A long time ago I tweeted a quote I found that I simply love. It's an old Swedish proverb and unlike so many things that never translated during my Hasselblad years, this one does fine in just about any language!
"Those who wish to sing, always find a song." I'm thinking about all the photographers, so many of us consider great artists. For most of them, while a specific image or something to do with their skill set might have hooked us to begin with, our attraction is to their personalities. It's their passion, attitude and optimism that draws us in. We're an industry often caught in the "perfect storm" between changes in technology, consumer trends, and the economy. We need more photographers to find their "song". There isn't room to list everybody whose work I love and attitude I respect, but I wanted to highlight three artists, just to make the point.
I just picked three people out of my head at random to get you thinking about how you look at the career path you've chosen. I'm not suggesting Kevin, Tony and Michele don't have bad days. However, their priority to be the very best they can be is constant. It never changes, no matter what they're doing. So, if you're waking up with anything but a smile on your face, maybe it's time just to step back and think about what's missing in your life. What's the missing ingredient in your professional or personal life you need to help you raise the bar? As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. Happy Friday everybody! Wishing all of you a terrific weekend and one filled with nothing but moments that make you smile and your heart beat just a little faster!
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When Bryan Caporicci and Rob Nowell contacted me last year about their idea for Weekend Wisdom, I had no idea how much fun these would be to do. Or, for that matter, how much I'd learn in the process. Every podcast has been a kick to do, but it's the quality of the content that's been the most fun. Unlike previous podcasts I've done over the years, the idea with Weekend Wisdom is to try and stay on one topic and then just drill it down as much as we can to give you information to help you build a stronger business. This new podcast was a tough one to stay focused on just one topic. Yet, when I listened to it, we managed to get you some great advice from half of one of the industry's strongest couples, Taylor Cincotta. When I first met Taylor several years ago she was introduced to me as "Sal's wife". We all know how we tend to stereotype spouses, as being "behind the scenes". Well, over the years as I've gotten to know Taylor and worked with her, while being Sal's wife/his better half is one of her many roles, she's become an outstanding educator, manager, writer and artist in her own right. In this new podcast, Taylor and I talk about the challenges of a diversified business, establishing priorities and developing well defined responsibilities. Plus, there's a very special added bonus in this podcast, working with your spouse. Taylor's very open about the challenges and the way their relationship has developed into a full partnership with everything they work on. Engagement images by Taylor Cincotta. All rights reserved.
Three to four times a year I share a post featuring Melody Beattie's work. There are usually two motivating factors. First, I like a lot of what she writes and believe everybody needs to feed their brain and soul with something other than the challenges of their business every day. Second, she's written some spot-on pieces about issues we all face, not just in business but life. (Click on the cover to the left if you want to find out more about her books.) Then, there's a third. It's my birthday and this morning I really wanted to find something to write about that went beyond the topics of business and marketing. I've spoken to so many photographers lately who seem obsessed with fear. They're spending so much time worrying about what could go wrong that they almost miss what's going right! I posted a quote this week on Twitter that fits... "The hardest arithmetic for us to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." Eric Hoffer This morning's Melody Beattie piece was all about fear, and it seems so appropriate to share it. "It's time to stop punishing ourselves. Time to stop beating ourselves over the head with fear. This is the scenario. A fear enters our mind. Our mind takes it and runs with it. Something bad is going to happen. Something terrible and traumatic is on the way. We quickly review the traumas of our past and make the determinations: Yes, it is very possible that this devastating event will happen. So we sit crouched in the present moment full of fear and dread. We worry that the worst that could possibly happen, probably will. We begin to believe that it is most likely waiting at our doorstep, ready to pounce on us and steal our joy, our peace, our place and rhythm in the universe. Because we have harbored the fear so intensely, it has already manifested itself. The thing we fear doesn't need to happen, it already has - or it might well have - because we are already forcing ourselves to live through it. Yes, many awful things have happened to you and me that we are very sorry happened. But that doesn't mean that we have to give up the beauty of the present moment to something that hasn't happened yet. Even if it does happen sometime in the future, by harboring the fear we will have lived through it twice as long as we need to. Recognize and acknowledge your fear. Then release it. Let go of the energy. Stop punishing yourself. While life's seasons may not always be fair, they are trustworthy. And within each day, each moment of each season, there is a way of peace and joy. Do not allow fear of what if to ruin the joy of what is. And, one more thought... If I've learned nothing else in my life and especially all my years in this industry, it's that everything always works out for the better. Even the mistakes over the years eventually contribute to a stronger path and direction! Wishing everybody a terrific day and one without even the smallest fears or worries! With Memorial Day yesterday, like many of you, I didn't follow my normal routine and enjoyed the day with good friends. However, just because it's Tuesday, doesn't mean I can't stay with my weekly Marketing Monday theme! Following the general outline from my program at this year's ShutterFest, I want to stay unplugged, and let's talk about your website! This is the third component in the Unplugged series. In today's market, your website is the equivalent of a bricks and mortar business ten years ago. It's your storefront and for many consumers, their first introduction to who you are and what you're offering. Here are some key points, so you don't disappoint them!
