Duclos Studios II

It's Wedding Show Season!

2012-01-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

$300 off wedding package 2 or 3 and 10% off package 1.

~Book by January 31~

Happy New Year! We're busy here at Duclos Studios II filling up our 2012 wedding season calendar and are looking forward to another amazing summer. click here for our up-to-date wedding package prices: http://www.bellinghamphotographer.com/content/pricing/wedding.asp

3 cities, 2 weddings and a rainbow

2011-09-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

August was a virtual whirlwind for Duclos Studios, especially the last weekend of the month. Ryan and Kelli made a marathon trip to St. Paul, Minnesota to photograph the wedding of Dawn Pfeffer and Matt Cherne at Crystal Lake Golf Club, then flew back to Seattle the next day to photograph a second wedding at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine. It was their first time traveling together, and though the trip was a blur at best, they had a great time taking photos, meeting new folks and catching up with old friends.

Friday morning, the 26th, dawned bright and early-- if at all. Ryan and Kelli made tracks out of Bellingham at 3 am to catch their 7 am flight, armed with cameras, mini-muffins and a Thermos of the strongest coffee known to man. After a fairly uneventful flight, they arrived in St. Paul to warm, sunny weather. Ryan's longtime friend and brother of the bride, Aaron, picked them up at the airport and shortly after, they met up with the bride, Dawn, for a boudoir photo session at the hotel.

Dawn had a great time with the boudoir session, laughing and joking with her girlfriends, and letting her natural beauty and charisma shine through to create fantastic images. The hotel room where the session took place left much to be desired, but with some white sheets and gorgeous window light, plus a few of Matt's belongings as props, the scene was transformed into a lap of luxury through the viewfinder.

As soon as the boudoir session ended, it was time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. The majority of the bride and groom's families were in attendance, as well as the twelve-person wedding party and some visiting friends. Everyone piled into the local Irish pub for a classic Midwest meat-and-potatoes feast, and enjoyed some relaxing time together before the big day commenced.

The wedding day began with unseasonably beautiful weather for Minnesota in August-- low 80s, hazy skies-- perfect light for photographing outdoors. Both the ceremony and reception took place at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeview, which boasted beautiful grounds and a wealth of photo opportunities. Ryan and Kelli had a blast taking the wedding party all over the golf course for photos, including taking over the driving range for some pretend practice shots. The day flowed perfectly and managed to run according to schedule, even ahead at times.

The ceremony took place on a balcony overlooking the golf course under a beautiful Minnesota sky. It was elegant in its simplicity, with the exchanging of rings and vows that Dawn and Matt had written for each other. A family friend sang "From This Moment" before the bride and groom were pronounced husband and wife. Once pronounced, Dawn and Matt fist-bumped, "blew it up" and then kissed before walking back down the aisle laughing and dancing.

Dawn was stunning in her white dress, and Matt looked impeccably handsome in his tuxedo. The bride and groom took a walk for some photos alone before the reception began, and Ryan really pushed the envelope to give those images a sophisticated, fashion-conscious edge. When entering the reception, Dawn and Matt waltzed in under an archway of golf clubs held up by the wedding party, and the good times only kept rolling from there. The beer and wine flowed, the caterers prepared and served a fantastic dinner, and the dancing and merriment lasted into the wee hours.

After returning to the hotel room and getting all the gear ready for the next day, Kelli and Ryan had less than 3 hours to sleep before their 3:30 am wake-up call. One outrageously priced car ride to the airport later, the tired photographers napped in the terminal before flying back to Seattle to make the drive home to Bellingham. Two hours after returning to Bellingham, they were fresh, clean and on the road to Blaine to photograph Michelle Baer and Rob Risinger's wedding at Semiahmoo Resort.

The weather in Blaine was even hotter and less forgiving than in St. Paul, but the bright sun and cloudless skies were no match for the light-manipulating photographers. It was a challenge they accepted head-on, and emerged with nothing but beautiful images despite the harsh conditions. Michelle and Rob thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and it certainly shone through in their images. Semiahmoo boasted some very photogenic locations, and Ryan and Kelli made the best of them to showcase the bride and groom in the best light possible.

