Hi everyone! It’s February! And Blush is welcoming our new brides to the 2012 Maine wedding season. This is my 12th year shooting weddings!  I opened my first business (leaving my short-lived but fabulously-fun career as a newspaper photographer behind in Phoenix) at just 24.  I moved with Brian for his career in photojournalism to Washington state. We made the leap across country yet again in 2006 for Brian’s job to our now forever-home, Portland, Maine. We love it here! Blush was born in 2006. Now 35, I’ve shot over 350 weddings.  And I still love the job! Blush ticks along happily with great brides and their awesome families with the help of  my hardworking, Maine wedding vendor friends. It is not a bad life.

We are almost full for 2012, but have  few dates still up for grabs. Contact me at beth@blushimagery.com for more info. And we will reserve your 2013 dates now.

For 2012 clients, welcome letters have gone out with agenda and information forms to have done before our agenda meeting together— about a month before your event. We have a great season ahead.Follow along by bookmarking the blog and following us on Facebook: @portlandmaineweddingphotographer.

I shot my first 2012 wedding last Saturday and it was such a great time. (That blog is coming shorty…Jessica and Mike’s gorgeous Portland, Maine winter wedding to look forward to next week!

Maggie at 2 when we moved into the Portland studio.

Maggie at Gilsland Farm on a hike with Brian…. 6 moths old.

Maggie sick of the holiday party – year # 1 – at 3 years old.

holiday party

Music by: One Republic, Good Life.

www.maineweddingguide.com/ideas/article/new-year-new-you-essay-competition

Maine Wedding Company members, all wedding vendor friends, brides, buds, business pals…. you’re all invited to the big holiday party again downtown! If you’ve never been, Brian and I throw a fabulous, fun party to kickoff the holidays, blow off some steam and give thanks for another incredible year. We have so much fun and would love to see all of you! We put a theme to this party… last year was Winter White. This year … drum roll please…it’s Little Black Dress. Obviously, black dress or not, we really just want your company. So come as you are! This is upclass, never uptight—per usual with us! We simply request two cans of food that we will deliver to the food banks. All our welcome. Pass it on and bring friends!

Please RSVP to beth@blushimagery.com or facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179978088755990

Vendor Growth:

Our members are now over 67 strong, filling all our wedding categories.

Members have contributed an amazing 1,144 blog posts about Maine weddings — hundreds of  posts of true Maine wedding stories.

72 expert articles were released this year from MWC writers and members.

The MWC has over 7, 760 pieces of  indexed web content for the Maine wedding industry including expert articles, photos, quick tips and vendor profiles. (Blogs are not indexed content.)

2011 Benchmarks: 

MWC successfully completes BETA testing

MWC adds SEO team to position website and starts ad campaigns

MWC moves from page 26 to page 1 on Google for search term Maine wedding

MWC moves from page 36 to page 1 on Google for search term Maine wedding venue

MWC installs a lead generator to help MWC vendors receive better couple leads

MWC produces new advertiser’s kit 

MWC contracts first sales manager

Major MWC release will be announced at The MWC Little Black Dress Holiday Party on Dec. 1 and you’re invited!

Maine Wedding Company is hosting a family BBQ Monday August 22 at Ft. Williams State Park! All wedding vendors who serve Maine are welcome. Members will receive invites this week via mail. Any other vendor can RSVP by August 19 online by info@maineweddingguide.com or at the Facebook event page …. http://www.facebook.com/MaineWeddingCompany#!/event.php?eid=256828451011615

Invitations by : Papier Gourmet

Check out her Maine portraits, click here.

The best part about living a photography life is the random joy, adventure and faces you might just encounter on any given day. I love the random circumstances that a camera and now our Portland studio space invites. It keeps life interesting! Happy Thursday!

To post: http://www.loveandlobster.com/2011/local-tips-and-trends/maine-wedding-company/

Love and Lobster

Happy March Maine Photographers!

It’s almost Spring and clients will be coming! Time to brush up on those lighting skills! Join PUG on Wednesday, March 16th at 7pm at Beth’s Blush Imagery Photo Studio, 28 Maple Street, 3rd Floor, Portland, Maine. 207-899-5585. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Location lighting guru Brian Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Photo will lead a full tutorial on balancing multiple lights and modifiers in the studio and on-location. Bring your camera, if you want to shoot along. Plus, a membership to the Maine Wedding Company for a year (a $275 value) will be given away as a door prize so bring your biz card! Open to all photographers.

RSVP: beth@blushimagery.com

Brian reviews Maine and New Hampshire wedding photographer Andrew Davis‘s portfolio. (Super great guy! Glad to meet ya this morning!)

Each 1 hour session includes:

30 minutes review with Beth of Blush Imagery an award-winning photojournalist and wedding photographer for over 10 years. Beth will look at portfolios for branding, marketing success, and consumer connection.

30 minutes review with Brian of Fitzgerald Photo, an award-winning photojournalist, commercial photographer and former photo editor for the Seattle Times Co. Bri will concentrate on redundancy, technical skills and order of presentation.

Online portfolios are fine. It’s a good idea to bring optional portfolio images so we can suggest adding, deleting images as needed. Reviews will be done here at the downtown studio: Blush Imagery, 28 Maple Street, 3rd Floor, Portland, ME 04101.

100% of all money raised will go straight to Preble Street. Join us to help people in need right now during this cold Maine winter.

Reminder  Tomorrow’s MWC Meeting 5:30 PM

Blush Imagery Studio, 28 Maple Street, 3rd floor, Portland, Maine 04101
(above Portland Pie Company, downtown -  park free in dirt lot to left of the PPC building)

Original Invite:
January 25th :  Maine Wedding Company :  For all wedding vendors  :  5:30 pm at Blush Imagery Studio : Learn the true brilliance behind the new MWC website, our short and long term plans and how the site works for our clients— Maine wedding vendors. A $275.00 membership will be given away! (Already a member? Come learn best practices to increase your visibility.) Event is free and open to all but limited, so you to info@maineweddingguide.com.