You can't be in business today without a website, but you need to make it an experience. In the same way people like shopping at a particular department store, it's up to you to decide if you want to be Nordstroms or Kmart! Like a lot of Sunday mornings, I woke up with something on my mind and went looking for a quote that seemed to fit. Under "Rules to Live By" in a great little book called, Age Doesn't Matter Unless You're a Cheese, I found a stellar quote to help me make the point. Click on the cover on the left if you'd like to read more or just buy the book for your own library. It's loaded with great quotes and is just one of those little books that makes the perfect gift for the right person. "If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!" Winston Churchill Here's the important point I want to pile drive home...STOP WASTING TIME!
We all do it, some far more than others. We procrastinate on everything. We hold off on things we know in our hearts are right as if we're about to spend our last emotional dollar instead of investing it. Life isn't the New York Stock Exchange, and you're not trading on the floor with a bunch of stockbrokers. You're trading on the floor of your life and all the while the clock is ticking. I think that's why I can't sleep past 7:00 am any longer. I'm getting older and just don't want to waste any time. That doesn't mean I won't sit and daydream about an idea I have - just that I don't want to zone out and miss opportunities to chase down another new experience. Stop wasting time and get over all of life's little and sometimes big injustices. It's simply life and the only one you've got. Stop wasting time by waiting to boost your skill set; trying a new marketing idea or changing your technique. Stop wasting time holding off telling a friend they're special to you. Even closer to home, work to find forgiveness for those people in your life who just have it wrong. Stop worrying about what they think of your decisions, because the only one who owns them is you! The bottom line is time is your most valuable commodity, and you'll never get it back. Don't wait to tell somebody you care about them. Don't hold back from trying something you've always wanted to do. Take some risks and invest your time in things to help you raise the bar on your life and your business. I'm going to be one year older this week, and there is a point where you realize your mortality. Except for creaking in the morning for ten minutes when I get up, I honestly don't feel older and according to Sheila, I don't act it. LOL But, I look in the mirror and can't help but wonder, where in the world did all the years go, along with my dark hair! I just don't want to waste a minute of my time! It's Sunday morning of a holiday weekend, and I wish you a weekend filled with a terrific utilization of your time. Make your hugs last at least eleven seconds. Use the day to create smiles, including the one on your face. Use your time wisely and tell those people closest to you how important they are. Most important of all, use today to appreciate your life - it's the only one you've got. Make it incredible. As photographers and business owners, we're all looking for confirmation that we're on the right track, done a great job, exceeded client expectations, etc. For all of you as artists, it means so much when a client says more than just "thanks".
I wanted to share this comment to yesterday's post of Sherry Hagerman's Profoto B2 images. It was written by the subject's mother. Just the fact that she took the time to write in a public forum says a lot about her experience with her photographer. This is my baby and I'm so happy I found Sherry to take her photos she is such an amazing person and has helped me in everything!!!! She is so talented I mean the best! So creative and so patient !!! We had so much fun and my baby looks gorgeous, these photos are amazing!!!! I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures !!! Sherry is absolutely amazing! I'm so so excited!!! Ahhhhhh!!! Lol 💜 Laura Barajas I had the hardest time with the title for this very short post this morning because the topic is so all-inclusive of the kind of feedback we're all working towards. It's about recognition, confirmation and represents one of those isolated moments when you have to be simply proud of what you chose for a career. This just might be one of the truest elements of success you can receive. Wishing everybody a terrific Friday and a Memorial Day weekend loaded with family, friends and the people you love most in your life. Most important of all, wishing you a weekend of smiles and confirmation you're on the right track with whatever you're doing. It's high school and this is pretty much where photography started for me. That's me in the bottom left at Riverside High School in Painesville, Ohio, where I grew up. Although, according to Sheila, I haven't grown up yet, so maybe it was just a time when I was supposed to be maturing. Don't mean to offend anyone, but what cracks me up the most is that we all needed to grow into our ears!