The ceremony, which was fairly small in comparison to the sweeping views, took place on a sun-drenched bluff overlooking the bay. The minister shared letters the bride and groom had written to each during their pre-wedding counseling, which helped set the intimate tone and gave the guests a glimpse of the love and devotion that solidified Rob and Michelle's commitment to each other.

Though the weekend was a long one, and exhausting at times, Ryan and Kelli had a fantastic time jet-setting across the country as they encountered one new adventure after another. Everywhere they went, love was in the air, and good fortune and high spirits were never far behind. True romance was the theme of the weekend, and in true Duclos Studios fashion, they preserved it forever. Every kiss, every laugh, every embrace, and everything in between-- it was an experience not soon to be forgotten.

Mouthwatering meals & decadent desserts

2011-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

What's the only thing that could make a charbroiled steak or an elegant cake even more appetizing? Being prepared by a local restaurant! We love good food and we love to support our friends in the Bellingham community who make it...especially when it comes from such renowned restaurants as Dirty Dan Harris' and Pure Bliss Desserts.

Pure Bliss is a specialty desserts shop located in downtown Bellingham, boasting an array of made-from-scratch cakes, cookies and other mouthwatering sweet treats. Andi Vann, the shop's owner and primary baker, takes pride in her implementation of time-honored techniques and use of fresh, all-natural and locally-sourced ingredients. She claims she can satisfy almost any craving, but don't take our word for it-- stop in and taste for yourself!

Dirty Dan Harris' Steakhouse, located in the historic Fairhaven district, is one of Bellingham's oldest restaurants, and they are best known for their premium steaks, wild-caught seafood and fine dining atmosphere. We dare you to stare at these delicious dishes without drooling!

Cheers-- now go eat!

-the DSII family

Summertime is family time

2011-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, which means school is out and the sun is (hopefully) shining. We can't think of a better way to spend the long, languid days than making memories with our families and friends. Though the sun has been scarce this summer, we've had the pleasure of catching up with some of our good friends and their families this past month, and it has been a blast. One of our favorite sunny-day hang-out spots is Hovander Park in Ferndale, where we always have a great time playing and photographing. We caught up with our friends the Antuñez family, whom we've photographed with before, and had a lot of fun playing outside with the Hagedorns and the McCain-Andersons, too. Just in case you don't believe we actually have nice weather here in Washington, the proof is in the photos!

the Hagedorn family

the McCain-Anderson family

the Antuñez family

Cheers and happy summertime!

-the DSII family

Santa Fe sunshine

2011-05-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Summer has officially arrived-- at least, it has to the "Land of Enchantment." Ryan and Robin spent last weekend under the Santa Fe, New Mexico sun photographing Nicole Florez and Brook Nickell's wedding, which took place at St. Francis Cathedral. The bride and groom, who both reside in Madrid, Spain, had a traditional Catholic ceremony, including Mass. In addition to the almost 300 guests in attendance, there was also a Mariachi band which played after the ceremony.

Congratulations, Brook and Nicole! We wish you all the best for many happy years to come.

Cheers!

the Duclos Studios II family

"100 Dollar Baby" countdown special

2011-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Ryan and Robin are welcoming the newest member of the Duclos clan into the world this summer. "Lil Duke" is scheduled to make his or her first appearance on August 19, 2011 and the anticipation is definitely building. Robin has 20 weeks to go, and we want your help counting down to the big day!

To make the countdown more enticing, we are pleased to introduce our "100 Dollar Baby" weekly portrait special. Every week from now until the due date, we will be selling one portrait session for only $100-- but once it's gone, it's gone! The special will renew each Friday, so if you don't get the week you want, you'll have 19 others to choose from. The $100 portrait session is of the client's choice and can apply to family portraits, senior portraits, pet portraits, engagement sessions and more. Depending on the portrait session you choose, you'll be saving up to 60% off our regular session fees! Book ahead to guarantee the date you want-- as long as the session will take place before August 19, you have 20 opportunities to schedule the portrait session of your choice, on the day of your choice, for only $100!

