Category: Uncategorized

Congratulations to the beautiful Lindsey Paul as your Miss Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo Queen 2020!
Lindsey Paul is the proud 20 year old daughter of Jason and Dr. Sara Paul of Woodland, Washington. She is currently attending Lower Columbia college to earn her degree in psychology before transferring to Washington State University to complete her four year degree and move on to law school. Outside of school Lindsey enjoys reading, writing, swimming, camping, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She has spent many years attending the Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo and is so excited to have the opportunity to represent Cowlitz County as the 2020 Miss Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo queen with her 16 year old paint mare Madison. Make sure you go and see them this summer the last full weekend in July at the Cowlitz County Fair. Lindsey’s goal this year is to sell out each of the three Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo performances but that can only happen with the help of all of you!

The Alzheimer’s Association, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Their goal is to advance research, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, and provide programs and support to improve the lives of millions of Americans affected by Alzheimer’s.

Congratulations to Makenzie Matthews!! On July, 28th 2018 she was crowned your 2019 Miss Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo Queen! Kenzie was born in Longview Washington although she grew up in the quaint town of Grays River, Washington. She attended Naselle Grays River Valley School from kindergarten until she graduated where she was a 4-H member for 13 years and continues to volunteer to this day. Although she entered in other categories at the fair her equine project was always her favorite. She has had an extreme passion for horses from a young age. Kenzie plans to attend as many parades, rodeos, community facilities and events as possible! She plans to promote the western way of life and more specifically, our fantastic Thunder Mountain Rodeo. Here is to the friends to come, the knowledge that will be gained, and the memories to come as she fulfills her duties as Queen Kenzie. Her horse Chey and she hope to see you on their journey as she proudly represents the Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo. Cowlitz County Thunder Mountain Rodeo takes place July 25th-27th at the Cowlitz County Fair and she hopes to see you there!

Children’s Bait Shop Photo Special

July Photo Special Only
Outdoor Bait Shop Mini Session
All Image Digital Download
Only $97.02 tax included

Special dates and times only:
Thursday, July 18^th & Friday, July 19th (late appts available)
Get ready to go fishing!  This session features your kids in the cutest Bait Shop Stand that peddles bait to the fisherman!

Reserve your Bait Shop Special online; click HERE

Summer Photo Special

August Photo Special Only
On Location Mini Session
Digital Downloads
and Prints
Starting at Only $149

Special Date: Saturday, August 17th – limited times available

If you would like to reserve your Summer Photo Special online, please click HERE

I know, I know;  Between busy schedules and endless to-do lists, it is easy to put off the family photo… I’ve done it myself and another year passes.  And then, of course, I regret not capturing that moment!! So to help, we have created the perfect family photo special for you and your family!  No excuses;  Book your photo session now!!

 Special may be used for immediate family, children, couples and individuals. If you need a session time that is not shown, please call the studio so we may try and find a time that will work for you.

Congratulations Commissioner Allan Erickson!

The newly appointed Commissioner Allan Erickson officially joined the Port of Longview Board of Commissioners after Bob Bagaason vacated his seat. Cowlitz County District Court Judge John Hays presented over the swearing in of Erickson, who represented the Commission’s 3^rd District.
“I am honored to help guide port leadership as we build on the momentum of recent successes,” Erickson said in the release. “One of my goals as commissioner is to work toward building more family-wage jobs for the citizens of the port district.”
Erickson is a lifelong local resident. He worked in the printing industry for more than 40 years before his retirement and actively participates in local community organizations. Erickson earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

‘Star of Wonder’ PeaceHealth St John Medical Center Foundation Gala 2018

Every year PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation hosts a Gala that is fit for royalty.  This year was no different with their themed ‘Star of Wonder’ Gala.  The Expo Center was decked out in such beautiful simplicity that you felt as if you had been transformed to a wonderland with help from Three Rivers Audio Visual. They had a record breaking year that sold out every seat to top 450 guests… the largest event the Expo Center has ever hosted! The event started with their silent auction, flowed into a live auction at dinner catered by Summerland Catering, rounded out with the ever-amazing raffle item presented by Gallery of Diamonds and ended with a the rip roaring Claudia Knauer and the Jumptown Big Band.

