A photographer's touch

MOSES LAKE — Trisha Bass helps the public see Moses Lake from a new angle.

From the air or on the ground, outdoors or indoors, Bass captures the city with the eyes of a photographer.

A real estate agent with RE/MAX in Moses Lake, Bass is a photographer on the side with a knack for taking pictures. In place of formal training, she has years of experience.

Through word-of-mouth, she has built a reputation for wedding, graduation and family photography. One of her photos landed in a Washington State University magazine. A second photo is on the cover of a local author's book.

"It's always been on the side," Bass said. "That's my hobby/passion kind of thing."

Bass took wedding pictures for both her daughters and anticipates taking her son's wedding pictures when it comes time for his big day.

Daughter Aurora Hafer of Kennewick said when she got married in October, she wouldn't have it any other way.

"She's excellent," Hafer said. "She's the best, and when I got married, I wanted it to be the best."

When she was younger, Hafer went along with her mom to take pictures of other people's weddings. Instead of digital photos, her mother was using film. She brought along a black and white, and a color camera and would switch between them.

"She always seems to know what would look best that way," Hafer said.

When Hafer graduated from high school, her mother took her senior portraits as well.

Bass has boxes of photographs from her years of taking pictures, Hafer said. One that sticks out in Hafer's mind is a snapshot of a lion mid-yawn.

"It was the craziest picture," Hafer said. "She definitely knows when to click."

By far, the bulk of Bass's photos are taken for real estate. She indicated her photography skills are an asset to her success as an agent.

"That old saying of 'a picture speaks louder than words.' So when you're selling houses, it's definitely an advantage," Bass said.

Once, Bass sold a home exclusively through pictures, the buyer never stopping by to look inside before purchasing it.

More than anything else, Bass enjoys taking photos of children and babies. She prefers natural, unposed photography.

Younger people don't need the time adults need to become comfortable with a photo shoot, she noted.

"They're already natural," she said. "They're already relaxed."