Turkey Day

So, I worked until midnight last night and again for 4 hours today.  Now, I am getting yelled at because I need to help get ready for dinner!  And the kids are saying, "You ALWAYS have to work!!".  So I had better help.
Yesterday the Treena and the kids made their annual Turkey Day treat:

Fun to make AND good to eat! 

Now that I have stopped to post, I had better get working!  Food to cook, things to clean, then dinner!  (and back to work....I have a TON of work to do!!!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Web Hosting problems

Hi Everyone.  I have been gone and busy, but not off the face of the Earth!  However, my email and website hosting company is having problems!  I don't ever view my own website, but I use my email CONSTANTLY and right now (and for some time) my email is NOT WORKING!!  Yes, the all-caps means I am saying those words louder!
So, until my email is up and running again, you will need to call me if you need something. 253-709-1196

Thanks for understanding!

Winter (season) has arrived!

So, with the end of the fall sports photo season, (or almost the end) the calendar officially turnes to winter for us!  Winter sports season brings new sports, new teams/coaches, etc...    Our winter season is the second quietest after summer and it IS the slowest of the school year's sports photos.  That is good for trying to get any work done (notice I didn't say get caught up...that probably won't happen), but it is bad for income.  No working = no money.  

It is banquet season for fall sports.  Now, I am working each day on getting posters for coaches so there is no rest for the weary.  Too bad there isn't a reality TV show like those guys that make the motorcycles.  I bet if I was famous like that, maybe people would actually pay more for the posters...making them worth the time and effort.  Right now it is hard to even get people to pay enough to cover the cost!  Oh well, at least it is getting my work into people's hands.

Holidays are on the horizon.  Deadlines are approaching for ordering Christmas gifts and albums.  Please contact us if you have anything you want made before 12/25...

Holiday photos

Ok.  To the two people that read this blog:  If you want holiday photos taken, we now have time!  If you want prints made from any sessions this year, and want them for the holidays, you'll need to start thinking about that now.  If you want something that is a lab ordered product (magnets, wedding albums, etc.) there are cut-off days.  Call/email for more info.
Also, a number of people have had holiday/Christmas cards made in the past few years.  They are very cool, but they take a little time to produce.  If you want them in time to send out, we should start to plan or design the card.

With all of that said, in reality we can take photos and print them on the spot if you are only getting wall prints, wallets, etc....as a gift.  Portraits are a great idea for gift giving, especially for relatives!

Call if you need anything...

Soccer

So, my daughter is playing soccer and today was the last team practice of the year.  So, they asked the parents to come ready to play a scrimmage against the team.  So, I got out there and ran around (like I thought I was still 24 years old!) and luckily I didn't hurt myself.    Now, an hour after that running around for 45 minutes, I am already wondering just how sore I will be tomorrow!  Although my breathing has finally settled down, my legs are like jelly and my face is still flushed.  I am sure going to sleep good tonight!

After last week's final fall sports photos, then the state volleyball tourney, I have had a few days of no photos.  Tomorrow we begin the next season.  High school teams are in winter season (2 of 3) and middle schools are in season 2 of 4 (basketball and gymnastics).  The winter is the least busy of our school sports seasons so it won't be quite as crazy as the fall.    

Don't get me wrong, it is not like there is nothing going on!   Banquets for fall sports are here and most of my teams do some kind of photos/gifts for the banquet.  Yearbooks need fall sports photos.  Seniors are finally beginning to think about making print selections and portrait sessions are going to start to order if they want them for the holidays.

Here is a look at my calendar.  As you notice we have only a few things going on this last Summer, but other then that, we stay pretty busy.  None of my deliveries get posted on this schedule so for every photo appointment, there is a delivery to make.  And, I don't usually put my high school action photos on this calendar either as those just happen when I have nothing else going on. 

Whew!  When I really step back and look at it, that is a pretty crazy calendar!

