Deja View Photography Photographs Senior Portrait Session with Ryan

I had a great time photographing Ryan for his senior yearbook portrait.  The first part of his session was photographed at beautiful Fort Worden and Ryan came to the studio for addition photos last Friday.

I still have some available sessions for any Seniors who still need their photos taken to meet the Port Townsend High School's deadline of January 6th. Give me a call at 385-2662 for details on my pricing or you can also scroll down in the Blog here for additional pricing and products.

Time Out For the Holidays

I had a wonderful extended holiday vacation. After shooting a senior session on Christmas Eve day I was able to take Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. I was able to relax, catch up on my reading, talk to family back in Wisconsin and even take the dogs for several walks. Sunday morning I photographed animals at the animal shelter and in the afternoon a friend came by and set up a new stand for my studio background paper. It was really nice to take a break from the computer after all the recent editing and printing of images I had done for my clients for the holidays.

By Monday I was back at the computer and spending the day online with the wonderful program Sarah Petty from Joy of Marketing made available for free to thousands of photographers. The day included some 24 speakers and if you listened/watched the whole event it lasted 14 hours. I was on the site up until the last minute listening to speakers like Rod Evans talk about photographing seniors, Joe Buissink's talk on wedding photography was inspiring, Darty Hines gave some great tips on posing men and women and Jesh de Rox gave a very refreshing talk on how he approaches his photography and tips for marketing to clients. It was an amazing workshop and my head was spinning with ideas when I finally went to bed.

I'm so excited about the upcoming year. I plan to attend the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention again in Las Vegas in March. I attended the workshop for eight days last year and find that I'm still working on putting into practice all the tips I picked up while there.

I wish the best to all my friends and clients during the upcoming year.

Port Townsend Senior Portraits

I had the opportunity last week to meet and photograph three seniors, two young women from Port Townsend and Jacob who attends Quilcene High School.  Jacob's session took place downtown in late afternoon light and both Nadya and Breanna came to my studio for their sessions. I have ordered their free pack of "buzz cards" for them and should have them before Christmas. I'm excited about some of the new products I'm offering including the "buzz cards", video clips, accordian books and sample graduation cards. Give me a call at 385-2662 to set up a portrait session before the school deadline.

Senior Portraits Price List

Deja View Photography

It's not too late to get that Port Townsend Yearbook photo taken. I still have some studio openings after Christmas. Give me a call to get more details on the products listed above or to set up an appointment. If the weather permits we can still do an outdoor session or an in studio session.

Jefferson County Animals Available for Adoption as of 12-03 Call 360 385 3292 for details

I removed this video as all these animals were adopted.

Bobby & Sally's November Wedding

Port Townsend Senior Portraits

Last week I had the opportunity to take photos of Pearl who actually graduated from Port Townsend High School last year. It was late afternoon and I used the multi-colored brick backgrounds of several downtown buildings. The first photo is a collage of some of my favorite photos. Pearl was wonderful to work with and I hope to photograph her again some time soon in my studio to show additional examples of my work.

I think these photos will show some of the possible poses and locations available to capture a special senior portrait. I look forward to working with any Port Townsend senior who still needs to schedule a session before the January deadline. I have lots of additional ideas for poses both in the studio and on location in Port Townsend. My photo sessions start at $50 with a variety of different poses and photo packages available. Please give me a call for information on my pricing and to discuss ideas you have to make your session a fun event that will give you an image that will please you.

Deja View Photography Offers Studio Portraits

Leah, a new client, came to my studio yesterday for a portrait session. I had a wonderful time working with her taking a variety of photos with different outfits and using some fun props in the photos.

I do offer High School Senior portraits but recently I have had several "over 50 seniors" come to my studio for portraits. I think my studio soft boxes create a lovely flattering light perfect for this type of portrait. I offer additional editing to each photo that gives an even softer look to the final image. This type of portrait would make a special holiday gift to give to a family member as a print, canvas print or the photo could used as a Christmas card. I have several open time slots available for the last week of October.

Boy Do We Have Kittens at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter

We have a lot of young kittens at the Shelter just waiting to get adopted. Call the Jefferson County Animal Shelter at (360) 385-3292 for more details on types, ages and sexes that are available.

