belt a song and have a crowd eating out of her hand.

When she contacted me about doing photographs for her new website, I knew that the images had to sell her dynamic personality and the way she comes to life in front of an audience. They had to show how her eyes dance and sparkle. They had to make you sit up and take notice and want to listen to her.

Janie is also a hypnotist! How cool is that? If you need a good hypnotist, be sure to visit her website.

If you want to hear her sing Big Band, you can give her a listen on YouTube.
You can also hear some more recent vocals on her new singing website.

Dallas High School Senior Pictures - Meet Shelby... Class of 2011...

2011-05-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

I remember doing senior portraits of Shelby's mother, Michelle. She loved taking pictures but hated being in front of the camera and let me know that she was doing this for her mom. I was confident that she would have fun with it once she got warmed up. We did all kinds of poses both inside and out. We even did photographs with her camera. I had a great time.

When we were all done, I asked, "Was that so bad?" She replied, "Yes, yes it was." I was crestfallen.

Later, I got to know Michelle better and learned that she has a very dry sense of humor and was at least partly teasing me with that reply. Only partly, though. She really doesn't like having a camera pointed at her.

Shelby is another story. She comes to life in front of the camera. With her big eyes and model body, the camera loves her.

She is going to school and working TWO part time jobs to pay for the love of her life: her BMW! I asked her about some of her favorite things and this is what she had to say:

Fav Color: Purple

Fav Food: Mexican

Fav Drink: Mt. Dew

Fav Music: Rap and Raggae

Fav Movie: Fast Five

Fav TV Show: Kendra

After Shelby graduates she will be going to Chemeketa Community Collage and working (to pay off her car, naturally).

Make Yourself at Home... Photography and Cookies

2011-05-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies...........

There just isn't anything else that says home more than that smell when you walk into the house. Just like a cozy fire on a cold winter night. Makes you think of Grandma's house in a Norman Rockwell painting with the kids running in shouting, "Oh boy, is that cookies, I smell?"

That doesn't mean that I am baking cookies at home every week. When Lars suggests that this would be a great night to bake cookies, I usually say, "Go for it!" That is when we find out just how badly he wants those cookies.

I used to try to evoke that homey feeling by burning scented candles in the studio. Then I found out that Otis Spunkmeyer will provide the oven and baking sheets when you order their dough and I was in heaven. Forget the scented candles! How much better is it to come into the studio to the smell of freshly baked cookies......and you get to eat them, too! They are really, really good cookies and sooooooo easy. They come frozen in little cookie sized blobs so we just take out however many cookies we want to bake at that moment and pop them in the little oven. Sometimes I only bake two cookies!

Do I have a stash at home, you may ask? No. That would be way too tempting. Lars will just need to bake his own cookies.

West Salem High School Senior Portraits - Congratulations Class of 2011!

2011-05-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

The first time I met Laryssa, she was three years old and we did a family portrait out by the family duck pond. It was a perfect October day and the sun was just going down so we had the perfect light: a warm glow skipping across the water giving sparkles to the eyes and wrapping the faces in beautiful, soft light. The spot that we had chosen for the portrait was a little hard to get to, however, and Laryssa's dad donned his boots and gave each of us a piggy back ride through the water to get to the spot. My camera at the time, was a Mamiya RB 67 and weighed a ton so another trip through the water was made to bring the gear. That dedication is a sure sign of a man who loves his family!

A couple of years later, we did dress up portraits of Laryssa in the studio and then, much later (in 2006), another fall family portrait at Helmick Park. (No piggy back rides, this time.) The image on the right is from that session.

Now Laryssa is graduating from West Salem High School and looking forward to attending the University of Miami in Florida next fall with an intended major in French Horn Performance and minor in engineering. I wish I had her love of math and physics!

I asked her about some of her favorite things and this is what she had to say:
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Ribs (yum!)
Favorite Drink: Thai Tea
Favorite Artist: Hanz Zimmer, the composer with a long list of movie sound track credits including Pirates of the Carribean, Dead Man's Chest.
Favorite Movie: Inception (that is a movie that really plays with your mind!)

And finally, a quote that expresses the central place that music has in her life:

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo

My favorite Superhero lives in Keizer, Oregon

2011-05-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

"Is your favorite superhero the Green Lantern?"
No. I think I'll wait for the movie to come out on DVD.
"How about Batman?"
That would be Gotham City....Guess again.
"Let's go back to a classic. Could it be Superman?"
Oh, I think you are getting warmer....

My favorite superhero is Super Ty. He is a precocious six year old and his mission right now is protecting his new baby brother from mutant monsters, jumping higher than a basketball hoop, and whipping up "out of this world" food in the kitchen with his mom and Tutu.

We had a chance to delve deeper into the character of the "boy behind the cape" recently and ask him a few questions.This is what he had to tell us:

What is your favorite color? Orange (I wonder if this has anything to do with the OSU Beavers?)
Favorite Food: Bread with jam and butter
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Favorite Toy: Buzz Lightyear's Lazer Beam
Favorite Game: Pokemon Black version and White Version
Favorite TV Show: Pokemon
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

Ty's answer: "I have never eaten Green Eggs and Ham."
Mom's answer: "He loves to bake and help in the kitchen and doesn't like meatloaf."
Tutu's answer: "He is very kind and loves animals."

I have been photographing Ty since he was born. He is regular with the children's contest and has come to Portraits with Santa every year (This portrait is from 2008). Every year except this one. Neither of the days that Santa was here at the studio were going to work into the busy family schedule. So Tutu had to resort to taking him to the Woodburn Company Stores to see Santa. There was just one problem.

As they walked into the mall, he looked up at his grandmother with a concerned look and said, "This isn't the real Santa, the real Santa is at Miriam's!" Tutu had to do some fast thinking. "Santa travels all over, Ty." With that reassurance, Ty was fine.

Now we are celebrating Mother's Day and Mom is the Super hero of the hour. Give your Mom and Grandmother a big hug for me, Ty, and a kiss to your baby brother!

2011 Children's Contest Extended

2011-04-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Call us at 503-838-5416 or email us!
See all the contest details here.

Clothing and Props for Children's portrait sessions

2011-03-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

"What should I bring to my session?"

Please bring your children! Seriously, what else do we need? I know what you are really asking. What about clothing, props and things to make them smile. I have lots of things for making them smile and a lot of props but here are ideas for clothing and other things that you might consider bringing to the session

Clothing

I have a small but growing collection of clothing just for children's portrait sessions: hats, vintage clothing are the focus at this point but I am adding more all the time. Avoid logos and bold graphic designs. Solid colors are best and if this is a sibling or family portrait, color coordination is essential.