Whether you've been trying to get the kids together and take photos for Grandma, update the business head shots you've been putting off for months or get ahead of the game on Sally's senior portraits for next year, now is the time. Call us today and guarantee your $100 photo session-- remember, there are only 20 slots to fight over and they will book up quickly! Help us count down to Lil Duke's arrival by passing the time the best way we know how-- with fabulous photography.

Cheers!

-the (growing) DSII family

March madness!

2011-03-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

Spring fever is in the air, and romance is on the wind as we continue warming up to wedding season. To celebrate the changing seasons and the winds of change that are blowing through DSII this month, we are very excited to announce this year's March Madness wedding specials!

Book your 2011 wedding with us any time during the month of March and enjoy a breathtaking 20% off the wedding package of your choice. As if our charm, good looks and steadfast devotion to creating beautiful images aren't enough, we want you to keep some money in your pocket, too. Visit our website for hundreds of sample images, real testimonials from real clients and more info on packages and pricing.

Share the gift of true romance with everyone you love-- refer a friend (perhaps by wooing them with our enticing March Madness special) to book their wedding with Duclos Studios II and you can earn yourself one of two sensational thank-you gifts. Choose a romantic anniversary photo session (on us!), or enjoy 50% off a custom wedding album of your choice.

There's nothing to not love about the month of March, so call us today and take comfort that the most important day of your life is in fabulous hands. Remember-- when it comes to capturing true romance, Duclos Studios II takes the cake.

Happy Spring!

Cheers,

Team DSII

Exclusive February specials

2011-01-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

The month of February tends to conjure up images of Valentine's Day and romance, and we are feeling the love already. Duclos Studios II is excited to offer an enticing new wedding promotion starting February 1st. Book your wedding with us during the month of February, and it will be our pleasure to take you and your special someone out for an engagement photo session, on us! Take us to your favorite hangout spot, the place you two met, perhaps a romantic setting-- we'll capture the true romance that makes your relationship unique.

Engagement package includes...

- On-location photo session

- 13" x 19" wall print

- 5 images of your choice on DVD

$300 value-- free when you book during February! (photo session does not need to be completed in the same month)

Not planning a wedding? Not a problem! We are also offering a special on business portraits during the month of February. Forget what you know about boring, cut-and-dry head shots-- we're here to take you from business casual to business fabulous. Schedule your business portrait session with us for next month and save $50!

Business package includes...
- Portrait session
- 1 image of your choice on disc, for print use
$125 value-- only $75 through February! (portrait session MUST be completed by February 28)

Tony Bon, president, Samson Rope Technologies, Ferndale, WA

Anny Havland, co-owner, Neighborhood Mortgage, Bellingham, WA

Remember-- more information, pricing and images galore are always available on our website, bellinghamphotographer.com.

Cheers!
-Team DSII

Happy New Year!

2011-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

The year 2011 may only be a week old, but our sights are already set on the weeks and months to come. It's going to be a busy year for us here at DSII, and we couldn't be more excited about it. We're kicking off wedding season right away, starting this weekend with the Bridal Inspirations Weddings Expo in Bellingham on Sunday, January 9. Ryan and Robin will be holding down the booth and representing DSII in all its fabulousness, armed with beautiful images, pricing and information and exclusive discounts for booking your wedding with us right there at the event.

Come check us out at the Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham between 12pm and 5pm this Sunday and see what Duclos Studios II and the Bridal Inspirations Wedding Expo have to offer. Hope to see you there!

We are also pleased to offer a brand-new service with our wedding photography in 2011-- the Photo Booth! The setup includes funky interchangeable backgrounds, plus tons of kooky props for dressing up and clowning around. It's a great way for you and your guests to take silly self-portraits during the wedding reception, and the images are a fantastic complement to the photographs we take with you throughout the day.

