DEB WAT photography

Beginnings and Endings

Life is made of beginnings and endings. There are no new beginnings without an ending. Even back to Adam and Eve, paradise lost was the ending, the promise of the Messiah was the beginning.

I’m sitting in the empty studio remembering the ending that brought me here and the hope of the a new beginning. Remembering move in day, the stress and the excitement. Feeling right away that I was “home”. Remembering the joy I’ve felt, the friends I’ve made and the images created here. Remembering the phone call when the car drove through the front office and the wonderful friendship that came out of that accident.

While it’s hard to walk away tonight because this is an ending to the “storefront” this is not the end of my professional story. I realize now that the last three years have been a transition time for me. A bridge to a new beginning that seems beyond my wildest dreams. An answer to prayer in a way I never expected. As my friend John puts it “When God shows up, tell the story.”

What will this new beginning hold for me? Stay tuned, I plan to tell the story. 

A New Life Adventure!

I am honored and excited to tell you that I have been invited to work at Sandy Puc´ Portrait Design in Littleton, Colorado until the end of the year. Sandy Puc´ is known internationally for her award winning images and her savvy as a businesswoman. Sandy is also the Co-Founder of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to starting my adventure in August.
 
I will continue to operate my business in California but obviously some changes will need to take place. I'm going to outline those changes for you below. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. 
 

• The Walnut Creek storefront studio will close as of 7/31/2009. Beginning in September, I will return to California on the 3rd weekend of every month to meet your photography needs. You will still have the option for studio or location portraits.
  

• Lorie (lorie@debwat.com) will remain with the company and will continue to be your primary contact for scheduling and customer service. 

• Non-refundable session fees will now include digital files. Packages are outlined later in this newsletter and on the website.Your favorite specialty products will be available as add-ons to packages. 

• You can always contact us via the contact page on the website www.debwat.com.

I'm looking forward to sharing my adventure with you on the blog. You can access the blog from our main website at www.debwat.com

TWO DAY SUMMER SESSION SALE

Call between 9 am and 1 pm Wednesday, June 17th and Thursday, June 18th to book your summer session! 925.465.6788

Studio session plus ONE 11x14 canvas thin wrap print.

Price:  $245

Retail Price:  $350

Savings:  $105

Studio session only. Some restrictions apply. Not valid for outdoor or glamour sessions. Payment due upon booking session.

We're Having A Baby!

We're having a studio baby! Lorie and Michael are expecting their second child in late August. Yeah!

What Is Your Passion?

Over the last few months, I've been asked two questions several times. The questions have been posed by my mentors, peers and good friends.

The questions are:  "If money were not a consideration, what would you photograph? What is your passion as an artist?"

These have not been easy questions for me to answer. But, as I review in my mind each opportunity I've had to photograph over the last 5 years and what types of sessions bring joy and passion to my heart, the questions answered themselves.

I love photographing husband and wives. Couples that can communicate without words and have an emotional intimacy that stands the test of time. I want to create images that represent the power of their relationships. It may be on the occasion of their wedding day or anniversary. It may be on the occasion of recovering from an illness or other traumatic event that brings them even closer than they ever thought they could be. It may be just because the last time they were professionally photographed was when they were married. The location makes no difference because the photograph is all about them and nothing else. I'm passionate about people and I'm passionate about couples. I believe that God has gifted me in the way of making people feel comfortable in front of my camera, and am expanding work in this area and here's how:

1. Couples Sessions: The primary focus of my work will now be couples. All couples sessions will require a pre-session consultation. You can contact the studio for more information and to book a consultation.

2. Deb Wat Weddings: My very first paying client was a wedding. I've been photographing weddings by personal referral for five years. Now, we're making it official. I am pleased to announce www.debwatweddings.com.

If you know me, you know that I do not believe in accidents, but providences. I believe that the questions posed to me over the last few months were providential and this is where God is leading my work. I hope to do this for His glory and look forward to seeing how this all unfolds.

Please tell your friends and family about this exciting news!

2nd Annual Baby Contest Benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphomia Society

Came Home to Some Exciting News

I have a lot to show and tell about my trip to Mexico but today I want to share the exciting news came home to.

Last night at the Northern California Professional Photographers monthly meeting, the image below won second place in the print competition! The title of the image is "Without Words."

   

I am especially thankful for this award as it comes on the heels of making the decision to follow my passion and specialize in photographing couples. You may remember seeing this photograph before as one of my favorites from Michael and Leslie's session a few months ago. This image will now move on to the Regional competition in March. We'll keep ypu posted.

I am also thankful for the input of my print competition consultant, Michael McNamara.

Back To Phoenix

Happy Sunday.

I'm off to Phoenix again but this time it's a different feel.

At the show last week, there were 50 new photographers that signed up to volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. An immediate training session is needed to help these new photographers and I was happy to be the trainer selected to do this.

