PhotoGeek

Nitty Gritty Workflow Workshop

2009-12-30T14:01:00.000-05:00

We've been doing seminars and workshops, teaching and sharing our techniques for many years. This is the first year we've opened our workshops up to everyone, though. We are pleased to be working directly with Photo One Software and with TimeExposure's ProSelect in our first workshop of the year. Both companies have been very supportive and eager to help move our educational products into the lime light.

Photo One's Doug MacFaddin posted this on their blog:

Nitty Gritty Workflow Workshop

Both companies are offering generous discounts on their software products for workshop attendees. You can visit our workshop site here. Each workshop has its own website and registration link, too.

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Holidays are for everyone

2009-12-22T15:41:00.000-05:00

So often we find ourselves inexorably linked to the belief that without children, Christmas wouldn't be worth celebrating. After all, it is the son of Joseph and Mary that kind of started this whole thing. Often times we find ourselves getting into the holiday spirit based almost entirely on the excitement in our children's eyes.

This year, we have photographed more children's holiday pictures than in any years past. That tells me two things... one is that kid pictures make for really cute holiday gifts. The other is that photography should be an important part of the reason we celebrate the way we do.

Little Morgan here is very strong-willed and had a lot of her own ideas. But when we sat her in the middle of these boxes, her first instinct was not wonder and amazement... instead it was to determine how fast she could open all of them. To her dismay, most of them were empty.

I guess that was kind of a cruel joke for a kid that's only three. :)

Three kids under five

2009-12-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

I thought once you agreed to photograph three children under the age of five, all at the same time, you also took your sanity into your own two hands. That appeared to the case with these three. The older boy was more or less the anchor of the three kids, but it was clear that the challenge was afoot when we noted that one of the three was a little bit fussy and wanted a snack.

What ensued was bedlam for the most part. The resulting image is actually a combination of images, giving you only only a glimpse of the classic children's holiday portrait, but that it came from a necessity of blending.

Thanks, Diana, for saving yet another client's images by working a little of that magic of yours.

Two lights in my eyes

2009-12-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

At least once a year, my daughter (she's really my stepdaughter, but I feel like we are closer than that) and grandson, Cameron, come in for photos. He's six now and having new pictures of him was already a necessity.

Cameron has gotten to the point where he somewhat rules the session... he knows how things work, and even picks some of his own props and backgrounds. I enjoy the time he's here, and we always have fun trying to figure things out.

But when he's done... he's done. :)

Ella

2009-12-15T22:18:00.000-05:00

As of last Friday, December 4...

Just eight days ago, Ella was still in the womb.

A little history, if you'll indulge me. About four years ago, we started doing some magazine work for a new publication. We got along quite well with the publisher, and even did her daughter's senior portraits. So we had a great relationship with the magazine, we did a lot of work on several covers and tons of articles over the years.

So when Margo called us to photograph her first grandchild, we were more than honored - and we accepted immediately.

Meet Ella Nicole...

So, Julia (and Marla)

2009-12-10T22:29:00.000-05:00

We first met Julia during the 2009 Most Beautiful Baby Contest (by the way, the 2010 Most Beautiful Baby Contest starts on January 15!), and she won second place. 'Vibrant personality' comes to mind when I think about Julia. She's just so full of life, has a very definitive personality, and a smile that just cannot be ignored... or, as Diana put it "would melt a snowman."

So, she was back last week, with her mom (Marla) and we once again were graced by her fun-loving nature. Early on, Marla asked us to create a couple of images from Julia's new-found love of dance. Since Marla was also a dancer in her teen years, we did a few fun things and some very meaningful ones (to both). But I had an idea in mind that really kind of took me by storm. It was to create a kind of contrast in the size and difference in "ability" from someone who has many years experience, and someone who's just starting out. This is what we came up with.

Yes, those are Marla's legs. :)

Of course, they (Marla and her mother, Tabatha) also wanted some Christmas photos. Julia had other plans... she wanted to do what she wanted to do (as most 3-year olds do). But we managed to get a few happy images of her... this was one of their favorites.

This is a really great family. I enjoy seeing them, even if just out and about.

Merry Christmas, Miss Julia (you too, Marla and Tabatha)!

Upon That Final Curtain

2009-12-01T20:10:00.003-05:00

This evening I had a rare opportunity, and one that I welcomed.

I have known PJ Yurish since 1996, first meeting him following a football game for his nephew. We had common bond in that he adored his family, and I enjoyed photographing his family playing sports. His son, Joey, was often a target of mine. In youth football and high school, I probably took hundreds of photos of him. Similarly, I photographed his daughter Jessica in dance for many years. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. And I won't bore you with the details.

