ICPA - Art Wolfe Print Comp

Some of you may remember my post about a month or so ago talking about the print "Above The Clouds" that I had accepted to the International Conservation Photography Awards (ICPA) 2008 exhibition. Getting one or more photos selected for exhibition is pretty big deal for this popular landscape/nature international competition.

Anyway, I found out today that my print selected for exhibition received 2nd place (runner up) in the Landscape category. Needless to say I was pretty shocked and humbled to have had my photo acknowledged at this level.

Interesting analysis. Since my work covers landscapes, portraits and weddings we are part of different groups and organizations. One organization we are part of is Professional Photographers of America. Although they do focus on weddings and portraits, there are many fine art prints submitted each year to their international print competition. I submitted 4 prints this year and 3 of the 4 made it to the general or loan collection which I was proud of (as noted in a post from last month). The one that did not make it... you guessed it! It's this photo "Above The Clouds" that made it to 2nd place in landscapes for ICPA. Very interesting how much a jury panel can vary from one contest or organization to another. Just a reminder that because a photo, or any thing you enter in a contest, does not do well in one does not mean it won't do well in another. And of course vice versa. It is a subjective process and this very much proves that. Just some food for thought.

Kelsey Carlson

The Carlson's this week welcomed their second child... Kelsey Thi Carlson was born on 8/23/08, weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and 20" long. Chris and Traci are good friends of ours, as well as a client. It was very nice that they welcomed visitors so quick and we were glad to be able to make the visit. Traci looked great for giving birth less than 20 hours prior, she's a trooper. Baby and family are doing well. Big sister Kylie is enjoying her role already. As you will see in the photos, an eager helper! It's been fun watching Kylie grow to date and we look forward to the same with Kelsey. Best wishes to the whole family!

First Cup Kids - More Info

We have secured a date on the calendar for the sessions we are doing for kids of First Cup Coffeehouse. Postcard flyers will be available in First Cup the first week of Sept. Stop on by to see our award winning landscape work and pick up a postcard to book that session for that special little one!

Contact Molly Klein to book sessions for First Cup Kids. 971-275-2116 or molly@adrianklein.com. Sessions will be held at our home studio 9/26 to 9/28, only blocks from First Cup! Click on the below image to enlarge and see more details on this special.

Green Lakes Backpacking

Early this week I got away for a scheduled outing with my good friend Tyler. He was game to go anywhere and I wanted to go somewhere that I would have some photographic options of course. The Green Lakes area is very beautiful but photographically it is not an easy place to find good compositions if you ask me, or most other photographers. I have always wanted to go here and hoped that I could create some good images while doing so. During the week in summer is the only time to go here. It's too busy on the weekends and will offer little solitude.

In any event the outing was a good time filled with thunder, lighting, wind, rain and some sun. Fortunately the first day and night the rain was minimal and mother nature gave us a nice sunset and sunrise for what was an otherwise cloudy outing. The last night though the weather was definitely less inviting. From 8pm to when we woke up at 6am the wind and rain never let up. It was driving rain all night long. Still dry and warm in the tent it was tough to venture out in the windy wet weather and break down camp. Once we did, it was good to be on our way out. We had the rain gear so hiking in the rain was not bad. The warm breakfast we enjoyed in Bend was a nice way to finish off this outing. Here are a few of my favs from this little trip...

Helping Hand

I got a call Thursday morning from my good friend, and fellow pro photographer, Emily of EA Portrait Design (http://eaportraitdesign.com/). She is about 6 weeks away from having a baby girl, however she was having minor contractions when walking around and docs orders had her on bed rest starting that morning. She asked if I could help out with some of her already scheduled sessions for that day. Fortunately, I was able to help out and gladly did so. One thing I value in this business is the relationships and support that many photographers have for each other. Emily is one that has been a great mentor when we started our business, this is the least I could do. Here are a few of the seniors from these sessions which I thouroughly enjoyed!

Fall Portraits & Beach Special

We still have some room left for both up coming beach specials, this weekend and on 9/13. Also the fall special is filling up and a great time for your family or child photo for those that are not able to travel to the beach. Please contact Molly at 971-275-2116 or molly@adrianklein.com to book your session.

Cool Ocean, Hot City

This last Friday afternoon we decided to take off the afternoon and cool off at the beach since it was expected to 100+ in Portland. The weather was perfect down at the coast with temps in the 70's. Logan played frisbee with Cody and combed the beach for odds and ends, and Rowan can't seem to spend enough time digging in the sand. A good way to spend a Friday afternoon.

First Cup Kids

Coming up in September we will be doing a special with First Cup Coffeehouse in Woodstock. Clients of the store can book a session over a reserved weekend to have their kid(s) photographed (date TBD but will be late Sept). Clients will need to pickup the flyer in First Cup and bring it to their session. We want to keep this to folks that have at least visited or frequent the establishment, you will see below why. The flyers or postcards will be available in early Sept, coinciding with the display I will be having up of landscape photographs.

The fun part about this event is that all kids that participate will have their photo on display in First Cup during the month of November. Plus, we will be asking that in addition to the nominal session fee that each client bring 3 cans of food per child. We will be donating the canned food to the OR Food Bank as a Fall food drive. More to come on this great special in the coming weeks. Keep checking the blog, come into First Cup or get a hold of us to book your session.

