Our hosting company will be doing some maintenance on Tuesday, June 15th 9pm - 7am MST. This blog and our site will not be available during this time. However, our FTP server will still be up and running for file transfers as usual.
Thank you for your patience! 
Photojournalist John Decker of Sacramento, CA contacted me to work on a book that told the story of his time with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as official photographer. John documented the Governor’s work not only at the Capitol, but also on the road throughout California, on the campaign trail and other locations internationally. This is such an honor and was really happy to be chosen to work on this project with John. The images really capture both the quiet moments of serious contemplation, as well as the high energy and command of the crowds that surround his entourage, and the both humor and caring nature that he and Maria share with each other and with the people that they meet. I’m so pleased to hear that they have a copy of this book for their own memories of his time in office.
Thank you to John Decker for allowing me to share a few pages with you:
I often wondered why Asuka wasn’t offering a lay-flat page option when a few other companies were already offering it for some time now ….. but it’s finally here! I do a lot of Asuka EX’s and Hard Book Bound books but am sure that my clients will be eager to use the new ‘Zen Lay-Flat‘ option. Hurray!
A client of mine forwarded me a few emails that he has received from his couples upon receiving their albums - all just this week !! This really is the true reward and why that we all do what we do every day . . .
So we received our album yesterday and I can’t tell you how thrilled we are with the way it came out. Both of us are amazed!! It is gorgeous. It is so well done, it captures every moment of our wedding day the emotions we felt on that day are bleeding off those pages. I can’t stop looking at it and feel like as if I am reliving that amazing day in my life. The album is everything we wanted and more. Thank you so much for being a part of our wedding and giving us such this special gift of memories that we will have for the rest of our lives.
Just a note to say thank you again for the gorgeous album! We absolutely love it and have had so much fun revisiting the day w/ family and friends! Everyone comments how different it is and how well you told our story!
We just wanted to send you a note to let you know we received our album. We got it a while ago and have been showing it off ever since (sorry for not confirming receipt sooner). We absolutely LOVE it, and have been getting so many compliments. It’s really great. The finish off the album itself (glad we upgraded), and of course the pictures. The album really does the pictures justice. We’ll continue to spread the word to any soon-to-be newlyweds, and show offthe finished product.
Cory Ryan of Cory Ryan Photography in Austin, TX told me that she needed a fabulous studio sample for her new studio’s grand opening in just a few weeks time! I’ve worked with Cory before and I was so happy to help out as she has the most vibrant and fun images, and she has the personality and energy to match. She wanted something bold, simple, colorful with a little hint of organic feel to it. Forgetting what her logo was like, my instincts kicked in and included some asymmetrical rounded corners into the design. Combined very vibrant color blocks, some nice clean white negative space. Colors chosen from the strong garnets, purples, reds of the couples’ wedding concept. Afterwards when I put in her logo I realized just how perfect it was for a studio opening. Her branding had been reinforced by the album design elements! Congratulations Cory and I can’t wait to hear how your big event went! Thank you again for allowing me to share on the blog!
Here are a few layouts for the Zook Book with Reflectionz cover option:
For more information about how HappyFish Design can help with your own unique studio samples we’d love to hear from you.
Erin Moulden of Erin Moulden Photography wrote to tell me that she had posted some photos of her Dream Album on her blog !! This was the first Dream Album I had worked with - so was excited to see what it looked like in the flesh.
To see the full post on Erin’s blog - please visit her article “New Year, New Stuff”! Thank you very much for sharing Erin!
Starting in early January 2010 the conventions begin!
IMAGING USA and the DWF Convention will both be in Nashville, TN January 10-13.
A very big MAHALO to Finao for including HappyFish cards at their booths. You’ll definitely want to check out Finao while you’re there, they have TONS of new materials and really innovative products for the new year.
Soon after in February is the SYNC Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida January 29-February 1.
WPPI in Las Vegas, Nevada follows in the Spring March 4-11.
For those of you who are attending, safe travels and have an incredible time!!
Everyone knows how I love babies!! If I could freeze time and enjoy my kids as babies just a while longer …. I would. Designing albums for new parents is the very best next solution. 
Not everyone knows this yet … but I have a special pricing structure for portrait albums. Please contact us for details.
Here are a few layouts from some of my favorite albums that I had the fun of working on with the absolutely wonderful and talented Diana Hall of Diana Hall Photography:
And …. a cutie pie from the always amazing, Jennifer of Jennifer S Rau Photography:
Today I was sitting with Malia looking through her memory box from when she was a baby. In it was a book I designed for her first year - she giggled and was asking about each image about the baby that she does not remember. As she gets older, the more treasured those images become as well as the joy in looking at them and remembering. Sure there are some big firsts in there…. but most of the images are truly average day to day things - like spinach all over her face or playing with her toys or just making bubbles and smiles. And now …. Sawyer took his first steps Christmas Day, officially entering into toddlerhood.
I see the same thread in all of the books that I design for families - an ordinary day captured … becomes amazingly extraordinary. Suddenly, brothers sitting down having a snack together - or playing with their pet lizard is highlighted, made bigger than life. As a a viewer you stop and savor that exact moment in time and just enjoy it. In our hectic lives these moments pass in a blur as we move onto the next to-do or appointment …. whenever a photographer contacts me about designing a book like this I always tell them how much I love to do them!!
Here are just a few examples of layouts that I’ve designed capturing some quiet moments… and some not so quiet moments….
For more information about design services please visit www.happyfish.com!
I LOVE this time of year!! After the last minute rush of album deadlines and orders calms down - being able to enjoy some time with friends and family is absolutely priceless. Reflecting on the year that has come and gone so quickly, it’s also a perfect time to be thankful for the blessings that we have received and the joys that each day brings. This year my parents and brother have come down from Vancouver, BC to visit with us for a few weeks. Malia and Sawyer have really been keeping them busy with non-stop activities. They were able to come to her Kindergarten class to experience a real ‘Dr. Suess Party’ and watch her swim class. Sawyer got his first big top front tooth AND took his first real walking steps as well during their visit. Sawyer turned 1 year old as well and we had a little party for him too. Didn’t like the cake at all … just wanted the plate. It doesn’t seem like that a year has past when he was to be due to be born on Christmas Day last year! I will admit that having him exactly a week early has proven to be helpful in terms of planning and celebrating. Chad went overboard again with the lights … at least we’re transitioning to LED now to save some electricity! Took the kids to sit on Santa’s knee …. Malia is now too big to sit … and Sawyer, as expected, squirmed and squealed with horror. I’ll spare further details ….
From the deepest part of our hearts, we would truly like to thank all of our clients, as well as Finao, for your support and partnership this year. We look forward to another great new year full of adventures and creative projects with you and we wish you and your loved ones good health, happiness, and prosperity throughout 2010.
Happy Holidays and blessings,
the Dahlquist Family