Deja View Photography offers New Product-16x20 Canvas Print

I just delivered this image as a 16x20 canvas to this family this weekend. The colors and texture of the canvas really made the image pop. This proud new Grandfather is holding his first Grand-daughter who turned a month old the day after this session.

Port Townsend Engagement Session with Bobby & Sally

What a wonderful time I had with Bobby and Sally during their engagement session today. They were great to work with and I got some fun images for them to share with their friends and family. I'm looking forward to photographing their wedding in November here in Port Townsend.

10-5 Jefferson County Animal Shelter Adoption Poster

These are the latest photos of animals available for adoption at our shelter. We have some really adorable kittens and several adult cats. Fortunately only two dogs right now, Violet and Bitsey. Please give the Shelter a call, 385-3292, for updates on the availability of these animals and any additions to the shelter.

10-4 School of Athens Lecture Series with Photographer Phil Borges

What a wonderful lecture I attended this afternoon at the Rose Theatre with Phil Borges. His images were portraits from his travels all over the world including Tibet, Kenya, and Peru. His presentation included haunting images of monks and nuns that had been jailed in Tibet and had made their way to freedom in Dharamsala. I didn't realize until I searched his website that I believe I heard him speak as part of a panel discussion in 2007 at the Microsoft Pro Summit in Redmond. I think everyone who left the lecture was touched by the images we saw and the work he is doing with projects like Women Empowered Project, the Tibetan Portrait and Enduring Spirit exbibit. As an ex-Elementary teacher his work with Bridges of Understanding, an online program connecting school children all over the world, was just amazing.

Here is a link to Phil's website to view some of his images: http://www.philborges.com/
And a link to his work with Bridges of Understanding: http://www.bridgesofunderstanding.org/

From the School of Athens website:http://athens-pt.org//#Borges
Award-winning Seattle photographer and lecturer Phil Borges, has documented indigenous and tribal cultures around the world for over twenty-five years. His books and exhibitions include Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion (a deep look into the displacement and marginalization of a spiritual culture), Enduring Spirit (celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), The Gift (documenting the work of medical teams providing reconstructive surgery to children in the developing world), and Women Empowered (focusing on extraordinary women who are breaking through gender barriers and conventions in the developing world).

The next speaker is on November 8th with Tom Joyce and it will be held at the Rose here in Port Townsend.

Sweet Sophie

My friend Ruth lost her long-time companion Sophie last week. Sophie and her doggie pal Belle were both my first real dog models other than my dog Max. Both Sophie and Belle posed for many of my early photos as I chased them around Ruth's home everytime I went for a visit. Belle unfortuantely passed away back in May. Neither of them could have know the impact they had on my photography. Because of the confidence I gained by photographing them I decided to volunteer at my local shelter, Jefferson County Animal Shelter, just over four years ago. There I photograph animals for adoption every Sunday and while my part is small in the scheme of things at the shelter and its wonderful volunteers and staff there I think my photos have aided in animals getting adopted. So in a round about way the legacy of Sophie and Belle is that they have helped with hundreds, if not thousands of animals, get adopted over the last four years. They both will live on in my heart.

Port Townsend Portrait Session

I had a wonderful portrait session with this sister and brother a couple months ago. I hope to have them back in the studio again soon for more fun shots.

Social Networking with Keven Elliff at the Jefferson County Library

Tonight I attended a presentation by Keven Elliff, a local business and marketing consultant. He spoke at the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock. Keven gave a very informative presentation on social networking and covered a lot of different mediums in a short period of time. He discussed Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Ning which is one I hadn't heard of.

I actually hadn't heard of any of these until I attended the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention in Las Vegas in March. Of the 12,000 attendees I felt I was one of the few that didn't have a Facebook account, Blog daily and use Twitter to keep up with my friends. Since March I opened a Facebook account which is a great way to keep up with my family back in Wisconsin. Several months ago I started this Blog, using my Google account, and a couple months ago I created a Twitter account. With Twitter I'm able to follow some of my favorite photographers like Joe McNally and view specials with several of the vendors including those that offer canvas prints that I now offer my clients.

