dianne michelle photography portland oregon photographer

Reminder ...

2009-12-23T08:00:00.001-08:00

The new blog is over here.

Sneaky Peaky

2009-09-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-24T16:20:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-06-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

John & Kayla get hitched!

2009-06-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

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

Preview, Kat & Java

2009-06-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

A quickie from last night ...

Many posts to come, including the rest of John & Kayla, Kat & Java AND another wedding Sunday!

Cheers,
~Di

Preview, John & Kayla

2009-06-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to second-shoot a wedding with the always fabulous Deyla Huss. Here's a quick preview:

Comparison ...

2009-06-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm glad that we look nothing alike in my family ...

Miss H:

Me, circa 1988:

I love this because both pictures are from the same place; the shot of Hannah was taken in my Grammie and Pop's yard a year or two before the property was sold, and that tire swing I'm so thoroughly enjoying was hanging from a big tree in the same yard. In fact, that building in the background of both pics is my Pop's shop! Aww. Circle of Life.

Loves,
Di

Retro, Part II

2009-06-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some of my faves from my cousin's wedding last spring. Isn't she gorgeous??

Going waaaay back ...

2009-06-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have been distracted from packing by the plethora (and I mean PLETHORA) of photos I've taken over the years. After digging through my multiple tubs (yes, multiple and yes, tubs) of negatives, slides and prints, I'm going to gradually post the fun-ness this week. Here's the first, my adorable cousins, circa 2004:

I should find an old pic of me at age 4, and you can compare me and Miss H. :)

Cheers
-Di

Jewelry?

2009-05-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

If sewing supplies and clothes aren't your style, perhaps some jewelry?

Moving Sale and Bored Blogging ...

2009-05-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

That's right, step one of the "big change" (not that kind of change) is on it's way. Moving Sale at my house today and tomorrow!

Anyone need some clothes perhaps?

Or all the sewing/thread/zippers a crafty girl could want?

Okay, that is all for now. But while I'm sitting here, I'm loving Mika 78 today. Check her out.

Update ...

2009-05-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Just so everyone is aware, there are some BIG things in the works! I won't share quite yet what they are, but I will let y'all know that my blog will be moving in the near future!

On that note, enjoy ...

Cheers and Happy Sunshine to all of you!
~Di

4.18.09 Over the hills and through the woods ...

2009-04-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend one of my lifelong friends came to visit me! You might recognize her from here. Being the great friend that I am, I humbly offered to photograph her and her husband during our day trip to Manzanita. The conversation went something like this (via facebook of course):

me = photographer in need of inspiration
you+hubby = good lookin' couple
solution = photo shoot!

Voila and enjoy ...

What a happy little family ...

4.1.09 Viva la Mexico!

2009-04-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being MIA!

Two weeks ago, I went to Mexico with a "small" group of 17 ... ahhh sunshine. I can see why longtime residents of Oregon ALWAYS plan a winter trip to a sunny destination. There was some much-needed vitamin D involved ...

Gluten-free Gourmet

2009-03-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you are not aware - and why would you be, really? - for health reasons, I try my best to follow a wheat-free, soy-free, dairy-free, sugar-free diet (among a few other other things). Whew! That's a mouthful. The reason I say "try" is because when you're attempting to avoid so many things that are prevalent in day-to-day foods (there is sugar in everything), one of the aforementioned offending ingredients inevitably slips in. Thank goodness this happens in small amounts!

Now why would I tell you this on my photography blog, you ask? For two reasons:

1. I'm trying to blog more often.
2. I found an absolutely AMAZING website and had to share!

Elana's Pantry is possibly the best thing that's happened to me since sliced bread (preferably of the brown rice based variety). Not only does she have some delicious recipes that have been ravely reviewed all across the internet, she has decent pictures to back up what she's whipping together.

Can I get a "Hallelujah?!"

Okay, I am off to go rejoice in a delightful Dianne-friendly dinner cooked by my amazing, thoughtful boyfriend. I leave you with a picture as food for thought. *Ahem* Pun intended.

Cheers!

