Aurora Alert for my Northern Friends

An event on the Sun occurred on the 7th of June. Prompt arrival of high speed particles has already affected the atmosphere. Our model indicates that the shock wave will reach Earth on the 8th of June around 5pm GMT. This will be followed by a disturbance in the solar wind that should produce fairly extensive auroral displays within 24 hr after that time.

For the Northern Hemisphere, the aurora should be visible mainly in North America, since the sun is illuminating most of the auroral zone in Russia and Scandinavia. If the timing is right, the disturbance will lead to auroras visible from the Northern US on the night of the 8th.

Antarctica will see the display even beginning with the shock arrival on the 8th. For Tasmania and Southern New Zealand it will be the 9th.

It is difficult to predict what the K index will be during night of the 8th in North America, but it is reasonable to expect K=6 which would put the aurora over Milwaukee, and visible on the northern horizon on a line from Portland Ore, southern Nebraska, southern Indiana, to Washington, DC.

Go to the auroral forecast page at: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

and watch the Short Term (1 hr) forecast. It will increase when the arrival of the disturbance is one hour away. It will also show you whether you can see the aurora from your vantage point, if you choose the map that shows your location.

If you are north of 55 deg latitude, it may be too light to see the aurora at night. Let us know of your success or failure and we will amend the section on the auroral forecast page called "Viewing the aurora in the Northern Summer".

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High School Senior Ambassadors Needed

Senior Ambassador Program

• Be someone special in your school! Become a Hope Haven Photography Ambassador!

• Look to your friends and family to help you earn a photography session of a lifetime!

· A Referral* is a paid booking for a Family, Child, Senior, Maternity, Engagement, Wedding, Modeling or even Corporate Headshot session.

· The first student to bring in their high school senior mailing list will receive an $100 visa gift card.

All Ambassadors qualify for extraordinary, Ambassador-Only discounts; including the option to purchase at Hope Haven Wholesale cost any new items being added to the product line, while an ambassador.

It is all about getting you and your friends the best possible professional photography for their senior portraits. Every Ambassador qualifies for very special discounts and extra products.

Each Ambassador is eligible to be entered to win a Laptop ($1000 value), iPod touch, iPod nano and even $250 cash!

For every referral you receive the following:

1 entry to win the $250 visa gift card.

• $100 off their discounted Autograph Portfolio, up to the full price of the album

For every 5th referral you receive the following:

1 entry to win the iPod nano

$100 of Hope Haven Photography Prints

For every 10^th referral you receive the following:

1 entry to win the Ipod Touch

$200 of Hope Haven Photography Prints

For every 20^th referral you will receive the following:

1 entry to win the Laptop (Laptop will be customized to the winner’s preferences up to $1000)

$500 of Hope Haven Photography Prints

Ambassadors can earn a free “Autograph Portfolio” with your 10 best portraits and room for all of your friends to sign. ($800 value!) All Ambassadors need to have their pictures taken between January 1st, and May 1st,. As an Ambassador all you need to do is show off your photos from your free session with Hope Haven Photography. All Ambassadors should be representing only Hope Haven Photography during this time, and their Senior year. Remember….you don’t have to be a model to be an ambassador, all you have to be is outgoing and spread the word.

THE SESSIONS

You will be given the opportunity to be photographed twice. The first session needs to be scheduled before April 1st. It is to your advantage to have your session completed early, allowing you to get your photos in your hands before school is out, giving you the opportunity to show off your photographs and generate interest, before everyone scatters for summer. Your second session needs to be scheduled before September 1st, or you will forfeit your second session.

Your first session will be approximately 1-2 hours and will be shot by two professional, award winning photographers. You can bring up to 6 outfits that will be photographed on location (we can explain the locations during your interview).

Your second session will be approximately 1 hour. This one is special. Why? Well we know what to do to make you laugh and have fun, because we have had time to get to know you. Another bonus is…we can schedule this session at a special location like a beach area, waterfall, etc... giving you something no one else can get. Yeah!