SHS Soccer

So today I spent most of the day going through soccer photos with SHS head coach Turley.  We pored over lots of action photos, senior night photos and team photo day stuff.  We are working on making something to give the players for a gift at the end of the season.  More on that later.


I also met with a team mom from the WR football team. Last month we took some photos celebrating the 100th year of football here so today she was coming to pick up the posters....

More State photos

So, with the help of the Auburn Reporter (Shawn Skager), I was able to have a press pass for the whole tournament.  The pass allows me access to the floor of the Toyota Center and therefore a great vantage to shoot from.  This venue however, has a number of places where even the fans can take good photos if they have the correct equipment.  And to be honest, there were a lot of people that were taking photos and most of them had the ability to take decent photos because the Toyota center is a bright venue!

So, here are a few more photos from the tourney.  I am careful not to show my best shots because I need them for the project I am working on (for coaches).  So, these are images that show the acces I had.

While I was there for my two teams, I also had a chance to take photos for a player from FHS as well as AR.  I took the senior portraits  of both of these players so I stayed late one night after my games were over and grabbed a few...

If I am lucky, a few of my images may end up in the paper.  Thanks Shawn!

Return from State '09

Whew!  We are finally home from the state volleyball tournament in Kennewick.  Nothing like driving home over Snoqualmie pass...at night....IN NOVEMBER!!    Slow and steady wins the race. 

So, the tourney in Kennewick is always a bit crazy, exciting, etc... but this year I had two teams (in two classifications) which meant not just two days, but three and made everything that much more crazy!  I would have posted more while I was gone, but the crazy schedule didn't allow me time to figure out why the heck my phone was not working properly for blogging. 

So, in the 4A bracket I had one team in the hunt for a state title.  AR is a somewhat inexperienced team with only one player that had state experience (possibly the best player the school has ever had!) but that didn't stop them.  They won two matches on day one (one of which was a marathon, heavy weight fight) and one that was a pretty easy match. 

Day two was semi-final/final day and it started off a little rocky.  AR lost to a team they had previously played (and lost to) twice.  The game was not the best played game but give credit to the other team...they came to play!    Then the consolation game (for 3rd place) was awesome!  They played much better, had more fun and entertained even me.  :-)


Day two for me was also day one for my second team, AMHS.  (see why that was crazy??)   AM came into the tournament looking for some hardware!    Their first game turned out to be against the eventual state champion....which as you know...means they lost.  That team is a very good team and unfortunately they had to be the first game out of the gate! 

Day two for AM started off much better!  Playing with emotion and intensity (which was a little lacking from day one) they won the first game then played game two against a team from their own league....a team they had beaten already.  But, that team came to play and won ending the hopes of a state trophy for the first time in school history. 

So, here are a few photos from the weekend.  I took over 1500 images and have not had time to edit them yet.  I am also working on something for each coach and don't want to spoil the surprise just yet so these images will have to do.

So, now that I have been gone for a better part of a week, I am way behind on my work....not to mention that I have over 1000 images to go through.

And, season two has now begun for sports photos which means there is no time to relax!

I can't complain!  It is better to be too busy, then not busy enough!!

State Day 1

So, Treena, the kids and I are in Kennewick for our yearly trip to the state tournament. We have two teams this year so at times it can be crazy, but luckily on day one it is only the 4A teams.
We watched AR go through a knock-down, drag-out fight in game one early this morning. The prevailed in 5 games.
Then coming back in game to later in the day, they had to play cross-league opponents KW. They had already played two other matches this year so they know each other well. In three games AR put the Conks away without really very much effort.
As for photo of the events, game one was much more exciting/nervous but it also made for more exciting images. There were lots of expressions but I think I will put on celebration images because thanks to Coach Bowles, I really enjoy them!


Well, on second thought, I may add them after I get back home.  This laptop I am using has Windows Vista and what a piece of junk!!  I can't seem to get the images properly loaded!  Crap

More posts from Kennewick to come in the next day or two.