Enjoy the neutral gray til then! Thanks! Beth

January 8 & 9 2011

Sat 6 pm‑9 pm Sunday 11 am ‑ 3 pm

21th Annual Portland Bridal Show
Holiday Inn By the Bay
88 Spring Street, Portland, ME

Don’t miss the continuous fashions and our live runway fashion show Saturday night, presented by Bill and Bobs Bridal. Visit www.billandbobsbridal.com for a preview. Enter for a chance to win a $1000 Wedding Dress of your choice! Compliments of Bill and Bobs Bridal. Come taste the food and join in on the festivities. Visit and shop with over 100 local and national vendors. Saturday Night 6-9pm Lover’s Night, Free admission for Grooms, but all are welcome. Come Early the First 100 Brides-to-be receive a one year subscription to Modern Bride and a Free Real Maine Weddings Magazine. Don’t miss the continuous fashions,food,and festivities. Be sure and attend our Bridal Boot Camps! Learn from the experts! A wedding planer, a photographer, a skin and health care, and a florist specialist! Be sure to enter the $100,000 dream wedding contest when you attend one of our upcoming Bridal Expos. For more information, click on the Official Blog of the Maine Wedding Association and Enter To Win A $100,000 Wedding blog.maineweddingassociation.com Imagine winning a $100,000 dream wedding in coastal Maine – including the reception, wedding dress, tuxedos, rings, photography and honeymoon. It’s not a dream! One lucky couple will win this fabulous dream wedding. Hourly Door prizes. Find all you need to make that special day perfect under one roof! Hourly Door prizes. Find all you need to make that special day perfect under one roof! ($10 Admission at the door.) If you buy the tickets for Saturday, they are good for the weekend!

January 8th & 9th :  Maine Wedding Show  :  For brides, wedding vendors  :   Portland, Maine  :   Info here :  Stop by the Blush booth on the top floor, middle row for great specials this year. Event is $10 at door.

January 10th :  Maine Photographers Coalition  :  For all photographers  :  Info here :  Tim and Chris Riley of Riley Photographic to give a Lightroom Workshop  :  Cost $10  :  At Stacey Kane’s Studio, Scarborough.

January 19th :  Pictage User Group  (PUG)  :  For all photographers   :  7pm  :  Blush Imagery Studio (Emilie of emilie inc. is on maternity leave, so I will sub temporarily)  :  Program- Gismo and Gadget Share :  Info Here :   Free.

January 25th :  Maine Wedding Company :  For all wedding vendors  :  5:30 pm at Blush Imagery Studio : Learn the true brilliance behind the new MWC website, our short and long term plans and how the site works for our clients— Maine wedding vendors. A $275.00 membership will be given away! (Already a member? Come learn best practices to increase your visibility.) Event is free and open to all but limited, so you must RSVP here.

January 28th – Feb 1st  : Maine Professional Photographers Association  :   Annual Convention  :  Lewiston, Maine  :  Info Here.

Brian and I feel very fortunate for all of our business, photography, wedding and personal friends. You guys are so amazing. Things just keep getting better and better for our little family in Maine. Thanks you for all your support.

Here are some happy snaps. It’s funny… you’ll see the very start of the night and the very end, but not much in between when we got busy!  Enjoy … we sure did. And FYI, a shop vac and about 9 hefty bags is all it took to clean the studio of all the snow!

Click images for all the photos:

We will continue to update you on the MWC’s progress at the Maine Wedding Company, on the MWC Facebook Page and on the MWC Twitter. You can check us out there.  For now this blog is being handed back over to my Blush clients and I am headed to sleep, if only but for a few hours.

Without further ado…. introducing (trumpets and such) The Maine Wedding Company website! Enjoy! (click logo)

11.15.10 Testers are going online today! We will have a launch date in the next coming days. Last chance to buy a year-long listing for just $100. We will stop this offer this Wednesday. Normal rates apply on launch. Info and payment links below if you want to get on the site now. Thank you for all the support of vendors so far!

Just real quick…. I wanted to publicly answer some of the great questions that we received from vendors this past month:

Question: Will the MWC create a magazine?
Beth: Nope. No plans.

Question: Will the MWC start bridal shows?
Beth: Nope. No plans.

Question: Will the MWC expand regionally, nationally.
Beth: No. The MWC website will remain a Maine-specific product. Always.

Question: Are vendors from other states allowed on the site?
Beth: Yes, vendors who serve Maine may list, even if they are not physically located in Maine. MWC Articles and gallery content must be of Maine weddings or works created for or about weddings.

Question: What is Blush Imagery’s (and Beth Fitzgerald’s) role on the MWC site?
Beth: I am the overseeing editor for this website. However, MWC staff will be in charge of the day-to-day operations. I am not leaving photography or Blush Imagery. Blush Imagery will have a normal ‘photographer vendor’ listing BUT will not have a feature vendor ad. Blush will fill content holes and pictures, only as needed …. With a max of one of anything (photo, picture story) per quarter. Any expert text, articles or quick tips written by the MWC staff will ONLY be credited to the MWC never to myself or my company, Blush. With so much talent coming on to this website, Blush will not need to publish content. The MWC site will stand on its own legs. The job of the MWC is to work hard for our readers, vendor members and our advertisers.

Question:Will MWC host networking events and workshops?
Beth: Yes, during 2011 the MWC will host 4 workshop/educational events and 4 networking/social events. These events will be free to members but will be a cost to non-members.

Question:Will MWC have a newsletter?
Beth: Yes, a newsletter for vendors called, “The Company Report,” will publish quarterly starting in 2011.

Question:Will MWC limit the amount of vendors in any one vendor category? (“Photographers”  has been the biggest concern.)
Beth: No. Vendor profiles and summaries randomly rotate within the directory AND are randomly spotlighted within content spotlight boxes. A bride can also search the directory by service area too. For now, we are not capping any number of vendors on the website. Our thought is that if we have a busy vendor category…. great images, blogs and expert articles will draw more traffic to the more-involved, more-skilled vendor profiles— but still allows newer vendors a chance to list and compete. For established vendors, your profile images and articles and content should give you a great footing on this websites simply because you come with that Maine knowledge.

Question:What if I don’t want to write articles?
Beth: On the MWC site, content comes in all forms. First, your listing acts as great content alone. Just fill out your biz info. Stop there if you want. Or next, do you twitter, facebook or blog? Great. All of that work is used as content on the MWC site. No extra work for a vendor there! You work hard enough right? Let us take that social media content and make it work harder for you. Feel ambitious? Submit, a picture or video. Or do you actually have a little something to say? Submit Quick Tip— a 30-45 word, piece of advice for brides about the wedding industry. That’s a simple link! (I can tell you 100 photo tips just off the top pf my head!) And last articles, 500-700 words on a wedding topic. That’s like, 5 or 6 paragraphs. Did I mention that our system allows you to submit any article, photo, video, blog, social media via upload right there in your private vendor login. (PS– it’s super fast too.) Want the real spotlight treatment: Send us a Maine wedding story. Brides devour these!