REWARDS FOR TOP AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR:

• The “Top Ambassador” will receive - A NEW iPod loaded with your photos (based on referrals)

REGULAR AMBASSADORS WILL RECEIVE:

· You get two photos sessions for FREE

· You get to SAVE HUGE on your photos

· You can get free products and/or free gift cards

· Parents can save some serious cash off senior photos

· There is NO cap to the amount of rewards you can receive via referrals

· Free Family Session coupons

· Free student business cards to help them earn rewards

· 5 Free i-photos to post on your Myspace, Facebook, emailing, texting, etc…

· Free Locker buddy designed just for you (12x18 poster)

RULES

· Fill out application completely

· Mail your application to Hope Haven Photography, 1305C N. Main Street Box 9, Summerville, SC 29483

· Hope Haven will select the qualified candidates

· Schedule an interview with Ambassador candidates and his/her parent(s)

· Participate in the Promotional session

· Ambassador promotes the senior style program everywhere.

· Prizes will be awarded at the completion of the Senior Portrait Season, November 1 of each year.

New Website

I am very thrilled to announce that we have a new website. It has been completely redone.

We needed to accomodate and recognize the new talent covering the west coast, Samuel Losee our lead photographer for the Pacific Northwest.

Please check it out and let us know what you think! We love any and all feedback!

Hope Haven Photography

Digital Art

I was recently commission to create a painting from a digital image. We worked with the client to create what I feel is a beautiful painting of a lovely dog.

Please feel free to leave comments, as I would love to know what people think of this new artistic outlet.

The unplanned nude

I received a call in 2006 for a gentleman to have head shots taken as he wished to become a model for a local University’s art department. We agreed upon a price and a date.

At this time my studio was located in an apartment over the garage on our property and I did most of my shooting during school hours and therefore was alone much of the time. So, in many ways this is a cautionary tale, as this particular situation did not pose a threat but in many ways was a dangerous situation. My client arrived that day as all my other clients do, he was an older man in his fifties and normal looking. I had set up that day for headshots; however, when my client arrived he also indicated he would like some full length shots. My wider lens was over at the house, and he stated that he would change while I went to get it. When I got back to the studio, I had a gentleman without attire waiting patiently for me to return. Nothing….not a stitch.

I (calling on every ounce of professionalism I could muster), kept a straight face and asked him if there was a mistake? Because… he hadn’t mentioned wanting to do a nude session and those are…well (whats 5 times….), yes… more money …. He agreed to pay the difference. I pulled myself together, focused on lights, and posing – keeping to the classical lighting techniques taught by Clay Blackmore, full face, 2/3^rd’s, profile, ect. All the time keeping a straight face and doing a good job.

After he left, I slowing sat down on the floor, wiping the tears from my eyes, laughed myself silly. And for years after this I have often been asked how I could ignore the ‘elephant in the room’, I reply…. “it was NO elephant.”

Lesson Learned – We developed a portrait session contract much like our wedding contract to be certain we have covered all bases with our clients as far as the session expectations. This has helped so much!

Life as a Photographer

I am returning to the original purpose of my blog. When I first started blogging my goal was to share with people what it was light to be a self-taught, fledgling photographer. Somewhere I got off track with that goal, so I want to return to that original purpose.

I want to share with everyone some of the funny and stranger things that happen to me in the course of me photography gigs. I am not a natural writer so maybe this will help me improve that as well. No names will be mentioned so as to protect the 'innocent'. So stay tuned for some funny stories ..... coming soon.

Letter from a Client

Dear Denise,

At the time I called to inquire about the possibility of a Christmas photograph that would include my new service dog, little did I know that I was about to connect with an extraordinary woman. The moment your gentle voice told me that you had several rescued dogs, horses, and goodness knows what else at your home, I knew that this inquiry had led me to something - and someone - very special.

But now, I must talk about the photographs you and Sam took. Over the years, I have had a professional photograph taken of our family. Going in for one of these things was generally an awkward, even unpleasant, experience ("smile!", "turn to your right," "turn to your left...") and the results of these uncomfortable and false poses were always apparent in the results. But with you and Sam, it was fun, and the smiles that came through in the end were genuine.

The real test of your exceptional skills, however, came through in the photographs you took of my dog, Morgan. Taking photographs of animals is, I believe, a test of the highest skills any photographer can achieve. Due to the eye reflectors of animals, their constant motion, inability to follow those basic photography instructions ("look this way..."), it is no wonder that we stare in awe at the photos sometimes come to us over the internet or appear in National Geographic showing the beautiful creatures that share our earth in a stilled moment. That is the beauty you captured in my dog.