Keven has a Blog filled with lots of great information on marketing and links with even more articles and info.
http://www.kevenelliff.com/keven-elliff/

Portrait Session Coupon for Port Townsend Studio

I would like to offer this $15 print credit to my new customers. Now is the time to think about scheduling an appointment for a portrait session before the busy holiday season begins. A family portrait would make a lovely gift to give or consider buying a gift certificate for a session after the holidays. To schedule a session just give me a call and mention this posting and code 928Blog.

Wedding Candids of Steve & Gigi's Wedding

These are some candid photos from a wedding I did in August. Steve and Gigi were married at the Inn at Port Hadlock in Port Hadlock, Washington. http://www.innatporthadlock.com/ The wedding was held late afternoon with the view of the Marina in the background. These photos are of the first dance held after the reception and dinner. I used a Sandy Puc template to create the image.

Congratulations Steve and Gigi, thank you for the opportunity to photography your wedding and be part of your special day.

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival Picture

This September marked the 33rd year the festival has been held here in Port Townsend. I have lived here since 1990 and have enjoyed attending the festival nearly every year. I still remember my first year, I think I attended every seminar and workshop that was offered. Earlier that year I had lived on a 41 foot Rhodes Bounty and was just learning to sail. I wanted to soak up everything I could to do with sailing and the events during the festival. This year they had record breaking crowds, incredible weather and the grand opening of the new NW Maritime Center in downtown Port Townsend.


For me the Festival is a wonderful opportunity to capture images with the lovely early morning light or the soft light at sunset as it settles behind the Sail Loft. This year is only my fifth year to see the festival through the lens of a camera. Many of the images I sell at the Port Townsend Farmer's Market, as a vendor, are cards of boats and other images I have photographed during the Festival. This year it was amazing to see how many of us early morning risers were up before sunrise taking photos before the docks rocked with thousands of visitors. Can't wait to do it again next year.

http://www.woodenboat.org/

Jefferson County Animal Shelter Dogs Available for Adoption 9-14

These are the dogs available this week at the shelter. All three of them are sweet dogs deserving of a new home. Give the Shelter a call at (360) 385-3292 for more details on these dogs.
9-29 Update-Violet is the only dog still available for adoption at the Shelter.

Port Townsend Photo Club Meeting on 9-14 with Allan Bruce Zee

The local Port Townsend Photo Club will be featuring Allan Bruce Lee as our speaker on Monday, September 14 at 7 p.m. Mr. Zee is a new Photographer to the area and divides his time between Port Townsend and Portland. As President of the Photo Club I'm thrilled to have Mr. Zee as a speaker and judge for our Landscape contest that will be held on the same night. You can see Mr. Zee's work by visiting his website at:
http://www.allanbrucezee.com/home/abz/index2.html

The Photo Club meeting is open to the public and visitors are welcome.

Jefferson County Animal Shelter Weekly Adoption Poster

I voluntered out at the shelter today and took photos of several new animals. I'm happy to report that Hamlet, a cat that was at the shelter since May, was finally adopted last week.

Several groups of kittens are in foster care right now and should be available for adoption sometime soon. I will post photos as soon as they are at the shelter.

We have a wonderful of sweet and loving cats and dogs that are just waiting for the right person to adopt them. Please consider visiting the shelter to learn more about anyone of the animals you see pictured here. The JCA Shelter is opened Wednesday-Saturday from 11-5 or you can reach them at 360 385-3292.

7-7 Portrait Session in Port Townsend Studio

This is my friend Daniel's daughter. She came by one day for a series of photos in the studio. I was using my new Wescott lights for this portrait.

Mimi Available for Adoption at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter

Update 7-17 Mimi was adopted.

Call the Jefferson County Animal Shelter (360) 385-3292 to find out more information about Mimi who is currently available for adoption.

Happy 4th of July-Shelter Update

Cody, the dog pictured below, has been adopted.

Animals Available for Adoption at Jefferson County Animal Shelter

7-13 Both of these animals have been adopted from the shelter.

Two of the many animals available for adoption at the shelter this week. This handsome dog is named Cody and the lovely cat is Savannah. Call the shelter 360 385-3292 for more information on these two and all our animals.