Question:What is the short term SEO strategy for the site?
Beth: The first thing you’ll notice is that the Maine Wedding Company is actually built on www.maineweddingguide.com. It is a premier domain we built on for a great SEO start. Also, this is a highly optimized website that will be full of images, content and galleries— and all of you vendors! We have a national advertising effort running at launch too to get things on the right foot. We are confident the site will rise to the top of Google in the “Maine wedding” keywords arena very, very quickly. Our goal is to get you all booked!

Question: What is the long term SEO strategy for the site?
Beth: This is a lengthy, and very technical answer that reveals the total brilliance of the reinvestment strategy of the MWC website. I am extremely proud of this strategy and have been working on this part for over 2 years. We are excited to share this plan at the “Meet & Greet” meeting with existing and interested vendors after the site launches. TBD… possibly Monday Nov. 22nd at the Blush studio at 6 pm…. or shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. TBD.

Question: How do you intend to involve brides into the site?
Beth: Phase One of the MWC website is about content and vendors. We offer brides Maine wedding stories, blogs, news, articles, photos, tips with MWC’s gorgeous design. In Phase Two, we are adding a sophisticated set of online planning tools to the site for brides. For now, brides can submit a Maine wedding story for consideration.

Keep your questions coming and I’ll be happy to answer more! info@maineweddingcompany.com

*********************************

11.01.10 Update I can hardly handle it! We’re so close now. The Forge team (left) is hard at work now designing and programming our last Maine Wedding Company pieces. They’ve estimated our launch between Nov. 15 – 25 … feels like a big time gap — but in the world of web, it’s not. It’s a complex website. Meanwhile, we have writers turning in stories, testing vendors turning in Q&A’s, ads being built and vendors signing up. Non-stop crazy!

The promo deal of $100 for the year to try us out is still on! The deadline was Nov. 5th. but I’m extending that up until our launch day. Rate card download and pay button below still. Thank you so so much for all of you who have already signed up! (Once we launch, we will have regular pricing… so get it while the gettin’s good.)

10.25.10 Update A hardy ‘thank you’ for those already signing up! Awesome response Maine! (Vendor info PDF and payment link below!)

The most asked question about the new Maine Wedding Company website from our wedding vendors: What will my vendor profile look like? Just a sneak a the vendor listing! Here is a ‘mockup’ (we’re adjusting this slightly due to tester feedback… but you get the idea) of what vendor’s can expect  from their directory listing:

• Vendor Photo, Business Logo, Business Description
• Phone, Email, Website and Social Media Contacts
• Portfolio/ Sample Photos (or product pictures for profile)
• MWC Gallery Photos, Multimedia & Expert Articles Contributed By Vendor
• Vendor’s Recent Business Tweets & Vendor’s Business Blog Posts

10.20.10 Update:It’s been an exciting last month planning the Maine Wedding Company’s final details! We are set to launch the website in November. It’s going to be awesome! We put together a basic media kit for our wedding vendors … and for our fearless wedding colleagues we have put a fantastic, one-time, first-year special when you pre-register for the MWC site by November 5, 2010. Read over the PDF download linked below. You’ll learn the details and the ‘Phase One’ features of the MWC website there. If you have questions, simply email us at info@maineweddingcompany.com. I’ve put a link to pre-register for the special here and your listing will start at the launch of the site!  The entire MWC team thanks you for your consideration!

DOWNLOAD OUR PDF HERE: VENDOR INFO

When you sign up by Nov. 5, 2010!

Directory Listing (1 year) $99.99 Listing Plus Vendor Ad (1 year) $299.99

For starters, I am wrapping up albums and holiday orders from 2010 clients. I’m now booking new 2011 clients.Yeah!

Of course, I have another company launching in just days, The Maine Wedding Company— an online guide to all-things-Maine-weddings. (More about that huge endeavor tomorrow. Surprised people have asked this … but no, I am not leaving or closing Blush to run Maine Wedding Company. No way! I will oversee as editor, but I have a whole team of talent in place to take on the daily work of this massive effort.)

December starts with a bang. Thursday Dec. 9th 5-8pm, which means til midnight, is the studio holiday party. Invites out in about a week! All are welcome again. Sweet! This year’s theme is Winter White. And despite the fact that our tab was ridiculous last year, we will have open bar and catering again. And maybe more …

January brings Maine Bridal Show here in Portland— a fun time to catch up with vendor friends. Phase II of the Maine Wedding Company website begins as well. And very exciting for me…. we will completely redo the Blush Imagery website for a more modern look.

In February, I hope to go back to Boston for the Inspire workshop and then off to Vegas  in March for the WPPI extravaganza and trade show. By April, I am shooting engagement sessions, dealing with 2011 brides and fielding calls about 2012 …. and so it begins again.

In between is time for Maggie and Brian, personal friends who have been neglected through the wedding season and the house repairs that were put off. I also hope to snow-shoe a lot! Who knows, maybe I’ll even take one whole week off.

Phew!

In the coming weeks, I will be submitting our Blush Imagery photography work to several local and national bridal publications. If we can use your story and our photos, just submit a 500 (at least) word description of your wedding, preferably written in first person. I want your thoughts! Include a description of your event with the background story of you and your groom. Include the wedding date and wedding location. Also, tell us how it felt to be married in the state of Maine and what it meant for you and your families!

Due date is November 20th! SUBMIT TO: beth@blushimagery.com.

Thank you! We want to show off your amazing images to the world! Selected stories will be notified.

A few thank you’s …

First to our project manager, Stepheney Collins, for her hard work, dedication and passion over the past few months. She is the backbone of this operation. I am in full wedding season still and her ownership and drive on this project has been fabulous throughout. To Forge, including Kevin Brooks, Arielle Walrath and Sean Wilkinson and with the help of Neil Patel of Greyletter for making my idea really come to life. It’s bigger and better than I even imaged it!

Our site is an amazing culmination of all of your talents. Thank you for being constant professionals. I am so happy with the MWC brand and website. It makes me speechless— something that doesn’t happen often, as you know. I wanted to say how much I appreciate you, your work and all your efforts— and beyond any project your friendships. Keep up the good work! Go team!

