Saturday, January 21, 2012

Inspiration – Jay Eads

Posted in INSPIRATION

I will start off by saying that as I write this post… I wish I were an amazing writer.

I want to do something a little different this year with the web site. I.N.S.P.I.R.A.T.I.O.N. There are so many amazing people that inspire me. They make me want to be a better person, try a little harder and challenge me to learn a little more. You know these people the second you meet them. They draw you in and stay in your heart forever.

My January inspiration is Jay Eads, someone whom I have never met in person. Jay grabbed me right away and not with his photography. His photography is amazing and I will get to that part later. I am not really sure how I originally found him but I am thankful I did. I remember reading his Formspring and feeling very connected. He is so open, honest and kind. Personally and professionally. The personal bits resonate with me the most. We all have struggles and many of us (like me) keep them hidden from the world. When I hear someone speak so -for lack of a better phrase- matter of factly, I am immediately drawn in. It just makes a thirty-something girl from Tacoma feel like she is not alone in the world.

His photography – when I view his images I feel like I should just stop and put my camera in storage forever. Just quit now… because I will never be there.  Please know that I am not saying this in an “I am so depressed” kind of way. I say it in a “he is just that good” kind of way. Seriously, he is amazing and his images are captivating. The emotion. The mystery. The beauty. The lighting. The raw talent.

See for yourself and check him out here: www.jayeads.com

I need to prevent myself from getting super EMO. So, I will stop now. Thank you, Jay.  You do more than you know for this thirty-something from Tacoma.

A post is always better with a photo. So, here is a photo by Jay that is just ridiculously beautiful.

Posted in INSPIRATION

by ttodd

2 comments

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clcase - January 21, 2012 - 7:46 pm

Cool photo!

jay.eads - January 24, 2012 - 4:27 pm

tonya… i’m not really sure where to even start with this response. to be honest, i have had this page open on my browser for 3 days, thinking about how to say thank you.

first off, i’d rather get the compliments on me as a person than the ones about my work, so this post is especially meaningful. i do life and business the only way i know how to.. or rather, the only way i am willing to do it.

i want to hide my struggles from the world, too. for some ridiculous reason, i am compelled to share and make myself vulnerable in the hopes that someone else will find encouragement. i mean, really, everyone feels like they are all alone in SOMETHING and it it just. not. true. 99% of what i say probably goes nowhere, but of 1% of the people who read my blog or formspring find some help or comfort, i find that completely worth my own nervous discomfort bearing my difficulties and sharing my experiences. i want to communicate. sometimes i communicate through pictures, sometimes words, and hopefully… if i am really on my game, my actions line up as well. a life of congruence.

peace out, homegirl.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Portrait Special – January 2012

Posted in Portraits

Just as I promised.  Drum roll, please………

I am offering a Portrait special between now and March 31, 2012.

I am not sure if you noticed that my normal pricing structure has changed.  My rates started at $300 for portraits and included a KOLO album, disc of images and an online gallery.  Unfortunately, KOLO has discontinued the album that I love and I just feel lost.  In my business I focus a lot on presentation.  Clicking through images on a disc or online gallery does not compare to beautiful prints arranged in an album.  Also, I want to provide something to display in your home.  Let’s be honest, most of us never print images from our digital files, INCLUDING ME!  For this reason, I love to provide this service.

I have not been able to track down an alternative to my beloved Kolo Luxury Vineyard YET.  However, I have scoured every retail and e-commerce store to find any stragglers without luck.

When I find a new album to offer I will modify the pricing structure again.  My goal is to find one soon. Until then… I am offering a special for $125.  The session includes:

- 45 minutes to 1 hour session in Pierce County

- an online password protected gallery

- a disc of high resolution images

- $25 print credit

This special is intended for families (Mom, dad and kids) – Engagements – Seniors – Babies – Pregnancy.  Session must be booked by March 31, 2012.  Please contact me for further clarification, if needed.

And, because posts are always better with a photo.  Here is Luca.  My wonderful friend, Anna, offered me her disc to copy when she heard of my loss.  I love this rug!  He looks like he is floating in a cloud of spaghetti noodles :0)

Thank you, Anna!

Posted in Portraits
Saturday, December 31, 2011

A clean slate for 2012…. literally.

Posted in Personal

I learned a very valuable lesson this year… back up your work.  Back it up obsessively.  Me in a “it will never happen to me” state has lost everything due to a corrupted hard drive.  I mean EVERYTHING.  Client images, personal images…. the works.  It is sad how we rely so heavily on technology.  It can be quite devastating when technology fails us.  Mind you….. I.  Love.  Technology!  I love my new iMac, my smart phone, Quicken, online shoe shopping, Google images, Facebook, the world wide web and it’s never ending information.  I will be storing my work remotely in 2012 via Amazon Cloud.

I have thrown out the white flag of surrender.  I am over the pain of it all and looking for a positive spin.  My positive spin is that I can start fresh.  A fresh start is exactly what I need.  Over the past year I have let photography fall to the waist side.  I want to bring it back to the front burner.  I want to allow more time for education and honing in on my style. I got a new iMac from Santa and within just a few days of playing around I feel my quality of life has taken a huge leap forward. Bye Bye PC. Hello Apple.  I could not be happier:-)

Finally, I need to rebuild my portfolio.  Look for a special coming very soon!

Enjoy my latest session with my 2 favorite ladies on the planet.

Happy New Year!

If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative. - Woody Allen -

Posted in Personal

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