Please pray for me if you think about it, I seem to be losing my voice and need to speak for 7 hours on Monday.

At least I'll be warm!

Remember The Reality Show???

A couple of months ago I blogged about a reality show that was filming in Walnut Creek and wanted to use the studio for filming. We'll, guess what! We did not hit the cutting room floor and the episode airs tonight at 8! Here's the link to the site so you can find it on your local listings. How fun is this!

The episode is: Lewis Powell & Clark Russell

http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows...dule/index.jsp

How Cool is This?

I'm in Phoenix at the annual convention and trade show. I'm learning so much and finding some really cool and fun new products for our 2009 line.

While at the trade show today, I was so excited to see some of my images hanging at the H&H Color Lab booth. All of your fabulous prints come from this lab and I was honored when they asked permission to use my images in their 2009 marketing. Thanks to Jenny Doss, Mitch Lee and my son Jon for giving us permission to have thousands of photographers view your images at the trade show.

2009!?!?

Wow, can you believe it! 2009 is here. I'm very excited about 2009, there are a lot of changes in store personally and professionally.

As with previous years, I will be working on my continuing education during the first quarter and will be in the area on a limited basis.  You can reach my assistant, Lorie, at the studio while I am away. Lorie will be handling all the scheduling for sessions. If you want a first quarter portrait session, I would suggest booking as soon as possible as sessions will be limited due to my travel schedule.

Details for our 2nd Annual Baby Contest are being finalized and we hope to give you all the information shortly.   

Be watching your email for our first quarter newsletter that will be loaded with information regarding new products and services that will be offered in 2009!

Deb and Lorie wish you a safe, fun and Happy New Year!

Time To Play

The downside to being a professional portrait photographer is that sometimes, you forget to photograph for fun. Tonight, I finally got to just play with my good friend and photographer, Michael Imus. His brave wife, Melody went with us on our night adventure in Reno. It's so much fun just to get out and play.

Full Circle

Last year, right about this time, I got a call to photograph a session at Kaiser Hospital for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I photographed baby Olive for the short time that she was with her parents and big brother.

To my delight, I was able to provide maternity portraits for this family who is expecting another baby any day now. I consider it a privilege to have been able to come full circle with this family and share both the sad and happy moments.

Here is one of my favorite photos from their session last week.

Only 30 Days left until Christmas!

Wow, can you believe it! 30 days to Christmas!

If you're like me, you are beginning to panic. Not enough time to shop, rough economy, what now!

Will you consider giving the gift of portraits this year?

In addition to our gift certificates which can be purchased for any dollar amount, we are now offering gift cards that are redeemable for a studio session and two 5x7 photographs. The gift cards are only $65 +tax.

If you would like to order a gift card please call the studio and we can take your order over the phone and mail the card to you.

School Season Officially Over

Whew!

All the final orders turned in by the deadline have been sent off to the lab. This means, I GET TO SLEEP MORE! Yeah!!!

Thank You

My grandfather served in WWII, my two step brothers are recently home safe from Iraq. I have several clients who are currently serving or served in the military in the past.

I would like to personally say thank you to all those serving us in the military.

There is a wonderful documentary on CNN entitled Veterans in Focus that I found very moving and I wanted to share it with you all today.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/veterans.in.focus/

You're Invited!

What:       Costume Extravaganza! 

Where:   Deb Wat Photography

               1514 3rd Ave.

               Walnut Creek, CA 94597

 

When:     Friday, October 31, 2008

               4:00 PM - 7:00 PM*****

 

Details:

 

Stop by the studio for a COMPLIMENTARY photo session of your child in costume.

 

Session includes 4 complimentary wallets.

 

 Of course, there will be candy as well.

 

 

*****RSVP to let us know about what time you will be stopping by.

        925.465.6788

 

Parking may be limited so please park on the street.

It's Snowing in Walnut Creek

It snowed in Walnut Creek this weekend! 

We are now booking sessions with our Holiday themed set. In addition to our mini-session that include Holiday cards, I'm offering mini-sessions that include 2 5x7's and 8 wallets for 60.00. 

Call today to reserve your spot!

Soooo much fun!!!

Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Hee Hee Hee

More to come later!

The "H" Word

October has always been my favorite month here in the Bay Area. Maybe it’s the warm days and cool nights, or the turning of the trees (to the extent that they can in CA) or the simple fact that it’s almost my birthday and after my birthday comes the “Holidays”

 

I did it! I said the “H” word. Stop rolling your eyes at me! Did you know there are only 85 days left until Christmas? Did you know that there are only 53 days left to place your order and have it delivered in time for Christmas?

 

I know, I ruined a perfectly good post. But, I don’t want to ruin your gift-giving plan by having to tell you that the deadline for holiday orders has passed.

 

A little recap, the DEADLINE FOR HOLIDAY ORDERS is November 30^th! After that date, we cannot guarantee delivery for Christmas.