Don't wait to book your 2011 wedding with us-- dates are filling up quickly, and the earlier you book, the more you save! Our legacy is capturing true romance, and the most special day of your life is no exception. We love what we do and it shows-- in the images and beyond.

2011 blackout dates

March 26-April 2 **available for booking in Southern California after April 2**

May 7 **available for booking in Santa Fe, May 5-9**

June 30

July 9

July 31

August 6

August 27 **available for booking in Minneapolis, August 24-29**

Wishing you all a happy, prosperous and romantic new year,

the Duclos Studios II team

Dreaming of a white Christmas

2010-12-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

With one snowstorm already under our belts, we are prepared for the worst winter weather possible here in Bellingham. However, there is one place that always welcomes the cold, the snow and those who wait all year for it: Mount Baker. Ski and snowboard fanatics alike have been "shreddin' the gnar" for a few weeks now up at the mountain, and this winter promises a fantastic season for the slopes. Ryan has been spending as much time as he can on the mountain, and has the images to prove it...

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season. Have fun and stay warm!

Cheers!

-the DSII family

Seniors 2011- the classiest of the class

2010-10-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

We are continuing to push the envelope with our senior photos, giving our unique brand of modern portraiture a sophisticated edge to highlight these sensational young men and women. Check out our latest creative escapades with Elise and Mckenzie, our featured seniors of the week. We had a great time taking photos around town, and the images definitely reflect the girls' unique styles and personalities. It just doesn't get more fabulous than this.

Mckenzie Page

Elise Cooper

Cheers,

-DSII

2011 Wedding Special

2010-10-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

The most special day of your life deserves the most priceless memories, and there's no better way to preserve such a joyful occasion than with the magic of photography. Our family of photographers at Duclos Studios II has had the pleasure of immortalizing true romance across the world for almost a decade, and we are continually honored to be in the presence of eternal love. With DSII at your side on the big day, you can rest assured that not a single moment will be lost or forgotten. We want your wedding to be all about you (as it should be), and our dedication to perfection and attention to detail will make you feel like king and queen for the day.

Book your 2011 wedding with us by November 30 to enjoy several exclusive benefits you won't find anywhere else, including a gorgeous, full-color wedding album to showcase the highlights of your special day-- on us! Last year, we were booked almost every weekend of the season, so don't waste another minute looking elsewhere-- trust us to capture every memorable moment.

We know we wouldn't be where we are today without our loyal clients, which is why we are offering a special to our old friends as well as to our new friends. If you refer a friend who books a wedding with us for 2011, you will receive a free family portrait session as a token of our appreciation. What could be better than sharing the joy of photography with someone you love AND getting a free gift out of the deal?

Please visit our website for more information, packages, pricing and of course, fabulous photography.

Cheers,

Duclos Studios II

More out-of-sight seniors!

2010-10-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

We're heading into autumn with full force now! The seniors are lining up for portraits, and the results have been nothing short of fabulous. Our latest creative rendezvous took us to the friendly streets of the City of Subdued Excitement to meet up with our new friend Zoe. The portraits, however, are anything but subdued. Thanks to Zoe for being such a fantastic model!

Don't forget-- you can always find portrait package pricing, information and images of our sensational seniors online at bellinghamseniorportraits.com. With your help, we are creating a revolutionary brand of senior portraiture that's modern, sophisticated and most importantly, FUN!

Cheers!

-the DSII team

Sensational senior portraits are here!

2010-09-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

The days are shorter and the leaves are falling, which means the kids are heading back to school. However, summer's end doesn't have to be the end of the world. A senior portrait session with us is a great way to start the school year on the right foot-- the fabulous foot! We know that when you look good, you feel good, and our uniquely tailored portrait sessions will help set the trend for your senior's last year in school. Need proof? Swing by our brand-new, seniors-only site at bellinghamseniorportraits.com and see for yourself.

We caught up with our friend Ellie last week for some fabulous fun in the late-summer sun.

Cheers!

-DSII

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!

