Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Grief at the End of the First Year

I just ran across this post on Facebook that a woman wrote as she was experiencing the end of the first year after her husband's death. From my own experience this is a very touching and realistic view of what life is like after losing your partner. The article was originally a post on the Huffington Post,  I Am Ending My Year Of Firsts After My Husband’s Death 

As the holidays approach it is important to be sensitive to people who have lost loved ones and the difficulties they may experience missing them during the holidays. Often I have said whoever put Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Valentines so close together on the calendar never knew what is like to miss a loved one during so many special holidays so close in time.

Adopt Don't Shop-Port Townsend Animals Looking for Homes


Monday, May 29, 2017

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

My parents are celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary today. I have this photo sitting in my studio along side my work. It reminds me of how important photos are to me. I'm in awe of their Photographer capturing this image on film without the advantages I have today using a digital camera. I'm also impressed with the print itself and the longevity of this image printed 67 years ago. I love the ties the guys are wearing, the details in my Mom's dress and veil, she might even have gloves on. The Photographer did a nice job getting Mom's dress to flow down the stairs, I wonder what he used for lighting. They look so young and so happy. My Uncle Bob, my Mother's brother, is on the far left. Thank you to my parents for the many values they have taught me. They have shown me by example a strong work ethic, the importance of living thrifty and in saving and to remember to give back to ones community.


Thursday, April 27, 2017

The Joy of the Port Townsend Farmers Market

Oh my gosh it is, April the month we all look forward to the opening of the Port Townsend Farmers Market, The first market always features a GOAT PARADE. Hundreds braved the wind and rain to watch a women lead several goats thru the crowds past the vendor stalls to their little cages where they spent the rest of the market. Kids and adults marveled at how cute they were as they were photographed from every angle and included in tons of selfies. I saw the parade but decided to enjoy the opening parade without being behind the lens of a camera only to return later once the rain stopped. 

There was lots of hugging going on since the last market was a whole three months ago and many of us had not seen each other in this long period of time. We all marveled at new cluster of babies experiencing their first market. Beautiful Heidi from Java Gypsy was there surrounded by her children, She served coffee made with love and blessed each of us with her smile as she handed us our drinks. The market already seems at capacity with over 60 vendors, music and lots of food. Attending the markets on Saturdays we all celebrate the fact made it through another work week and reunite to agree how lucky we are to live in paradise here in beautiful Port Townsend. 












Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Where has the month gone?

Wow what a busy month and this usually is a quiet time for me. I have met with and booked four wedding so far and I'm  really excited about each couple I will be photographing. The venues include two weddings at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, one at Fort Flagler and the other at the Troll Garden in Sequim. I also recently photographed several head shots for Jefferson Healthcare as well as bank employees from First Federal and Kitsap Bank and a local real estate broker. I volunteered to take photos for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce award luncheon and a monthly meeting of the Chambers Young Professional Network mixer.

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon with Stephanie
from With These Rings

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors 
Port Townsend Film Festival Academy Awards Event

Hosts for the Port Townsend Film Festival Academy Awards ceremony
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Network mixer




Wednesday, March 1, 2017

National Pig Day or Engagement Couple Photo Bombed by Pigs

I can't let National Pig Day end without posting a photo from a unique engagement session and it includes more than one pig. It seems like only yesterday, but it was May of 2014 when I photographed Charlotte and Martin at One Straw Ranch out on Marrowstone. The early evening light was magical and the whole ranch glowed with the most beautiful soft filtered light. I photographed Charlotte and Martin all around the ranch with different animals but this was really fun when we were photo bombed by the pigs.
To see more photos from other engagement sessions, wedding and other portraits you can visit Deja View Photography at www.dejasphotos.com  This is a very busy time right now meeting with and booking 2017 weddings. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me today you can reach me here in Port Townsend at (360) 385-2662. 

Monday, February 20, 2017

National Love Your Pet Day


Today is another a busy day for me working in my office updating software, working on my website, editing photos plus leaning how to use new album designing software. By my side as I work is my faithful dog Max. I adopted Max from the shelter over thirteen years ago. My German Shepard Gypsy had just died and I knew I wanted another dog. Not to replace her but to give another shelter pup a good life like Gypsy had had in my home. The shelter told me Max was about two but he acted more like a puppy under a year than a two year old adult. His age doesn't really matter unless I'm looking at how much more time I have left with this sweet dog. I can see him slipping a bit in the last six months. He seems confused like not wanting to go through the door to my office or waiting by the wrong door to come in from outside. He still has his appetite and hasn't lost his mobility except he's now hesitant to tackle the stairs to the bed he loved to lay on.