October is breast cancer month, so please donate where you can to help in the fight. Blush Imagery proudly gives to the Maine Cancer Foundation and to Emilie Inc.’s own Pink Initiative organization. Personally, I have seen too many of my own brides go without moms, sisters and aunts on their wedding day. It must end. Last year, we donated a gift on behalf of a bride’s mom. This year, wed donate on behalf of my own Aunt Annie who fought — decade after decade— but passed away this past year. Here are quick links to give. For any Blush client who gives ANY donation I will gift you a custom 8 x 10 art print of your choice.

Maine Cancer Foundation: HERE TO DONATE.

Pink Initiative: HERE TO DONATE.

Recommended Early Detection strategies:

• Have your doctor show you how to do a self breast exam and do one each month. If you notice any changes or an unusual lump, have your physician examine it. Do not delay.

• If you or over 40, have a mammogram each year. If you are uninsured or underinsured, services may be available from the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, call toll free 1-800-350-5180

Last December our holiday party was fabulous! We had an amazing good time. All of our friends and business pals were there with us. I’ve never seen so many Maine photographers in one place! The flowers, the band, the catering and the open bar was fantastic fun— over 125 of you agreed. We even made the papers. It was wonderful and crazy.

We’re thinking of ways to top ourselves for 2010. So get ready, get set and mark your calendar early with Dec. 9 to kick off the holiday season right!

A mighty thank you to all the wedding vendors who signed up to test The Maine Wedding Company’s website. The response was overwhelming! We filled in record time! Emails were sent announcing those chosen. We can’t thank you enough! All total, we gifted over $12,000 in profile pages and sponsor ads so that our site is very well tested when we launch this November.  We couldn’t accept everybody due to the sheer number of applicants, BUT we promise to release a media kit shortly with more information and a pre-launch special offer to get your business on the site at a great rate.

Thank you for your support and helping make The Maine Wedding Company the company to keep!

In 2008 I started sketching out a plan for a Maine wedding guide. Maine provides a unique wedding experience for both in state and out of state couples. As a destination wedding location, Maine attracts couples from around the world. The professional wedding vendors who serve Maine are exceptionally talented, keeping pace and going beyond the wedding markets of  New York, Hawaii and California. The wedding industry of Maine deserves a local wedding guide with the sophisticated web tools of national sites to showcase its work. Our brides and grooms deserve in depth information specific to Maine to plan their events. The Maine Wedding Company is that guide. This project has exceeded even my dreams.

Now, we need your help to test the site so we can launch this in November. We will be picking 50+ wedding vendors representing each industry category (dresses, jewelry, venues, photographers, transportation, rentals … etc.). If you’re a wedding vendor serving Maine and would like to be a tester, please submit your email below! (Then be sure to click the confirmation link Chimp Mail sends you!) We need a wide variety of vendors, serving a wide variety of clients in various areas throughout Maine.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY, Sept. 24th

Chosen testers will be notified after the deadline closes and receive a free membership and ad space on the site for our launch. Also, vendors will have an editable vendor profile with exciting tools to showcase their products, services and brand personality.

* We know photographers, florist and venues mostly follow Blush’s site. Please pass it on to your industry friends in other specialties! Also, for announcements follow us on:

Twitter at Twiter.com/MaineWedCo
Facebook at Facebook.com/MaineWeddingCompany

Input your email below to apply:< ![endif]–>< ![endif]–>

from the web: http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2010/08/meet-photographer-brian-fitzgerald/

There’s real value in hiring a photographer with diverse interests and life experiences. Brian Fitzgerald brings that to his clients, along with a creative eye and a passion for the use of light. I had the pleasure of interviewing him in his Portland studio in the artsy waterfront district.

As you’ll see in my interview with Brian, he has recently opened his own studio in Portland, Maine, where he does a wide variety of commercial photography. But he brings a background as a photojournalist with him, including a stint as an embed in Iraq; it was the newspaper life that brought him from a ranch in Arizona to Washington state and now to Portland.

I find when I interview artists, there’s always some passion of theirs that isn’t reflected in their official bio material. In Brian’s case, it was a mission to document Native Americans, an interest sparked by his Arizona childhood. I don’t want to give away the details.

I had the good fortune of meeting his wife, who is also an accomplished professional photographer; they met in the newspaper biz and now she does her own studio work (she actually launched that before Brian took the leap). I’m also never surprised when I see two truly creative people choose each other as life partners.

Find out more about Maine Studio B, click here.

Special note from Beth: Stepheney has exceeded our expectations here at Blush. So much so that in fact … I’ve asked her to stay on with us to head a very important project set to release this October. Steph’s skills in marketing, writing and a passion for photography proved too much for us to let her go. We expect great things for her here as she starts a new phase with our company. You’ve been a wonderful intern, lady!

Being an intern at Blush does not involve fetching coffee or making endless photocopies. Nope. It does involve shooting different assignments and having an absolute blast. Fred and Frodo, the Fitzgerald’s lovely roly poly pugs were my first assignment. 2 hours and 600 pictures later, I was able to tell the story of a day in the life of a pug. My second assignment, motion, was also amazing to shoot. I picked the Urban Epic Triathlon and experienced two of my favorite things at once: athleticism and photography, all in one place. I left that event feeling deeply inspired, ready to do a triathlon myself and super excited to tell my motion story.

__________________________________________________________________________
Story 1:

Story 2: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Demand is high for Maine wedding venues and Maine resorts. Secure your desired Maine wedding location at least a year out. If you are booking a holiday weekend here, think about reserving your key wedding arrangements over a year and a half out. Lock up that wedding date with your ceremony and reception site, then immediately hire a fabulous photographer, reserve catering (if not already included at your venue) and grab your entertainment. These  wedding vendors book very quickly. The other details are easier to nail down.

In Maine, great photographers fill up fast! Photographers usually take a limited number of wedding client each year. If you’re like my clients and photography is a top priority, don’t wait. Most photographers and studios require a contract and non-refundable retainer fee to book. There may be a bonus for booking early too, so don’t be shy to ask. If you are getting married in 2011, it is time to make your reservations!

Our Blush Imagery pricing guide for 2011 weddings is online now. Contact me to receive it! We are already booking all three of our photographers, myself included, and it’s shaping up to be a wonderful 2011 wedding season! We will also secure dates for 2012. (And yes, brides are already shopping!) Come in for a consultation at our downtown Portland, Maine studio, email us or feel free to call me at 207-899-5585. Happy shopping, Beth

With all this, she still assisted Brian on a job this morning and came to have a slice of pizza with me today.