2010-08-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Duclos Studios II, one of the edgiest and fastest-growing photography studios in Bellingham, is offering the senior portrait opportunity of a lifetime! We specialize in cutting-edge, high-fashion photography, and we work with models from all across the country to create 15-20 portfolios each year. If you are looking for fabulous, fashion-forward and FREE portraits that you'll be proud to show off to your friends, or if you're looking for the opportunity to jump-start your modeling career, we want you to be the face of senior portraits for DSII.

In addition to a tailor-made photo session that's all about you, we want to use your best images to create a revolutionary brand of senior portraiture that's fun, creative and sophisticated, and which highlights DSII as Bellingham's top senior portrait studio. Plus, you'll even receive a commission for every future senior portrait session you help us book!

Space is limited and the benefits are sweet, so take advantage of this great opportunity while it lasts. Call us today!

Check out our website to see images of some of the past sensational seniors we've worked with.

Cheers!

-the Duclos Studios II team

Wedding magic with Doug Gordon

2010-07-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last week, Robin and Ryan were fortunate enough to attend a photography workshop offered by renowned wedding photographer Doug Gordon. It was a beautiful day for shooting in Seattle, and they had a fantastic time learning from Doug and setting up shots on 5th Avenue. It's important for us to always be at the top of our game in order to give you, our clients, the best images we can-- because you deserve it! This workshop was a great opportunity to brush up on our skills and get a first-hand experience with some of the most cutting-edge concepts and techniques of today. Thanks to Doug for a fabulous experience!

Cheers!

-DSII

We've got the cure for the summertime blues

2010-07-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Has the summer sun got you feeling listless and lazy? Duclos Studios II has the perfect remedy- go play outside! Right now we are offering a fabulous on-location portrait special to get you off the couch and looking fabulous. Pick your favorite park, beach, trail or friendly watering hole, grab the kids and the dog and we'll meet you there for a day of fun in the sun-- or shade, if you prefer. We love it all!

But remember, like the summer sun, this offer won't last forever. Start by becoming a fan of our Facebook page to be eligible for the special (this part is free and easy as pie!), and get in touch with us by August 31 to set up your photo session. The package includes a proof book, online viewing and ordering, and a custom 13" x 19" wall print for only $200. That's a savings of $150!

Don't let the summertime blues get you down-- book today to go out and play!

Cheers!

-DSII

Love is in Paradise

2010-07-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Robin and I were invited to be part of a very special wedding in June. This wedding was very special in a few different ways. Not only was it in Montego Bay Jamaica, but it was my closest cousin Melissa's wedding.

I first met Brian (groom) in NYC in June of '09. It was 85 degrees and 80% humidity and we were walking around Central Park. I of course had a flask of whisky. Don't judge me, its a good ice breaker. When I asked the group who wanted a sip, Brian was the first to step up. I knew at this point it was all good, even though he is a Yankee fan.

With Brian and Melissa's closest family and friends they made a promise to each other that will last a life time. We celebrated love in paradise. Left the worries of our regular lives back in the states and lived a dream that will forever live in our memories.

Congratulations to Brian and Melissa. I wish you all of the happiness in the world. And thank you for trusting in us to document your love.

Click on title to view Brian & Melissa's slideshow.

Love is in the air...

2010-06-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

We are officially in full swing with wedding season here at DSII, and boy are we feeling the love! It is so inspiring to be in the presence of true romance, and two of our most recent weddings have more than yielded us that opportunity. Billie Wesson and Scott Quiring got hitched out at beautiful Tazer Valley Farms in Stanwood, Washington in the company of their children, family and friends. Pamela Laner and Scott Petersen said "I do" at an intimate sunset ceremony at Squalicum Boathouse in Bellingham, with the bride's beloved dog as a guest of honor. We want to thank Billie & Scott and Pam & Scott for inviting us to witness their commitments to each other and the unforgettable moments of their wedding days. And as always, a selection of our favorite romantic moments to share with you.

Pamela & Scott - June 5, 2010

Cheers!

-DSII

Jersey Girl video (click here)

2010-05-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Classic beauty in New Jersey with

Ryan & Lorraine.