*The photo above is neither sugar-free, wheat-free OR dairy-free. I attached it because a post without a photo on a photography blog seems rather silly, don't you think? Besides, it's the only photo of food that I have taken in the last three years!

3.10.09 Ana!

2009-03-13T21:18:00.003-07:00

Here is Ana ... she is such a kick in the pants. I can't start to explain how fun it is to hold a full conversation with a two-year-old - especially when taking her pictures! My favorite interaction of the day:

Mom: "Ana, don't you want to play with your umbrella?"
Ana: "No thanks, Mom. I don't need it, it's not raining."

Hah!

Ana Teaser

2009-03-10T21:29:00.001-07:00

Little Miss Ana ...

Reminiscing ...

2009-03-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

I discovered my missing back-up CDs! AH!

For those of you who didn't know me in college, here's a little background on the j-school at the University of Montana: we were required to shoot film. We started with b&w, then after getting into the program as juniors, we were required to shoot slide film. Even in the studio. For each assignment, we basically had 24-36 frames to get it right. Exposure, composition, framing - everything had to be done correctly in the original image otherwise you had to re-shoot the assignment, took a docked grade and ate $16 ($8 for the film, $8 for developing). We scanned our negatives and were allowed some post-processing (such as cleaning up dust), but we turned in our RAW files as well as our edited files and were graded on both. None of the wonderful editing capabilites of photoshop we now have as digital photographers that can save our butts if we didn't get it right (even cropping!). Don't get me wrong, I love digital, but mainly for the financial breaks - not it's many technological abilities. It probably explains a lot if you have ever had a conversation with me about digital photography and my end seemed anything but knowledgeable!

Now I rely on my digital for the majority of my work, but still shoot film at every session. Bottom line? I can't afford to shoot film! On top of that, I haven't found a decent place in PDX that I trust for development (I had a bad run-in with a developer in Missoula and am now uber-cautious). But I love the look of film, and I'm more comfortable with it as a medium. I think I take better photos when shooting with it and I am grateful that I was taught the essentials of photography basics with film (the U has now moved to an all-digital format). Don't get me started. I wrote my entire senior thesis on the transition from film to digital, and it's many cons ... enough of this tirade.

Anyway, here are a few images I found in my long-lost backups. They were all shot with film and I just thought I'd share since I need to blog more anyway. Enjoy!

My beautiful aunt ...

3.7.09 Timothy Arlen One Year!

2009-03-08T12:59:00.001-07:00

Finally! Sandra and I rescheduled this portrait session about four times before we finally lucked out on weather and/or lack of sickness (on both of our parts). Timothy is technically 14 months now, and he is running and talking! It's been amazing to watch this little man grow up. What a ham. Enjoy!

3.7.09 Teaser for Timothy Arlen

2009-03-07T18:24:00.001-08:00

Timothy! He's such a grown up little man!

2.21.09 Photoshoot with Missy Cochran

2009-03-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

I apologize for taking so long to get these up, but here they are! Last month, my friend Missy Cochran and I decided to go play on one of those beautiful Saturdays that Portland randomly seems to get mid-winter. She took pics of me, I took pics of her. My new banner on the blog are all done by Missy herself! We had a great time, and it was a great practice shoot! Let me know what you think ...

3.2.09 Overhaul

2009-03-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

After doing some research, I discovered that the name "dbphoto" is already taken! Therefore, on this wonderful day off of mine, I overhauled the blog. The link is still the same, but the name hath changed! Enjoy!

-dianne

1.17.09 New York, New York

2009-01-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

My first trip to NYC.

12.25.08 Just for laughs

2009-01-25T17:38:00.001-08:00

1.10.09 Hunter & Ginger's Wedding

2009-01-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago, Mike and I flew back to Montana to attend the wedding of our friends Hunter and Ginger. When they got engaged six months ago, they immediately decided to have the wedding in January in order to take advantage of the best cross-country skiing possibilities. Why? Because that's how they fell in love - night cross country skiing.