On a side note I will say that First Cup is truly our favorite coffeehouse in Portland and we are not getting paid to say this! Yes, we can walk there from our house/studio but it's more than that. Anita and her staff are always friendly and personable with their customers. It's truly a place that you want to visit if you have not already!

http://www.firstcupcoffeehouse.com/index.html

Same Sunrise, Different Photos

These two photos I am posting show just how much a scene can change in such a short period of time. Both are from the same morning on a recent sunrise on the Columbia River. The first one was taken less than 30 minutes before sunrise and the other one just as the sunrise is occurring. Obviously they are different angles and somewhat different compositions yet they are taken only about 15 feet away from each other on the same morning. Mother nature sure is amazing how we are able to see the beauty and capture it, and how it comes and goes so fast in many cases. People that know me, also know that for my landscape photography I prefer to be traveling out away somewhere when taking these type of photos, like hiking and backpacking. Yet, these both go to show that sometimes you can find some amazing scenes only miles from your home in a urban neighborhood. Thanks for viewing.

Pea Soup Sky

I spent an evening recently on the OR Coast with my friend Sheldon. We had a good time but were not expecting to have the coast completely socked in with mist coming down. Pretty close to pea soup if you ask me. When we left Portland it was over 90 degrees! Anyway, that is the coast for you so I tried to make the best of it. Anything that I will process from that day will be b&w, not much color going on in these scenes. Here are a couple from that day that shows the dreariness off pretty well. Enjoy!

Jessica & Aaron: The Big Day

After their fabulous rehearsal dinner at Ponzi Vineyards it was exciting to see what the wedding venue had in store for us when we arrived. Needless to say it was also top notch, held at Jessica's Aunt and Uncle's magnificent home and property in the outskirts of Beaverton. There was plenty to enjoy and photograph at this place, not to mention the very cool and fun wedding party that kept the day going until well into the wee hours, dancing the night away. I could not help but want to groove a little too while photographing the fun and energetic folks on the dance floor. They along with their family and friends made this setting a first class wedding to remember. We wish Jessica & Aaron Diamond an exciting and relaxing time on their Mexico honeymoon.

To view slideshow larger, http://www.adrianklein.com/shows/jadwedding/

Jessica & Aaron: Rehearsal Dinner

Last night I had the splendid opportunity to attend and photograph the rehearsal dinner for Jessica Hampton and Aaron Diamond, a young beaming fun couple. The event was held at Ponzi Vineyards in rural Beaverton. A wonderful tucked away vineyard that is worth the short drive from Portland. Everyone at this dinner event was a blast to be around and not bothered by me wandering the grounds with my long lens looking for my next shot like a hunter with his rifle scope! The first hour was spent drinking and enjoying hors d'oeuvres outside in the fading summer sunlight. Then it was inside for a top notch dinner. If you are reading this and have a wedding coming up here is how to do a rehearsal dinner! Great job to Jessica, Aaron and their families for putting on such an event.

Texture and Color

Sometimes it's best to go for a walk with your camera, with no plan or preconceived thoughts of what to photograph. This is healthy and gets your mind thinking in different ways and different types of photography. Normally during my son's swim practice I have been taking that time as a short break to read. In between books I decided to spend the hour roaming with my camera and see what I could find in a near by park. I found myself interested in colors and texture... here are a couple vibrant photos that I came across, quite different from my normal work.

Art-e-Cards: Share A Thought

I was approached by company that is promoting and using fine art e-cards from certain artists from painting to photography. After looking into the site and talking with others I realized this is a great site and different from many I have seen out there now. These e-cards are currently free for users to send, no cost to you. They look like a real postcard except they are online. Including clicking a link to view front and back, and even a stamp in the corner. I have about 50 images available at this time in my gallery, with more to come in the future. I invite you to use this great service to share a thought, thank you or love note. Not only is it easy and fun, it's green as it saves paper and the cost of mailing. I hope you enjoy using them, let me know your thoughts when you use it. Enjoy!

Main site: http://www.novaterragalleria.com/
(click on Artist from homepage to find my gallery)

Here is a direct link into my gallery and to use this card.

Beach & Fall Specials

We have started to book sessions for the first day of our beach portrait special. I will continue to post reminder blog entries for both our beach and fall specials. We look forward to working with you for one or both of these great sessions. If you have any questions about either of these please call or email us and we will be glad to help. Have a great day!

Beach Special at Cannon Beach:
Sunday 8/24 or Saturday 9/13, $79

Fall Special at Portland Park:
Saturday or Sunday 10/11 and 10/12, $49

Contact Molly at 971-275-2116 or molly@adrianklein.com

Travis & Julie - Lakecliff B n B

Molly and I had the great opportunity to photograph Travis and Julie's wedding at the Lakecliff B n B in Hood River, OR. This is an amazing venue for small to medium sized weddings, sitting right on the Columbia River. The weather could not have been much better, we had some strong wind gusts, but without though it would have been toasty. Travis, Julie and everyone in their wedding party was personable and fun to be around. Another great wedding with another great couple. We wish them the best on their honeymoon seeing the sites here in the Northwest before they travel back East where they currently reside.

We photographed this wedding for one of our really good friends, Soren of Coughlin-Glaser Photography (portlandphotographer.com). I am sure I have posted it here before, but for those that don't know he photographed the wedding of Molly and I at Silcox Hut on Mt Hood in Feb 04 and did an awesome job. Needless to say shortly after that with my interest in wedding photography and Soren willing to take me on board we were working for him doing weddings!

To view slideshow larger, http://www.adrianklein.com/shows/tjwwedding/