This year the gala raised money to benefit our Cardiology Program at PeaceHealth St John Medical Center. The St John cardiology dept has grown to six staff cardiologists and one nurse practioner since 2010. Their clinic volumes have increased, their cath labs are busy, and the door to balloon time is record breaking.  They are proud and thrilled to share in the success with their community that has helped this program grow.

And what a success the gala was for the Cardiology Program!  Raising a record breaking $235K they stated, “We’re grateful, thankful, delighted, and awed by the outpouring of community support for our cardiac services at the “Star of Wonder” fundraising gala. The gorgeous room was filled to capacity with generosity and love, and the PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation is in “wonder” at the $235k raised to enhance cardiac care for us all!’

I’m so excited to see how they will top it next year… if that’s possible!
A huge applause to the many key participants that made this happen – Cathy Barr and her Staff at the Foundation: Tara Haas, Alaina Hartley & Candace Hickey, Cherelle Montanye – Chief Administrative Officer of PeaceHealth St John Medical Center and Patricia J. Peterson & Stephen Jones as Event Chairs and the Event Committee: Charity Albright, Susan Barnes, Paula Biwer, Karen Boehm, Maila Cadd, Janice Carter, Jackie Evans, Sharon Gibb, Sr. Anne Hayes, Arleen Hubble, Ila Huster, Julie Kendall, Pauline Kirchner, Savan Kong, Sue Lane, Cal Lantz, Beth Laufer, Angie Leppert, Colleen Macaulay, Kathleen McCool & Katee Snair.

And we would like to thank all of the sponsors that help make this event happen:
Patricia J Peterson, MD & Stephen Jones, Don & Clara Lemmons, The Kirchner Foundation, Bill & Karen Boehm, Eric & Amy Brudi, Evans-Kelly Family Foundation, C’s Photography, The Gallery of Diamonds, Tom & Arleen Hubble, Verona Lynam, The Montanye/Triggs Family, Doug & Kathryn Stafford, PKA Architects, WestRock Co., Mark & Beth Laufer, Kathleen McCool & Kevin Williquette, Adult Care Placement, Tom Branch & Kim Hodgkinson, Bill & Judie Wilson, Roger & Judy Allen, Gary & Paulene Mellema, Quest Diagnostics, Ann Wright, Samuel & Linda Baird, Bill & Cathy Bakkamus, Dan Evans & Sharon Bergman, David & Veronika Minthorn,  Dr. Mark & Karen Thorson, Tom & Susan Barnes, Richard & Mary McCool, Warren & Marybeth Tyler, Dennis Webber & Kris McElory-Webber

And of course, every person who came to the ‘Star of Wonder’ Gala to support St John Foundation and your community! #fundraising #gala #stjohnfoundation

Outdoor Summer Special

This is the perfect special for anyone that needs to update that family photo!
This session will take place at Lake Sacajawea. You can’t afford to miss out!
Packages start out at $139.
This includes | session | digital images | prints.
Session lasts approximately 20 minutes.
This photo special may be used for immediate family, couples or individuals.

Limited sessions available through August ONLY

You know the summer is coming to a close when the Cowlitz Black Bears season ends. The Black Bears finished the season with a record of 20 wins and 34 losses, finishing in third for the second year in a row.  Next season will be the Black Bears 10th Anniversary. We can’t wait to see them play again next season…..only have 289 days left till their next game!

The Cowlitz Black Bears is an amateur baseball team located in Longview, Washington. They play in the West Coast League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The league comprises teams from Canada, Oregon, and Washington. Cowlitz calls David Story Field on the campus of Lower Columbia College home. As the official photographers for the Black Bears we always enjoy creating their commemorative team photo and Trader Cards for fan night appreciation give-aways. As a semi-pro team these players come from all over the United States to play the game they love through the summer for our enjoyment.  It’s an amazing addition to our community for families and sports fans to enjoy during our lovely summer months.   We can’t wait to photograph them next year!