Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Local Women Attacked by Bag of Dog Food or Why No Recent Blog Postings

Well I wasn't really attacked. Just over three months ago I was dragging a 40 pound of dog food across my living room floor when I somehow my got foot caught on and fell straight back on my wrist. I went down like a tree. I jumped up thinking I was fine until I saw my wrist hanging the wrong way and swelling so quickly I could hardly remove my watch. Immediately I canceled the Senior session I had in an hour, put the darn bag of dog food away, fed the dogs, put the rest of the groceries I had bought away and called a friend to meet me at the emergency room.

So all through this I never thought of calling 911 since the hospital is only a couple minutes from my home. I started walking up my drive when I realized I still had groceries in my car. So I grabbed the bag and headed up the street to find someone home to give me a ride to the hospital. At the second house my neighbor was at home. The poor guy looked afraid as he opened the door since by now I was white as a sheet. He immediately asked how he could help. I told him I needed him to take my groceries, help me remove the light meter that was handing off my belt loop, that I couldn't get off, and give me a ride to the ER. Did I mention I had to use the restroom before I left the house. It was more than a struggled to get my jeans back up since I was using one hand and couldn't get them buttoned. Plus I hadn't been able to undo the knot that fed through the loop of my jeans that was attached on the other end to my light meter that hung at my knees.
 
The ER visit didn't go well, it wasn't just a broken my wrist, it was a badly shattered wrist that required surgery the next day. It took two surgeons three hours to put my wrist back together with one plate and six pins. Later on I found out that just that hardware or implant cost $18,000. I have been lucky not to have any real experience with medical bills so all this has been quite a learning experience. I spent six weeks in a cast and then unfortunately when the cast was removed I found out my hand had become swollen and developed something called complex regional pain syndrome. This syndrome is incredibly painful and required lots of occupational therapy. Then an MRI found I had hurt my shoulder during the "crash" which has meant additional physical therapy. Next I came down with a virus and landed back on the couch for a week.
 
Today I can laugh out loud as I write this. I wanted to wait to post this when I felt I really was on the road to recovery. I'm back photographing both on location and in the studio. In fact 10 days after my surgery I was photographing a Senior session in downtown Port Townsend using my bulky cast as a portable tripod and balancing my Nikon D700 on it.
 
I will post more later but just wanted clients to know I never stopped photographing except for the period just after my surgery. I have completed two beautiful wedding albums and have had a wonderful time with all the Seniors I have been working with to get there sessions completed and images picked for the yearbook. It is not too late to book a Senior session or any session to have images for Christmas gifts, just give me a call, 385-2662, to set up an appointment.

My next post might be the 10 things I missed most not being able to use my left hand or the 10 things I'm most grateful for after surviving a tough three months. I feel very blessed with all the help and support from my family, friends, medical staff and clients. Blue skies ahead...

Animals Available for Adoption at Humane Society of Jefferson County


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Looking for Love at the JC Humane Society in Port Townsend

Still time today to visit the Humane Society of Jefferson County and take home an animal from the shelter. I just updated the poster from images I took last Sunday but if you have specific questions on any of the animals you can reach the shelter at 385-3292.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Memorial Day in Port Townsend














I can't believe how time flies. I hadn't had a chance to edit these images until recently. These photographs are from Memorial Day at the American Legion here in Port Townsend. This year's ceremony was really well attended and was made even more special by a presentation by Bill Carpentier. He gave a detailed explanation on why the post is named after Marvin G. Shields and we learned details about Marvin's short life. He was born here in Port Townsend and died in Vietnam in 1965. Marvin was the only Navy Seabee to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His Mother presented the Legion a gift of some of  Marvin's medals in a lovely display case along with a flag and sword.

I posted several photographs above of Bill's mother Marjorie Carpentier who just celebrated her 91st birthday. For years Marjorie and her family have maintained the Marvin G Shields memorial on Sims Way on the right hand side of the road before Safeway. I actually wonder how many people even notice it. For years Marjorie raised and lowered the flag and family members mowed the grass and  have often placed flowers in a pair of black boots at the base of the monument.