We’re so proud of her and will miss her a ton. We’ll survive here of course, but Ayla makes the studio so much more fun. She is everything to Brian and I now. It is hard to imagine what we did before her. What did we do? Geeze. SNIFF.

Ayla— be safe, do good and know we’re missing you every day. Brian and I are so proud of all for who you are, how you help us here and how you continue to serve the country. Come back safely and soon!

Welcome Greg Rec to The Blush Imagery Staff!

Award winning Maine photographer Greg Rec refined his skills as a visual storyteller at the Portland Press Herald where continues to work as a professional photojournalist.  He was named New England Journalist of the Year for his amazing photography work in Iraq in 2004. Lucky for us, he adores wedding photojournalism and in 2011 will shoot exclusively for Blush Imagery as an associate photographer. He brings his 15 years + expertise in photography to your wedding day to capture genuine moments. He documents your day in an unobtrusive manner – most of the time you will not even be aware that he is taking pictures. His degree in photojournalism was received at University of Montana. His bio goes on and on…. but did we mention he is the just the sweetest soul to work with too?!

Greg’s wedding portfolio:

Stepheney Collins, 2010 Intern

As the daughter of a US Army helicopter pilot, Stepheney grew up all over the world. She moved to Maine to enjoy the raw coastal beauty that surrounds Portland. Stepheney graduated from University of Southern Maine with degrees in English and German in 2007. She discovered marketing and interned with two local marketing companies. She works with The Portland Pie Company as their marketing coordinator, social media expert, Adobe work and updates the company website. She serves up a few slices and tends the bar still too. Stepheney always had a passion for photography and challenged herself to take a photo a day in 2010.

Click here or on the image to take a visit:

maine photographer fan page

Maine camera store

People ask me all the time about the fabulous Nikon pro camera gear I have in my bag at weddings. My family and friends ask my advice on amateur and simple point and shoot cameras too. To quench their thirst for camera knowledge, I put together a little Nikon store. Check it out.

Although I shot Cannon gear throughout my newspaper days and really enjoyed it, I honestly prefer the Nikon line overall. Our studio is completely Nikon now. In my little Maine camera shop, I’ve posted the pro, amateur and the basic Nikon point and shoots for every level of photographer. I included the main Nikon lenses I use as well. There’s a few accessories that I love, love, love to have on jobs too. To boot, I added the Apple products that we can not live without in a section not-so-creatively called iLove. Our studio is completely Mac crazy— as you can imagine.

There’s a ton of photography and business books on the shop as well. You can never learn too much. Enjoy!

Digital cameras have made photography accessible to the masses and to many amateur photographers looking for a fast buck with wedding photography.  When shopping for a  professional you need to be a savvy consumer to find the real pros. Photography is a subjective art . It is not always  easy to tell true professionals. Below, I give you insider tips into the wedding photography industry so you can tell the difference — just by looking at their online portfolios. Some portfolios may look similar to you until you know a few tricks.

If you visit popular wedding sites like Wedding Wire or The Knot, you will find a typical list questions to ask your photography vendors. Use this list when actually meeting or interviewing your top photographer choices. Professional photographers know these answers by heart, they’ll expect you to ask them and be ready with that info in their presentations already.

First though, how do you pick from the hundreds of photographers online to interview?

Here’s a few insider tips to help you analyze online photography portfolios and find your best Maine wedding photographer:

1. Websites. In the wedding photography industry, it is affordable (as low as $100) and easy to get a nice looking website. Most photographers have something better on the web than say your dentist. In our industry, we are taught to market well. A snazzy website can easily distract from the photographer’s actual wedding images. Don’t let it. A photographer’s photo work should inspire you. If you like the design and style of their website too, that is icing on a cake.

2. Images. The photographer’s portfolio images may flip, spin, float or slide on his / her website. It doesn’t matter. Pictures should be technically fantastic and provoke emotion.  The first 15 pictures online may look amazing. How do images 15  – 40 look? Images 40-60? Still in love or did it go down hill after a few? You should also see over 20 modern and different brides within the portfolio. That tells you the photographer does a lot of great wedding work. If you see just one bride in the portfolio, that probably means it was a family member or friend. You found an amateur and you should probably should move on.

3. Bio Info. Photographer’s bio information is very telling. Often times, a photographer’s biography starts with how he / she has just loved taking photos since the age of 12. Architects probably loved to draw since they were 5 but they still need a degree and training. The same applies for photography. Make sure your photographer has a degree, trained as an assistant, worked at another studio, or took some form of workshop / professional training. Professional photography organizations are part of continuing education too in our industry. If your photographer is active in both wedding and photography organizations, that’s a great thing! Last, make sure their work is captured with only with professional cameras. He / she should have at least 3 pro cameras in case of emergency.

4. Blog. Does the photographer you are surfing have a blog that is current and active? This is a great indicator of a pro. Pros love to share their experiences and great images with their wedding couples. It will show you how consistent their photo work is outside of their portfolio. You will see their most current images too.

5. Social Media. Check out a photographer’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Is the mood positive and professional? Be lenient. Keep in mind, people say funny things on social media. I Tweeted once that “I needed more cowbell!” — just an inside joke from a Saturday Night Live sketch. That’s fine and fun. No problem. Here’s my BIG concern. I have actually seen photographers complain about their clients, announce that they ruined a couple’s images and even went to a wedding job intoxicated. Wow, busted! That is not a professional.

6. Timely responses. Good business is good business. Make sure a photographer responds to your information requests in a timely manner before you hand them a retainer fee. Information packets should be organized and their should be contract clear. Emails and calls should be returned. Simple.

7. Pricing. A photographer may not allow you to see their price list until you request it. Don’t be shy. Fill out that contact form to receive their price list. It doesn’t mean you’re in for a big sales pitch. In fact, you’ll probably just get a price list emailed back to you instantly. Your interest is typically logged and checked back on — most likely just once and via email.

If the photographer you are contacting happens to be booked, he / she may suggest another similar-style photographer or an associate photographer of their studio that you didn’t know yet. All good things.

When you receive the price lists back from the photographers who are available for your wedding date, narrow the list down to the photographers who fit your budget. It is very true: you get what you pay for in wedding photography. Pro photographers who hire for $4000 + are typically pretty darn fabulous, educated, involved, active— the complete package. They have to be in order to fill their wedding season at that high of a rate. (Full disclosure: I charge this rate, but my very well qualified associates are in a mid price range.)