State volleyball weekend ('09 edition)

So Kennewick is alive this weekend as the top teams in the state are playing in the championships at the Toyota center. Four courts going all day starting at 9 am!
I have two teams alive ARHS in 4A and AMHS in 3A.
Both teams are very good and have a chance to finish well, but both have challenges ahead!
Playing first is AR. They drew the top-10 ranked "Bombers" from RIchland. The hometown Bombers had a TON of fans and a two minute drive to the stadium.
Result and photos to follow...

Blogging by phone

SO THIS WEEKEND I'LL BE TRYING TO BLOG BY PHONE BECAUSE I AM IN KENNEWICK FOR STATE09!  THE ONLY PROBLEM IS I CAN't SEEM TO GET THE PHONE TO USE THIS SERVICE CORRECTLY AND THE PHONE IS TYPING IN ALL CAPS!?! SO I AM NOT YELLING...AT LEAST NOT YET :-)

Concert Tickets

Woo Hoo!!!   I just purchased tickets to see the Robert Cray Band in Jan!!  They are playing at the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom (A VERY COOL PLACE to see a show by the way). 
In April I saw the guys play for the first time with the new band line-up.  It was a little strange, after watching them perform 12 times in 13 years with the same guys, to see the new guys walk out and play....a little like having a parent bring a new spouse to dinner for the first time...WEIRD!  But the show was still great!  At the time the new album was not yet out so this time they are supporting with a tour.  I am excited!  My tickets are in the 4th row (last show was 6th).  :-)  
Few things make me get goose bumps and fewer things make my "Allergies" act up (watery eyes, sniffles, etc.  See also: tears), but sitting and watching/listening to Robert and the boys gives me an attack every time! 

OK, enough about my reactions.

This week I have a lot going on.   SHS volleyball banquet (they have ordered action posters);  State Volleyball tournament in Eastern WA.; Family portraits; Soccer game (state level).  Yikes!  After this week though, everything should slow just enough to get caught up....SHOULD...?!?!?

http://www.snocasino.com/  or http://www.robertcray.com/  if you want to hear some great "contemporary blues" with the best of this era! 

3 O'clock in the morning....

So, there is a song called "The Things You Do To Me" off the Robert Cray Band's "Midnight Stroll" album and it has a line:
"...3 o'clock in the morning I wake up, can't go back to sleep...."

It is perfect because I woke up at 3 and couldn't go back to sleep.  Now here I am working on the computer at 4:30 and the song keeps playing over-and-over in my head. 

The awesome thing is that I agreed to sub this morning at NTMS!  So, I am going to be BEAT by the time school starts! 

Great.

"...I get a real, real good feeling way down inside knowing your in love with me...."

"...you made me understand baby, that hearts aren't made from stone....."

What better to hear at 4:30am then some sweet, "low-down and funky" blues from my favorite band!!

Purchase Robert Cray's Midnight Stroll from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=midnight+stroll+robert+cray&sprefix=midnight+stroll

KL HS Grad fair

So, I went to the KL grad fair tonight.  It was for the cap and gown company Jostens to hand out "stuff" for seniors.  I was the only other vendor there.  There couldn't have been more then 50 people there (probably because there was a football game at the same time!!!) so it is hard to tell if it was worth the day's work to get ready.  If I get one senior kid to have me take the photos, it was worth it.
Thank you to Lynne C. for helping me get in!!  Without Lynne I would not have as much business as I do.  Lynne you are the BEST!
And while I am talking about Lynne, her son Doug deserves a little recognition too!  Doug has been my assistant this fall for sports photos at the middle and high schools in Auburn and Kent.  I don't pay him nearly what he is worth and yet he keeps coming back!!   What a good kid.  :-)

Tomorrow I got harrased about subbing again so I am going in for a half-day sub job at NTMS.  NT is where I do most of the subbing (and also take all the photos) but it will be the first time this year.  
After that I am headed to AMHS for the volleyball playoffs (WCD) where I have one team, then possibly to KWHS for the 4A where I also have a team.  Crazy time continues.... 