The last photo in this post is from in front of the Memorial Field here in Port Townsend. I have walked by this plaque so many times and never stopped to read it.  It was dedicated in 1948 to residents of Jefferson County who had died in World War I and World War II.  Next time you are at an event at the field take a second and look at all the names on the plaque.



Looking for Love in Port Townsend

This is last week's poster of animals available for adoption at the Humane Society of Jefferson County. Today would be a perfect day to head out to the shelter or give them a call at 385-3292 to find out more information on any one of these wonderful animals.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Animals Available for Adoption at Humane Society of Jefferson County

Tomorrow would be a perfect day to visit the shelter and check out the many cats and dogs currently up for adoption. Last week I spent some time with Lex and he is the most loving lap cat you can image. He is very sweet natured and deserves to find a new home. Stop by the shelter on Saturday and spend some time with this sweet guy and I guarantee you will fall in love with him.

Friday, June 8, 2012

How to Be Photogenic

Here is a great article that gives tips on having your photograph taken. It explains what you can do, think about, or how to prepare yourself before you come to a professional studio like Deja View Photography for a portrait session. http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Photogenic

Congratulations to Chimacum & Port Townsend Seniors

Today I'm thinking of all the wonderful Port Townsend and Chimacum High School Seniors I have been fortunate to not only photograph but get to know. I was trying to think of a favorite quote to share on this special day/weekend. “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Congratulations to all of you on what you have accomplished and what you will accomplish in your life ahead.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Looking for A Home-Contact Humane Society of Jefferson County

This week when I went to the shelter to photograph animals I found we only had one new cat, Roscoe and one new dog Freddy. Trudy and Bella are now at the Hadlock Vet Clinic and available for adoptions directly from the clinic. You can reach them at 385-2020. A speical thanks to Dr. Ginny for taking these two sweet cats in.

I just found out that Freddy has been adopted but we still have four wonderful dogs looking for a new home. You can reach the shelter at 385-3292.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Port Townsend High School 2013 Senior Rep


Images in this fun music video are from my photo session with lovely Emma, Class of 2013 and Senior Rep for Deja View Photography. I really enjoyed working with Emma last Saturday out at Fort Worden State Park. The evening light was perfect and the unique colored walls of the bunkers made perfect backgrounds for Emma's image. It was really very windy and the wind picked up even more as the session continued so we were limited a bit to certain locations. It was amazing how the wind seem to pick up at just the right moment to frame her face and create movement in many of the images.

I can't wait to work with Emma again during the summer to get her Senior images before she heads back to school in the fall. To view more of my work you can visit my website at Deja View Photography . If interested in contacting me about setting up a Senior session or a consultation you can reach me at 385-2662.



Monday, May 14, 2012

Port Townsend Wedding Anniversary

You can view the wedding video I created from still images from their wedding day on my website . The wedding was held at the Farm Kitchen in Poulsbo. The farm made for a lovely setting and the weather was perfect right up until the last of the posed photographs. Just as I finished it started pouring rain.  

Friday, May 11, 2012

Urinetown Musical in Port Townsend

This last week  the Port Townsend Leader did Review on Urinetown.  I know several of the actors in the play and the students are really excited about this production. Check out the direct link for more information on the dates and times. I think there is a Mother's Day matinee that might make for a fun family event to do together on this special day.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Port Townsend Mother's Day Special


Unfortunately the text is a bit small on this file. You can double click to enlarge or visit my website Deja View Photography and you will see the same file in the slideshow. You can stop the show with the button just below the photography. You can also call me at 385-2662 for more details.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Victorian Dress in Port Townsend

Dottie works at a local business here in Port Townsend and often dresses in Victorian attire. She came to my Port Townsend studio for a portrait session. Dottie was a lot of fun to work with and got into "character" while posing for me. I photographed Dottie's family and three dogs several years ago. I'm looking forward to photographing her extended family in June.
                                                                 www.dejasphotos.com

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Port Townsend Video Clip


I'm having fun with this new software program I using to create fun videos combining still photography with music. I put together some of my favorite images that I took last year of local high school students. Many of them are high school students from Port Townsend but there are also some Chimacum High School students included in the video.