The middle-of-the-road-photographers become a little more confusing. Let’s say you like five photographers who are all charging a basic fee of say $2,000 – $3000 per a full 8 hour wedding. Review them each again. Follow the guidelines I set in steps 1 – 6. The hard facts will lead you to the best professional. You’ll find wonderful professional choices you can trust. More importantly, you will avoid the johnny-come-lately with no experience or training but still charges $3000! The nerve!

Finally, interview your top 2-3 on the phone or in person. Either way is fine. Consider their personality, communication skills and their package offerings like albums, negatives and services. You’re now on your way to securing a fine Maine photography professional for your wedding day!

For the family and friends who couldn’t travel or make the wedding, it is just a wonderful way to show them your day.

Here’s a few simple thank you postcards designed for 2009 Maine weddings of brides Caitlin & Patrick and Jimmy & Rachel.

What’s multimedia exactly? Multimedia wedding films combine videography, sound recorded from your wedding event and our Blush Imagery still pictures for a totally unique storytelling experience.

Documentary film maker Morgan Kirkham is now available to Blush Imagery clients! We are so honored to have his services available to us this year.

Morgan’s rates start at $2000 and can now be added to any Blush Imagery package. Contact us for more info or to make your reservation. Take a look at this outstanding multimedia sample from Morgan!

Megan and Josh from Morgan Kirkham on Vimeo. Videography and production by Morgan Kirham of emilie inc.; photography by emilie inc.

• RetailMeNot.com
• CouponMountain.com
• JumpOnDeals.com

Thanks Jessie and Danny ( fabulous couple I just love) for entering your 2009 Maine wedding with Blush Imagery on the Knot’s 3rd Annual My Real Wedding competition! Read and vote for their incredible hurricane wedding story here!

What they said in their entry:

“We weren’t about to let the weather put a damper on our celebration! Everyone ate, drank and danced the night away… truly amazing and unforgettable. Big thanks to our family and friends as well as our amazing vendors: Bob Charest Band, Blush Imagery, Fleurant, Lilley’s Limo and the Nonantum.”

Looks great and I am so so so excited to send you all the head shot requests! E N J O Y! Love it!

Networking Event Tonight:
Brian’s BNI group is hosting a business after hours at Sebago Brewing Company 5:30 pm in So. Po. All are welcome. Stop by and say hello to us!

June 19
July 31
October 2, 9, 23, 30

I have a good number of Friday, Sunday as well.  I take a limited number of wedding clients a year and have almost hit that magic number for 2010. Please, call (207-899-5585) or email me to share your wedding event details. You may also connect with us at our website contact page at: www.blushimagery.com

Happy weekend, Beth :)

Meet Ayla. We hired Ayla back in September as a general studio assistant and office help. We got so much more than that! She is a perfect fit for us. By us, I mean Brian, my husband who runs Fitzgerald Photo and myself here at Blush. We share her help and support… but technically Brian is her boss… he’s just a better manager than I. Now, we are the three best friends that anyone could have!

I’ll tell your her real bio next— but this is the good stuff. The gal knows every Office quote imaginable and has the coolest personality…. she even gave us matching Dunder Mifflin “World’s Greatest Boss” cups for Christmas. She’s the perfect young pro for an office like ours that has a big personality, dualing photo companies run by a geeky photo couple, a demanding schedule —and a studio that sneaks in moments of behaving badly.

So far, she’s worked her tail off correcting wedding albums, shooting head shots, organizing Brian’s archive (ridiculous task), driving our truck while Brian hangs out the window to shoot bigger trucks for clients (I was not happy about that one, but then again I’ve hung out of helicopters for clients so who can complain?), held lights for baby, boudoir, engagement sessions … and … oh man, the bridal show…well, it goes on and on. She changes gears as fast as we throw things at her. We couldn’t be happier with Ayla and now can’t live without her strong work ethic. The fun she has brings to our shop is so cool! We look forward to helping her grow into her own photographer too. For Christmas, we bought her the domain www.aylakelley.com — it won’t be long before she is a force on her own.

Ayla is 23 years old and recently moved to Portland after separating from the United States Coast Guard. While serving, she was a Public Affairs Specialist and was located in Baltimore, MD, and Atlantic City, NJ. Ayla is currently a reserve member of the Coast Guard were she continues to do media relations and photojournalism. She is also a student at the University of Southern Maine where she is majoring in English and minoring in Photography.

She’s has taken photos of many interesting people and events including President George W. Bush, former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Hurricane Ike and the Presidential Inauguration. Ayla has been working with us to expand her photography experience to include studio, commercial and wedding.

She was born in Texas but has also lived in Florida, New York (briefly), Arizona and Ohio before joining the service. Ayla is married to Sean, a Portland native, whom she meet in Atlantic City while they were both serving in the Coast Guard.

We’re typically located on the first floor in the center isle! Stop by, say hello and yes— you can book your date on the spot! Details below.

Beth :)

So please email me or leave me a phone message 207.899.5585 as needed. From my family to yours… have a happy, safe holiday!

Above Blush Babe: Mr. Ryker. He’s the son of my bride-turned-pal, Jenn!

We heard the buzz all over Twitter and Facebook about how much fun was had! Brian and I had THE BEST time with you all.

A huge thank you to Gail & Shannon at Dodge the Florist for the decor and  the entire crew at CVC Catering for the sweet spread of food. And for making the party totally over the top— The Bob Charest Trio for their perfect performance! People raved about all of your good works!

A super hug to our BFF’s Lori and Joel for helping with Maggs! Brian and I could not do what we do without your support and care of your family. We love you so much! (Pictured with us and the Maggs below.)

For all those who were here, I should mention that our bottle count and bar bill was insane!  BUT I think you can do better next year!

And last, thanks to Portland Press Herald and Maine Media Inc. for the pics in the newspaper Sunday and online last week…. here’s the screen grabs….

Shake up the season at the Fitzgerald’s holiday party and studio open house! It’s a festive evening of fun, with petite indulgences by CVC Catering and live music by The Bob Charest Trio! Join us Thursday Dec. 3 from 5 – 7 PM for events. Studio open until 10 PM for more fun.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP!

