Reminder ...

The new blog is over here.

Sneaky Peaky

For as long as I can remember, my mom has called me "dolli." I've been told the reason was because I resembled a doll as a baby, and on top of that, I was artistically inclined, and she loves Salvador Dali (he's pretty cool, look him up). When I started brainstorming a business name a few months ago, I tried about a bazillion variations of my name ... dianne bentz photography, dianne michelle photography, blah blah blah. Then ... DOLLI! Tada. Lightning bulb. Here is a sneak peak of what is to come:

Hood to Coast Relay 2009

Hood to Coast is an annual relay race that takes place at the end of August. It starts at Timberline, on the top of Mt. Hood, and finishes on the Oregon coast at Seaside. The race is 197 miles long, includes two vans of six runners, each of which runs three legs. The legs can vary from 4ish miles to a little under 8, but the average distance each runner completes is around 16 miles or so. Over the course, there is always someone from your team out running. This basically means that you don't sleep for 2 days. Sounds crazy, right? Crazy FUN! This was my second year participating, and I hope I get to run it every year from now until eternity! Now, for a few of my favorites from the weekend:

{as always, click on any image to make it bigger!}






Keep in tune for some exciting news to be gradually announced over the coming week!
~di

Mission: Accomplished.

I embarked on this year's Hood to Coast relay with one goal (other than finishing my legs of course):

One Camera.
One Roll of Film.
One Lens.
One Day.

Preview of the weekend's events:

Film-alicious

I have my scanner set up! Oh film, how I love thee ...

{as always, click on an image for a better view}

John & Kayla's wedding:



... and Gus & Jedidah ...


... and some oldies but goodies from Josh & Cameryn last year (a la Leica = YUM) ...



Cheerio
~di

Passion for Polaroids

Waaaaaay back in May, I came up with this inkling of an idea for a project: Polaroids! I love the look of Polaroid film, and it seemed like the perfect medium in which to photograph our summer back in Montana. Polaroid film is expensive and you only get 10 negatives per cartridge, making it a fun and challenging project for me due to the limited number of allowed images. Also, I was thinking it'd be fun to introduce a little more of myself onto the blog. Interesting, huh? Thing is, I didn't have a camera, they don't make them anymore AND they don't produce the film anymore. Le sigh.

Well, while packing up my life in Portland, I came across a little gem that had gone unused and underappreciated for too long: a Polaroid camera! My boyfriend apparently bought it at a college garage sale, and it had been sitting in our office (aka the place where Dianne's things go to die) for two years in a dark and dingy box. Alas, problem solved! All I had to do was order some film (thank you Amazon) and I was ready.

As said, Polaroid is no longer in production. It's days are numbered - numbered to the point that whoever has film out there and is selling it, that's it. When it's gone, it's gone. Fujifilm has come out with it's version of the Polaroid, but it's just not the same. Le Sigh. Yet another amazing film relic lost to the digital age. Grrr.

Here is the first half of our summer, a la Polaroid:

{as always, click on an image for a larger view}

Finally!

INTERNET!

Okay, so it's been a long time coming, and the Kells have been uber patient with my lack of internet (and lack of home actually) and the resulting slow editing, but tada! I have officially landed and unpacked in Tucson, Arizona and am finally catching up on things. That is big news numero uno. Big news numero DOS is that my new website is going to launch in the next two weeks! Yay website! Because I have so much blogging backed up from my summer of traveling, I will gradually introduce pieces of my new business to you cyber folks over the next couple of weeks in addition to tidbits of my summer with the culmination being ... the new site! I know, I know, you're on the edge of your seats in anticipation. BUT, you get to wait. Here's some fun stuff to keep you satiated ... the Kells!

{as always, you can click on any image for a larger view}

This one is my fave:


I love Elva's face here, it's just a classic smirk she's constantly giving my cousin Neil.

What's the beach without climbing on logs?


Cheers!
~di

Gus & Jedidah

Phew! It's been a while! I apologize for the extended break, but I am currently traveling around my home state of Montana and internet service is sketchy. I've been working hard on a few personal projects (including an official website for my photography!) but also am finally getting these photos uploaded!

When Deyla offered up the opportunity to second shoot for her again, I said "definitely" without a second thought. But as she told me more about the wedding, that "definitely" turned into a "HECK yes!" Hawaiian bride? Jewish groom? A June wedding? Their colors are tangerine, hot pink and lime green???! I'm soooo in!

This wedding was so full of beauty and tradition, it was inspiring. It never fails to amaze me how each couple can take their different backgrounds, traditions, opinions and style and blend them into something so cohesive and beautiful. Anyway, enough words ... to the pictures!

{as always, to enlarge any image, click on the photo}




I just love when couples choose to do a "first look." It provides the couple with a few minutes of quiet time before the big "I do's" and the moment is always priceless.










Candy bar! Bring on the Airheads!





There were so many amazing details, this is all I could narrow it down to! Believe it or not, there were more to choose from. Thank you, Deyla and Mazel Tov to everyone in cyberland!

Cheers~
Di

Kat & Java

Some of you may be aware that I'm not a huge fan of small dogs (and by "some of you" I am referring to the two of you that read this blog, but hey, I know that you know!)

Java-man is the exception to this rule. If you ever go anywhere with a Corgi, you are guaranteed to be stopped by at least one person. Everyone has a Corgi story! Now, on to my favorite Corgi ... oh, and his owner is pretty cool too. :)





Cheerio and good dog days to all of you ...
~di

Sneaky Sneaky!

Candy and Hula and Mazel-Tov ... Oh My!

John & Kayla get hitched!

As promised, here are some of my favorites from last weekend. Miss Deyla Huss was wonderful enough to let me tag along last Saturday (to see her "sneaker" click here). We had a great time; I am truly blessed to have such talented mentors in the Portland area. I'll miss you guys!

Anyway, how can you not get beautiful pictures of a couple so obviously enamored with one another? Gives me butterflies. Enjoy!











... this is priceless ...


Cheers and Congrats!
~di