A couple of weeks ago I asked a friend and colleague if she would photograph my cat, Boo and I, in that I missed the party at her studio. And these are my favorites. I just ordered enlargements of them and they will be here hanging in my office should you stop by.
Thank you Amy Zellmer for your patience with my fussy cat!
Final 4 party is tomorrow. The basement is finished, just waiting on a couple of prints to arrive today.
Got word from Canon yesterday that my old work horse, Canon 10D, is repaired, cleaned and on it's way. I still love that camera! It's a fabulous back up camera and vacation camera...I seriously love it. And "no." I'm not going to marry it. ;)
I was on call for NILMDTS yesterday. As soon as I got my sister's foils in her hair I got a call to go to the U of M Children's. I was able to finish Anne and wait for the call from Carin in Famiy Care for a more definitive time frame. I was also able to arrange for a "shadow" to join me. A shadow is someone that wants to work with NILMDTS but perhaps is not certain that this is something that they can do. This way they can come along, observe and make the determination before getting on the national call list as a full fledged affiliate.
This is a very, tough thing, as you can imagine. This isn't for everyone or every photographer. NILMDTS, after 3 years, is making their selection process more defined. They are seeking professionals with skills that perhaps that most hobbyists don't possess.
I thank each and everyone of you that support me in my efforts to serve these families. I feel that this has become my life's most important work. Not to make less of MOMF because that has become quite it's own little engine that could in a short time too. They are just so very different. I wouldn't ever attempt to compare. Both foundations serve families with devastation. My camera and I can somehow bridge gaps for these folks and aid in healing. I love that.
Today I will meet with a family at, what has become know as, "My Hilton". A family with a little girl enduring a struggle with cancer will check in, with her family for a weekend of fun, shopping, exploring, swimming, playing. A respite, a break, a departure from her new "normal". All compliments of the Airport Hilton and the MOMF!
Later I will meet up with Jenn Malone & Pedro Diaz of Bella Pictures. Jenn is in town to shoot with me tomorrow and Pedro is here shooting a wedding in Eden Prairie tomorrow as well. So the 3 of us are going to meet up at Jenn's hotel and swap stories and talk shop! Can't wait!
As many of you know, Boo goes mental every morning. The instant he's done waking me up and after a quick cuddle, he BOLTS! He flies off the bed, onto the floor, down the hallway and into his own world. We just started saying..."It's crazy Monday, Tuesday etc...It's fun to wake up laughing everyday!
I had the honor of spending the day and most of the evening with Bob & Dawn Davis (la Storia). They came to Minnesota to lecture on "Master Your Craft" for my local photographer's group, TCPPA. I've been following Bob and his work and passions for a little over 2 years and I'm so wowed by the both of them. Bob is the ever sharing, ever professional photographer and Dawn, Bob's wife, is the ever sharing, ever friendly photo editing wizz. What a fabulous combo. I know it's not easy to work along side a spouse so KUDOS to you both for becoming your own sort of dynamic duo!
Some of us hit Jake's (Eden Prairie) and had a bump & a bite before they headed off for the night. Today they will be at GraphiStudios talking some more but unfortunately my schedule wouldn't allow for me to attend that so I'll have to hang my hopes on meeting up with them in Chicago someday soon...in the meantime, there's always FACEBOOK! Thank you so much Bob & Dawn for taking the time out of your CRAZY schedule to come and see us!
So this is the Starkey Hearing Foundation's SUPER WEEK! Events starting tomorrow and will run right up to the main event, the Gala, at St. Paul's River Center on Saturday night. This is going to be an awesome week!
Heather Lombardo has agreed to come along and be a part of the festivities this week as is Jason Stenvold. I hope they have as much fun as I do!
Today, lots of hair and then perhaps one of my last "official" PUG meetings.
I'm solidifying a deal with Urban Ventures here in Minneapolis to work with them on some designs for future media and publicity images...that's cool! Thanks to Jacquie Boyer, my great friend & neighbor who also happens to be a board member at UV and hooked me up! Their big deal is later this fall. And while I don't want to wish the summer away, they are awaiting a response from Bill and Melinda Gates to come and be the speakers so they can firm up a date.
Let's see, what else, My next wedding is on the 21st and the bride & groom, Jennifer & Michael, are flying in from Massachusetts next week. Jennifer is originally from here but they are living and working out east. She is in her residency phase.
Gary and I sat outside last night....it was gorgeous and a perfect night for a fire, some wine and great conversation.