When: December 03, 2009 at 05:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Where:
Blush Imagery/ Fitzgerald Photo
28 Maple Street
3rd Floor, Left
Portland, ME 04101
directions

Need an immediate fix?

Fitzgerald Photo (our commercial company) will be hosting Headshots and Hoagies on Thursday, October 15, 2009 11 am-2 pm.

Headshots and Hoagies. What is it?  A networking event primarily for our business friends. Come on by the studio, meet some new folks, have a sandwich–  on us.  For those interested in getting a headshot taken,  we’ll be doing that in our studio area.  The cost for that service is $100 (all payment forms accepted), which includes your best headshot image from the shoot for you to use for print and for web (including Facebook, Linked In and Twitter).

Whether or not you’re interested in a headshot, please do come, enjoy the food and the company! Please RSVP if you know you’ll be here (so we can estimate the lunches needed). If you need a specific headshot time, let us know so you’re not kept waiting, etc.

What: Headshots and Hoagies

Where: Fitzgerald Photo studio

28 Maple Street

Third Floor Left

Portland, ME 04101

207-699-9321

When: Thursday, October 15, 2009 11 am-2 pm

RSVP 207.699.9321 or brian@fitzgeraldphoto.com

The new studio is well underway. I’ve seen the UPS man more than my husband in the last few days! Yesterday we had 7 backdrop delivered to the studio…. 9 feet each. Crazy. Today (hopefully) the blackout curtains and the new lamps are coming. We should have things really up and running soon. We decided to name the studio room ….  kinda fun…. maine studio B. (Get it… It could be Beth’s, could be Brian’s, could be Blush’s, could be generic.) I want it to be it’s own separate space. We’ll be using it of course but we’ll also be renting it to other photographers so we want people to feel there’s no specific branding in that work area. Just simple, clean, well equipped space for special projects.

I’ll tell you more about maine studio B and get pictures up of the entire new place when it’s all set. It’s a very exciting time.

I can’t wait to get on with it though! I have a wedding this weekend and couldn’t be happier! A girl can only decorate for so long before she needs air. Beth :)

Blush Imagery is proud to share our new studio space with sister company: Fitzgerald Photo LLC run by my husband, best friend, and, oh yes, award-winning photographer, Mr. Brian Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Photo LLC provides New England businesses with commercial  photography services including lifestyle advertorial, corporate portraiture, head shot services, a host of real estate services, conceptual/illustration work, editorial assignments and creative product shots.

On the record, Brian is a fantastic photographer with over 15 years of publication and commercial photography experience. His work has been nationally recognized and internationally published. His photojournalism career took him on assignment to Russia, Japan, Korea and Iraq and back. Recently, he was a managing editor of photography with the Seattle Times Company and currently he continues his passion for the industry as a consultant for a super San Diego-based tech company, Epic Cycle Interactive.

Off the record, Brian speaks 4 languages, takes php classes for fun, can repeat any Saturday Night Live sketch imaginable and loves to cook. He is also the sweetest daddy to our daughter, Maggie.

Brian, welcome to the show! I love you and am very proud of you! Best wishes on your new business!

Thanks for following the Week of  super BIG Blush news:

Monday -the studio
Tuesday- blush bling™
Wednesday- blush bods™
Thursday- blush bellies™ & blush babies™
Firday- Fitzgerald Photo LLC

First comes love, then comes marriage, then that sweet belly and that cute little baby in that adorable baby carriage… sigh. Before you know it, you’re a family.

Welcome new product line:

blush bellies™  is photography that is dear to my heart. Maternity photographs are challenging to do really well. It is a personal time in a woman’s life, so it is imperative to earn trust and keep it fun. It is my honor take maternity to a new level with our new location and studio.

To the left is Jennifer and David, dear friends of mine and also a Blush Imagery wedding couple. They just gave birth to their baby boy, Ryker,  May 13. Congrats guys!

Welcome too new product line:

blush babes™ photography sessions are a blast. Before my own daughter, Maggie (now 2) was born I did gorgeous black and white baby sessions and loved every minute. Now I am in the trenches as a parent too. My eye has matured. Now I’m a mom, plus a photographer. The time when they are small is so scared. Can’t wait to have moms and dads in the studio to play, talk and work. It’s a lifestyle baby!

Welcome new family product line:

blush bonds™ is a creative family photography session. This session will stay small, creative and intimate.  It’s for families ready to put a little more warmth in their photographs. Here’s what I WILL NOT be doing: click here and get a great laugh. (Thanks Sam, too funny!)

So all this week I showed off the new studio and gave you the suite of services now offered at Blush Imagery: blush bling™, blush bods™, blush bellies™, blush babes™ and blush bonds™.

So wait a minute, I promised to introduce 5 new services and I did that already…. so what does that leave for Friday? Hmmmm…..

Week of big news thus far:

Monday -the studio
Tuesday- blush bling™
Wednesday- blush bods™

Welcome new product line:

blush bods™  just had, had, had to be done! These creative, for-his-eyes-only images are a fashion-passion of mine!  I did these once upon a time, but only at a bride’s request. This fun, fearless Maine boudoir photography session is now available at the Blush Imagery™ studio for any bride … and other women who dare to share.

If you’re already a Blush bride and would like to try one of these sultry sessions out (just for fun) in June, please email me.

So think classy, not trashy. Think Calvin Klein, not Martha Stewart. Think his white work shirt, not your white wedding dress. He won’t be thinking of anyone but you. What a hot groom’s gift, right!

Week of big news thus far:

Monday -the studio
Tuesday- blush bling™

Of course as a Maine wedding photographer, I’ve always offered engagement sessions, but only for my booked Blush Imagery™ brides. Now, my signature look is available to all couples either in the new studio or out on location.

Welcome new product line:

blush bling™ helps all couples, booked with Blush Imagery for their wedding event or not, get the best, creative Maine engagement photographs. If you’re planning a destination wedding or eloping elsewhere, but still need a fun, fabulous Maine engagement signing picture, reception book or custom save the date cards, this is for you!

Here’s a sneak peak of a Maine engagement picture I just made last Friday of the my fun, fearless Blush Imagery™ couple, Lisa and Keith.

I am so blessed to have Lisa and Keith in my 2009 season. They are a wicked good time! It was so fun to work with them, their super fast dog Sadie and their trash-talking-gal-pal (who came to hold Sadie) who cracked us all up— very crazy and very cool. These were shot in Kittery, Maine.