This was the Photo-Service Club. What I can't figure out is the headline. "Is the Public Good" makes no sense. It was a great little group. The school had a small darkroom, a few cameras, mostly twin-lens Rolleiflex, a couple of studio lights, and we had the freedom to shoot pretty much anything that seemed of interest. The fun of Throwback Thursday is always the same - it's that trip down Memory Lane. It was a simpler time and so much less complicated than thinking about what kids deal with today. So, have you done your TBT trip down Memory Lane yet this morning? We're all focused on the importance of looking forward rather than back. In fact, we're taught not to look at the past very often with statements like "you can never go back". Well, now and then it's not a bad exercise to take an hour and think through your past choices. It's good to get a little retrospective as long as the effort is creating some positive directions rather than regret. The difference is thinking about what you "would" have done as opposed to what you "should" have done. Looking back gives you a chance to recognize how far you've come. Taking some time to examine your past actions gives you a chance to think about what you learned and apply the knowledge to your future choices. It was a quote from John Huston that got me thinking about this. In his quote, he hits primarily on things he'd choose to do differently in his personal life, but I'm suggesting it applies to ANY of the key decisions you've made. As a grandfather, I'm entitled to a few words of advice to the young, based upon my long and unvarying experience as a transgressor. I can sum them up with these answers to the oft-repeated question, "What would you do or not do if you had it all to do over again?" I would spend more time with my children. I would make my money before I spent it. I would learn the joys of wine instead of hard liquor. I would not smoke cigarettes when I had pneumonia. I would not marry the fifth time. May is my sixth anniversary of starting Marketing Essentials International, a consulting company that became the umbrella for a series of different projects I had always wanted to do. Early on was Skip's Summer School, The Akron Photo Series, Ghostrighters, GoingPro (co-authored with Scott Bourne) and two blogs laying the groundwork for what would become SkipCohenUniversity.
In my own situation, there are things I could have done differently, but, for the most part, there's little I'd change. My biggest "look-back" moments come with things involving social media. I would have paid more attention to what the "next big thing" was going to be. I would have been more active in social media sooner and understood the parameters of reach better using Facebook and Twitter. Now I'm trying to understand the reach of Google+ better along with Pinterest, Instagram and the list goes on and on. Also on the list, I would have become a Mac guy sooner! Then comes a list of personal issues, which we all have. In my case, everything has a foundation in simply bad communication, but even with bad decisions, they still have some very distinct "Aha" moments and lay a foundation for the future. My point is an easy one this morning - take the time just to examine the things you're doing today and use the past to understand why. Manage your business and life with a positive outlook on the future and use things you could have done better in the past as learning steps towards a more solid tomorrow. Most important of all, give yourself a giant pat on the back. You're here today working to be a success in something you're passionate about and as long as you're waking up with a smile, you're on the right track! Every now and then I think about the collection of indignant hockey pucks (trust me - I cleaned it up) in our industry who act like their opinions are the only ones that matter! Here's the scenario that's got me going on the topic this morning.
Facebook Wedding Photographers has grown to almost 23,000 members and up until recently only had two administrators, Chris Fawkes from Australia and me. Chris and I have become good friends since he asked me to help three years ago when the forum was at 2500 members. Recently we brought in two more administrators, good pals, Steffi Smith and Brian Malloy. Well, the topic of discussion last week became the need to take a harder stand with members whose parents never taught them to play nice! Yeah, it's that simple. So, we set some ground rules, and we're simply showing people the door when they can't be civil. We pinned a post announcing our new stand and in just two days it had almost 800 likes and continues to grow in readership and comments. This morning's post is a combination of things:
I know the problem we've had isn't unique to online forums. We're an industry that faces so many different challenges because of the economy, trends and technology. If we work together, there's no reason we can't make the world a better place - one wedding at a time! Note: I found the illustration above when looking for something to make the point about people who bully their way through one forum conversation after another. I hadn't heard the word "netiquette" before, but it's perfect for describing what the rules of engagement should be in so many different forums.
It's Marketing Monday, and I want to continue with my theme from ShutterFest. While many of you will think this is more for photographers just starting out, you might be a veteran, but heading in a new direction and needing to log in more hours working on a particular technique.