As an adult I have always had a dog, always a shelter dog of mixed heritage. Max is the best natured, loving dog I have ever owned. He is very sensitive dog, aware of my feeling. If I'm happy or especially when sad he seems to know. He decides to curl up on the couch with me when I sob through one of those Humane Society commercials with all the animals that need to get adopted. Even after years of walking together he still always walks in front of me, encouraging me to pick up my pace. As for disposition he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. I lost my other shelter dog, Ruby several months back. I fondly called her my "devil child" as she acted like a two year old instead of her actual age of ten. She would push Max out of the way at the water bowl, or moved in for that one piece of food that had jumped out of Max's bowl. He never snapped or growled at her. Ruby could be at the far end of the yard and she could still be the first to get thru the sliding glass doors as Max got pushed aside and waited patiently to enter last.

I'm reminded today of how lucky I am to have handsome Max in my life. Those of us who know the love of a dog are indeed blessed.



Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Happy One Year Wedding Anniversary

What a wonderful couple I had the opportunity to photograph last year at this time. I actually thought the date was Valentine's Day & just realized my mistake, it was yesterday not today. A lovely couple, wonderful family, great location having the wedding held at Manresa Castle, just a perfect day. Belated Happy Anniversary Barb & Alan.


Thursday, January 12, 2017

Deja View Photography and 6999 Others Attend the 45th Seattle Wedding Show

Last Saturday Kay Harper and I attended the 45th Seattle Wedding Show. This is the 4th year we have gone into Seattle for the wedding show. I heard from one of the vendors that over 7000 people attended the 2017 show. Every year it is fun to observe the excitement of Mother and daughters, newly engaged couples or groups of friends with the bride to be roaming the Seattle Convention Center with hundreds of vendors as they peruse the aisles.

Just before the show I read over the booklet of 2017 Wedding Trends from Wedding Wire and it was right on for what we saw at the show. The high energy fashion show had many models wearing wedding dresses with intricate, detailed long sleeved dresses many which were covered with detailed sequins. Lots of models wore dresses with long flowing lacy veils that trailed behind them down the runway. Some of the most striking dresses were from I Do Bridal and I Do Bridal Too out of Seattle. One was a vintage lace gown with sheer inserts with a nude underlay worn by a stunning model. The dress was gorgeous. There was also a striking floral print chiffon ball gown with a pleated skirt, pockets and a giant way over sized orange hat. This floral gown looked like something Mary from Downton Abby would have worn to a cricket match. Then there were two piece lace top pant suits. I couldn't help but wonder if they were inspired by Hillary Clinton. I wasn't sure if the pant suits were meant for the bride or just for the bridesmaids.

The other thing that was striking was the detail and uniqueness of the wedding cakes. Colorful marble and metal looking cakes, drip and even donut cakes. So many bakeries had incredible geode cakes that looked like realistic amethyst crystals on the inside.

Everywhere was the influence of Pantone's 2017 color of the year which is called Greenery. One could see the focus on Greenery every where. Green repeated in the table decorations, in almost all the floral arrangements, the elaborate details in the wedding cakes and the stationary even envelopes. So much color and textures at time the show could be a bit visually overwhelming. Kay and I had a chance to meet and visit with several Photographers and found them to be very friendly and willing to share tends they were seeing in their work this year. We stopped by the Port Townsend Fort Worden booth to visit with Julie, Eileen and Tim who were manning the booth. The Fort's display looked great. Julie had one of my wedding albums on display from a wedding I photographed last summer under the unique Madrone tree at the Fort

The show doesn't allow cameras but I caught a couple images, mainly cakes with my cell phone. It was a fun show and a great day in Seattle. I'm really excited about this upcoming wedding season. If you would like to sit down to discuss your wedding day I offer a free pre-consultation with Deja View Photography.  Best wishes to all the couples who have found love and have plans to be wed this year.


Inspiring Article by Jim Daly, Member of Quimper Village.

Inspiring article about Jim Daly in this months publication of 3rd Act, Aging with Confidence Magazine. I captured this image at one of the Quimper Village picnics last summer. http://www.3rdactmagazine.com/…/navigating…/cant-put-finger/

Quimper Village in Port Townsend

Friday, January 6, 2017

Grooms Don't Wait until Your Wedding Day to Figure out How to Fold Your Pocket Square

Figuring out how to fold the grooms pocket square is almost always an issue as a groom gets dressed on his wedding day. I decided to share the two links below with directions on how to solve this problem. I'm actually going to provide a handout to my upcoming grooms so they have a reference they can look at before the wedding day. I'm also going to carry an extra copy of the directions to fold a pocket square in my equipment bag to have on hand the wedding day too.