I had so much fun last year photographing Seniors from the Class of 2012 from both schools. I loved being able to photograph each one of them and trying to capture images that represented their uniqueness and also document this amazing time in their lives. It was fun to hear about their current interests and their plans for after graduation. They all had such a wonderful energy about them.

Everyone scheduled both an indoor and outdoor session. Leah's images are the first that come up on the video and I photographed her around downtown Port Townsend near the old Cannery. With her coloring her image really pops out standing in front of the entrance. The colors are amazing around the building with its cool doors and windows. Zander, the young man with the hat, was photographed around the Maritime Center and in front of the Port Townsend Museum. Many seniors were photographed out at Fort Worden. I would have to pay a fortune to have the selection of backgrounds in my studio that represent the variety of colors and textures you can find out at the Fort Worden State Park. Besides the basic gray walls many are covered with greens, and yellows mixed with lots of graffiti. The bunkers, the beach, the other old building, the beautiful beach grasses all make for great backgrounds for any portrait but especially fun for Seniors.

I can't wait to start meeting with the Class of 2013. I'm already checking out new locations to photograph Seniors this year. Give me a call today at 385-2662 if you want to set up a meeting to see some of the great products I offer, check out my Port Townsend studio and perhaps think about scheduling a session this summer. Getting a Senior session done early makes a lot more sense, and is a lot more fun, then being pressured to do something just before the yearbook deadline.



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Port Townsend Engagement Session at Fort Worden


Sunday was the perfect day for Karla and Gabe's engagement session. We started the session at the Memorial Field here in Port Townsend. Growing up in Port Townsend Gabe played football on this field and he and Karla met there. We headed from the field out to Fort Worden to one of the bunkers, another favorite spot for both of then growing up in this area. There were lots of kids playing in the bunkers but we found several more secluded areas to get some lovely images. We had almost two much sun for photos with the Point Wilson Lighthouse in the background but what an incredible location for a session.

I had a lot of fun photographing this handsome couple. I will be photographing their wedding here in Port Townsend in August and can't wait to document this special day for them.

If interested in talking to me about photographing your wedding please give me a call and lets set up an appointment to met here at my studio. There is no obligation to do this, it just gives us a chance to chat, look at my images, products and discuss a wedding package that meets you specific needs for your wedding. You can reach me here in Port Townsend at (360) 385-2662.

Monday, March 26, 2012

People That Own Pets Live Longer

Consider one of these sweet animals as becoming your new best friend. I added a link to an article on  Living Longer With A Pet   One study claims that owning a cat can reduce your chances of having a heart attack by 30%. So think how healthy it would be to adopt Savannah and if you were to adopt Robin too that might reduce your rate by 60%.  Not sure if there is research to confirm this but it sure would make Savannah and Robin happy.

Check out Petfinder for more information on each of these animals or give the shelter a call at 385-3292. We also have a Norwegian Elkhound available for adoption but I didn't get a chance to photograph her last week when I was at the shelter taking pictures.

Friday, March 23, 2012


I'm a bit slow getting this weeks poster uploaded but here it is. Handsome Melvin was adopted and if you visit Petfinder and type in our zip of 98368 you will see we have several new dogs at the Humane Society of Jefferson County.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Looking for a Port Townsend Senior Photographer?


Kudos to Port Townsend High School Senior Maddie Sarff-Foden

Port Townsend Seniors

Yesterday I finally got around to reading last week's Port Townsend Leader. I was really excited to see one of the 2012 Seniors I had photographed, mentioned not only once but twice, in the February 22nd issue. Maddie along with other students helped gather and present teddy bears and other stuffed toys to the Port Townsend Police Department. The toys are given by the police to help children who may have been involved in some traumatic event and are comforted by the toys. Maddie is part of the Port Townsend High School Interact Service Club that sponsored this activity.