It's too bad that photographers aren't required to log in hours on the job, just like somebody working on their pilot's license and needing to spend a certain amount of time in the air! Just think how much we could raise the quality of so many different artists if they had to practice more before they were allowed to go public. Nothing trumps experience as a professional photographer, and I compare it a lot to my experience over the years scuba diving. The more time I spent in the water and the more people I dove with, the better my skill set became. Here are some ideas to help you log in more hours:
The only source of experience is knowledge.
Albert Einstein It's a typical Sunday morning. Sheila's asleep, Molly the Wonder Dog is at my feet and as usual I can't sleep past 7:30. I've given up trying to figure out how my brain works and why I wake up out of a sound sleep with such random topics on my mind. I get a great little magazine called "The Week" and there's a section called Only in America. Over the last few months, I read the story of a teacher who didn't allow a pre-school student to eat the Oreos her mother packed in her lunch. The teacher decided they weren't nutritional and sent a note home to the mother. Then there was the student who was sent home because a kid sneezed in class, and she said, "Bless you." Last, there was the volunteer at a voting site during the last election who was removed because each time somebody turned in their completed ballot she said, "Thank you for voting, God bless you." Every week there's a new Only in America story that leaves me shaking my head. Well, this morning while I know it's taboo to talk about God in a blog, it just seems right. Sheila and I spend a lot of time talking about God. Even though we grew up in totally different environments, we're not that far apart. So, at the risk of losing a few readers, I found a quote from Mother Teresa that I just enjoyed so much. We need to find God, and he can't be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature --trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon , and the sun, see how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls. Wishing all of you an amazing Sunday and the rest of the weekend. Take the time to just silently watch the people you love. Cherish the silence and the pure joy of knowing they're the reason that life's so incredible. And as always, give somebody special an eleven second hug...trust me, don't make it shorter!
I started to write this last week but never got back to it...
I'm sitting here with two phone lines on speaker phone. One is waiting for the rocket scientists at Quick Books. The message said a four- minute wait, but I'm going on ten. The other is with PNC Bank; I've got a simple customer service question, and that line is at twenty-five minutes. I know I'm lost in the black hole of telecommunications. Since I've got other things to do, the phones are just sitting while I'm working. I'm curious to see how long it's going to take. So, here's the point to my rant this morning:
This post this morning is short, and I guess not-so-sweet on this gorgeous Saturday morning in Florida. I just wanted to plant the seed for you to think about the level of service you're trying to provide. Wishing everybody a terrific weekend. If you're a wedding or event photographer and you're working today - wishing you nothing but "wow" moments and images that make your clients beg for more!
Lately in my life there have been a few challenges making me realize at times I can be a total drama queen. I act as if every little thing that goes wrong is going to sink the ship. The harder I work, the more sensitive I become to different things. The truth is: we've all been built to be pretty resilient. As usual this is why I love reading Melody Beattie's work, and I'm going to share another one of her thoughts this morning... "The time for heaviness is past - heaviness of body, mind, spirit and heart. That heaviness many of us felt was part of a time now gone. It's time to lighten up. "He was a different person," she said, "Cheerful. Happy. Fun to be around. Things that used to bother him no longer did." The woman was talking about her husband of only three years. She had dated him for a long time. Then after nearly dying of a heart attack, he was changed, transformed. They married and had the best three years of their lives before he died. Those years were possible because he had learned to enjoy life, learned the value of love. We don't have to wait to open our hearts and enjoy life. We don't have to wait to lighten up. We can do that now. We know that we can trust, that we can journey through each stage of our lives with open hearts, loving and living freely. Let go of heaviness. Seek that which is light. Gravitate toward joy. Your soul and body will lead you, if only you will listen. Walk lightly. Speak and laugh lightly, as much as possible. Go lightly along the way." I know there are those of you who hate this stuff and will email me, telling me to stick with marketing and business. Guess what, this is ALL about marketing and business. I know from my perspective, I'm a work in progress, and I have good days and bad days and just roll