Thank you to everyone who voted for Deja View Photography. The notice of the winners of the Best of Jefferson County came out in the Peninsula Daily News about two weeks ago. It is an honor to have my photography business recognized as Best Photographer especially with so many talented photographers in our area. I started my business over fifteen years ago selling cards and prints at the Farmers Market. After several years I left the market to focus on portrait photography. Currently the areas I photograph the most are professional headshots, families, event photography and High School Seniors. Again, thank you to all who voted for me and who support my business by using my services. It is a joy to be part of our community.

Port Townsend Main Street Celebrates Girls' Night Out

This is the second time Port Townsend Main Street has used one of my images for their Girls Night Out Poster. This is a bit abstract from the previous poster however it was fun to let them use my photo to create this poster for such a worthwhile fundraiser. 

High School Senior Session at Fort Worden in Port Townsend

I photographed my first 2022 Senior, a young man from Spokane. He was visiting family who lives in Sequim. The young man plays the guitar and is a big fan of Eddie Van Halen. He wanted images of himself on a rock in the water with his guitar, similar to a Van Haven poster. After some searching for the perfect rock/location, the scene was set for photos and afterwards, we headed to the bunkers at Fort Worden for more photos. This was my favorite from the session.

Surprise Engagement at Point Wilson Lighthouse in Beautiful Evening Light

As Covid restrictions are lifting I find I have had a busy couple of weeks ahead with my photography business, Deja View Photography. I love the variety of work I'm able to do. I photographed a small wedding at Chetzemoka with a couple visiting from Minnesota. I have done several professional headshot sessions in my Port Townsend studio plus a couple more downtown sessions around the Maritime Center.

This weekend I photographed a lovely young couple from the Tacoma area. The young man, who is based out of Joint Lewis McChord, hired me to photograph a surprise engagement session for his girlfriend out at the Fort Worden. A friend helped me scope out, in advance, the best spots for good evening light, location of the perfect tide, wind speed direction, as well as angle of the setting sun. All these calculations were taken to pull off the perfect surprise session. Tom maneuver them into position in front of the Lighthouse and we waited for crowds of people to pass. I stood on a knoll pretending to be photographing the Point Wilson Lighthouse but actually captured him dropping to one knee with the ring. It was a lovely moment and afterwards, we took lots of fun photos all around Point Wilson. What a lovely event to be part of and what an honor to capture this special moment for them. I think I have the greatest job ever.

Canarissimo Stride Tango Trio Play at Port Townsend Main Street Dedication

Some fun photos from last month when Main Street dedicated the five new sculptures, around town, done by Jonah Trople. Bertram Levy and the Canarissimo Stride Trio played along with vocals by Robin Kallsen. The rain held off to make it a lovely evening with great music and lots of dancing outside of Key City Public Theatre.

Live Music Back in Downtown Port Townsend with the Unexpected Brass Band

Time has flown by since I took these photos, at the end of May. This is the Unexpected Brass Band at Pope Marine Plaza here in Port Townsend. They put on such a great show and had such a fun energy about them as they performed. The crowd was thrilled to be there for a live concert. It was the first event photography I had done in over a year. I'm over the moon that Concert on the Dock is starting next month. I love photographing the summer concerts and this year they will be starting in August thru the first week in September.

Coffee with a Fascinating Cankerworm

Morning coffee on the porch. Grateful for the time to watch the magical acrobatics of what I think is a cankerworm.

The lifeline thread it was suspended by invisible to my imperfect vision.

The wind moves the invisible silk and spins the tiny creature like a Coast Guard rescue bucket out of control.

I watch as it finally lowers itself, nearly touching the ground but then like a cat touching water with its paws, retracts and lifts up back to the sky.

Back to the tree foliage to gorge as it prepares to move from a spring larvae to becoming a moth, not limited to floating randomly but to winged flight.

“You smiled at me like I was young. It took my breath away.”

Leonard Cohen

Professional Headshots by Deja View Photography

 

My Favorite Valentine

I first shared this card before but it has become more special with the passing of years. 

This is my favorite Valentine despite being a little beat up and faded. However I do love store bought Hallmark cards too. Any of the Hallmark holiday commercials have me in tears as soon as I hear their theme music. However this special card was made with just a sheet of copy paper, a red marker and lots of love. Inside is a very artistic red heart drawn by my boyfriend. Don, my partner, who was working in Alaska on a tug and unable to get to a store so he made this card for me. I don't know where he got the little image of a couple embracing that he taped on the top. I loved the card when he sent to me over 15 years ago but over time it has became even more special to me since his death 11 years ago on the 17th of this month.

Remembering the anniversary date of a loved ones passing doesn't mean I haven't moved on with my life. What it does mean is that on this date I pause and reflect on what a wonderful the life we had together. Only someone who has gone through the grief of losing a loved one knows how quickly life can change. It took only minutes for his heart to stop and for my world to change forever. This simple card reminds me how lucky I was to have such a great guy in my life and that he wanted me to be his special Valentine.

"This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect." Jodi Picoult

Zoom Tips for Looking Your Best During a Meeting

 Since so many people are using Zoom I found a valuable link on improving how one looks during a meeting. I remember my first meeting. I made sure to be dressed, including pants, even wore a bit of makeup plus straighten out my office behind me. Once the meeting started I realize none of the participants had their images showing during the presentation. The first tip in the link below is probably the most important and deals with lighting. So many people do not have enough light on them and are backlit making their faces even darker. It also discusses positioning your face. Some of the tips are for business professionals but who doesn't want to look good on-screen during a Zoom call. https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-on-Zoom

Jefferson County Humane Society in Port Townsend has pets available for adoption.

 The Humane Society of Jefferson County is still closed to the public but there are several cats and dogs available for adoption. You can find more information about each animal by visiting Petfinder.com. You can call the shelter at 385-3292 to get more information too.