Where to start. Well, lets start with a few thoughts, sorry they are late but here they are.
As with every April, we all face the tax filing deadline, some of us are excited we get a refund, and some of us are not so excited, we get to pay. I'm one of the later. Every year I dread the process, and it really isn't that painful, it just puts my state of mind into a less than favorable position. That being said, I had great thoughts of posting a Tax Day Special. Now it is April 21st and not the usual April 15th deadline but I'm still in April. ☺
What I would like to present to you are a few areas where those of you who did get a refund might consider sharing some your refund money. I'm going to list a few of my favorite organizations, those near and dear to my heart and I ask you to also check them out and consider making a donation. It may just make you feel good......... Now lets talk about double dipping, here is what I'm going to do. If you do make a donation to any of these charities, send me a note, and what I'm going to do is give you a credit for some amazing images captured by me. That is an incredible Tax Day Special, if I say so myself. The organization gets a piece of the action and you get an awesome reward for doing it. WIN-WIN.
Here is a list of three. You will need to show me that you donated, just saying you donated isn't going to cut it, talk the talk and walk the walk.........
1) NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP - I am one of the affiliated professional photographers serving families in Colorado. Information is available through www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
2) THE CLOUD FOUNDATION - Dedicated to the preservation of wild horses on our public lands, and the protection of Cloud's herd in the Arrowhead Mountains of Montana. Information is available through http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/
3) Wags & Menace Foundation - Seek to provide medical treatment for sick animals in Colorado, to fund organizations and activities that benefit animals, and to inspire, teach and motivate other individuals and organizations to achieve similar objectives. Information is available at http://www.wagsandmenace.org/
I will close with some profound thoughts that I'm borrowing from some pretty incredible people, enjoy and keep seeing the light.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you;
That is the principal difference between a dog and a man….." Mark Twain
"In the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
"Scars remind us where we’ve been, but they don’t have to dictate where we are going."
"Learn as if you would live forever, live as if you would die tomorrow." - Mahatma Gandhi
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April Showers Bring "SNOW"
Good April Morning everyone. As I woke this morning to snow on the ground following some soft rain I poured my cup of coffee and started to think, how can I, one person, make a difference? I continued to have this early morning conversation with myself, I reminded myself of the many things I do to make a difference and thought why not share.
Through the past few days, I had the honor of meeting some very special families, through Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, where I am a volunteer affiliated professional photographer. I also met another photographer from Colorado who specializes in weddings and wants to "make a difference" and become a photographer for NILMDTS. I reminded myself of the incredible generosity the gift we give to these families with these priceless portraits of their angels. I also reminded myself of the amazing words I've received from these families who I have served and thank God that I have a gift to give. Not every photographer will become an affiliated photographer with this organization; it is not a reflection of the honors on their walls, or the initials after their names or the awards they have received. My point in saying this is simple, if someone wants to be part of giving this type of gift, it does have a price, and you must commit to participate, commit to take the call, and commit to sit and wait, commit to give without any expectation of return. You must walk the walk and not just talk the talk and most of all be a part, not just pretend to be a part and market yourself as a piece of this amazing group, but take actions to commit to this amazing group. Not every photographer should think they should become an affiliated photographer to add to their every growing Professional Business or because they heard "The best Photographer in the world" is part of this group, so they should be part of this too. It's about giving silently, without branding, you are representing a group not yourself, you are a part of an elite group of photographers who give this special gift to these families suffering loss. There is a time to build your business, there is a time to be about "YOU", and this time giving to these families as part of this group is NOT that time. I honestly believe in paying it forward and in working with this group, I feel truly blessed and honored to be affiliated.
I also work with other photographers, from the aspiring hobbyist to the ever successful professional with all levels of coaching and networking. My personal opinion on "helping" my fellow photographers become better at their craft is hard to explain other than, helping them become better and more successful, I also become better and more successful and in the end the industry of Professional Photography is represented by true professionals who have professional level skills and a passion for their craft keeping the integrity of professional photography at the superior level. I remind myself of the way too often comments I hear about "what camera, what lens, what software, blah, blah, blah, blah....." Do you think Michael Angelo was defeated by the tools he had, NO, he used what he knew and that is the first point in perfecting your craft. Know what you have, don't go bankrupt yourself with the latest and greatest in gear so everyone can see you have this or work with that. Believe me, the industry is not stopping with this latest purchase you have made, by the time you get home with that new tool, the company is already well on their way of making the next "latest and greatest" new tool. For many years, I was an exclusive "Film" photographer; I have an amazing collection of film gear. I shoot 99% digital with the occasional film moment. Now I am not for a moment saying that a professional photographer shouldn't have professional gear. Key word, Professional; if you are a professional, are marketing yourself as a professional, you must back yourself up as a professional, don't just say you are part of a professional organization, apply for the membership, pay the price of membership, continue your education and be the honest professional. Many hobbyist take great pictures and the availability of some pretty good equipment at an affordable price is there too, the difference includes education and affiliations. Like the person who has the library of medical text books and a solid understanding of medicine doesn't make them a doctor. On that same note, do you think doctors don't work with other doctors, of course they do and this is also true with professional photographers. Know the difference between the professional and the self professed expert.