Good to talk to Dean (Gary's dad), down in Arizona too!
Boo had his procedure this morning and did terrific! He'll stay there tonight too and then I'll pick him up mid morning tomorrow. Poor fella.
Anne & Pete had some fish delivered today for their 120 gallon salt water tank. The first batch of many. I went over to watch and took some shots of the tank. They got 2 clown fish... "nemo" fish...sooo darn cute. A crab, a star fish, some snails and some live coral...very cool.
Gary's got men's league golf today...it's not very nice out...60, cloudy and a bit drizzly at times..yuck.
I finally got my shootsac cover delivered that I won last month...I just love it (SPLENDID is the one I had them send out)! Thanks Vu Bui for holding my hand through the process! And Thanks Jessica Claire with Shootsac for selecting me as a winner!
Oh, my sister and I hit all the garage sales in her neighborhood, I was looking for some props...I found this really great toboggan. It feels like it could snow so I thought, why not..it was only 5 bucks and it is in fabulous shape...an LLBean. Nice. I'd like to take Owen & Reese's photos on it this winter!!
Well, keep praying that the rain holds off for Saturday for Amber & John...We'd all appreciate it!
One last thing...I had a visitor yesterday, her name is Molly. She's a Shi-tzu...a very BIG girl too!
I had the best day yesterday. Well, one of the best. At least the weather is beginning to take note of the calendar! For Pete's sake, it's nearly June already and the Crab Apple trees are just now in full bloom! GORGEOUS!!! (how about painting that, Lois!)
Boo-wanting to get at the yellow finch!
So, I go and meet Jason & Stacey and their 2 little darlings for family session yesterday. Had a great time. Here's a couple of my absolute favorites...I just love the "real life" in the two shots below.
Jason's boots stand alone because he is standing behind me trying to get Ian & Lauren to engage the camera...not happenin'!
Lauren's sparkling shoes looked so great against the dandelions (Lauren calls them "mysteries"...so cute).
Thanks for lunch Thon family!!
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On to Kathryn's 7th Birthday Tea Party!
OMG! I love to photograph kids....I love to photograph food...what better assignment than to be invited to cover a little girls tea party!
Oh, and I love Kathryn. She calls me Aunt Sue.
Happy Birthday Kathryn! We'll do your Birthday photos very soon!
Today will mark my 4th annual event with my buddy, Jim Werdin and his Access Insurance Agency. He puts together a day of Fun, Family, Baseball, Food, Silent Auction and a Live Auction to throw out the first pitch to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to the Miracles of Mitch Foundation! Great people, great cause!
Last night I finally got to say hello to Sandy (Sam) Puc' (pronounced "puch"). Heather Lombardo and I recruited photographers all evening from all over the country. It was amazing and I was so proud to be a part of such a fabulous organization representing a priceless, selfless gift.
Sam's presentation was flawless (aside from the sound issue which they corrected). She and her team worked fast and furious to set up & deliver some crazy great ideas, marketing, posing, equipment, props...it was all perfect! My mind never wandered and altho' I was in the front row (with Jason Thon & Heather...I saved us great seats!), this went until after 11 and with little breaks. It was easily one of my top 5 photo lectures I've ever attended. Seriously!
I have a new friend in my life and her name is Sam Puc'.
As many of you twincitians know, we had rain of biblical proportions yesterday. UNbelievable, really. I'm certain that the lake levels are up and there are rivers where streams used to be this morning. Yesterday was hideous, painful and yes, soggy. I wore my bright yellow wellies all day with my jeans tucked in and I got stopped everywhere I went! "great boots!"..."I LOVE your boots!" It was my way of taking a dreadfully yucky day by the throat and making it a little brighter....for everyone!
Today I get to meet Sandy (Sam) Puc'. She is the photographer that started Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 3 years ago. She is in town for her "Bellies & Babies" tour and will be at the Airport Hilton (I just call it "my Hilton" now!) from 5-11 tonight. I can't wait to meet her!
Heather called me last night to see if I would join her in the NILMDTS booth at the show tonight so I will be in the booth to answer questions and encourage other photographers to sign on as affiliates here in Minnesota. I'll go in and get a seat up front and then head to the booth until Sam's program starts and then I'll head out during the breaks too. I love the organization, I love Heather, I can't wait to meet Sam, I love the Hilton.... I'm just going to be filled with JOY tonight surrounded by fabulous folks!!
