From the Haugen Heart

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...

  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 loo...

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 ...

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...

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?

“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?

all of the great athletes we've had visit our studio this year!! McKenzie Joseph Leigh Anne Taylor Taylor Trent Molly Avery Joey Sarah Jaimie Ashlyn I had so much fun getting to know and photograph all of these seniors! You can catch them all in action this year as the compete in their last year of high school athletics! Good luck to you all!

I (Miriam) just got a nice email from a mom that made me feel like it is all worthwhile. “Thanks again for the wonderful session. You were so thoughtful to take time to get to know Eric, and thus captured the essence of who he is. I have been telling everyone about you, and look forward to doing business with you in the future! Fondly, Annie Nelson” Here is one of Eric’s portraits - and it was a pleasure to get to know Eric and his mom!