Cats & Dogs Available for Adoption at Jefferson County Animal Shelter

This poster is of all the animals currently available for adoption at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter here in Port Townsend. I go out to the shelter every Sunday and photograph any new animal and add it to this weekly poster and to our Petfinder site with our zip of 98368.

I'm in love with Savannah and Rhubarb. Unfortunately I'm allergic to cats and have two dogs who would think bringing a cat or two home would be a bad idea.

Our handsome Lab/Retriever/German Short Haired Pointer mix named Jimmy is a real sweetheart who deserves a good home. He was one of the first dogs I photographed when I started volunteering at the shelter nearly four years ago. He had just come to the shelter as a puppy and had lost his right eye from being shot with a BB. He has adapted just fine to having the use of just one eye and has a wonderful disposition.

Port Townsend Studio Portrait Session

Last week my friend Betsy came by the studio for a portrait to be used in a brochure with fellow high school alumni. My associate Kay assisted in the session and we had a wonderful time photographing Betsy in a variety of different poses. It was the first time we used the new posting table and chair. I love the flattering lighting we are getting using the Westcott lights and softbox. I won't share which reunion this is for Betsy but I'm sure fellow classmates will be impressed with this portrait reflecting her beautiful smile, striking eyes and lovely complexion.

Saturday 5-30 See You At The Farmer's Market

It's a beautiful day in paradise here in Port Townsend. I'm off to the Saturday Farmer's Market. I have lots of new cards and prints for sale. The Market runs from 9:30-1:30. Stop by my vendor's booth which is on the same side as the bakery and just across from Nash's Farm display.

PND Photo District News Virtual Trade Show

I was working at home editing photos on Thursday and at the same time attending my first Virtual Trade Show sponsored by Photo District News. PDN is a site for professional and amateur photographers.

The show was based on the East coast so I was at my computer bright and early on Thursday only to find I was an hour early not figuring the correct time conversion for the East coast. There were several speakers with four different topics including how to use your camera to record video, fine art printing, creative lighting using flash and the latest in wedding photography. The virtual show also was a perfect opportunity to interact with vendors who were standing by in virtual booths ready to answer any questions on their products. The speakers were also able to answer questions members of the online audience asked during their presentation.

I won a door prize from Silverback Imaging and Design for answering a question on what color space is used on the internet. I also received several coupons for 16x20 canvas wraps which are one of the new products I hope to offer my clients. Canvas wraps are photos printed on canvas texture material and the image looks like a painting. They come in a variety of sizes and depths and usually have a UV coating added for protect from the sun and they don't require a frame. Many photographers are using this time of product to replace the traditional framed image. The all day trade show was a great opportunity to take part in an educational workshop while working at home.

5-23 Deja View at the Port Townsend Farmer's Market

I just wanted to update my clients on my availability at the Port Townsend Farmer's Market this year. As my photography business has grown so has the direction my business has taken.

When I first started at the Farmer's Market five years ago I was mainly selling scenic cards to locals and tourists. Two years ago I started offering different size prints and focused on more portraits with pets. As people saw the quality of portraits I was taking I found them telling me that if I could do that kind of photography with pets would I consider taking a photo of either their children or family. So I began offering clients those types of photos and that has developed into more portraiture work leaving me less time not only to physically create the cards but also to photograph local scenery. So this year I will only be an occasional vendor at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Right now my schedule it to attend every other weekend. This Memorial Day weekend I'm here at home editing my last portrait session and preparing for another outdoor session I have this afternoon.

During the last six months I have devoted most of my time to becoming more familiar with my lighting equipment. I'm shooting with a Nikon D-80 and use both speedlights and softboxes for lighting. I have attended several workshops and bought additional equipment all in preparation of setting up a studio here at my home. With the studio now set up, and less time at the market, I now have more time on the weekends to schedule portrait sessions in the studio or on location. The reasonably large studio space allows for sessions with several different backgrounds and lighting options. I mainly do individual or small groups at this time. The studio gives me the ability to capture more than just a snapshot but rather a posed image, a moment in time with beautiful soft lighting that creates a lovely portraiture worthy of framing.