Shocker, it's supposed to be nice tomorrow and I'll be inside at the Metrodome for a Twins baseball game! AARRGG!
So, I had a very long day yesterday. A travel day. NWA lost my luggage and I hung around O'Hare Int'l for about 3 hours. Hit the Hilton for lunch while I waited for the next flight from Minneapolis to come in....no bag. So I called Megan, she came to get me and we made arrangements for them to send the bag out when it arrived. The gal behind the bar at the Hilton said her bag went to Puerto Rico once...hmmm, wonder if it had fun?! We hit Chicago and ran around and chased the light!
From the 95th floor of the Hancock building to the Billy Goat burger joint under Michigan Ave..."No Pepsi, Coke!"
We just had the best time... some of the shots that Megan took, I'll get from her later.
My bag arrived at about 9:30 last night. We sat on the stoop and talked until it arrived. Thank you Northwest Airlines!!
We're going to head out for a late breakfast. And then, who knows. The seminar/lecture is this evening so we'll just play a bit today.
Here's some shots from yesterday.
Megan's cute brownstone...
Sawyer (or "the bear" as he is affectionately called)
Healy (She's the princess of this castle!)
The view from atop the Hancock building's 95th floor!
Megan's other job....well, not jumping but she works for the trib!
I was so impressed with Victor Sizemore. He flew to town from SoCal to speak at my TCPPA meeting last night.
As usual, I plopped down in the front row and listened to him talk about how he got started and what he's done to get where he is now...and quite successfully, I must add.
I won a CD of "Totally Rad" actions for being the only one in attendance that uses a Mark III...lucky me! I'm going to have fun with those! (Victor shoot with a Canon Mark 3)..Oh, the value on the actions $149! Altho' I feel it's priceless!
It was really great to meet him and when he asked if anyone had any questions, I raised my hand and said.."I'm wondering if you will need another person with a Mark 3 to go along with you in August to shoot the wedding in Tokyo?! ;) Victor said..."Ya never know!" hmmmmm..I say, "kanpai!" I HAD to ask!!
Thanks Victor, for coming out and enlightening our group of local photographers! And for the record, I'll pay my way to LA for the August Tokyo wedding! :)
How many of you know what "Twitter" is? I didn't think so. It's another time waster, really and it seems to be taking off. I've added my "twitter" to this blog on the right hand side. It's a way for everyone to know what I am doing NOW. I haven't decided if I will actually connect it to my iPhone yet, but I'll let you know. For now, I'm just sort of playing with it.
Meeting Jason Thon for lunch in a bit so I can't blog long.
Not just for me, but I have noticed that many photographers are electing to make changes of their own. Logos, colors, sites, blogs all of it. I feel the need for change from time to time and feel a little silly but as an artist I almost feel it necessary. As a person, I know it's necessary.
Never fear change. Change is energizing. Without change, who would we be? Without change, relationships would go stale, new colors of each season could not emerge, we might lose ourselves in sameness. Boring. Not good.
Congratulations Jason & Stacey of Staja! Congratulations Jessica Claire! Congrats even to Lauren for inviting change in for consideration about a new career!
Do what you love. Love what you do! Go for it! Take the leap! Give those dreams life! God's there....Why do you think we always say "Chin up!" hmm, I just made that up! :)
I'll admit, it's been about 6 years since I have been skiing. Gary and I used to make the trek out to Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek & A Basin each winter to enjoy some "real" mountains. We always had a great time! Turns out, I'm a darn good skier! Once I get in a groove, there's no stopping me!
Here's a shot of Gary and I at the back bowls at Keystone in Colorado.
Today Pete and I are taking Ben, Emily & Amanda skiing over at Highland Hills. Ben is a seasoned snow boarder and for Emily & Amanda, this will be their first ski experience. We all leave for Mexico in a couple of weeks, we'd all better take it easy! We'll be good Anne!
I bought a big package for the kids for Christmas and we thought we'd better try to make it out some- time soon so, today is the day!
Here's some shots of Dr. Joanna Perkins and her boys Nick & Alex. I met them over the lunch break at the Airport Hilton. The MOMF was holding a retreat there and this was as good a time as any to start taking the board member portraits. 3 down, 10 to go!
Thanks Jason Stenvold for coming along and lending your backgrounds. These are great!