I had mentioned that this particular animal had big paws to fill since my last service dog had been with me ten years, knew almost without my asking what I needed and was a source of comfort to me as I struggled through illness and chemotherapy. Getting a new service dog meant starting all over again and my heart simply wasn't ready to let go of the past and my feelings for the last one. Yet, within the photos you took of all of us, then him alone, I saw what everyone else was trying to tell me: that he was an exceptional animal, just as loving and beautiful as my last dog and that we were going to be a fine team.

I will treasure forever the photos you took and will always be in your debt for the kindness you showed to me, my husband and, of course, Morgan.

Kindest regards,

P.B.

Analysis of Wedding Spending Changes from 2007 to 2008

Source: The Wedding Report, Inc.

Areas of spending decline from 2007 to 2008

Wedding dress fell by 31%
Rehearsal dinner fell by 34%
Spending for a DJ fell by 6%
Bridesmaid bouquets fell by 36%
Gifts for attendants fell by 38%
Wedding invitations fell by 34%
Engagement ring fell by 30%
Photographer fell by 26%
Videographer fell by 24%
Wedding cake fell by 33%
Wedding favors fell by 9%
Reception food service fell by 53%
Limo rental fell by 24%

Some reasons for the decline in spending of these items are; Current economic state is the primary reason for decline. Food type services declined due to a decrease in the number of guests attending from 166 to 145. Lower prices offered by various vendor types also contributing.

Areas of spending increase from 2007 to 2008
Tuxedo/suit increased by 47%
Ceremony location increased by 108%
Bride bouquet increased by 1%
Brides wedding band increased by 21%
Grooms wedding band increased by 38%
Reception bar service increased by 12%
Reception location increased by 15%
Reception rentals increased by 84%

Some reasons for the increase in spending of these items are; Desire of unique locations for ceremony and reception. Same place for ceremony and reception locations caused increase in location cost and rentals. Cut back on engagement ring allowed couples to spend more on the bands. Also, increase in demand for wedding bands vs. engagement rings.

Nice Comments from fellow Vendor

A really nice comment posted on one of our referral sites from a great bakery in Monroe, WA, Tallant House. She says about Hope Haven Photography...

"Really beautiful work, from a hard working photographer. She also works as a partner with other vendors, treating them as well as a customer."

To help the 443 dogs rescued from the Mount Vernon Puppy Mill

For information on the background news story please follow this link:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/18552694/detail.html

For Immediate Release Contact: Denise Lee
Date: January 23, 2000 Phone: 800-801-8211 studio

Local business to generate money for 443 rescued puppies and dogs from Skagit County with Puppy Love event through the end of May 2009.

Denise Lee, owner of Hope Haven Photography (www.hope-haven.net), is working to raise money for the 443 dogs rescued last week in Skagit County. Until May 31, Hope Haven Photography is offering $100 mini-sessions for your pet. The entire session fee will be donated to the SPOT (Saving Pets One at a Time, http://www.savingpetsoneatatime.org/) to benefit the care of the dogs rescued.

The team at Hope Haven Photography works with each pet and their owner to create photographic fine art options to decorate clients’ homes. From digitally painted pet portraits to whimsical, bright colored backgrounds, Denise Lee and her crew have been preparing for to pamper pets during the upcoming event. “We have goodie bags for the pets and puppy chow for the adults. We are looking forward to days filled with fun and fur,” states Denise Lee, owner of Hope Haven Photography. “We hope people bring in other pets too. I am personally a horse lover.” All wall portraits from Hope Haven Photography come with archival framing, so clients go home with ready to hang artwork.

Puppy Love event is happening during now through May 31, 2009. All sessions are by appointment. Please call 800-801-8211.

Wedding Officiants

I am trying to get back to the idea of posting some (hopefully) helpful information for brides and grooms for their weddings.

