Feed Me!

Feed Me! 

Boy, we know what that means don’t we?  From infancy through adolescence, teens, young adult and mature years we all need and want to be feed. One of Americans favorite past times is eating out – at all ages. All you have to do is visit any restaurant and you will see and hear all ages there – enjoying the food, refreshments and company.

Eating at the dinner table back in the 50’s  was the thing to do.  It was a time to catch up on the activities of the day and to simply share one another’s company. Then the next 20 or 30 years changed things in our lives.  Our lives became so filled with all types of activities and busyness that sitting down at the dinner table together just became more and more challenging.

Then 911 happened.

families become closer

Suddenly many of us began to think differently about our lives.  We began to re-evaluate the time we spent (or didn’t spend) with our families and friends.  I think we began to appreciate quality in everything in our lives – including the quality time we spent with our family and friends.

The busyness of our lives did not slow down but the choices we made changed.  We found a way to gather at the dining table to share our daily lives once again but we were too tired to cook  or forgot how to cook (that would definitely apply to me) so what did we do?  We found our favorite restaurants with really good food and an atmosphere that felt welcoming.

All this leads me to the third article about families in business.  One of my favorite places to gather with friends for good food and refreshments and deserts is JoJacks (http://www.jojackscafe.com/).  The staff is so welcoming and the food is really fresh and good AND on just about any given day you might find Renee and Dan’s (the owners) two children Jackson, their son and Jordan, their daughter working side by side with their parents.  It warms my heart every time I see them there.

Recently I was there and little Jordan was helping out by wiping down the tables and refilling the cup supply for mom and dad. She was so cute – she looks just like a little Renee. Jackson (who looks an awful lot like his dad) was behind the counter taking orders for lunch.  Both of these kids had the biggest smiles on their faces.  They were happy to be there. It reminded me of my childhood working with my mother in her hair salon, sweeping floors and shampooing her customers.  I loved being in the business with my mother – it made me feel like an important part of our little family.

Most people think that working for your family is cushy and fun and easy.  That was not my experience at all.  My mother had high expectation for me and I was taught to do things the right way and to be polite and friendly to the customer.

She did not cut me any slack!  You could see these same qualities being taught to Jackson and Jordan.  As busy as I could see mom and dad were, you could still feel their parental eye on their children and their desire to teach them how to take pride in their work and how to do their best.

I hate to say it but taking pride in what you do and working hard for what you have, rather than expecting everything to be handed to you on a silver platter, is very rare today.  We adults have created a generation of children who have an attitude of entitlement rather than having to work for what they have.  We all want our kids to have more and better than we had growing up and frankly most of us are in a position to be able to give our children more than every before. I’m as guilty of it as anyone.  I always wanted our son to have every opportunity in life to succeed and be happy and for many years I thought giving him everything he wanted was the way to accomplish it.  Let me just say, I was wrong.  We got lucky.  Our son is kind and gentle and he has learned (the hard way) that he has to work for what he needs in life.

When I visit JoJacks (JordanJackson – get it J) I love the welcoming feeling I get from the staff, the owners and their children.  I applaud the parents for trying to teach their children responsibility – “real life” for “real people”.

Visit JoJacks for lunch or dinner sometime and tell them they’re doing a great job and to keep up the good work.

One of my greatest joys in my business is being able to photograph families, just like the family of JoJacks oh yes and sharing a meal with family and friends there.

Celebration!

Its our brthday

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in my studio for 21 years.

I think this calls for a celebration,  don’t you?

I’d love your ideas on how I should celebrate?  What would you do?

How do you celebrate a dream come true?  I’m listening…

Meeting Acclaimed photographer makes my day

classic art

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a photographer who I have followed, respected and admired for many years. That person was William Branson III from North Carolina.

I can count on one hand the number of photographers who to me exemplify the true worth of being a portrait photographer and Mr. Branson is one of them. His work is steeped in classic, tradition that is truly a work of art. I have been inspired by him for many years.

It’s not often that we get to actually sit down and talk with the people who have made an impact on your life. Many times they are not even aware of it.

I have always looked to the old masters painters like John Singer Sargent to study how they interpreted the subject and master the use of light and shadows. It is through classic posing and lighting and careful planning that such beautiful works of art have been created and admired for centuries.

For me personally, Mr. Branson is a modern day portrait artist, not unlike John Singer Sargent, that I can draw inspiration and technique from today. His work is a testament to the longevity, and value of a classic and traditional portrait in a world of far too many hap hazardly produced snapshots disguised as professional photography.

Snapshots have their place but it is the beautifully crafted portrait of someone that will stand the test of time. Classic portraiture that reflects who a person is -  now that’s what I love and that is what we try to create in my studio. Why? Because it speaks volumes to me about life – the one you will always want to remember and share with future generations.

Mr. Branson, sir, it was a pleasure meeting you.

Norfolk botanical gardens workshop

Mens portraiture at NBG

Here are images from one of the models at our workshop. They are all straight out of the camera – no retouch. Just greT location, great day & a great model. If you look closely you’ll see a sneer preview of the other models.

Check it out here

House Parts

Recently on a trip I discovered a wonderful company called “House Parts”. Not only was I amazed at some of the reproductions they offered but I was also completely impressed by the assistance I received from the people who worked there.

I know some of our decorators and real estate and architect clients would love the items they offered for home decor accents.  And many of our retail business owners would simply find the quoted cast signs charming.

HOUSEPARTS (www.houseparts.com) offers a broad selection of historical, antique and architectural reproductions for a wide variety of North America’s architects, designers, landscape designers, and retail shop owners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

The company continually captures the aesthetic qualities of both European and American craftsmanship in the replicas that the company produces. Artistic and technical knowledge, as well as an ability and skill in mold making of the many artisans who have worked for the company for many years promises’ unique construction and hand finished individual pieces. Some originals are from National and International museums, private collections, and dismantled historic structures.

I purchased several cast marble pedestals to use in the studio with our children’s photography and even our high school senior clients.  They are going to be a perfect addition to the props we use for our classic and timeless portraits.  

 If you’re a retail business please look them up.  You’ll love what they have and the staff is great to work with.

If you have a child or senior that need a beautiful timeless images created , give us a call and we’ll design something just for you  – perhaps using our newest addition to our magic tools.