0-12 months
I have always loved naked babies so for the under one year crowd, I always believe the less clothes, the better! I love seeing their toes, rolls and that skin as soft as velvet. It is nice to have an attractive diaper cover available and it becomes essential once they start walking. I keep a few on hand, so don't stress!

I love vintage clothing so that cute outfit that your mom or grandma packed away from your babyhood is a great idea. If you have an outfit that you love and want to be sure to use, let me know.

Toddlers
Keep it simple. Running around with just a cute diaper cover still works for this age but they are transitioning into older children so consider ideas from my suggestions for preschoolers.

Preschoolers
Boys: jeans and no shirt, plain polo shirt and khakis, dress up like a cowboy, fireman, etc.A sailor suit is a very formal look from days gone by or think about other vintage clothing.
Girls: Dresses are always a great look. They can be frilly and formal, vintage, or a simple white sundress. Consider a twirly skirt or dress up clothes.

Older Kids
As the kids get older, so do the styles. Take your cues from the fashion industry but try to stick with solid colors, particularly with group portraits. We will want to match the clothing to the background or theme for the portrait so let's talk!

Props
We have lots of props that are great for children's portraits but if you want your portraits to be like no one else's. Let me know ahead of time about what you are bringing. Here are some ideas:

Vintage items or things that have special meaning. Family heirlooms like an old wagon are great!
Like Mommy or Daddy items that will tell a story: firefighting props if Daddy is a firefighter, makeup if Mommy sells makeup, stethoscope and lab jacket if one of the parents is in the medical field.
Theme portraits like a pirate with a chest of gold, eye patch and sword can be fun. Or try carrying out the theme of a nursery rhyme or fairy tale.

Let's work together to make some fabulous portraits!

Listening to God

2011-03-28T00:27:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is Sunday morning and I am up early to do a little writing before rushing off to church and then my mother's birthday party (She is 90! More about that later...)

Rush, rush, rush. So much of my life is about rushing around from one thing to the next. Lent is a time when we are supposed to be more contemplative and think about the divine but what am I doing about that? Forcing myself to slow down isn't easy. All too often slowing down involves putting on a movie and falling asleep in front of the TV. Rarely does that bring me closer to God!

I have been doing two intentional things this Lent. First, I have been attending Wednesday Lenten service at St. Mark Lutheran in Salem. Thirty minutes of song and prayer around the cross. Surely I have time for that. Secondly, I have been reading Lenten reflections called "Renewed for Life" by Henri J.M. Nouwen. I think I can make time for three paragraphs a day.

As I crawled into bed last night, I picked up the slender booklet and thumbed through trying to remember if I should be looking for the first or second Saturday in Lent. I suppose if I had been faithful about reading every night this wouldn't have been such a challenge. Maybe I should do two readings night to make up for lost time. I remind myself this is a journey, not a race and settle on the first Saturday because it was the first one I came to.

Four paragraphs don't take long to read but there is a surprising amount to think about in just four short paragraphs so I read and reread the devotion. Two statements stood out: "To pray for one another is to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God......We are brothers and sisters, not competitors or rivals." How often have I succumbed to petty jealousy. I try not to say them out loud but the thoughts well up unasked for, and sometimes with a close friend, I have so much fun gritching and complaining about that person who is annoying me!

I guess Henri Nouwen is gently reminding me to pray rather than gritch.

"To pray is to listen." Those words jumped off the page at me. My prayers are full of asking for this and that, full of me talking but very little waiting for the reply. A few times I have gotten a reply and, I can tell you, it is very unsettling. Maybe that is why I am not such a great listener. It is easier and safer to just keep talking. And keep busy. And keep rushing.

"Today, I will examine my many worldly compulsions and how I cling to them. Help me, Lord, to cut free of them that I may listen to your Spirit of love." I don't think I can do that alone. Thankfully, I am not.

My Mother's Birthday
I am so blessed to have my parents still around to talk to. My father is 92 and Mom just turned 90 on Friday. Mom tires easily these days so we celebrated with a small family gathering at my sister's at noon. Here are a few random memories of my mother from my childhood:

She always wore poly-cotton house dresses with a narrow belt at the waist. She would write notes to herself on little slips of paper and tuck them in her belt as reminders.

She was an avid reader and instilled a love of books in all her children. I loved the way she read Winnie the Pooh and the voices she had for all of the characters.

I remember her standing at the kitchen counter with her hand on the electric butter churn to make sure the top didn't vibrate off the base. She would read as she waited for the butter to form.

She was passionate about her volunteer work with 4H, the League of Women Voters, the Mental Health Association, and assisting my father when he was in the legislature. She wasn't always home when I came in from school but there would always be a meal in the oven with the oven timer set.

She still loves crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and children's poetry.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Something Old, Something New.......

2011-03-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

I love old, interesting and quirky things.

This is why I love antique malls. They are full of all kinds of interesting things from an old carousel horse (I almost bought one today....I may have to go back and get it), to flapper dresses (also tempting), a vintage couch with claw feet, antique toys, and the list goes on and on!

In case you were wondering, I visited the Albany Antique Mall today. It has 20,000 square feet (Wow!) and came home with this very pink chair. It is also very shabby but that just adds to the charm. It is going be awesome with a senior girl draped over it. I think it is going to get hauled to fields, railroad tracks and alley ways. I either need to start working out or find an assistant that is in good shape!
If you like browsing antique malls like I do, 2nd Street Antiques in Independence is another place that I love. I bought a ladder there this week and I think I am going back to get a table for the conference room at the studio.

I am having too much fun!

Cool Chick of the Week (Haugen's Children's Portrait Contest Continues)

2011-03-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have been photographing Lindzee since she was a baby and now she is getting ready to turn six! Love her, her mom and grandma to pieces!

I interviewed her recently for this exposé and here is what she had to say:

Favorite Color: purple
Favorite stuffed animal: My little kitty named Cokey
Favorite Doll: Molly. She is an American Girl Doll.
Favorite Cartoon Show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz
Best Friend: Audrey
My favorite Things to do: I love to use my imagination and pretend. Today I was making dragon potion. Mom says I am a great helper. I also love to cuddle and think it is really fun to be tickled.

She really, really wants to win the Children's Contest this year (no pressure, Mom!) so would like everyone to vote for her by making a donation to Operation Backpack in her name as soon as her photograph is posted on the voting site. Keep checking this link as new photographs are being added each week.

Children's Contest Kicks Off, Featuring Baby Portraits, and Children through 12 years old

2011-03-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

Baby Photography in Monmouth Oregon sets the stage for Haugen's Children's Contest.

"Hi, my name is Vienna. I like sitting in my Bumbo seat and eating Little Puff's baby snacks.