with them. I also know I'd have less bad days if I'd stop acting like every bump in the road was a mountain to climb. I also know a lot has to do with spending too much time working...we all get absorbed and sucked into being independent business owners. We're often on our way to crashing and burning. Instead of slowing down, we work even harder when in reality you're only one person, and there's only so much you can do. So, it's Friday, and even if you're shooting the biggest wedding of your life over the weekend, you'll still have time to appreciate life. And, if you need a little help, I highly recommend any of Melody Beattie's books. Here's the one this piece came from today. Just click on it to read more and see her other books. Make it a great weekend everybody. Take the time to hug your spouse, a friend and yourself. Appreciate the fact that no matter where you are in your career there's nobody else who can do things the way you do. A few weeks ago I ran a group image, thanks to Alan Carlin, from WPPI 2004. I know most of you never figured out who the woman was in the middle of the shot on the left, next to Eddie Tapp. Here's the link to the original post if you want a larger image to view. Well, in that same album of images from 2004, I found these two gems of one of the industry's most favorite educators, Michele Celentano. Here's the thing, at least for me and any of you who might have been at her program then, that makes this so much fun...Michele hasn't lost one ounce of enthusiasm for teaching and sharing, right up to her most recent workshop. If you've followed her Facebook Learning Group, blog or attended any of her workshops over the last year, her level of passion for helping photographers raise the bar on their images has never slowed down. In fact, on anything she does she never slows down! Throwback Thursday always has the same purpose - to get you to look at some of your own throwbacks. As photographers you spend so much time capturing memories for your clients, but what about your own? Over the last few months I've had a few conversations with photographers who were so frustrated with their business, they were thinking about quitting and just going on to another career. Every business goes through highs and lows and sometimes you do need to completely change your marketing strategy, but that's all part of being in business. If photography for you is just a job, then quitting and doing something different might be exactly what you need to do in order to be happy. What I hate most is hearing about somebody giving up their dream to be a professional photographer. There's a big difference between walking away from a job and giving up your dream. I found this quote from Bob Parsons of Digital Entrepreneur. When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think. There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed." No reason to drag this post out this morning...here's my point. If you're struggling and frustrated because the business just isn't coming together fast enough, then step away from it for a day. Maybe you just need a short break.
There isn't a single artist in our industry who at some point in their career hasn't questioned their direction. Remember, you're not alone, because we've all been there. Never let go of your dreams!
The fun of Weekend Wisdom so often goes beyond topics to help you raise the bar on your own journey. It's often about catching up with old friends who are artists I met early on, some times in both their careers and my own.
I first met Howard and his wife Beverly Ornstein in 1993, back in my Hasselblad days. just after he published his second book “Seeing Red." Over the years we'd catch up every so often at a convention, usually in New York. I didn't realize how out of touch I was with what Howard's been up until we talked just a few days before this podcast. I was on book ten or twelve, only to learn he'd published twenty books over the last twenty-five years, prior to his newest two volume set. Time definitely flies when you're having a good time!
Click on any image in the categories below to see more of Howard's images and more of his portfolio.
His creativity and reputation for never compromising on the quality of anything he takes on is incredible, but it’s his passion for the craft that I've always enjoy the most. As I wandered through his site looking for images to add to this post, I found the video below. It does a far better job than I could ever do of sharing the work of one of the greatest contemporary artists in our industry...and also one of the nicest!
Grab a coffee, enjoy the podcast above and then enjoy the images Howard and Beverly share in the composite video below of Howard's twenty-five year journey. For more information on "Schatz Images: 25 Years" just click on the cover to the right. Howard Schatz needs to be on your radar...To find out more about his books and any new projects he might be working on follow him at the Schatz - Ornsteain Studio. It's just a click away.
Most important of all - practice, practice, practice...mix it up now and then. Learn lighting, composition, exposure and then change something in the mix every time you've got a camera in your hand.