This topic is about wedding officiants. While there are so many types, the church-based minister, the brother who is 'on-line ordained', the professional officiant who does this as a living, and the justice of the peace, we have actually shot them all....well not literally, just with a canon. :-)

I don't think there is a best type. I can say that your officiant will make or break your ceremony and as such is an important decision. I have stood (yes, the photographers are almost always standing) through 95+ degree weather and heard the longest and most boring stories from some officiants to the most poignant and tearfully ceremonies that make it hard for me to hold my camera still.

So for my best input - here are some things that will help you determine which type of officiant is best for you and somethings to definently ask for.

1) In trying to determine which type of officiant, ask yourself, do you have anyone currently in your life you want to share such a sigificant moment with? This could be your current pastor, minister, priest, family member, doctor, lawyer, ect. If you do not, then you will want to consider a justice of the peace or a professional officiant. The justice of the peace will perform a ceremony only at the courthouse, so if that is not your venue of choice, a professional officiant will be the best way to go.

2) Choosing your officiant can only be done in person. In my opinion, email and even phone calls can show you only a small amount of information about a person. When you meet in person, you will see how they are dressed, how they present themselves, their manners, the care for which they speak. After all, you are hiring them to speak. If your officiant is cracking rude jokes the entire time you are meeting with them, reshuffle, redeal and move on.

So here, in my humble photographers opinion, is what is helpful in an officiant:

1. Ready to take over if needed, but willing to allow you to fully customize the ceremony to your specifications. There are so many neat 'meaning filled' things to do during a ceremony, that will have to be it's own separate blog entry.

2. Great communicator, both before being booked and after. A must-do is a planning meeting, held closer to the wedding to go over all the timing and the details. Some of this can be done over email and phone calls, but there is nothing that can replace that great face-to-face chat.

3. Attending the rehearsal, I cannot believe I have to type this. But yes, we have been to one wedding where the bride and groom didn't want to pay the officiant extra to attend the rehearsal. This is not requested, this should be mandatory. BTW - we as photographers attend rehearsals as well.

4. Make sure your officiant is working from something written down. You don't want your officiant trying to remember the vows (like a Chief Justice we all know) and messing them up on you very important day.

5. Finally make certain that your officiant has a plan for signing the wedding license. This can be a beautiful photo op and if done right can even make beautiful shots for your officiants album as well.

So that's it, the best information I can think of to help you find your best officiant. I can say this, I have two very close officiants, one is my sister and one is a very very good friend.

Engagement Session

We met a fanastic couple getting married in May. They are planning their lovely wedding at Kiana Lodge near Poulsbo, WA.

Imaging USA

I am back from a terrific photography conference in Phoenix, AZ. We were there for 4 days cramming our heads full of awesome information.

I learned quite a bit but here are the highlights:
One thing that sets me apart from alot of other photographers is the fact that we were there. We continually expand our education, our skills and our mentors.

I learned a ton from Julia Woods on how to organize the workspace. Lets face it, people hire me to shoot, not have a perfect workspace, but I have lots of ideas on how to make it better.

Sarah Petty, well...if she was talking...I was there. She brings so much to the industry. I can say definitively I am making some major business changes just due to the things that she taught us.

Kevin Kubota, well what I can I say? ... as a photographer if you ever get the chance to hear this man on stage, he is totally nuts and totally awesome. He is real, he is approachable and honest. The world needs more people like this. Though why he thinks Doug Gordan is a 'rough troll' I am not sure.... :-) Twitter anyone?

We met so many neat people and were able to hook up with our compatriots from Washington....though I was very sad I missed the PPW (Professional Photographers of Washington) group photo. I was touring the huge expo and completely lost track of time.

Overall I am very thankful for all our clients without whom I would have no reaon to attend such an event. This event had made me a better person, better shooter and better business person. Thank you PPA.

Working with DJ's and MC's

My new year’s resolution is to be more active with my lovely blog and to create a source of information for brides and grooms as an insider’s point of view on all things wedding. Some issues I have a huge opinion on and others…not so much. But for what it is worth, I am going to put my two cents in. In the next few posts we will review what I know of other types of wedding vendors, the pros, cons, and the “to-do” lists.

As wedding photographers, we have worked with all types of DJ’s. We have seen DJ’s with IPods and DJ’s with such incredible systems with lights and microphones and the works. I am sure they charge the full range of fees, so this blog is NOT about what they charge, but more what they do and how they can be important to your wedding.