"My favorite person? I have a lot of special people in my life: Mommy and Daddy, of course, and Grandma and Grandpa are very cool, and let's not forget my sissy, Callia.

"My favorite body part is definitely my tongue. I can stick it out really far!

"I think everyone should vote for me for the Children's Contest because I have an adorable tush and a sweet personality."

To vote for Vienna, go to the Children's Contest website, click on Vienna's portrait and "order/ prices" in the upper right corner. Then you choose the amount of your donation. All of the money goes to support Operation Backpack which purchases school supplies for needy school children. No prints are included with your donation although you can purchase prints with the family's permission by contacting Haugen's.

More contestants will be appearing as the contest progresses, so check back, often! If you haven't scheduled your session yet, what are you waiting for? Send us an email.

Scenes from Polk County

2011-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

I love February in Oregon. It is so full of the promise of spring and yet reminders that it is still winter. These are scenes all within 12 miles of home taken on a recent sunny afternoon.

Beauty can be found at Beckenridge Winery, even in the winter.

I loved the play of sun and shadow on the hills around Basket Slough.

Filbert orchards are most beautiful without leaves, I have decided.

Here is another one of Basket Slough.

The Falls at Falls City are powerful and thundering with the winter rains pouring over them.

A Day Full of Possibilities

2011-02-18T00:16:00.000-08:00

It is not entirely true that I have spent every waking moment since the new year began strapped to a desk chair staring at a computer screen....it just feels that way.

January and February is a time for expanding knowledge which may mean going through an online tutorial or participating in a webinar or exploring that new software that is supposed to make my life easier but right now is making me crazy. It is also a time for housecleaning and since so much of my life lives on the computer, a lot of that housecleaning involves cleaning up, backing up, and reorganizing computer files. Ugh. I have also been putting the finishing touches on a new website that may actually go live by the 1st of March. That is very cool but it is all computer time.

Even the portrait sessions that I have done over the last two months have been brief respites from "virtual reality." For every hour that I spend behind a camera, I can count on three hours sitting at the computer.

Whine, whine, whine.

This morning I walked into my sun washed kitchen full of joy for the new day. It felt like a day full of possibilities and the computer could be put on the back burner. The problem with sun skipping across my kitchen floor is that I could see every bread crumb and fur ball (it is shedding season again.) Major cleaning was the first order of the day. I don't know about you but a clean kitchen really floats my boat!

By 11:00 am I was grabbing my camera, hopping in the car and heading out to photograph some scenic spots in Polk County. There was a beautiful sky today. The clouds came and went highlighting a group of trees here and there, beautiful in their skeletal form. I went to my favorite waterfall. It is a raging torrent, powerful and awesome at this time of year and played with different shutter speeds. The red of a rotting branch, half covered in ivy still with rain drops glistening caught my eye. Then there were the geese sweeping up en mass and settling down again by the water of Basket Slough.

It was a fine day. I only have one image to show you right now. It will have to be a teaser. You see, processing images involves sitting at a computer and today I have more important things to do.

2011 Children's Portrait Contest by Haugen's

2011-02-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

It's back! The Children's Contest has been an annual event at Haugen's since 1979. (Can you believe that! That would make this contest number 33!) Many of the early contestants have children of their own, now.

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.

How does the contest work?

1. Schedule your portrait session before March 31 by calling the studio - (503)838-5416 or email us today .

2. Schedule a consultation. If you have not been in to the studio before, we find it really helpful to meet with you to plan the session to make sure that your images are truely memorable. We will talk about clothing, backgrounds and possible props.

3. Arrive at the studio a few minutes early for your session with clothing (and props?) in hand. Don't stress. You will have time to dress your children (or undress them) and fuss with their hair. Let us worry about everything else! Get directions from Corvallis or Salem.

4. Schedule a selection appointment for a week after the session. This is very important. Without this appointment, you will not be eligible for the contest. This is when you will select an image to be entered in the contest and any images you want to purchase for yourself.

5. Voting. After you have decided on your entry, we will post the image online. We will send you an email with the link and then it is time to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! The public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite images by making donations to Operation Backpack. You will also have an envelope so that you can solicit donations and pass that link on to all your friends, of course. The portrait that raises the most will win the contest and a 24" Wall Portrait valued at over $700! Second prize is an 11x14 portrait valued at over $300. It is all good fun and stuffing the ballot box is encouraged. :-) Voting will end on April 10th, with the winner announced at the end of April.

FAQ's about the Children's Contest:

Can I have all of my children in one portrait? Absolutely. This is not an individual beauty contest (all children are beautiful, aren't they?) so the more the merrier. We can even include parents, grandparents or cousins. Our goal is to create images that are artful and emotionally meaningful.
Is there any advantage to having the portrait session done early in the month? Yes, the first people photographed will have more time to collect votes.

What if my child doesn't smile? Many times, the most interesting and compelling images do not have a smile. The face may not even show. The tilt of a head or the tiny toes turned inward may be all that is needed to make a connection with the viewer. Be open to the possibilities.

What if I need to reschedule? We ask for a minimum of three days notice for rescheduling sessions or selection appointments so that time can be made available to other people. If your child wakes up sick on the day of the session, of course, we will allow you to reschedule. Your selection appointment must take place within two weeks of the portrait session in order to be eligible for the contest and the special contest pricing is only available at that time.

I have no idea what props to bring. Are they important? No. Often simple pictures are best and we do have props here at the studio. Think about emotional symbols that you might include in the portrait that will make the images more meaningful like items that help tell a story, or things that have been passed down in the family.

I don't want my child's photograph on the internet. Is that required? No. You can still participate by having your child's photograph made and making the donation to Operation Backpack. We will not be posting names or any other personal information.

Check out this video from past Children's Contests!

If you have any questions, please call us at (503)838-5416 or email us!

Baby Soft Skin and Wall Portraits

2011-02-12T15:31:00.000-08:00

Warm and soft as velvet with that smell of baby powder and mother's milk, everyone who has ever held a baby in their arms has experienced the amazing feel and smell of babies' skin. I love it and I know that the images I create are powerful reminders of these memories.

Sarah is a new mother, but not just any new mother, she grew up in a home with a canvas portrait on the wall that we did of her as a babe in her mother's arms. She knew what it had meant to her to see the connection and loving relationship with her mother in a beautiful piece of art on the wall. She wanted a portrait just like it on her wall for her son to see and experience every day as he grows.

This is why I believe so strongly that wall portraits are the most important way to treasure the important images in your life. There is nothing that warms a home and expresses what is truly important to the people that inhabit it than large portraits of their family on the walls. Of course, the portraits have to be well done: beautifully lit, composed and finished with professional care. But when they are well done, you have a timeless work of art hanging in your home made deeply meaningful by the fact that they portray the bond and love in your most cherished relationships.