Well, I am off to bed so I can be happy for the middle school kids bright and early.

Yesterday and today

So, yesterday I subbed for the first time this year. 4th grade at my kids' school. It was only half day but it was more then I needed. Because of that half day I stayed up late and spent most of todaygetting ready for the graduation fair at KL. I am sitting outside if the school waiting to get in. Hopefully the day -plus that I spent is worth it!!
We'll see...

Fall portraits continue

Well, with the beautiful weather the last two days, people are back in the portrait mood!  Today I had two appointments (one family, one senior) that were not on the schedule until last night! 

The Ice family have been coming to me for a few years (since Dylan was in mom's belly!) and it is VERY cool to watch the family grow!!  They are very cool people with adorable kids. 
One hour of chasing these kids around makes me tired...imagine 24/7!

Shannen is a girl that went to OLY (where I used to teach) and now goes to my alma mater.  She also played fastpitch softball on my team as an 8th grader.  We had a tough time getting her scheduled, but it was nice to see her and hear how she is doing!   The little bit of leaves and short time available made it tough, but we have agreed to do another session in the spring when graduation gets closer so I am not too worried that we only have 30 photos!

Congratulations Shannen!!

 

Then, I had to rush over to MBMS and take photos for the 6th grade boys basketball teams.  I do ALL of the photos at that middle school (and 4 others!).  It made for a very wide variety of photos today! 

I was BEAT when I got home!

Up tomorrow: Substitute teaching.  I am doing a half day job for a teacher at my kids' school .  4th grade!  The kids are both very excited because they both will see me across the hall!  It is the first time at that school so it will be interesting to see how it goes......

Thanks to the two people that have told me they are reading.  It makes me feel like I not just wasting time in a diary.  :-)    

All over the map with this post...please forgive me in advance.

So, Sunday the whole family was feeling a little under the weather.  Treena even started feeling it!
It was a beautiful day and we started off with Megan's breakfast and presents.  A new bike, a game for the Nintendo DS, etc... 

Megan also played two fastpitch games!  Fall ball at 10 years old....what I wouldn't have given for that!!  Heck, fall ball in high school, I would have given my left....well, you get the idea.  :-)   So, I bundled up with three layers of sweatshirts and a hat and headed out.  Megan had a great day! 
I am a proud dad!!!  And not just for Megan's fastpitch but for the fact that she is getting so big.  10!  Of course, that feeling is doubled by the fact that Rob is growing and turning into a great "young man" too.  In September he had to start at a new school, he turned 8 and he is playing football.  MAN, LIFE IS GOING TOO FAST!!  I want everything to slow down, but I realize that won't happen so I am trying to soak it all up while I can.

Monday brought the return to the school week and therefore the return to work....what am I talking about...I ALWAYS work!!  Nothing like being self employed.
Even though I was not 100%, I did deliver photos, meet with a coach about basketball team photos this month (because the new Winter season for high school is going to start in a few weeks) and dropped off a yearbook disc for senior head shots. 
Speaking of seniors, it has been a busy fall this year!  Word of mouth is starting to spread and this was the busiest year for HS seniors since we have been in business.  I really feel like I am providing families with not only great photos, but an exceptional value!   The image quality is comperable to studios/photographers charging well over $1000!  And, they don't offer you the option to purchase all images on a disc!

Last thought of the night:
With the contiued growth of the business, and the fact that the house is being overrun by business "stuff" (computers, camera equipment, printers, supplies, etc...), my crazy brain drifts to the idea of a retail studio space.  I have dreamed for a number of years about the idea of a space, but just can't see paying huge rental/lease fees!  Does anyone think a retail space is a good idea?  Does anyone think they would like to come to me for indoor photos?  Would the fact that we do so many sports photos, which would take away from studio time, make anyone think it just doesn't make sense??  
Please call or email with your thoughts or comments!!  Insight is always appreciated and welcome....as are any cash donations.  :-)