Housekeeping items to mention as I close this post:
Senior Reps for Katherine Payne Photographers for the Class of 2011 are being finalized, so if you want to be one of my personal reps, contact me, the perks are priceless.
The International Charity Model Search to benefit NILMDTS is in the final judging stages. The winner of this campaign will be announced in 17 days.
The Denver Help Portrait Group is actively working on the foundation of this year's Help Portrait Event in December, so if you want to be part of this pretty cool event, check us out, contact me personally and I'll direct you to our website and welcome any and all areas of participation, not just photographers.
My Spring special has not been released yet, look for it around the 15th of April, so stay tuned.
As always, thank YOU. YOU are a large part of why I do what I do.
Through the past few days, I had the honor of meeting some very special families, through Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, where I am a volunteer affiliated professional photographer. I also met another photographer from Colorado who specializes in weddings and wants to "make a difference" and become a photographer for NILMDTS. I reminded myself of the incredible generosity the gift we give to these families with these priceless portraits of their angels. I also reminded myself of the amazing words I've received from these families who I have served and thank God that I have a gift to give. Not every photographer will become an affiliated photographer with this organization; it is not a reflection of the honors on their walls, or the initials after their names or the awards they have received. My point in saying this is simple, if someone wants to be part of giving this type of gift, it does have a price, and you must commit to participate, commit to take the call, and commit to sit and wait, commit to give without any expectation of return. You must walk the walk and not just talk the talk and most of all be a part, not just pretend to be a part and market yourself as a piece of this amazing group, but take actions to commit to this amazing group. Not every photographer should think they should become an affiliated photographer to add to their every growing Professional Business or because they heard "The best Photographer in the world" is part of this group, so they should be part of this too. It's about giving silently, without branding, you are representing a group not yourself, you are a part of an elite group of photographers who give this special gift to these families suffering loss. There is a time to build your business, there is a time to be about "YOU", and this time giving to these families as part of this group is NOT that time. I honestly believe in paying it forward and in working with this group, I feel truly blessed and honored to be affiliated.
I also work with other photographers, from the aspiring hobbyist to the ever successful professional with all levels of coaching and networking. My personal opinion on "helping" my fellow photographers become better at their craft is hard to explain other than, helping them become better and more successful, I also become better and more successful and in the end the industry of Professional Photography is represented by true professionals who have professional level skills and a passion for their craft keeping the integrity of professional photography at the superior level. I remind myself of the way too often comments I hear about "what camera, what lens, what software, blah, blah, blah, blah....." Do you think Michael Angelo was defeated by the tools he had, NO, he used what he knew and that is the first point in perfecting your craft. Know what you have, don't go bankrupt yourself with the latest and greatest in gear so everyone can see you have this or work with that. Believe me, the industry is not stopping with this latest purchase you have made, by the time you get home with that new tool, the company is already well on their way of making the next "latest and greatest" new tool. For many years, I was an exclusive "Film" photographer; I have an amazing collection of film gear. I shoot 99% digital with the occasional film moment. Now I am not for a moment saying that a professional photographer shouldn't have professional gear. Key word, Professional; if you are a professional, are marketing yourself as a professional, you must back yourself up as a professional, don't just say you are part of a professional organization, apply for the membership, pay the price of membership, continue your education and be the honest professional. Many hobbyist take great pictures and the availability of some pretty good equipment at an affordable price is there too, the difference includes education and affiliations. Like the person who has the library of medical text books and a solid understanding of medicine doesn't make them a doctor. On that same note, do you think doctors don't work with other doctors, of course they do and this is also true with professional photographers. Know the difference between the professional and the self professed expert.
Housekeeping items to mention as I close this post:
Senior Reps for Katherine Payne Photographers for the Class of 2011 are being finalized, so if you want to be one of my personal reps, contact me, the perks are priceless.
The International Charity Model Search to benefit NILMDTS is in the final judging stages. The winner of this campaign will be announced in 17 days.
The Denver Help Portrait Group is actively working on the foundation of this year's Help Portrait Event in December, so if you want to be part of this pretty cool event, check us out, contact me personally and I'll direct you to our website and welcome any and all areas of participation, not just photographers.
My Spring special has not been released yet, look for it around the 15th of April, so stay tuned.
As always, thank YOU. YOU are a large part of why I do what I do.
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