My home is filled with wall portraits and I am thrilled that Sarah's home will be now and that every time she sees this portrait on her wall she will be transported back to the time when she could hold Sebastian in her arms and feel the softness of his skin.

Salem Oregon Children's Portraits

2011-02-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

The south Salem Walmart is closing out its fabric department. Sad, but true. The great thing is that all the fabrics have been on sale for insanely low prices and Autumn was johnny on the spot (gotta love that girl!) She called to tell me that they had this really cute fabric and even took a picture of it and emailed it to me. Ten minutes later, she was buying it and it became the inspiration for our valentine background. Isn't it great?

Peyton is the little girl holding the heart. She definitely has a mind of her own (can't you tell?) Thankfully, she likes being in front of the camera almost as much as I like having her in front of mine!

I have been photographing these guys since they were babies. Patrick is getting ready for first communion and is so proud of his new suit and the gold tie that he picked out himself. Anna used to cling to her mama and scream. Now look at her turning into a young lady!

I love the days when my studio is filled with children. It fills my heart with joy. I guess that is why I keep coming up with more excuses for parents to bring in their children. I am so looking forward to the Children's Contest and the Easter Petting Zoo!

More New Things

2011-02-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Waiting.......... I feel like this bowl is waiting for something....... small. A baby, perhaps?

I saw this bowl and pitcher sitting on a table at a charity auction Saturday night and at that moment, I knew it was waiting for me to take it home. Now it is waiting for the perfect little person to inhabit it.

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." unknown

Baby and Birthday Cake meet Photographer

2011-02-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

What better way to celebrate baby's first birthday than with cake and frosting smeared everywhere? Addie came in to the studio the day after her birthday for cake number two (The first one was at the family party the night before.) and we had a rip roaring time!

I have a terrible sweet tooth so it was all I could do not to dive face first into the cake right along side Addie. But, alas, the mature and sensible voice inside my head won out. After all, how could I pick up my camera if I had frosting all over my hands?

We plan to have a birthday cake session be a regular feature of the Year in the Life plan so I see lots of butter cream frosting in my future!

A Year in the Life of... Addie!

2011-02-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

"Do you have a minute?" I was sitting at my computer multitasking with too many screens open at once when Autumn came out of her office and wanted to chat.

"Sure, what's up?"

Autumn is my right hand woman at the studio. We used to have a job title for her but her job keeps morphing and for the time being, I have given up on trying to describe what she does in a nice, succinct little title. I keep throwing jobs at her and she never says, "no." I try to tell her that never saying "no" is dangerous and she needs to let me know when enough is too much. We are still working on that one!

"I am pregnant." Autumn said hesitantly.

Holy Moly!

Fast forward a few months and I was doing newborn photos of little Addie. Now, I am getting ready for her one year session, complete with birthday cake! How did this all happen so fast? That is one of life's eternal questions.

It has been incredible to bounce Addie on my knee, watch her smile and laugh, and photograph her through out her first year. I believe that every child is one of God's amazing miracles. Isn't she beautiful?

Creating a New Set for Valentine Portraits

2011-02-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Today is a day for creating something new and fresh. The sun is shining (woohoo!) and I am feeling like running away from the computer that has been occupying way too much of my time. This Saturday we are having a Valentine special and this piece of fabric is the inspiration for the set. Normally, I go for simple backgrounds but it is a new year and this is really fun. We are thinking about using this as wallpaper with a light wood floor and white molding. A red velvet heart should complete the Valentine theme. What do you think?

If you are trying to decide what clothing goes with this background, I am thinking white would be a great choice. There will be an album on Facebook next week so you can see how it turned out!

Add Meaning to your Portraits with Emotinal Symbols

2011-01-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have always loved the red embossed cover of the little photo album my mother started for me when I was a baby. It has roses on it and I love to run my fingers over the design. I picked it up the other day and opened it. There was a picture of me with my favorite doll. Her name was Connie. She had plastic hair embossed on her head and a little hole in her pursed lips where she could take a bottle. We were inseparable for years but I grew and became careless with her over time. One day I left her outside overnight and found that the dog had chewed off her little hands! Sigh.

I don't have Connie anymore, just the memory of her. Just like that little five year old girl with the toothless grin is only a memory now.

This photograph has huge meaning and emotion for me because it shows me holding Connie. She is an emotional symbol of that time in my life.

Here is what I would like you to take from this: As you plan your next portrait session, think about what is meaningful in your life. Is there a physical object that would symbolize something to you and add deeper meaning to the portrait? It might be featured prominently or it might be something barely noticeable in a corner of the image. How to incorporate it artfully into the portrait is up to me. Your job is to let me know it exists.

Take Better Pictures of Your Own Children

2011-01-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

So you want to get better photographs of your own children? I would love to photograph every milestone in your child's life but realistically I can’t be there every moment and I want to make sure you have the best photographs you can. Here are some tips that can help:

1. First of all, if you are going to some effort like driving to a special park with the idea of getting some great photographs, choose a time of day when they are going to be at their best. How about just after a nap rather than when they are starting to get tired and grumpy? Morning tends to be best for most kids but think about your child's schedule and temperament.

2. Bribery is ok! This is not the time to be worrying about good parenting. If the promise of ice cream or a trip to McDonald’s is going to win cooperation in the moment, do it! Take into account the development and attention span of your child when choosing the right bribe. I am sure you know this already, but a 20 month old won’t respond to delayed gratification. The reward has to come within the next 30 seconds or forget it! I do not like food bribes during the photography. The Cheerios might keep your little sweetie in the right spot and happy but then you get “chewing” pictures and the mouth just doesn’t look right, not to mention drool issues.

3. Put thought into choosing your background and lighting. If you take your child to the park and want to chase them around snapping away, you will get a few good pictures but here are some tips to increase the odds:

a. Choose open shade rather than direct sunlight. The light is softer and more flattering.

b. Pay attention to the background and try to keep it simple and without bright spots. An easy way to do this is to have the camera at a high angle and shoot down on the children so that you have nothing but grass behind them.

c. Have the children looking in the direction of the light so there will be light in their eyes. I don’t mean looking at the sun. (That would be bad!) Stop and turn around and see what is behind the camera. Is it a big patch of open sky? Is it a building with sun hitting it? That is the light source.

Finally, I have an assignment for you:

Hire a professional to take pictures of you with your children. Promise me that you will do this! Do not wait until you have lost weight or your hair is just right. If you just can't hire a professional then get a friend to snap a few. Your children love you just the way you are and you need to show your love for them by being in photographs with them. I guarantee these will be family treasures so swallow your pride and just do it! You can do more after the weight is gone and everything is just the way you want it but this moment right now will be gone.