Business as usual

2010-05-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Head shots, head shots, and more head shots! One of the things we pride ourselves on here at Duclos Studios II is showcasing how fabulous our clients are, which makes us a natural choice for business portraits. Last month we had the opportunity to take business portraits for Overwaitea Food Group, based in Langley, B.C., and for Neighborhood Mortgage here in Bellingham. And for Tally Rabatin of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Bellingham, we mixed business with pleasure to create edgy, glamourous portraits. We would like to thank you for your business, and we are happy to help you promote your companies with photography!

Tally Rabatin, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, Bellingham, WA

Bill Reynolds & Anny Reynolds Havland, founders, Neighborhood Mortgage, Bellingham, WA

Overwaitea Food Group, Langley, B.C.

Cheers!

-DSII

Book now, save big!

2010-05-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

The summer season is booking up quickly for Duclos Studios II, but we still have some prime weekend appointments available for the next few months. Whether it's family portraits or high fashion, an engagement, a wedding or a special event, we want to help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

To sweeten the deal, we would like to offer you 10% off your portrait package if you book your session with us for one of the dates listed below. And, as an added bonus, you can earn a FREE portrait session just for telling your friends about us! Point a pal in our direction and the free session is all yours when they book their appointment. As if life weren't sweet enough already.

Available weekends through October 2010

July 3 & 4

August 7 & 8

August 28 & 29

September 25 & 26

October 9 & 10

October 16 & 17

October 23 & 24

Don't miss this great opportunity to share the joy of photography with your family and friends. This is our way of saying "Thank you" to you, our valued clients, for helping us create beautiful images and lifelong memories. We couldn't do it without you!

Book now! Tell your friends! Save big! And check out our website for pricing, image galleries and more information about who we are and what we do.

Cheers!

-DSII

True romance in New Jersey

2010-05-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

Another highlight of DSII's recent East coast trip was the wedding of Lorraine Howell and Ryan Barry in Andover, New Jersey on April 24. The weather was perfect, love was in the air, and we had a fabulous time capturing the happy couple's special day. Many congratulations to Lorraine and Ryan, and thank you for inviting us!

Cheers!

-DSII

Spring showers, April flowers

2010-05-07T10:36:00.001-07:00

When it's pouring rain one minute and sunny the next, it can be hard to plan even an hour outdoors, let alone an entire day. But the fickle weather hasn't hindered us here at DSII-- we're going outside to play no matter what! Whether it's dodging raindrops at Central Park in New York City to capture engagement photos or rocking shorts and sunglasses for a warm afternoon among the Skagit Valley tulips, we're taking every opportunity we can to enjoy the changing seasons from coast to coast. Here's the latest round of images from this season-- we're already off to a great start!

Central Park engagement shoot with Adam and Anne, New York, NY

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with Ethan Henry, Mount Vernon, WA

We also caught up with Billie and Scott in Snohomish, WA last month to capture their engagement photos. We had a blast hanging out with the happy couple in their quaint and colorful hometown, and we're looking forward to photographing their wedding in Stanwood, WA this Saturday. Congratulations, Billie and Scott!

As always, thank you to our fabulous subjects for your enthusiasm and cooperation; it is a joy to work with each and every one of you. Because of you, we are able to continue the legacy capturing true romance and the beauty of life in all its forms. We appreciate you!

Cheers!

-DSII

We're back!

2010-04-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of non-stop shooting and traveling, Ryan has returned to Bellingham from his latest New England expedition, armed with thousands of images from his latest adventures. Unfortunately, he left the sunshine back in Washington and was welcomed to the East coast by stormy weather, but that's never stopped him before. This spring's trip included an engagement shoot in Central Park with Adam and Anne, as well as Ryan and Lorraine's beautiful outdoor New Jersey wedding, for which the weather couldn't have been better. An added bonus of the trip afforded Ryan the opportunity to collaborate with world-famous fashion photographer Richard Warren at a historic mansion in the Bronx, New York as part of Warren's latest project. Ryan also had the opportunity to contribute some of his multimedia work from their photo shoot to Warren's website.