Well, I'd better get a move on if I want to get these boots cleaned up....I hope my ski pants fit!! :]
.....(Hey, Bob Davis sent me a valentine yesterday! Okay, not really. BUT I did receive his DVD that I ordered a short time ago. Haven't sat down to view it yet...I know, TOTALLY not me...it's just that my vacation deadline is drawing near and I want my desktop clean when I leave. It'll be like coming home to a clean house! :)
I'll report on it when I get the opportunity to take a look at it. I'm really excited to sit down and be inspired! Maybe I'll reformat it and load it on my iPhone and watch it on the plane!
Have I mentioned lately how much I love my iPhone?).....
***************************************************** Now on to some fresh material...
Big day yesterday. **Finished Amanda & Marks images....YAY! **Went to the Hilton to photograph 2 Minnesota Miracle cancer families checking in. **On my way home from that my iPhone (that I love!) froze up on me and got all hot from being on so I stopped at the Apple store at the MOA and the Genius Bar wait was like TWO HOURS! So I kept on my way and went to Southdale's Apple store and they fixed it in a nano second!
**Lastly, on my way home from Southdale I got a call from Heather. I was her last and only hope to take a session up at North Memorial Hospital in Robinsdale. So I whipped around and met the most wonderful family. I met them in the Chapel where they were having a visitation with friends and family. They lost twin boys at about 24 weeks. There was an awful lot of love in that tiny hospital chapel. Then I followed the mom & dad to their room where I photographed the sweet twins....
need I ask for you to take a moment and pray for this family and their devastating loss??? Thank you!
I'll be heading to Mike & Kindra's to photograph Reese in a minute and then back to the Hilton to take some MOMF board member family photos then it out for a night on the town with Gary, my brother, Tim and his wife Laurie..dinner & comedy. I think I need that! ;)
Love to all far and near, Come tomorrow morning, I'll meet 'cha back here! (hu, I just made that up. I'm a poet and I..... naaaa, I wont' go there.
Today I woke up to the sound of plows. First from one direction, then the other. Not my favorite way to wake up, I must say. However, once I got to the kitchen there were 2 Valentines and a big Ghiradelli Chocolate bar (72%..my favorite!) on the counter! It's not just for breakfast anymore! ;)
Not wanting to brush the cards aside, I opened them first!
Here's the one from Gary....
Nice sentiment...NOT our anniversary tho'. Gary said, "WHAT!?? I even had my glasses on!" I love you any way honey!
And here's one from the Cats!
The inside reads "...and we might even come when you call us next time...love, the cats"
Thanks Hobie & Katie for thinking of me! :)
So I decided rather last minute to attend a lecture/seminar by a fella named Bruce Hudson from C@L (that's Seattle!). It was entitled New Directions/Reality Check Tour. Anyway, it was a packed room and much was covered. From marketing, finding the right clients and how to make certain that all the consumers with the new technology don't take anything away from us. The new technology is great, don't get me wrong. But what you do with it sets us apart. It's about relationships and rapport. It's about composition and light. It's about understanding the needs of the client and delivering.
So many new photographers offer CDs to their clients. Bruce tells us that those are NOT our clients. These are OUR images and we should protect them.
I tell people that this is my profession, not my hobby. I want to provide quality, long lasting, heirloom images that people are proud to display.
I resolve to welcome those looking for family portraits every 5 years, I want to capture a precious babies entire 1st year, I want to show the world how important even Kindergarten Graduation is and how beautiful our teens are as they prepare to head off to college. Weddings, oh my God, Weddings...I hate to even get started with Wedding Photography. I think I'll post an entry another day about that.
These are all perfect times for us to be sure that our clients recognize that these images are priceless...even before someone dies.
Bottom line here, folks, is...Do I want people to seek me out because I'm a good deal? No. I pray that I can develop relationships with people. I want to be the person that they think of first when something special is about to happen. I've been doing it for more that a quarter century with hair, so I know a little bit about rapport. (Thanks to all the generous people that have stuck by me all these years!).
Wow! Sorry for the rambling soap box....that was not my intension. But, now you know how I really feel!
Here's Bruce (left) and his son, NOT drawing my name!
Dave Johnson of National Camera...Hi Dave! Thanks for all the great deals!!
Here's Chad, the bartender at the new Hilton in Bloomington off France & 494. Bruce came in the bar, I was there really early (traffic did NOT suck for once) and he insisted on picking up the tab for my Cabernet! Thanks Bruce, GREAT show! A fabulous way to spend5 hours!! :) And congrats on the new house, enjoy your week off!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Eat just a tiny bit of chocolate today.