So JUST DO IT! Pinky swear and cross your heart?

Photography of My Own Children (not easy!)

2011-01-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

I got everything set up. The kidlets were in the cute outfits I had picked out for them. I had the lighting and background just right. I had checked and rechecked the settings on the camera. Ready, set, ACTION!

Ok, so action was not really what I wanted. I just wanted beautiful, story telling images of my children in this great studio setting I had created. And that required my children to be on the set, not dismantling my camera. I discovered how difficult it can be to photograph your own children. Other people’s children LISTEN to me and they don’t cling to me...they may cling to their mom but I am not trying to pry their fingers off of my skirt.

With a few bribes and threats, I managed to get the kids to do what I wanted and Neil just told me the image below from this session is his favorite that I have ever taken. He swears it isn't prejudice!

Do you want to know how to get better photographs of your own children? I will be sharing a few tips in my next post.

The Year in the Life Program

2011-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Babies completely blow me away!

Each one is a miracle, so full of promise. It is a fresh new life evolving into a tiny human being. There is no greater experience that a person can have than to become a parent and watch as this new life unfolds. To guide, love and care for this little one can be incredibly difficult at times and we are forced to become selfless as we endure sleepless nights, rashes, ear infections and the like. The reward comes when that tiny baby looks up into your eyes, an enormous smile erupts across its face and the cares of the world melt away.

I love being a part of babies’ lives and watching them grow and change and capturing every moment in photographic images. In fact, I can’t get enough of it! That is why I am so excited to be offering our new “Year in the Life” Program.

How “Year in the Life” Works

Every month you bring your baby in to the studio for a session and pay only $65 a month. At the end of the year, I will create a custom book for your child with the best images and incorporate text and beautiful graphic design. There is no extra charge for the book.

When can you start?

It is great if you can start with the very first month of a baby’s life and chronicle the entire first year but it is ok to start later. This book could be a celebration of “toddlerhood” or even kindergarten and losing that first tooth!

An Added Bonus

Just because I think it is hilarious to photograph babies being themselves, I will include a birthday cake for the one year session and provide the cleanup crew to deal with the aftermath.(Clarification: YOU clean the baby, WE clean the floor.) Imagine the possibilities! :~)

I love each and every one of these babies and can't wait to see what they become!

More than Just Pictures

2011-01-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Twelve years ago, I went into the hospital for some surgery. Neil was there as they were prepping me and bouncing Lars who was six months old at the time and nursing full time. I never did get him used to a bottle so he had to stay pretty close to mama. You probably think I am crazy but Neil and I both agreed that it would be easier for all of us if he and Lars stayed in the hospital with me rather than saying home and trying to get Lars to take a bottle.

I was nervous about the anesthesia and I remember the nurse trying to reassure me that it wouldn’t be much different than when I had my baby. I had to tell her that I had had three babies and had never had any anesthesia of any kind so, no, it was going to be different!

In walked Dr. G, my anesthesiologist and he was very gentle and reassuring. As we chatted, Neil and I mentioned that we had a photography studio. Dr. G said that he had two little boys and would need some portraits. (I tried not to be embarrassed, but there I was in a hospital gown with no makeup and wild woman hair and this guy is talking about portraits? My professional image was in trouble!) Neil dug out a business card.

Two months later, I was photographing Dr. G’s youngest and that was the start of a long and wonderful relationship. I have been photographing each boy at birthday time every year for twelve years now. I love these guys but it hasn’t always been easy.

The first time I photographed Janson was for his third birthday. His mom brought in a beautiful, handmade rocking horse. Janson was wild and crazy and not really interested in being anywhere near the horse. Out came the bubbles and somehow I managed to get him to be near the horse for a few shots.

Here we are out on the frozen pond!

Now the props are more likely to be books or Nintendos as Janson and his brother are becoming teens. They still have their own ideas. Sometimes I still need to rein in and channel their “creativity” but they are usually game for whatever I come up with. Last year, our pond was frozen over so I said, “Let’s go walk on the pond, it will be fun!” When little brother, Jaren came in in June, I felt inspired to capture one of the last gasps of childhood innocence and brought a kite to the session.

I love being a part of these boys’ lives. They are certainly a part of mine!

My Camera is an Extension of My Eyes...

2011-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

My camera is an extension of my eyes, of my heart.

A portion of me is in every single image I make.

It documents, not just what is in front of my lens but what is inside of me.

These are some of the images that are speaking to me today.

What are they saying?

In the Cold of Wintertime

2011-01-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

I have been photographing Dylan since he was two. He is sometimes quiet (for the first 5 minutes of any portrait session and then he gets silly. His mom is Autumn and is the best all around employee for the studio I could ask for. Naturally, his mom and I are always conspiring to come up with something new and creative for his portrait sessions and pushing his patience to the limits.

For his sixth birthday, Mom wanted to do outdoor portraits. It is January so my first thought was, "Really? Are you sure about this?" Temperatures were well below freezing but it was sunny the day she called. I checked out the forecast and it was supposed to stay cold and dry for a couple of days before the rains returned. I looked at the choice between cold and dry and cold and wet and decided that dry sounded really good to me!

The Filbert Orchard
I had been driving by a filbert orchard a few days earlier and loved the starkness of the bare trees, the blanket of soft brown leaves on the ground, and the symmetry of row after row of trees and was inspired to photograph someone in an orchard. Now was my chance!
We did a few with his little sister, Addie....

And some more with the dog....

Then we went to a spot with rusting carcasses of ancient railroad cars....
When we were all done, our noses were red and our fingers were numb but the images are awesome and Dylan (a rough and tumble outdoor boy through and through) had a great time!

The Queen of Chaos

2011-01-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

Neil affectionately calls me the Queen of Chaos. My brain does not always work in a straight line. It is more of a zig-zaggy, jump here, then leap there, kind of process. It can be very annoying, particularly to my dear husband and particularly when we are photographing together. Here is how it goes: we are at a wedding and in the middle of it the light bulb goes on. I have an idea! The problem is that I can’t really explain my idea to him in any way that makes any sense to him in 20 seconds or less. So, instead I splurt out some chain of consciousness thing, he looks confused and I just charge ahead with my idea.

This is how my brain works. It is like I have this pile if index cards laying around in the back of my brain with snip-its of ideas scribbled on them. I start shuffling them around and throwing aside the ones that don’t fit the current situation. I grab an idea that I have been wanting to try, I see a spot where the light will work and I go for it. This is when I am at my most creative and Neil understands that it is best to just let me go.

