Mrph. I've been frustrated ever since I was laid off on the 1st of the year. I'm one of those weird people who actually LIKES working on a regular basis! I supposedly had another job all lined up, but it looks like it's going to fall through. On a brighter note, I'm looking at buying a coffee shop! Now I just need to figure out how to make sure it makes enough money to pay the bills...

I'm a little sad that the first SG set that I shot hasn't gone over so well, but I have another one scheduled to go into MR next month - keep your fingers crossed for me please! Also, I've been seriously looking at finding a location for a studio so I don't have to keep renting out someone else's studio. I have a potential business partner to go into it with, so we'll see what happens...

Anyway, I'm off to look for some backdrops for a modeling shoot I have tomorrow. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Here's a little something that makes me chuckle... Quack!

And here's a little something that I shot last weekend - I love working with this woman (just wish she wanted to do an SG set)! Jordan

Things are starting to look up!

I've decided that if I really want to work on becoming an SG Staff Photographer, instead of waiting for models in my local area (Iowa? really?) to look for someone, I need to do some traveling. With that in mind, I'm going to take a trip to a place that I've never been and always wanted to go - Niagra Falls! I have already contacted a couple of hopefuls, and have plans to shoot with them both. Now it's just a matter of keeping my nose to the grindstone, and keeping my wallet in my pocket, to make sure I have enough saved up for this excursion!

The timing is going to be during the winter (mid-Nov to mid-Jan) so the sets will be indoors, but I'm hoping to do some "Winter Fashion" work as well - just for fun! Obviously the reason I'm making this trip is to create a few amazing sets for SG, but hey - everyone's portfolios can always use some fun fashion photos as well...

I'm keeping fingers & piggie-toes crossed that everything works out

Well, after a lot of urging & pestering from friends, I've decided to submit a few photos to the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. It's basically a photo competition that is displayed at the fair. I'm a little nervous, but hopeful at the same time. The guy who runs the whole gig said that 1 in 6 photos makes it to be judged, but he point-blank told me to submit one particular photo that I showed him so we'll see how it goes. I submit them today, and won't find out until the second week of August as to whether or not any of them make it - wish me luck!

Here they are:

Under the Boardwalk
Another treat? Pleeeease?!?
HIght Trestle Bridge

I had an interesting shoot last night. A very good friend of mine's dog was very sick, and she was going to have to put him down. I offered to swing by when I got off work and take some shots of them together as a kind of a "goodbye" and she jumped at the chance. I already knew everyone loved Logan (hell, I did to!), but when I got there, almost a dozen people had showed up to say goodbye. It was a very bittersweet moment for everyone, but you could tell that Logan was happy for the first time in a week. The poor guy had lost control of his bowels and was having seizures, but he still managed to get around to everyone & give kisses. When I got home I immediately started editing, and today was able to get my local photography shop to print off a couple of 11x14's for when I got off work. I picked them up & took them over to Chelsi and we both shed a few tears (she had just him put down about 2PM today). Anyway, here's what was probably my favorite photo from everything I took. I'm still a bit misty (I know - I'm a puss...).

The time has come! I get to shoot my first set for submission to SG tomorrow, and I'm both nervous & excited! I've shot plenty of nude work, but never a set for sale. I'm just praying that I do justice to the amazing woman that I'm going to be working with - wish me luck!

I'm here to draw inspiration for my own photography; and if I am fortunate enough to work with even one of the ladies that is either currently on the website or I help get on the website - I think that would be the ultimate compliment to my skills!