Maddie was also mentioned in the Leader as one of the students who participated in the PT High School Future Business Leaders of America and took part in the Region competition. That region event was held at Bainbridge High School with over 400 attending. Maddie placed 2nd in regional and will be going on to the FBLA Seattle competition in April.

Congratulations to Maddie and all the other Port Townsend students mentioned in both the articles.

Real Simple Wedding Guide Available in Port Townsend



I just wrote a short article about a wedding guide planner available from Real Simple Magazine. Check out my post on Deja-View-Photography-Studio FB Page

Bird's Eye View of Uptown Port Townsend





Just a couple fun shots of a different side of Port Townsend that I don't see every day. I was visiting a friend who lives in the condos above Aldrich's market. I had my camera with me and took a couple shots from inside her condo and through the windows at the front of the building. I hadn't realized what a great view she had of the surrounding mountains.

For many years we owned a beautiful, fire engine red, 49 foot Rhodes Bounty. I always took for granted the lovely view of the Port Townsend waterfront as we did day sails around the bay. I sold the boat several years ago but wish I would have taken more pictures of the Port Townsend waterfront from the boat.

Shelter Photos by Deja View Photography-Animals Looking for Homes


This is the most current poster of animals looking to be adopted from the Humane Society of Jefferson County.  We have three adorable puppies from two different litters and one sweet kitten left from a litter of seven. Call the shelter, 385-3292 today for information on any of these wonderful animals needing a home here in Port Townsend.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Making a Unique Signature to Use in Your Email Reply

Most people probably use Outlook for their email account but I use Yahoo. I just struggled to update my Signature when sending an email and thought I would share how to do it if you haven't done it before or struggled like I just did. Previously I had my Blog address and my Website at Deja View Photography at the bottom of all my emails however because they are in Plain Text my clients can't link directly to my sites listed at the bottom of my email. If I changed the language to Rich HTML the signature includes links to my site but it looks pretty confusing in the email. The simplest way to reach my sites that you see at the bottom of my email is to copy and paste the address into the URL box at the top of you Internet page.

Here is the info on changing your signature if you use Yahoo. I copied this information from the Help Menu which is very useful if you know the right question to ask.

How do I add, edit, or delete a signature?
To add, edit, or delete a signature:
  1. Sign in to Yahoo! Mail.
  2. Click the Options menu in the upper-left corner, and select Mail Options from the pull-down list.
  3. Click Signature at the side.
  4. From the menu on the right, select a signature option:
    • Show a plain text signature: Allows you to create a simple, text-only signature.
    • Show a rich text signature: Allows you to choose the font, color, and size of the text in your signature, and also include images.
    • Don't use a signature: Select this to turn your signature off. Note that you can delete your signature in a message when you’d rather not send it.
  5. Next, add or change your signature by typing in the text area.
  6. To save your changes, close the Options tab (hover over the tab and click the X that appears).
Your signature now appears at the bottom of any message you create.
Note: If you create a rich text signature, it will only appear in rich text if you are composing your email in rich text mode. When composing an email, you can switch to rich text mode by clicking the Switch to rich text below the email's subject line.

Downtown Port Townsend Senior


This is one of my favorite images from Leah's Senior session on location in downtown Port Townsend. This image really pops when I had in printed as a metallic print which is one of the many products I offer Seniors who book their session at Deja View Photography.

Leah's Mother, Joyce Finch sent me this nice thank you note:
Thank you Deja for taking such amazing senior portraits of Leah! You seemed to capture her beautiful spirit as well as her appearance.



Monday, February 20, 2012

Loving Families Needed

This week's poster from the Humane Society of Jefferson County.  Since I created this poster on Sunday night, from images I took at the shelter, two of Miranda's kittens have been adopted. The two dark tabby kittens are still looking for a home. For more information on any of these animals call the shelter here in Port Townsend at (360) 385-3292.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

To Pinterest of Not to Pinterest?

