Busy Bee

Wow, I have been a busy little bee! Weddings in January, studio portraits in Feb, lots of head shots in March. What will April bring? How about 10% off all outdoor portrait sessions for the entire month? It's time to enjoy the great outdoors again. I'm feeling cooped up and wanting to stretch my creative soul in the warm sunshine.
Who wants to join me?

6 month old's first portrait

Angela called me a few weeks ago and stated "My daughter is growing up too fast! I need you to take some pictures." Angela's daughter is about 6 months old and at the perfect age for her 1st professional portrait. In fact, it's my favorite age to photograph because they aren't crawling yet,(captive audience!) they sit up by themselves, their personality is blossoming and they love it when I get silly. This little girl was a bit more serious and preferred to observe than bust out laughing...fine with me, it gave me a chance to focus on her beautiful soulful eyes.

Fall Maternity

I just couldn't pass up the fall colors this week in my front yard. I asked 4 brave women it they would pose for me in all their beautiful, pregnant glory, just so that I could satisfy a creative urge.
This "creative urge" that I get (pretty often) is almost as bad as my sweet tooth!
Here's a sampling of the portraits we created.
Become a fan of Rebecca Douglas Photography to stay updated with all my events and "creative urges"! You will also receive $25 off your next portrait session when you join the fan club! Just go to facebook.com, log in, and search for Rebecca Douglas Photography.

Senior session

Had a great Senior Session on Bainbridge Island recently. Mitch, my senior, wanted a couple of long time friends involved with the pictures. We had a great time together creating a whole series of images that capture not only Mitch's senior year, but also his friendships.
This inspires me to do more "friendship" series with my seniors. How fun!

Sailing Away

I spent the afternoon today with a wonderful family with whom I've worked with in the past. Last year we concentrated on some simple and beautiful outdoor portraits of their daughter.

This year they wanted to create some family portraits that really showed who they are.

They are boaters and spend a lot of time on the water, so creating a portrait with the water seemed fitting.

Vashon Beach Days

This coming Sunday, July 12th, I am hosting a Vashon Island Beach portrait day. I have 8 appointments available for a discounted session fee of $75. We'll spend 20 minutes together creating a relaxed, fun and casual portrait of you and your children.
You don't have to plan 6 months in advance or spend loads of money to get a beautiful portrait. Be spontaneous! Bring the kids, the dog, roll up your jeans and kick off your shoes...Join me on the beach this Sunday.

New Mama

I just photographed a beautiful lady who is about to have her first baby. I photographed Kelly and her husband Maneesh a few years ago for their wedding and I was thrilled that they called me to be a part of this next phase in their life.
Actually, Kelly called me and asked if I would do her maternity photos as a surprise for Maneesh. Of course, I said Yes! After a little secret planning and lots of hoping that the little bundle wouldn't show up before our session, we finally got it done.
Well, After Kelly saw the photos online, she loved them all and couldn't wait to give Maneesh the artist print she picked out for him and just had to show him the images online.
It was a great surprise for me to open my studio door to see Maneesh standing there with Kelly when they came by to pick up his special gift print. They were so appreciative and grateful for what I could do for them.
Truly...two of my favorite people!
Here's a small sampling.

Halloween on Vashon-the show

Tonight was my artist opening for my "Halloween on Vashon" show at Cafe Luna for the 4th year in a row.
This project started as something personal many years ago that has turned into an annual tradition on Vashon Island. Free Halloween portraits for anyone in costume, then an exhibit of the best 25 images the following February at Cafe Luna.

Elf Photos

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

As most of you know I live on Vashon Island, Wa. About this time every year,

Santa Claus arrives on Vashon with a parade, a tree lighting ceremony and lots of

Holiday festivities.

Santa arrives December 5th this year and as a new treat for the community

Rebecca Douglas Photography

will be offering Free Elf Photos at Cafe Luna. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for

TOYS FOR TOTS

and receive a 4x6 print of your child with our Elf.

When: Dec. 5th 6-9pm

Where: Cafe Luna 9924 Bank Rd Vashon Isl. Wa.

Why: Toys for Tots toy drive

Sponsored by Rebecca Douglas Photography, Cafe Luna and Toys for Tots

Don't forget to join me on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com (look up Rebecca Douglas)

Frida Kahlo, elfs, & angels, Oh My!

It's been a crazy, busy couple of weeks. I can't believe that Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is breathing down my neck!
On Halloween every year I offer free 30 sec portraits to the Vashon Island community. It started out as a personal art project 4 years ago and is quickly becoming a local tradition. I had one family tell me that they look forward to this every year as this is the only Family Portrait they do. I am thrilled to be a part of their tradition!

That same week I had the pleasure to photograph an aspiring young model named Cory Kennedy. He came to me last month on the recommendation of one of his customers when she told him (and his brother) that they could be models. So, Cory thought he would give it a try.
You tell me...Would you buy jeans, underwear, or hair products from this guy?