To my many clients who have shopped at my vendor booth at the market please give me a call or send an email and I will still create the cards you request or let you know my next date I will be a vendor at the market. Please also consider giving me a call and we can discuss my fees and perhaps set up an appointment.

4-26 Portrait Session

I had a wonderful time this afternoon photographing a family that I volunteer with at our local shelter. The kids really were comfortable modeling and even had fun doing a couple custume changes. Mom and the kids help walk dogs at the shelter and the kids are great at spending time with our dogs and making them feel comfortable and more at ease while at the shelter.

The whole family helps me by holding the dogs while I photograph them for our local paper and for placement on Pet Finder. Pet Finder is this amazing free website service available nation wide for helping animals get adopted by posting their photos on the site. Currently the site hosts some 12,500 adoption groups with over 275,000 animals on the site. Our local shelter page for the Jefferson County Animal Shelter page averages 175 hit per day where the average for the entire site is 157. We are fortunate to have families come from all over the Northwest to adopt our animals. It is not uncommon for a family to make the drive from Seattle for a dog or even as far as Oregon for a kitten. All the staff and dedicated group of volunteers work with one common goal of getting our animals adopted. We have several volunteers who work to write wonderful descriptive write-ups for each animal which aids in them being adopted.

In 2008 the Jefferson County Animal Shelter adopted 780 animals including: dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, birds and turtles. These are amazing stats for a small community of somewhere around 9000 residents.

Deja View Photography offers Children's Portrait Sessions

Last week I had the opportunity to photography two photo sessions, one with a handsome family of four and another with a lovely Mother and her children. I now have my studio, located next to my home set up for taking just this kind of individual or small family group portrait.

Last month on March 29th I attended a workshop with Colorado photographer Sandy Puc. The one-day workshop was held in Everett and this year her 2009 Tour topic was Tots 2 Teens. The program was packed with wonderful ideas on all the specifics of taking individual portraits from 18 months to 18 years plus ideas on marketing and advertising. This was my second workshop with her, last year I attended her Bellies and Babes workshop on photographing expectant mothers and very young babies.

Please give me a call to discuss my session fees and to set up an appointment for a portrait session with your family. You can reach me here in Port Townsend at (360) 385-2662.

4-5 Jefferson County Animal Shelter Adoption Poster

This week we have so many animals available for adoption at our shelter I thought I would post the photos I took today and the poster I created. For more information on any of our animals at the JCA Shelter in Port Townsend just call 360 385-3292.

March 27, 2009

4-10 Update Max has been adopted.

Just wanted to add this photo that I took this week at the shelter. This handsome Mastiff/German Shepherd mix named Maximilian is currently available for adoption. He is neutered, well trained, loves other dogs, cats and kids. He would make someone a perfect companion. If interested call the Jefferson County Animal Shelter in Port Townsend at (360) 385-3292.

March 21, 2009

Spring has sprung in Port Townsend. Rhodies are all in bloom around town and the tulips and daffodils are coming out too.

It may now say spring on the calendar but the last two Sundays we have had several inches of snow. Two weeks ago I was scheduled to photograph a wedding outside at Chetzemoka, a local park here in Port Townsend. However the morning of the wedding we had over 3 inches of snow in as many hours. The wedding was moved into the groom's family home and by noon all the snow had melted. The bride and groom moved outside for a several photos and I was able to capture this lovely photograph of the bride outside in filtered sunlight.

March 16, 2009

Update-3/27 Iris was adopted from the shelter.

Welcome to my first attempt at blogging. I just got back from a week at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Conference in Las Vegas and every photographer had a Blog site along with a Facebook account. My new Pro site on BetterPhoto.com offers me the ability to add a Blog page to my new updated site so here goes. My website now also offers a variety of music to listen to as you either view the photos one at a time or watch the slide show.

I volunteer weekly at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter and I was there yesterday and got this photo of lovely Iris. She is currently available for adoption at the Shelter at 360 385-3292. I also offer pet portraits as part of my photography business. You can view my animal photos on my website in the gallery section.

I haven't figured out how to link back to my site yet once you get to my Blog tab so for right now just hit http://www.dejasphotos.com/