Check back with us soon for some brand-new images from Ryan's fabulous trip, as well as a tiptoe through the tulips with 19-month-old Ethan Henry at Skagit Valley's annual Tulip Festival.

Cheers!

-DSII

The results are in

2010-03-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the 2010 nominees for Business Person of the Year, as selected by Northwest Business Monthly magazine. This year's award winner is Wes Herman, owner of The Woods Coffee shops in Whatcom County. It was a pleasure to photograph the candidates, and we would like to thank them for inviting us to their places of business.

Wes Herman, The Woods Coffee

NMBM 2010 Business Person of the Year

Tony Bon, Samson Rope

Nancy Jordan, Northwest Economic Council of Whatcom County

Cheers and congrats,

-DSII

Springtime spells traveling

2010-03-17T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's here!

Once again, wedding season is approaching, which spells BUSY for us here at DSII. But we've never been ones to shy away from hard work, and this year is no exception. A return to the East coast kicks off the spring season for Ryan, who has been avidly adding dates to his out-of-town calendar. Weddings, engagements, family portraits and model portfolios are just the tip of the iceberg. And although Ryan is the only one of us making the trip this time around, his New York City-based assistant, Curry, will be joining him in New Jersey to shoot a wedding.

In anticipation of the impending trip, here are some of our favorite images from last year's New England visits for you to enjoy in the meantime...

Chelsea & Erik's Connecticut wedding

Mike, model portfolio

Quinn family portraits

Cheers!

-DSII

Baby, it's cold outside

2010-02-19T18:18:00.000-08:00

This year's snow drought has translated to slim pickin's for the skiers and snowboarders who frequent the Mount Baker slopes. The warm weather has made for a slow winter, and Ryan, an avid boarder, hasn't had near enough fresh powder this year to suit his taste. In spite of the drought, though, we've been making the best of the little snow we do have.

The proof is in the pages of the Spring 2010 edition of the Mount Baker Experience, which features three of Ryan's images from the beginning of the 2009-10 season--including a coveted cover shot! The Legendary Banked Slalom race, celebrating its 25th year in 2010, yielded some fantastic images for Ryan as well, and was a great opportunity hit the mountain and play in the powder.

And now, without further ado, the images du jour...

Nick Ennen (cover image of Mount Baker Experience Spring 2010)

Dan Irwin (Mount Baker Experience)

Michela Hackett (Mount Baker Experience)

A selection of winners from the 2010 LBS race...

Temple Cummins - Winner, Pro Men

Tim Carlson - Winner, Pro Masters

Cody Warble (right) - Winner, Next Generation

Cheers! (and keep your fingers crossed for fresh powder)

-DSII

Extra! Extra!

2010-02-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

Read all about it! Duclos Studios II is proud to announce the launch of our BRAND NEW website!

We've got a fresh new look, the links are easier to navigate, and let's not forget those sexy new pop-out slideshows for each of our image categories: Commercial, Lifestyle, Portrait and Wedding. There is also a new section, Testimonials, where we feature some of the feedback we have received from our clients. We have put a lot of love and labor into this new site, and we want to know what you think!

Great new look, same URL: duclosstudios2.com

We always welcome feedback (especially glowing reviews), which you can submit to us here, right on the blog, or drop us an email: duclosstudios2@mac.com

If you are a past or current client of DSII, we encourage you to submit a testimonial of your experience. This will help us become the strongest team we can be, and it is also a valuable resource for potential clients. You can tell us your story directly from the Testimonials section of the new site by following the link to leave your own comments.

None of this would have been possible without you, our clients, helping us create fantastic images and a quality brand. Special thanks also to Patrice Valentine of Net Solutions for designing and creating our fabulous new site.

Cheers!

-DSII

East coast lovin'

2010-02-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

One of DSII's recent cross-country voyages brought us to Windham, New Hampshire this past Christmas for the wedding of Jon and Ashley Nicosia. A visit to the East coast is always a treat for Ryan, who is native to the area, especially when our work feels like play! We had a blast at the wedding, and we wish nothing but the best for the Nicosias and their new life together. Congratulations, Jon and Ashley!

