From the Haugen Heart

"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 f

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

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

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.  

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 fam