Modern Photographics

Brandon and I really enjoyed being in Maryland and it seems we’ve made new photographer friends, which is always a blessing.

I wanted to take the time to thank each of them, but as you know, life goes on. So, I have a minute (I’m not at the studio, that is).

In Maryland we meet many other photographers from around the country. They all had their different style and niche. We seemed to click with a few and have since been hooked on their blogs. . . I thought it’d be nice to share them with you.

Phillip, Carrie, and Renee of Carrie Viohl Photography. They are young, upbeat, and exciting photographers AND firemen AND Phillip served our country (Thank YOU)! So, we had a LOT in common with them, besides being work-a-holics. Renee is their ‘office assistant’ she’s somewhat similar to our Beth. She holds the glue together. Carrie has an awesome eye for photos and does great editing. And Phillip is Carrie’s assistant, husband, and other photographer. They blog daily and are the talk of the town. After classes they invited us to hang out at the cottage they rented, use the hot tub, and just check each others work out. Watch out, they are going to be big names someday!

Bill and Judith of Bell Photo Art. They are an awesome couple that we got to know right off the bat. They are a Christian Family with great values and SIX children ranging from 17-3, and they Homeschool their children. Bill is also an engineer, so he works a full time job and has a photography business, their goal, is to one day, not rely on the engineer job and go to full time into photography! Needless to say, he and Brandon have a lot in common, Judith and I have a lot in common (not the six children, the homeschooling)! So, we hung out with them over at the Cottage after class also. Picked each other’s brains and got some great new products to offer our clients because of them. They are awesome! We hope to cross each others paths one day.

Jake, ahh, Jake. He’s Jake of Studio J Photography. You really never know what Jake is going to do . . . He also hung out with us at the Cottage after class. He’s an awesome photographer with a different perspective. He must get brides that are extremely outgoing, or he gets them to be outgoing. And he does great grunge photo editing. Grunge must be the new ‘in’ in photography because everyone who’s anyone does the grunge thing. He’s fun and the life of the party, so he and Brandon enjoyed each others off the wall humor.

While in Maryland we had the awesome honor of studying under Master Photographer Ann Monteith and her assistants Judy (also a photographer) and Jen of Stephen Charles Photography. We got turned upside down, shook up, and put back together by them. It was interesting, involving, and difficult. When we’ve been doing the same thing forever because that’s what Roger did and then to completely change the way we do EVERYTHING, that’s hard. But we know that’s what we have to do because if we choose not to, we wouldn’t be. We are so grateful for their knowledge and everything they helped us to accomplish.

Of course the entire time wasn’t spent in a classroom. We were at Ann’s lake house right on the lake with a great view. We also spent time goofing off. Brandon’s going to get some serious Dance Revolution practice in before we meet up with Bill, Judith, and Jake again. He’s going to reclaim his first place status one of these days! Maybe I’ll get some practice in too. . . maybe.

Make sure to get your Buyers Guide this week! There’s a BIG special and you won’t want to miss this one!

Let us not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day. It’s not just a three day weekend, it’s not a day off, it’s not about a barbeque, or spending the day with family. Let’s remember those who fought for the freedom to celebrate Memorial Day. The soldiers that left their loved ones, the courage of those who today are fighting for our freedom, let us remember them. Not just on Memorial Day, but every day. We stand and thank you! Each man and woman, today and years ago, you are our hero’s. Thank You!

Thank you for all who came in or called today! We booked 12 Seniors. Thank you to all the Senior Ambassador’s, Parents, and Local Businesses who supported us in this Sale. We still have a few spots open for the first 50 Seniors for 50% off session fees so call tomorrow or Monday to book a session!

Well Emily and I made it to Garret County Maryland…. The most western corner of the state. Why are we here?

We are at a Management Workshop…. No we are not planning on taking over the country, but we are planning on taking over the management of our studio. We now ask ourselves… Who was at the helm these last six months?

We have a few goals, how do we accomplish them?
1. Raising Lily in a two parent home (two parents mean I have to be there).
2. Figuring out a way for me to leave the Fire House and still make a living.
3. Make adjustments to give our clients the products they deserve.

We are just two days into the conference and we have discovered a couple of areas that need adjusting. We will let you know what they are when we have made a final decision on what we are going to do to make Modern Photographics what it needs to be.

The greatest part of this weekend is the fellowship of new friends. We have met some great photographers who are here to do the same things as us. I am not the only photographer who has to work a 56 hour week at another job to make ends meet for Emily and I. Photographers from Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, and many other parts of the country. We look forward to building these new relationships into great friendships.

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