Watching me work with a toddler is probably when it is most evident. I have an idea that I start the session with but after that it is usually very free form. I see what the kiddo is responding to and sometimes it has nothing to do with the idea I had in mind to begin with. So the first prop gets thrown to the side and another one brought out. Somewhere in there little Joey gets annoyed and starts crying. Have no fear, out come the bubbles and the tears stop and the giggles start while I figure out what the next plan of action is. And so it goes.

Now, if you are not in the room, what you might hear is thumps and bangs and screaming children and it doesn’t sound like there could possibly be beautiful photography happening. Sometimes, even the parents who are right there can only focus on the fact that Suzie cried and didn’t do what Miriam asked. But I know about the tiny slices of time when she looked over her shoulder at me with her big eyes and the whole world stopped. It is that little slice of time that I live for, held forever in the photographic image in my camera.

Hanging Photographs and Keeping Them Straight

2011-01-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

If you read my last post, you know that I went to Cristy's home recently to hang 16 prints. I had worked out an arrangement in Photoshop and showed up at her house with hammer and level in hand. They all needed to be level and straight or it was going to look really bad.

Now keeping things straight is not my strong suit, as Neil will tell you, so I knew I was in trouble!

I usually hang prints with picture wire on a small nail and I know that if you use two nails a distance apart, the frame will stay in place much better than with one nail in the center. Then I looked at this project and thought about putting 32 nail holes in the wall. I knew that the 32 holes would quickly become 64 (or more!) as I found that the position of some of the images wasn't quite right. Yikes! I am just not that patient!

My solution was to use one nail to hang each print. I double checked the spacing and look of the arrangement as I went along (I did have to move a couple of nails). Then I whipped out the level and when I was confident that each print was straight, I used a ball of Stick-Tak behind one corner of the print and pressed it against the wall. This is the stuff that college students use to put posters up that won't damage walls.

Voila! The prints will stay straight and won't have to be repositioned every time someone slams a door! I am so brilliant!

Wall Portraits of Children turn Nightmare into Bliss

2010-12-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

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 to go over there. I had no idea who or what it would be.

"When I walked in, my jaw dropped. I saw a brand new grouping of portraits of my children on the wall. Miriam had selected some of her favorite images from the sessions she had done of them over the last five years and had created a grouping and hung them on my wall for me.

"I can’t stop looking at them! They are the most beautiful portraits I have ever seen. Now I want to go home. We have arranged the furniture in the room to make the portraits look best and I made sure that my chair is where I get the best view. I spend hours looking at them. They are so beautiful! I want to have an open house just so I can show them off. I am sure every mother is going to be jealous!

"I don’t even know what to say. Nothing seems adequate. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Miriam!"

I feel very loved!

Family Portraits in the Studio

2010-12-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

"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 can share the planning process with other that are thinking about their next family portrait. The portrait at the top was a studio composite that I did for a family of very individualistic sports enthusiasts. Fun and definitely unique.

This portrait doesn't include mom but I like the simplicity and the way the boys are all little copies of Dad.

I like the white sweep because it is a blank canvas that you can do anything with. You will never guess which team this family roots for!

I included this one for the background. It works well for small groups (3 adults or 2 adults and 2-3 little ones posed close together.)

Here is our Tuscan Wall background.

Two more ideas with a family of five.

I never heard the joke but I was ready to record the aftermath!

I love the closeness of this group.

Closeness and relationship...

Finally, let's end with an outdoor portrait and dream of warmer days to come!

Hope this give you some ideas of the possiblities!

Happenings at Haugens for the 2010 Holidays

2010-11-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

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 for only $50!! Holy Moly! That's something like 78% off! You will have until February 28, 2011 to use the certificate.

Now for the catch... We only have TEN of these special certificates to sell. So set your alarm and email us! We'll contact you and let you know if you're one of the first ten to respond and to get your payment info.

Holiday Card Extravangaza
November 15 Through December 4
Our holiday cards are really beautiful. They are custom designed 5x7 folded cards that are pretty enough to be framed! If you haven't ordered them yet, don't fret, we have a really fast turn around and can even give you envelopes now so they can be addressed and ready to go when the cards are done.

Order our professionally photographed and custom designed cards and we will even do a portrait session just for your holiday cards between now and Dec. 4 for FREE!

Sip and Shop December 3 and 4

From 10-6 on Friday, Dec. 3 and 10-3 on Saturday, Dec. 4, Monmouth downtown will be alive with music, art and even Santa's Reingoats (not ReinDEER, ReinGOATS). We will have a special guest in the studio, Janet Rosaio, displaying and selling her handmade children's clothing made from antique pillow cases and handkerchiefs. One of her dresses is shown at the top of the page.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
December 8 and 11

Come have your portraits taken with Santa at the studio! He'll be here December 8th and 11th.

~ 15 minute sessions ~
~ Multiple poses to chose from ~
~ View and order your portraits immediately following your session ~
~ Packages start at just $12.00 ~
~ Orders will be ready by December 20th ~

Call (503)838-5416 or email today to schedule your session!

Gift Certificates on Sale until December 15!

Back by popular demand, purchase GIFT CERTIFICATES for 25% off the face value. In other words, you will only pay $75 for a $100 gift certificate. These can be redeemed any time in the next year. Use it for family portraits, senior portraits, you name it. Use this for a Christmas gift for that special someone.

Veteran's Day- Honor, Duty, Pride

2010-11-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

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 time, photography time, processing the images and making prints. It was irrelevant. We had a chance to give back to one of our veterans and were happy to make his day.

Tuesday I delivered the prints and finally got a chance to meet Wes face to face in his home. His wife offered me a fresh scone and a cup of hot tea and I settled in to hear his story. His story moved me profoundly and I wanted you to hear it, too.
At age 17, Wes stood in the local post office looking dejected. He had been earning money to support his family, which included his mother and 4 siblings, for 7 years. He did odd jobs for neighbors, worked for a seed cleaner, sewed sacks at the end of a combine, worked in the woods and in a hop yard. His father had been in the Navy during World War I and had been partially paralyzed. He died when Wes was 10 and his mother had scraped by on a pension from the government and what money Wes could earn.

Ever since he could remember, Wes had wanted to be in the Navy, like his dad. He had worn his dad's old Navy caps until they had all worn out. Now at age 17, he wanted to join up but he needed his mother's signature and she wouldn't do it.

"Why not wait until you turned 18?" I asked, "Then you wouldn't have needed her permission."

"But the Korean War might have been over by then," he answered. He had no desire to be in the peace time Navy. He had been too young for World War II and the Korean War would be his chance, his only chance, to serve during war time.