Week of big news thus far:

Monday -the studio

Blush Imagery LLC
28 Maple Street
3rd Floor, Left
Portland, ME 04101

207.899.5585

Now for the good stuff…. My space is a whopping 1100 sq. feet on the third floor of a beautiful brick building over a Portland, Maine staple: the popular Portland Pie Company.

The studio has vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, exposed brick walls , an extra office, enclosed studio room, kitchenette, cool glass interior doors, fabulous views and a creative layout. This space is simply awesome.

I can not wait to decorate this bad boy! I have a lot of painting to do! Here are the before pics as they finish priming and construction for us. My daughter Maggie, 2, is the blurry object running around in the above snap shot.

This dream of mine is happening thanks to my whole business team:

Thanks mostly to Loren Ayer of Harborview Properties, my commercial agent and friend who landed this space for me. Loren found my first office too. He’s amazing. Eventually he’s going to help me buy a building… but I plan on being in this shop for a very, very long time. Thanks Loren… seriously, I could not do this without you. You are fabulous! (Thanks for putting up with my “what if we get a light bulb tester next door?” questions.)

And special thanks to my existing landlords in Falmouth, Sue and Paul at Peerless Paint for giving me a lovely home for the past years. It was a perfect meet and greet office! I’m sad to leave. I will miss all my chicks at 196! Especially to my gal pal Renie at Still Point, my friend and confidant, I cherish you!

Thanks to my new landlord’s Nat and Steve with Portland Pie Company for doing an incredible job on getting me in this fabulous space so fast! I know this is a start of a great relationship.

To my banker, Ben at Key Bank, for the quick answers with constant support and encouragement. I am so lucky I know you! You rock and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding this fall!

To Kim, my lawyer at Preti-Flaherty and her team for setting up my corporation so fast to make this move happen!

To David Thomas Associates, my accountant, who was on vacation as I made these fast decisions… but I’m sure  will help me make sense of this mass project when he gets back!

To Brian and Maggie, you guys are my north, south, east and west— my everything. To my folks, Patty and Tom, for being the emotional rocks of our family. Move to Maine already!

More exciting Blush Imagery news to come throughout the week! This is just day 1!

Most exciting, I will announce FIVE new (and so very fabulous) Blush Imagery photographic services! Very, very cool! I’ll see you next week!

Beth :)

A big thank you to Kerri and Patrick. These engagement images were taken in York last weekend. This couple is gorgeous and fun together. We had a fabulous time and they did a super job! I will post more of their favorites soon …. there were over 100 final images. I picked a few stylish ones for this sample. So many great ones!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Click here to play the book!!!

I guess the cops come and arrest me, I get to wear the cuffs (I hope Brian gets photos on this!) and my mugshot is taken. I even have a parole officer! Saaaaweet.

Here’s my freak flag out flying… This sounds like a great time to me. Is that wrong?

Let’s give we got! This is what we can raise for Jerry’s Kids:

• $30 – Flu Shot
• $82 -1 Minute of Research
• $100 – Support Group Session
• $800 – Child to MDA Summer Camp
• $2,000 – Assist with Wheelchair or Leg Braces
• $4,000 – Cabin of 5 friends at MDA Summer Camp

Donate here so I can get out of jail!

Anyone who donates will get a copy of my mugshot for their blog/ personal fun!

Thanks for your help! Beth :)

To receive, sign up here.

Happy weekend! Beth :)

http://twitter.com/BlushImagery

We took a “green” step this year  too! I upgraded our office  to a new ShootQ online booking system. What a help! I am able to take details about your wedding, sign contracts and take deposits— all online!  It is so much better for our mostly Maine destination wedding brides. It’s so easy and super fast.

Thanks 2009 brides for all the referrals too. Congrats especially to Jami who will receive $200 is art prints for sending me her friend Nicole.I love my referral program…. everyone wins! Cheers!

Welcome new 2010 Blush Imagery couples this month:

Nicole & Tony

Corinne & Bobby

For more details, please email me.

Modern book:

Linen proof book:

Blissfully Booming Amid Bust

I’m very proud to be a Maine wedding professional. Our services keep people in Maine and coming to Maine (the most fabulous place on earth)  to celebrate their big day. I feel the vendor’s enthusiasm and pride every Saturday as I see the flowers being hung,  a cake being carefully taken out or a band setting its stage. Once I even gave a guy a shout-out at the gas station. He was dressed in black and white, like myself, with a pair of drum sticks pumping his gas. He must gig in a band. I raised my hand and said, “what’s up wedding season,” and he totally laughed and high-fived me in solidarity. And off we went to different wedding events to work.

I love our Maine wedding vendors!

(Don’t expect a tan from me when I get back though… just my reality.)

Have a great week! B :)

This deserves some encouragement. So I emailed PATHS (Portland Art and Technology High School) where Kristi attends. Diane, her dedicated teacher and accomplished bead artist in her own right, was happy to help. I showed up (with my husband Brian) Thursday to her high school and gave Kristi $100 for art supplies to help out her business— just a small gesture, but what fun!

Meeting Kristi, Diane, and the whole class (even a few scary little artists… hi guys!) was the most fun and I hope to be back at the school as a speaker or mentor soon.

Kristi will be selling her work at a special gallery event tonight. Go Kristie, Go!

Wanna go:

Starbucks
(at Allan/Washington in the North Deering shopping center next to Shaws)
91 Auburn St, Portland
Tonight 5 pm

1. Get your Valentines day gift.

2.Get to know your wedding photographer better before your big wedding event! Always a good thing.

3. Get great images for your wedding event items like programs, favors, invites and guest signing picture.

Just call the office at 207.899.5585 and we’ll wrap up a gift certificate for you! Hey, that’s sweet! Beth :)

expires:02/14/09

Brad  has been my mentor since I was 19. When I was a cub photographer at the same newspaper, he would sit for hours and teach me lighting and review my portfolio. He is one of those people who make you feel like you are the most special person in the world. For all his time, I  am grateful.

Now, 10 years later, I have become his reverse mentor. I’ve been consulting with him daily as he launches his new career. It has been so much fun!

Building a business is scary, rewarding and simply put… work. You have to learn a whole new set of skills:  accounting, marketing, web and logo branding and oh ya… getting those clients. You can be the best photographer in the world and still get no business.

We have a lot of work to do to get his materials up to speed. I intend to get him there too … because he got me here. I’ll keep you posted on his life transition and success. :)