They ended up choosing the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, Montana. Essex is a town (if you can call it that) across from the East entrance to Glacier Park in NW Montana. It literally consists of the Inn, cross-country ski trails and a train stop. That's it. So, as attendees, we were imagining the worst ... a wedding? In Montana? In January? In GLACIER? Long story short, the weather was beyond perfect, everyone was able to get to middle-of-nowhere Montana, and what ensued was a true, Montana wedding - complete with hippie dancing, bongos and a red wedding dress. I will never forget it.

I did not take my camera out on our night skiing endeavor due to my extreme inexperience (both legs strapped to separate waxed apparati are not my forte - I stick to one big board usually), but I did get a few in the dark, basement bar as well as during the ceremony. These pictures are not my best, in a technical sense, but I love them all the same. So here is my "artsy" take on our friends' very unique winter wedding.

Timothy Arlen, 10 months

2008-12-21T14:10:00.001-08:00

Is it just me, or does he just get better looking the older he gets?

Next up: Timothy turns ONE!

Portland Snowpacolypse 2008

2008-12-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, Portland sometimes gets dusting of snow each year. Sometimes. Maybe. Once in a great while. Not. Very. Often ...

Well this past week it snowed! I mean really, really snowed. You Montanans can truly understand how much it made my day! Not only did it remind me of home at a time when I grow more and more homesick, but it also reminded me of growing up in Seattle. In the Northwest, an inch of snow shuts down the city and the world just seems to stop in awe of this fluffy white stuff. So in celebration of my childhood, I embraced the Northwest's inability to navigate wintry conditions and have enjoyed playing outside with my dogs, then coming inside to a delicious hot cup of cocoa and a big, comfy blanket.

Three cheers for snow days and Merry Christmas to all!

Just for fun ... snow nose!

Thanksgiving in Montana

2008-12-21T13:53:00.001-08:00

For the few that read this, I apologize for my prolonged absence. I'm snowed in today (yay!), so I'm playing blogger catch-up. Here are a few from our trip to Montana over Thanksgiving.

11.15.08 Preview

2008-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

Timothy Arlen, the cutest little baby ever! Such a ham ...

Andrea and Ross, September 14th, 2008

2008-09-25T15:32:00.001-07:00

Engagement fun on the Portland waterfront! I don't think these two took one bad picture out of the bunch. Good luck at your wedding next Saturday guys!

Halvorson family, September 7th, 2008

2008-09-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

Family portrait session ...

Preview, Andrea and Ross

2008-09-14T22:12:00.002-07:00

A few that stuck out from tonight ...

Mt. St. Helens, September 12th, 2008

2008-09-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

It was a long and arduous ten miles, but totally worth it. The result:

Preview, September 7th, 2008

2008-09-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

Quick preview of what we did tonight ... hopefully I will get the rest done by the end of the week!

I just love how these two interact - "My Ava" and "My Daddy" have to be the sweetest endearments ever! These particular ones make me miss my dad:

Have a good Sunday and thanks for looking!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

2008-07-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well, lions and tigers and dolphins anyway. Ever seen a 12-week old Bengal tiger? Or a 500 pound cat go swimming? Here's your chance!

Timothy Arlen, six months

2008-07-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Timothy Arlen, six months! Every time I see this little guy, I get to meet a new part of his sweet personality. He is such an easy-going baby - a direct reflection on his mom's demeanor for sure. Here a few of my favorites ...

Preview

2008-07-22T20:42:00.001-07:00

Just a little preview from the shoot this evening ... Timothy at six months!

Wind Mountain, July 13th, 2008

2008-07-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

In preparation for hiking Mt. St. Helens in September, Mike and I are going to try to hike at least every other weekend, gradually increasing the distance. The purpose of this is to get us in hiking shape (obviously) but also for Izzy to get used to packing her own food and water. This past weekend, we did a little 3 miler to the top of Wind Mountain on the Washington side of the Gorge. It was Turk's longest hike thus far, and Izzy's first experience with her "doggie pack." Here are a few shots ...