"Why the long face?" asked the postal clerk. Wes explained about the problem with his mother. The postal clerk had a solution. "Why don't you join the Navy Reserve? You can tell your mother that it meets right down here at the airport and you get $90 a month, $45 for her and $45 for you."

Wes thought that sounded fine and the postal clerk helped him fill out the paperwork which he took home to his mother. She signed off on it and he took it back to the post office.

"Do you want to sign up for active duty?" asked the clerk.

"You bet," replied Wes.

He did actually go to two Reserve meetings before getting his train ticket to take him to San Diego for boot camp. His mother never quite forgave him.

After boot camp, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier, Princeton (CV37). One day one of the planes trying to land had a big problem. The procedure was to drop any bombs that you were carrying in the water before landing. One of the bombs got hung up and did not drop in the water as it was supposed to. Instead, it landed on the deck right by where Wes was standing. It made a hole in the wood planking and was slipping down to the lower decks. Wes grabbed it and held on for dear life. If it had hit the deck below and exploded it would have been all over for hundreds of men. The bomb was red with Wes’ blood. Splinters from the wood deck had made a mess of his face. His muscles screamed under the weight of the bomb. It was only minutes but felt like hours when the forklift finally got to him to pick up the bomb and they were able to disarm it. The captain later told him that he saved the lives of 400 men that day. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

During the years at home as he watched his mother pinching pennies and buying groceries with their government pension, Wes felt gratitude but he also felt that he had a debt to repay. That day he said to himself, “Debt paid in full.”

When his two year tour of duty was over, so was the war and Wes went home with the satisfaction of believing that his debt for the assistance that he and his family had received had been repaid.

He sustained injuries during his act of heroism to his back and foot that continued to plague him but he did not want disability money. He would have been owing again and he couldn't have that.

This is why Wes goes on my list of heroes. It is his sense of honor and duty that I find admirable. He epitomizes the famous quote from JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Thank you, Wes, and all our veterans this day when we pause to remember the sacrifices you made to preserve our freedom.

New Things

2010-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

“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?

Newborn Babies, Life's tiny miracles

2010-10-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Maternity Portraits- a Corvallis - Monmouth connection

2010-09-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

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, was due on the scene at any moment, we had to move quickly. That very afternoon, Ananda and Louise-Annette came into our studio in Monmouth and we did these awesome images.

When we were done, the studio was very glittery!

Planning a Family Portrait? Choosing the right clothing is key.

2010-09-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to clothing for your portrait but planning does make a huge difference. The goal is to have an artful image on your wall. We want the clothing you are wearing to enhance the image, not distract from it. Usually, the goal is to keep the clothing simple so that the attention goes to the faces and the relationship between the people in the portrait, not the eye catching new outfit.

1. A color scheme is the number one thing to consider. Here are ideas:
• Put everyone in white shirts and jeans. It is easy and works really well at the beach or with light backgrounds.
• Swap out the white shirts for black shirts or sweaters. This looks great with a medium to darker background and it is true, black is slimming!
• Dress everyone in one family of colors. For example, light to medium blues work well and are easy to find in most closets. Earth tones are another good choice.
• Avoid really bright colors (i.e. bright red, neon orange, hot pink.) You want the attention going to the faces, not the clothing. There are exceptions, of course. It might be great to have a touch of red for an accent color sprinkled throughout the group, particularly if you are using it as an accent color in the room in which the portrait will hang.
• With large family groups, you might want to separate sub-family groups by color. For example, everyone wears dark slacks and each sub-family group wears a different colored sweater.

2. Solid colors are best. Muted patterns can work if they blend with other clothing but please, please, please avoid wide, bold stripes, bright plaids, or clothing with big logos on the front. Here is another exception, though. If the whole family just loves the Ducks or the Beavers and the portrait is going in the den with all your team memorabilia, then the team clothing is the perfect choice.
3. Casual clothing, such as slacks and sweaters, gives the photographer more options for a variety of poses. Suits and ties just don’t work well if you are sitting on the ground!

4. Long sleeves are usually preferable, because they create a flowing line. A short sleeve interrupts the flow with a horizontal line across the body. The guys can dress down their button up shirts by rolling the cuffs up.

5. To look slim: We are often asked about this. Wear dark colors with little or no contrast between top and bottom. Your eye is drawn to areas of contrast. If you wear a dark shirt with light pants, where is your eye going to go? Your eye will be drawn to where the two join: which would be your waist or hips. Not good!

6. Avoid photogrey glasses on outdoor portraits! Your optometrist may be able to loan you empty frames or show you how to temporarily remove your lenses. If that is not possible, we may ask you to take your glasses off for a few of the portraits. You would never want a portrait without your glasses on? We understand. We use the “no glasses” images for artwork purposes.

7. Shoes matter and the family portrait is not the time for little Joey to be showing off his cool, glow-in-the dark Nikes. The goal is for the shoes to blend in and disappear. The feet may not show on every image but they will likely show in some. If possible, have everyone wear brown or black shoes. We often go barefoot in the studio!

8. Think about the room in which the portrait will hang. You will want this image or wall grouping to enhance your décor so pick colors that will work in your home.

9. Should the dog be in the portrait? I am happy to photograph dogs, particularly when they are an important part of the family. If you are worried about them being uncooperative, we might want to do a few with the dogs and then plan a comfortable place for them to be while we do portraits without them.

10. If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t NOBODY happy. One last word of advice, the mom in the portrait needs to feel good about how she looks in the portrait. She should put on the outfit she is planning to wear and make sure it makes her feel good when she looks in the mirror. The men and the kids are not allowed to complain about the clothes Mama picks out for them. Why? Just tell them I said so.

Questions? I am sure you have them. I can help you with any dilemmas that you come up against so be sure to call or send me an email and we can chat about the clothing.

Family Portraits at the Beach- A Perfect Day at Neskowin!

2010-09-13T11:29:00.001-07:00

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!

Wedding Photography in Portland a blast!

2010-08-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

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

Alison and Brian

2010-08-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wedding video

Thoughts on Clothing for Family Portraits

2010-07-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

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 colors are best. They help draw attention to faces, not clothing. Muted patterns can work if they blend with other clothing. However, please try to avoid bright red and fluorescent colors.
3. Casual clothing, such as slacks and sweaters, provides opportunity for a variety of poses. I often ask families with children and young adults to sit on the ground or floor so be thinking about that before you consider a short skirt. You see a lot of blue jeans in the samples because that resonates with much of my clientele here in the laid back Pacific Northwest. That does not mean that jeans are the only or best choice.
4. Three quarter length or longer sleeves are preferable, because they create a flowing line. A short sleeve interrupts the flow with a horizontal line across the body.
5. Dark colors are slimming! It is true. If you want to look your skinniest, wear dark colors, like black or navy, with little or no contrast between top and bottom.
6. Avoid glasses on outdoor portraits, particularly photogrey! Your optometrist may be able to loan you empty frames or show you how to temporarily remove your lenses.
7. Make sure that the adult women in the group are wearing clothes that they feel good about how they look. If you choose an outfit because it harmonizes with the group but is unflattering, you will never be happy with the portrait. This ONLY applies to the moms in the group. The men and children may complain if they don't like what you choose for them but they will get over it. A woman will never be happy with the portrait if she thinks it is unflattering. I can say this because I AM a woman and know exactly what it feels like!