Guide: How to Combine Your Pocket Square and Tie

9 Ways to Fold a Pocket Square

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Planning a Wedding in Port Townsend? Looking for a Unique Wedding Venue or Lodging on the Olympic Peninsula? Looking for Equipment Rental Service?

When planning a wedding or other family events in Port Townsend you may be looking for tents, tables, chairs or linens rentals. You can contact A Plus Equipment Rental here in Port Townsend at (360) 385-1010. I spoke to Justin today and he was very helpful giving me quotes for delivering and setting up 10x10, 20x20 or 20x40 tents.

Another vendor that provides the same products is Kitsap Event Rentals located in Port Gamble but they do service Port Townsend and Port Angeles. They can be reached at (360) 621-8711.

While I personally have not worked with either of these vendors I wanted to share a couple options if planning your wedding here in Port Townsend. You can visit my website at Deja View Photography to see more examples of my wedding photography or call me today at (360) 385-2662 to set up an appointment to discuss you upcoming wedding day. I offer a variety of collections to meet each couples specific budget or time requirements.

Many venues here in Port Townsend may already provide tables, chairs and linens as part of their rental fee for their venue so you will want to check specifically with them directly. Below is a list of many of the local venues that offer lodging or a venue space to hold your wedding here in scenic Port Townsend.



Monday, January 2, 2017

Port Townsend Photographer Celebrates 2016

Deja View Photography  had a wonderful year of photographing people and events during 2016. I photographed several weddings at beautiful venues like Fort Worden, the Quimper Unitarian Church, Manressa Castle, and a couple from London that were married at the Inn at Port Ludlow Resort in November. 
Fort Worden Wedding
Newlyweds in front of Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden
Quimper Unitarian Church in Port Townsend
Manress Castle

Port Townsend Film Festival
In September I volunteered to photographed on for the Port Townsend Film Festival where I captured candids of festival participants. This was my third year to volunteer and I can't wait to do it again next year. I photographed the Taste of Port Townsend for Main Street. Took photos with Main Street members that was used in their poster and advertising for this years Girls Night Out. The event raised Over $6000 to support breast and cervical cancer screening for low income Jefferson County residents. 
St. Mary's Church here in Port Townsend hired me to photograph and document Father John's last year before his retirement. 
The Port Townsend Summer Band needed an updated photo so fellow Photographer Kay Harper and I posed nearly 40 band member along side the Cotton Building for a group photo. Just as we were finishing up the last couple shots the band was dive bombed by a seagull but everyone was great not to freak out and without missing a "beat" we got the last couple photos to complete the session. 


The Business Guides here is Port Townsend hired me in 2015 to take all their updated head shots for their website, They asked me to photograph a group image for their 2015 Christmas card and asked me again in 2016 to capture a festive moment with the group. What a wonderful group of people to work with and photograph. 
I have volunteered to photograph Memorial Day Service and Veterans Day ceremonies at the Marvin G. Shields Memorial American Legion here in Port Townsend for the last ten years. In both May and November of this year local vets from World War II and Korea were honored with quilts made by the women from Quilts of Valor organization. The quilts were spectacular pieces of art created for each individual veteran. What a touching event to document for them. 



This is my 11th year to volunteer at the Humane Society of Jefferson County. Helping by photographing cats and dogs looking for homes has been a wonderful experience for me and a great way to give back to my community. Taking animal photos over the years has made me a better Photographer and far more patient in capturing an image. 












While living in a small community it gives you the flexibility to photograph a variety of events. I'm never bored with the possibilities of different assignments or techniques to learn. Nothing is more rewarding for me as being able to photograph a Senior who was reluctant to have their photos taken and encouraged by parents to be there. But to photograph images that they love and that in the end they had fun capturing is very special to me. Or to get a head shot that perhaps an employer has suggested an employee had to have taken but they just weren't comfortable in having their photo taken. To have them be pleased with their experience and to remark, "the photo looks just like me" is a wonderful feeling. A couple years ago I did a local wedding show and had examples of my work on display. Someone stopped to ask me if I had used models for all the images or if they were real people. I was shocked by her question but she said she assumed they were models since they looked so good and all looked happy in the images. 

I'm already working on my 2016 taxes and with great excitement have new binders created for this years paperwork and client information. I have lots of new ideas for products to share with my clients, personal projects to work on and new ideas to expand my advertising. I can't wait to see what 2017 holds. I would love the opportunity to work with you this year. Give me a call today at (360) 385-2662 or visit my website at Deja View Photography. Best wishes for a wonderful year.