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Thursday, August 26, 2010

itsfiftyfifty: Design It Just the Way I Want, Please

itsfiftyfifty: Design It Just the Way I Want, Please: "The urge for originality and customization seems to be as inherent in people as is the conflicting urge to follow a crowd. And yet, this d..."

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Autumn Photo Workshops

We wanted to share with you two photo workshops that we will be leading this autumn ...

The first will be at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland ... on Saturday, October 23rd at 1 pm, we will be talking about composition and then heading out into the neighborhood to put our skills into practice.  If the weather cooperates with us, it should be a really gorgeous time of year to be out around the lakes.  We'll show you how to get off of "auto" or "program" and use some of those other settings on your camera, too.  And there is the opportunity to share your photos via email after the session for some constructive feedback of the images you capture that day.  It's always fun and a great excuse to get outside and take some photos just for you!

The second workshop will be in Osage Beach, Missouri on Saturday, October 30th.  We will leading the way onto some amazing  private property that has yet to be developed ... we'll encounter lakes, waterfalls, bluffs, and we suspect the trees will be glorious, if Mother Nature cooperates this year.  While there is no formal instruction planned, it will be a great opportunity to be out with other photographers and swap notes, ideas, techniques, etc.  We'll be helping however you need us.  Again, there will be the option to upload and share your photos after the session.  Are you wanting to take pictures off the beaten paths at the Lake and have a day of camaraderie?  This is your chance!

What will you need?  Bring  your camera equipment, including a tripod or monopod.  You may want a backpack, comfortable bag or a photo vest to carry things along with you.  Be sure to wear sturdy shoes for hiking off path and comfortable clothes for being outdoors.  And you might want to bring something to drink along, as well.

To register for the Kentlands session, please visit the City of Gaithersburg's website.  Click on the link for Fall Classes.

To register for the Osage Beach session, please contact us directly for now ... we'll have rest of the details up shortly.

Looking forward to spending time with you!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Unexpected

This has been a summer of the unexpected.  We have had some lessons in adapting to unanticipated change, going with the flow and not planning too far ahead, asking for understanding and sometimes help, and just plain having to say, "I'm sorry, I want to, but I just can't right now".  It is kind of a weird way to be operating ... not our usual "modus operandi" at all.  While we are all about new ideas and challenges, the rest comes a harder, especially not planning ahead very far and having to say "no".  It feels a little flaky, which is not so good.  We don't ever like or want to leave our clients and partners without a plan, date, help, etc.  Yuck!

We write this because we wanted to say a HUGE "thank you" to the clients and partners that have hung in there with us through this craziness ... with understanding, patience, and friendship.  You know who you are and you are awesome!

We are working now each day as much as we can.  Some days are busy and full, and others, as frustrating as it is, by midday, we have to call it quits for the day.  As a result, for now, we are continuing to keep our workload light and putting deadlines pretty far out there ... so we humbly ask for continued understanding.  It won't be forever this way ... things are getting better and we look forward to each day bringing more balance.

Please do contact us about projects ... if we can, we will ... if we can't, we may have some great alternatives to share with you.

Peace, joy and love! -J

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Beyond Camp

One of the things we enjoy about summer is it is time to teach art camp for us. It is really fun and rewarding, even with the hours of prep and well, to put it delicately, not exorbitant compensation. We love having the opportunity to provide a fun environment in which to explore art. While other instructors may approach it differently, we figure its summer, not school-time, so we don't want to focus on skill-building ... this should be an opportunity just to try something different. Maybe its something outside the school curriculum ... maybe its something too messy to do at home ... maybe they are just new to being a young artist.   Whatever the reason ... we just want to encourage the kids to try it ... they don't have to be experts at the end, they don't even have to produce something refrigerator-worthy. It's time to play and to try and that is what we support and encourage. We so love the faces on the last day, as they show all their projects to their parents at the art show and explaining what they did ... there you see the joy ... and that is the reward.

Alas ... we are sorry to see this year's camp time has come to an end ... but its time to start dreaming about next year's adventures.  And that it always is ...