Stories

Recently, I photographed Sara and Kevin at the Washington State Arboretum. They were celebrating an important wedding anniversary and wanted to commemorate the event (and their new Hawaiian tans) with a portrait.
After working with them for a while, Sara commented on my easy and relaxed style of shooting and this lead into a discussion about how a portrait isn't always about the faces. A good portrait can tell a story even if it only shows a portion of the subject.
They totally "got me"! I love telling stories with my photography and even though the traditional sense of a portrait is sitting for the camera and smiling, I truly believe that the real story of my subjects isn't always in the face.
Here's Sara and Kevin's story.

Holiday Deadlines

To all you procrastinators and planners alike, It's time to talk about those looming Holiday Deadlines.
Yes, I know. It's not even Halloween yet, (I don't want to see anything Christmasy until the day after Thanksgiving), but if you are thinking about giving something a bit more personal than a cell phone or a new tie this year, then these things take some planning.
I'm talking about giving a beautiful, Heirloom Portrait of yourself, your family or your children. This is no ordinary snapshot or cheesy portrait from one of those chain stores. This is a custom designed, fine art portrait that tells the story of your family. A gift that will definitely have more heart and soul than a new tie. It's the gift of You. How perfect is that?

DEADLINES:

November 15th Last day to order framing and storybooks for gifts

November 29th Last day for portraits (if you want them for holiday gifts)

November 29th Last day to order Holiday Cards

December 13th Last day to place print order for gifts (rush charge may apply)

Happy Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching! (Where did the summer go?)

If you find yourself on Vashon Island on the 31st, make sure to stop by Cafe Luna in the heart of town. This is the 4th year running that I'll be offering free (yes free!) portraits at the cafe.
This ongoing personal photography project has been a huge success and I'm thrilled to offer it to the Vashon Community. People ask me what the catch is...why I'm not charging for the session. I'm in it for the Art, nothing else. A showing of images will be hanging at the Cafe for the month of February 2009.

Halloween Night @ Cafe Luna, Vashon Isl. 4-7pm Free Portraits!

Hope to see you there! This is a popular event, so come early, then stay to Trick or Treat in town.

Oh yeah...there is one catch...You have to be in costume.

Siblings

Love 'em or hate 'em, Most of us have them.
Today was Sibling Day. I had the pleasure of photographing 10 year old twins, brother and sister on the beach in Edmonds this morning and later this afternoon, another sibling set at the Arboretum.
I remember when I was young and my mom wanted me and my siblings to be photographed. It was all I could do to not gag at the thought of having to be close to my brother. Brother "cooties" and the thought of having to cozy up with him was a real obstacle to a great picture. I'm sure we made it tough on the photographer as well as Mom. Sorry Mom!

So I could totally relate to these kids today and having me saying for the 10th time, "come on, get closer, have some fun...!" Well, after some goofing around and general fun, we finally got some great brother/sister images today. Even the dog looks good.

Tis the Season for Seniors!

Mid October is usually the deadline for submitting High School Senior portraits to your yearbook.

I've been inundated with calls from frantic MoHSS (moms of high school seniors). They realized the deadline is right around the corner and their son/daughter decided at the last minute that maybe it would be cool to have a Senior Portrait done. After all, a Senior Portrait now-a-days, is so much more than a stuffy, stiff studio portrait.

It's all about showing off who they are, what their interest are and where they are going. The sky's the limit with these images.

Babes in Toyland

Investing in professional photography to capture the 1st year of your baby's life is one of the most important things you can do.
Whether you have 1 child or 5, that 1st year is so amazing...it's when they are at their smallest and most vunerable, when they will laugh at the drop of a hat at the silliest things, and when you and them are discovering a great new world together.
The Newborn stage is always so magical. They literally fit in the palm of your hand.
The 6month old is sitting up but not yet moving. It's a perfect time to capture their imerging personalities.
The 1year old is on the cusp of walking. This is a great time to take them on an outside photography adventure...maybe a day at the beach or a walk through the fall leaves.

Whether you are thinking about doing just one session or taking advantage of my "1st Year Series", make sure you do something. They are only this small for such a short amount of time.

The true meaning of a "Time Honored Portrait".

My friend Jennifer and I have talked a lot about "what is a portrait" and the type of portraiture I offer to my clients and when she asked me yesterday if I would create an Heirloom Portrait of her and her daughter, I was thrilled. But her request sparked yet more thoughts about what I "do".

I've been really struggling with the right way to explain the type of portraiture that I strive for on a daily basis. As a visual artist, I expect that my work will be enough explanation. But I am constantly reminded that it is not.
While reading one of my favorite photography trade magazines tonight, I came across an article about rediscovering the lost art of portrait photography. This article seemed to have put into words what I have been trying to do for so long. I'm risking plagiarism here, but I feel this is so important to everyone to hear.

"...if you look at a portrait, and there isn’t that “something more” then the naysayers are right, it’s just a manufactured scene with contrived lighting…but if you ever find yourself staring into the character of a given photograph, rooting out a certain mystique in the shapes that envelop the scene, astounded by the eloquence and multidimensionality of the subject looking back at you, then most likely you are staring into a portrait…" written by Tara Propper

It is so important in this digital age to be reminded that the Art of Portraiture is something to be valued and treasured. Great photographers are highly trained in both technical aspects of creating a portrait as well as posses a natural instinct for when to capture the essence of the subject.
We must not get so caught up in "digital files and snapshots" that we lose sight of our visual legacy.