Abby and Brian, June 25th, 2008

2008-07-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted anything, so I thought I'd add a few that I've done as personal projects (not officially work!). Mike's best friend, Brian, got married in South Dakota a few weeks ago. South Dakota was surprisingly fun and was a beautiful state to spend five days in with good friends. I, of course, took my camera and these are a few moments I enjoyed from the "best wedding I've ever been to" ...

Montana, June 13th, 2008

2008-06-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Just a peek at my pretty girl at the beginning of the summer ...

Such a beauty!

Bend, May 24th, 2008

2008-05-31T22:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Mike and I loaded up the dogs and our friend Craig into the pick-up and headed south to visit our friend, Rachael. None of us had checked out Smith Rock, so off we went. Enjoy!

The group (minus me!) after the hike up "Misery Ridge Trail." They weren't kidding ...

Thunderstruck, May 10th, 2008

2008-05-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

My co-worker is the lead singer of an AC/DC band, so I got spend some time hanging with Brian, Angus and the guys. Enjoy!

Cameryn and Joshua, May 3rd, 2008

2008-05-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my cousin got married in Missoula, Montana. I was blessed to be a part of Cameryn and Joshua's special day. Here are a few of my favorites, and congrats to the newlyweds!

December 2007, Sandra

2008-04-27T16:06:00.001-07:00

Sandra, the proud momma of Timothy Arlen. This was back in December, when momma was at nine months.

February 2008, Timothy Arlen

2008-04-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

Timothy Arlen at three weeks.

Timothy Arlen

2008-04-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorites from the shoot with Timothy (three months) last weekend. Next post will be my favorites from the series - Sandra, pregnant at nine months and then Timothy, three weeks. Enjoy!

A true Portland child, he's already on his way to save the world. Eco-friendly baby!

Ava

2008-04-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

So the next few posts are going to be out of order, mostly because I did a shoot this weekend and want to upload new stuff, but also because a large majority of the old stuff is in need of organizing.

Sunday afternoon my friend Sandra and I headed down to Salem to kill two birds with one stone - shoot her son's three-month portrait but also shoot her sister Sheila's little girl, Ava. Here are a few of Ava. I will follow up with Timothy over the next few days!

Thanks for looking!

Listening to: Montgomery Gentry

My brother, the athlete

2008-04-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

My brother's senior year of high school, the basketball team made the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) 4A playoffs for the first time in over a decade. He was always leaping and bounding across the court, so here's one from that game ...

Shanna and Corey, October 2007

2008-04-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

My cousin Shanna married Corey back in October 2007. Shanna and Corey went to high school together in Hamilton, Montana and actually became reacquainted over MySpace ten years later. Fast forward to October, and you have the two of them getting married in their hometown. In February they welcomed a baby boy, Kale.

Thanks for looking!

Cabo San Lucas

2008-04-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Each year, my family heads down to Cabo San Lucas for a week of fun in the sun. Only once did I suffer the four a.m. alarm to go fishing, but this shot might have made it worth it ... too bad we only caught one fish!

Berlin, March 2007

2008-04-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

Back in March 2007, my good friend Eleena "talked" me into a trip to Berlin, Germany. Didn't take much talking into, but it was a good 10 days! Each day, we started in a different corner of the city and wandered our way back into the city center.

Bored Italian students on a class field trip ...

Shelby and Roger

2008-04-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Let's get started with my cousin Shelby. Back in December of 2006, Shelby ask if I would take some photos of her and her fiance, Roger, as a Christmas present for her mom. I of course said yes, and off to Greenough Park we went. After braving a Montana wintery day, we came back with a few good photos, cold fingers and a tired dog (Izzy tagged along).

My favorite ... don't they look deliriously happy?

Last but not least, the woman of the hour:

Thanks!

Welcome!

2008-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hello all:

Lately, I have been pondering life and all it's photo counterparts, but mostly how on earth I should try to jump into the online world of photography. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that a blog would be the easiest way to get started. So here it is, the unofficial launch of "dbphoto." I will update with old and new stuff as often as possible, and hopefully this blog will be a segue into great things. It is obviously still under construction, so thanks for looking!

Di