My friend Gina Holeman invited me to join Pinterest several months ago. From Gina I learned one can only join Pinterest by receiving an invitation from a current member. Months ago I had logged on briefly and then forgot about the site until the other day when I got a marketing email talking about the success of Pinterest.  I think the parent company is Time Inc., that publishes Real Simple Magazine and is responsible for the Pinterest website. Pinterest is the fastest growing site, recently it hit 10 million unique visitors. An article I just read on the HubSpot Blog wrote that in the last 6 months the site has grown by 4000% and in one week it had 11 million hits in a week.

I have a subscription to Real Simple magazine and enjoy just relaxing and flipping through issues and folding over the pages of a good looking recipe or a decorating idea. I think that is why I enjoyed looking over the thousands of images on the Pinterest site. The bad part is I spend so much time on the Internet trying to update my Blog, my Face book fan page at, Deja View Photography Studio and my website at Deja View Photography  so I'm a hesitating a bit to spend too much time on the Pinterest site. However this weekend I logged on several times and uploading images to create new Boards and pinning other pictures to create other Boards. It made for a nice break from working on getting my taxes ready to meet with my accountant. I uploaded some of my favorite cat and dog images to share on "Boards" that are like story boards. With each "Board" or picture that is "Pinned" I can add my website so perhaps I will have fellow Pinterest members click the link to my

I would love to hear from others and what you think of Pinterest. I think perhaps most people really like it or others just think it is a waste of time. If you have time to leave a comment here and let me know what you think about the site.

You can visit my site by clicking on the link on the Gadget articles and links on the right side of my Blog page. If already a member just search for Deja Webster.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Wedding Planning in Port Townsend-Use Dressy Group


I just discovered this great website. It is part of the company Pantone but this Dressy Group site is devoted to weddings. Pantone is a company that produces one of the products I use to color correct my in-studio and outdoor images. Pantone's website offers anything and everything to do with color.

Dressy Group offers everything one would need when planning a wedding, from dresses to invitations to building storyboards and sample swatches unique to your wedding's colors, invitations, music, seating etc. What a fun site for the bride planning her perfect wedding day.

If you are planning a wedding here in Port Townsend consider contacting Deja View Photography to photograph your wedding. I offer five different collections starting at three hours of coverage to complete wedding day coverage.  My collections can be structured to fit your individual wedding day needs. I would love to set up an appointment to meet with you here at my studio to discuss your wedding day. You can reach me at (360) 385-2662.

In just the last two weeks I have booked two weddings to be held here in Port Townsend. I know both these couples have been able to reserve the Port Townsend Elks Club for their wedding reception. I can't wait to photograph both these young couples and to share their engagement session images here.  The weather is still cool and wet here in Port Townsend but the trees are starting to bud and crocus are sprouting and love is in the air.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Share Your Love-Adopt Today


There were a lot of adoptions from the Humane Society of Jefferson County last week. Thanks to all the wonderful families that opened their home to our shelter animals. I volunteered at the shelter today so this poster shows all the animals currently available for adoption. You can check out petfinder to learn more about each of these wonderful animals.

Lovely Miranda has a batch of kittens that are currently in foster care but should be available soon for adoption. Miranda is one of the most beautifully marked cats I have ever photographed. She is a lovely, petite young cat that deserves to find a caring family to give her a new home.

Call, 385-3292, the Humane Society of Jefferson County for more information on Miranda and any of the other animals currently available for adoption.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Sweet Rita

Port Townsend Family Portrait

What a fun family to photography. The Frederickson's had their entire family visiting here in Port Townsend and asked me to document this special occasion. At one time there was an additional dog in the scene, all looking at the camera, but this image was the family's favorite. I love the way the family coordinated their outfits. To me photographing them in front of their home was as important to telling their story as is the fact that everyone was together for this portrait. I just had this wonderful image printed out as a 11x14 on lovely luster paper and hung the 16x20 framed image in my studio today.