So you want a Haugen's portrait... how much is it going to cost?

2010-05-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

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 the studio, outside, in your home or even at the beach. In a typical Signature portrait session, we create a large number of images for you to choose from (usually 40 or more) to make sure that you have images that you love! Most people will choose a number of images: a print for the wall, some smaller prints for gift giving, and then a grouping of some of their favorite images from the session. There are no packages with the Signature series but if you have it in your budget to spend $500 you will be able to get one larger print and several smaller prints.

We added the Galleri Series as an affordable option for our clients who wanted to have portraits done more often but didn't always need a full Signature session. It includes a 15 minute session in the studio where we take 8-10 images to choose from and you sit down to make selections right after the session. There are a number of packages to choose from starting at just $29.95 for 1-4x5. The most popular package is $149.95 and includes 1-8x10, 2-5x7's, 4-4x5'5 and 16 wallets all of one pose. Retouching is an extra charge with the Galleri series.

There it is in a nutshell. Keep in mind that we have fun specials from time to time (like Portraits with Santa)and the prices can get ridiculously low. If you have more questions (and I know you do) shoot me an email: info@haugensgalleri.com

Cheers!
Miriam

Children's Contest Video

2010-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Follow Your Passions

2010-01-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

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

Decide to Love It

2010-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

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.
“Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.”
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

End of story. Now for my postscript:
There are people that I know that are always happy no matter what happens to them, they take joy in life. There are others that can't open their mouths without telling you everything that is wrong with their life. I suspect genetics and chemical imbalances play a part in this but also how we decide to live our daily lives.

I decide to love it.

Haugen's 2010 Children's Contest

2010-01-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

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 stress. You will have time to dress your children (or undress them) and fuss with their hair. Let us worry about everything else! Get directions from Corvallis or Salem.

4. Schedule a selection appointment for a week after the session. This is very important. Without this appointment, you will not be eligible for the contest. This is when you will select an image to be entered in the contest and the images you want for yourself.

Click here to view our special event pricing.

5. Voting. After you have decided on your entry, we will post the image online. We will send you an email with the link and then it is time to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! The public will have chance to vote for their favorite images by making donations to Operation Backpack. You will also have an envelope so that you can solicit donations and pass that link on to all your friends, of course. The portrait that raises the most will win the contest and a 24" Wall Portrait valued at over $700! Second prize is an 11x14 portrait. It is all good fun and stuffing the ballot box is encouraged. :-) Voting will end on April 10th, with the winner announced at the end of April.

FAQ's about the Children's Contest:

Is there any advantage to having the portrait session done early in the month? Yes, the first people photographed will have more time to collect votes.

What if my child doesn't smile? Many times, the most interesting and compelling images do not have a smile. The face may not even show. Be open to the possibilities.

What if I need to reschedule? We ask for a minimum of three days notice for rescheduling sessions or selection appointments so that time can be made available to other people. If your child wakes up sick on the day of the session, we will allow you to reschedule. Your selection appointment must take place within two weeks of the portrait session in order to be eligible for the contest and the special contest pricing is only available at that time.

I have no idea what props to bring. Are they important? No. Often simple pictures are best and we do have props here at the studio. Bringing your own props will make your portraits unique and more personal. The kinds of things that work best are antique or vintage items, items that help tell a story, or things that have special meaning to your family like something that has been passed down in the family.

I don't want my child's photograph on the internet. Is that required? No. You can still participate by having your child's photograph made and making the donation to Operation Backpack. We will not be posting names or any other personal information.

If you have any questions, please call us at (503)838-5416 or email us!

The ring bearer was a real dog!

2009-09-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Dan got married on September 19 under a brilliant Autumn sun. God smiled on them and gave them a perfect afternoon after showers in the morning.

The ring bearer's name is Pudge and I am fairly certain that there has never been a more beloved ring bearer in any wedding anywhere! It was a bit of a challenge to get him down the aisle but, with the promise of a treat, he was willing to waddle down the aisle!

There were a few tears, well chosen words from Grandfather, and a smashed cake in the face to top it off.

Dan and Jessica's life is off to a great start!

Warm Autumn Day...Little Fishies in the Stream

2009-09-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

I just photographed Abby to celebrate a milestone in her life: turning 10. It was a perfect day to be wading in a stream. Abby found that she could catch the tiny fish at Dallas City Park. Getting her to look at the camera was a challenge after awhile.

Defining Moments

2009-09-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

Self-discovery, stretching, growing, learning new things. That has been what my life has been about for the last two years.

As part of a quest to redefine myself, I have been doing a lot of reading, some photography, some inspirational, some self improvement, some business. Last night I was reading "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. It is a business book about major corporations that made the jump from being good companies to great companies. Although I am certainly not part of a major corporation, I am finding lots of food for thought about leadership and change.

Living With Adversity

There is an amazing story in the book about Admiral Jim Stockdale, the highest-ranking US military officer in the "Hanoi Hilton" POW camp during Vietnam. Tortured over 20 times during the 8 years, Stockdale lived out the war without any prisoner's rights, no set release date,and no certainty as to whether he would even survive to see his family again. He shouldered the burden of command, doing everything he could to create conditions that would increase the number of prisoners who would survive unbroken, while fighting an internal war against his captors and their attempts to use the prisoners for propaganda. At one point, he beat himself with a stool and cut himself with a razor, deliberately disfiguring himself so that he could not be put on videotape as an example of a "well-treated prisoner." He instituted rules that would help people to deal with torture (after x minutes you can say certain things--that gave the men milestones to survive toward). He created a series of tap codes so the men could communicate during forced silence.

Stockdale was asked many years later, how he dealt with it when he was there and did not know the end of the story? He said, "I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade."

Then he was asked, "Who didn't make it out?"

"Oh, that's easy," he said. "The optimists."

"The optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas.' And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they'd say, 'We're going to be out by Easter." And Easter would come and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart."

Then he said, "This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end--which you can never afford to lose--with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."

What are your goals? What adversity are you facing? Have faith and, "Never give up, never surrender!" (Galaxy Quest)

Alison & Brian

2009-08-19T15:12:00.000-07:00