You will want to choose a DJ who is also your MC, because let’s face it; nobody wants Uncle Tom at the microphone all night long, right? An MC is your master of ceremonies. This is the critical person that keeps things flowing and on time. Your optimal DJ/MC will be invisible when not needed, but swiftly taking over when required. Someone who intuitively plays just the right music, really reads the crowd, participates to the right level, encouraging the revelry but finely controlling the pitch.

You should always work out a timeline (schedule of events) with your DJ/MC way ahead of time and review it several times the weeks leading up to your wedding. BTW, send a copy of this schedule to all your vendors, but don’t worry, we will have already gotten it from your DJ, or be hanging up his shorts when we arrive. J The DJ/MC can make the job of photographer and videographer a living hell or be a god send. After shooting formals, and the ceremony and the reception arrival and everyone greeting the bride and groom and the foods, ect. We are soon looking for a place to #1 check our gear, keep our gear secure and #2 rest. If we are doing either of these two things and all of sudden the caterer appears out of nowhere and wants to cut the cake so that they can wrap up and leave. Where is your photographer and videographer? The excellent DJ/MC will verify it is the right time for this event and intercede with the caterer if required to correct the timeline, if it is the right timeline your excellent DJ/MC will notify the photography crew if nothing else than by an announcement over their speakers, which we always listen for. The average DJ/MC will look around for the bride and groom and play the right music. The poor DJ/MC will not even get the music right because this event has caught him/her off guard. As important as we photographers feel we are, it is the DJ/MC that will set the tone, prevent disasters and help guide yours guests and other vendors as you enjoy your wonderful lovely special day.

We have been asked if the lights that some entertainment professionals bring will interfere with the photographs. All I can say is that if ANYTHING is interfering with my photographs I will professional ask the DJ/MC or the interfering party to remove/desist the interference. I have never been bothered by the lights provided. I work diligently to include this lighting and to show it to its finest, as it is capturing the overall ambiance of the party.

We have several vendors that we love to work with and they have never let us down. Please feel free to browse our recommended vendor’s page on our website for more information.

So our Hope Haven Top 5 things to do with a DJ:

1. Interview your DJ in person and spend a bit of time with them. Get to see their personality. Ask him/her to play your special song. How long does it take him/her to find it? Does he have it? Where is his music stored and how can he access it? Is he organized? What will he wear at your wedding? Is he/her the actual one going to DJ/MC your wedding? Does he have microphones, are they wireless? Can he record the audio of the ceremony?

2. Check references. At least talk to other wedding vendors and see what they know of the vendor in question. Professionally we don’t say things bad about other vendors, so if your referral person cannot comment that is not a good sign. If they go on and on about how great a vendor is, that’s your green light. Venues almost always know the good DJ’s they are usually a great source of information.

3. Work out your timeline way ahead of time, copy your other vendors and review this timeline in the weeks prior to the wedding.

4. Verify that your DJ does in fact have insurance. If someone invited to your wedding trips on his cords, are they suing you?

5. Let your DJ/MC know exactly what type of facility you have selected, how many tables, how much space, dance floor, power sources, ect. Most DJ’s will find this out for themselves, but it will help build the relationship and understanding if you already have some information.

6. Give your DJ/MC a list of the names and contact information for all your other vendors.

7. Negotiate with a DJ/MC as you would for anything in your wedding, but keep in mind the good ones have good equipment and a higher price. Remember, you get what you pay for. I would so much rather see a bride and groom skimp on flowers and hire an amazing DJ/MC who will know exactly how to build this amazing memory for you.

8. Include the DJ/MC in your meal count for your caterer. These events usually take place during dinner hours and can be very difficult on the constitution. A happy DJ is a well fed DJ.

9. Talk with your DJ/MC about any guidelines or special circumstances. They need to be aware if any of your guest might have a seizure disorder if using lights. Situations like this can be controlled and problems averted with communication.

10. The Biggest and the Best – be sure you have someone from your wedding party assigned to greet the DJ at the venue and help out with any parking situations, tables, outlets, ect. This should not be your worry and you don’t need to have the DJ/MC tracking you down.