Cheers!

-DSII

Not so subdued

2010-02-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like celebrating autumn in the Northwest, and nobody does it better than Megan McGregor and her son Nate. We took family portraits of Megan and Nate back in November and visited all the classic Bellingham landmarks, from the panoramic "Welcome to Bellingham" mural on State Street to Mallards Ice Cream downtown for a sweet finish to the session.

Cheers!

-DSII

Love...in a castle

2009-12-23T16:45:00.001-08:00

Nick and Stephanie Pritchett were married November 7, 2009 at Thornewood Castle in Tacoma, WA. They had a wonderful ceremony, and we got some great shots at this historic local landmark. Congrats Nick and Stephanie! Thanks for inviting us to be a part of your special day.

Cheers!

-DSII

Four generations

2009-12-23T16:27:00.001-08:00

Last week we had a great portrait session at the studio with the Schultz family. We are honored that these four generations of women chose us to take such special portraits, and the shoot was fabulous.

Cheers!

-DSII

Family photos

2009-12-15T15:47:00.000-08:00

Our most recent family photo shoot with the Valentines. It's not too late to bring your family in for Christmas portraits!

Cheers!

-DSII

Hot off the press!

2009-12-15T15:32:00.001-08:00

The Bellingham Herald caught wind of our publication success in Colorado Weddings, and the studio was featured in a press release in Sunday's paper. Check it out!

Cheers!

-DSII

BLOG FEATURES RYAN DUCLOS' WORK

The photography of Bellingham photographer Ryan Duclos of Duclos Studios II was recently featured on the Colorado Weddings Magazine blog.

Duclos photographed the wedding of Bellingham couple Renea and Todd Hausman in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Both the bride and groom have family ties to the area. This was Duclos' first published wedding.

For more information about Duclos and his work, visit www.duclosstudios2.com.

Whatcom Weddings submisison

2009-12-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

Another wedding submission! We sent some images off today to Whatcom Weddings, a bridal publication put out by the Bellingham Herald, continuing Duclos Studios II's legacy of capturing true romance in our City of Subdued Excitement...

Cheers!

-DSII

Frequency submission

2009-12-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

Beginning this past summer of 2009, Duclos Studios II has been submitting work to wedding magazines and other local publications in an effort to get our name and reputation out there. So far we have been featured on the Colorado Weddings magazine's blog page, which most of you know about, and we are sending out new submissions all the time.

In an effort to keep all of you up to speed on what we're doing and who we're showing it to you, we'll give you some exclusive sneak previews of our submissions here on the blog. We welcome all feedback, and we'd love to know what you think!

One of our most recent submissions was to Frequency, an international quarterly snowboarding journal. For those of you who don't know, Ryan is a devout boarder and spends a lot of time shooting up on Mount Baker each winter. He was invited to submit some of those images to the publication, and we are looking forward to finding out if any of them will be featured in the next issue!

Dani Irwin

Steve Johnson

Shawn Fryer

Michela Hackett

Cheers!

-DSII

Halloween food drive

2009-11-13T19:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who came to our spooky studio for the Halloween food drive- with your help, we were able to raise 59 pounds of food for the Bellingham food bank! We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of fantastic costumes. Here are some of our favorites!

Cheers!

-DSII

First publication!

2009-11-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

Duclos Studios II has been published for the first time on Colorado Weddings magazine's "Real Weddings" blog. Thanks so much to Renea & Todd for letting us submit your images! Click here to view the blog, or on the link to the right.

Renea & Todd, 06.27.09, Steamboat Springs CO

Cheers!

-DSII

First post...

2009-11-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our blog page! Here you will find the most exclusive updates on what Duclos Studios II is up to around our hometown of Bellingham, WA and our adventures across the country. Check back frequently for information on upcoming events, publication notifications and monthly specials. For more information about who we are and what we do, take a look at our website and add us as a friend on Facebook.

Cheers!

Duclos Studios II

(Ryan, Robin and Kelli)