Years ago, back in the film days, Tony Corbell told me to always save the last frame to do something completely different, regardless of what I was shooting. If you've ever taken a class with Tony then you know he's stayed true to that standard - he's always experimenting and looking for new ways to create the ultimate image. Just remember, being an artist is a never-ending journey in education. You never stop learning and as Don Blair once said, when asked, "What's the best image you've ever created?" He answered, "I don't know I haven't taken it yet!" He was probably about 74 at the time! We're just a month short of two years since we lost my mother to Alzheimer's. It's a horrible disease, robbing families of their loved ones a little bit at a time. Even though I know she's in a better place, it doesn't change the fact that I miss her. However, this isn't a sad post this morning, but a celebration of so many wonderful memories. These images were all taken by Bambi Cantrell, during a portrait sitting with Mom and Dad at and around their home in Sarasota. It was 2008 and we were in the early stages of Alzheimer's. For the next five years Mom would never lose her ability to be a lady and always a class act. So many of you forget the value of your images to your subjects. These are some of our family's most favorite images of Mom and Dad. My mother and I wasted a lot of time over the years not getting along as well as I wish we had, but I look at the last three years we had with her and I'm so grateful we made the move to Sarasota. There were moments of brilliance, when the Alzheimer's would take time off, and Mom's personality would come shining through. Before and even during Alzheimer's, if there was one thing Mom always prided herself on, it was being a lady. She always wanted to look nice; was never without her earrings and always had a polite quality in the tone of her voice and anything she spoke about. In fact, over the years, no matter how angry she was about something, she'd never swear. There were no "bad" words in her vocabulary except pasta e fagioli, usually pronounced "Pasta fazool". She was convinced it was swearing in Italian. I was probably about thirty when I pulled out a recipe to show her the expression meant soup! It made no difference, these were her words and they applied to everything that didn't go as planned. I remember walking into her hospice room the morning before she passed away and saying, "Gee, you look great today!" Her answer was simply, "Why shouldn't I?" Always a lady. In fact, that morning, Molly the Wonder Dog and I just sat by the side of her bed and here and there she'd talk about something and then disappear. She'd always been afraid of dogs, but Molly somehow had therapeutic value and was a member of her family. She used to look at Molly and say, "What a beautiful Jewish dog!" The comment still makes me laugh. It was a very special morning. The family hadn't arrived and it was just me, Molly and Mom. I got the time to say all the things I wanted and know Mom heard them all. So, on this Mother's Day in 2015 I wish all of you Moms out there nothing but the most wonderful day. I wish moment after moment of joy and love with your family and friends and most of all, time to simply appreciate everything you've done with and for your family. You're making the world a better place, one family at a time. And to my own Mom, who I know is watching over us. I like to think you're hanging out today with Don and Donna Blair, Monte Zucker, Mike Bowen, Chuck Gutierrez, Arnold Crane, Bengt Forssbaeck and Dean Collins - Don't believe a single story they tell you! Mom, I miss your smile, the twinkle you'd get when Dad came into the room, your laugh and so many wonderful moments and memories. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss you, but cherish all the times we had together. "Mother's hold their children's hands for awhile, but their hearts forever." Anonymous
Just a few days before WPPI, Photodex and SCU announced a terrific little contest, the Search for the Ultimate Self-Promotional Video. This week, because there are still so many artists who have asked about the contest and claim to be working on their video, we decided to extend the deadline to the end of the month.
Here's the point to the contest and what I especially love about it... A self-promotional piece is your chance to show your heart, your skill set and share your passion with your target audience. It's an opportunity for you to show your work with still images and your personality on video. We've got three terrific judges involved in the contest and two companies, Photodex and SCU who absolutely believe in all of your abilities. But, it doesn't stop there, check out the companies responsible for the components of the grand prize.
Check out this short self-promotional video from Kristen Jensen. It took her less than two minutes to tell her story. Pay attention to the way Kristen tells you about Kristen Jensen Photography, the images she's shared, the camera angles, even the music. She's taken the best of everything about working with her and incorporated it into her message.
How are you going to tell your story? Okay, I admit it, some times I'm a little over the top as a dog owner, but Molly the Wonder Dog has always occupied a pretty special place in my life. These images are around 2008 and were taken by Bambi Cantrell. Everything she did to manipulate the shot is all thanks to her creativity, but the stupidity of the kid cart for Molly was all mine. Living in southern California and on the west side of L.A. there are endless miles of bike paths, one of them all along the beach. It was too long and often too hot for Molly to run along with me if I was going out for a ride. So, living in Playa Vista, right across from the beach, I'd load Molly in the cart and head off down the bike path. For riding more on the street I added a flag and even road to work at the Rangefinder office with her on a few occasions. What used to crack me up, along with an endless stream of honking drivers on the highway was me and Molly out for a ride. With the big orange flag, not pictured here, I looked a lot like that one old guy that tags along riding next to the marching band in the Memorial Day parade in every small town in America. All I needed were the pinwheels and American flags on the handlebars and I would have locked in the role! Meanwhile, it's Throwback Thursday and these image really take me back to Molly's early days. She was a little over two years old here and in September she's going to be ten. What a kick old images are and what great memories they bring back. So what old images have you pulled out of your stash for Throwback Thursday? |
Our Partners"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
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