Instead, about three weeks prior to today, I was honored to be called to photograph PJ's mother and much of the rest of his family. He told me up front that she was dying from cancer, and didn't have long to live, months at the most. He wanted some photos with his mother, with his wife, with his children and grandchild. This one last time, as he so eloquently put it.

We spent at least an hour photographing a lot of combinations of photos, but as always the baby, Aidric (Joey's son with his wife Kristin) ended up stealing the show. You can see pictures of him on my Facebook page, and on our website (Galleries, Children). I put the images online for their convenience, mostly because PJ's mother, Billie, was not terribly mobile.

Before we could take some additional photos with other family members, Billie passed away. Sad yes, but she had suffered enough.

Fast forward to tonight again.

PJ came in to select photos that they would like to have for display and for family members. Even before we started looking at the images (he had a mental and written list, even texting and talking with family members while he was here), PJ began recounting his mother's last days, to the hour, then to the minute.

I will admit to you now that I did not know Billie well. But I knew of her generosity, kindness, and spirituality. And she was never one to speak softly when she believed strongly about something. That showed as well in her children and grandchildren.

PJ spent an hour, at least, going through the details of his mothers generosity, her strength at the doctor's final verdict on her health, and finally of the details surrounding her death and subsequent viewing and funeral. He recounted it all, down to his mother's final words: "PJ, PJ, I'm okay."

And I listened... to every word. At one point I offered a glass of water. The roller coaster of emotions during his tales had plenty of stops and starts. But I waited. This man has done a lot for me, for my career and for my business. I owed him whatever time he wanted to take... and was honored to hear his story.

When he left, once again wanting to help throw some more business my way, he shook my hand. And I felt like I had been his sounding board, and that I'd made a difference tonight.

If for no other reason than I watch and wait, listen and learn, hear and console... THIS is why I do what I do. This is the reason why I'm here... and my fondest wish is that everyone who has a loved one that is sick, or who has not had portraits done in awhile, and needs something now - to please call. I'll go to you if you can't come to me.

It means that much.

Rest in peace, Billie Yurish. You've earned it many times over.

It's all in the eyes

2009-11-30T20:45:00.000-05:00

For quite awhile, I have been fascinated by eyes, pictures of eyes, eyes in movies (especially those in film noir)... well, all eyes. I sort of first found a fascination with taking these pictures with a senior whose photos I did a couple of years ago. Since then I have done more "watching and learning," a technique that has given me more insight into how much of my photography is just for clients, and how much is just for me.

This photo is the first one I did for a client, who requested it.

Later in the year, I was shooting at a wedding and was looking for some "new" eyes. The bride had eyes that were filled with a little mischief, a little happiness, and a little nerves...

It wasn't long after this wedding that we were photographing some models for an upcoming product line we are working on. I've known the one model for many years, and have always found her eyes and her expressions to be deep and expressive. This image is extracted from a much larger picture, so rather than try to fix the grain, I enhanced it a little to give it a kind of mystery.

Later in the senior season, we photographed the daughter of our hair stylist. She has really amazing eyes. I'd never seen someone who had what amounts to highly reflective irises. The color in them seems to have gone brighter under the right light. While the rest of the image has been desaturated to really draw attention to the eyes, they stand on their own.

It didn't take me long, being the emotional person that I am, to want to photograph Diana's eyes. At the last Day of Beauty we did, Diana participated and it really was the perfect opportunity. Up to this point, eyes were a fascination for me. Now, they were personal, since I can see my entire world in these eyes... and a whole bunch of love.

I'm going to continue photographing eyes... as a personal project. How about yours?

Sometimes, it's bizarre

2009-11-29T22:33:00.001-05:00

So, around this time of year we get lots of families for portraits. And each one is different. Some have kids, others have their pets. And still others have just themselves.

I wanted to take a few minutes and highlight one family that came in for portraits, though. Not because they were difficult or unusual... although they were quite unique. And we did, in fact get quite a few good portraits for them. During the course of the session, however, we had some serious fun.

The youngest, Elaina, was a real pistol. She had a "look," which kind of reminded me of a pro wrestler's posturing move.

The kids were great... sometimes kids get carried away. But these kids were great and had no problem with me capturing their mock fights on camera. :)

And it seems like everything was funny...

And when I asked them for something specific, they obliged. Here, I asked the eldest child Emily to act uninterested while the other two kids, Evan and Elaina were "totally into it."

But, like I said, we did get a few good ones, including the one below.

Hope your holidays are bright... and at least this much fun

Why Maternity Portraits?

2009-11-28T09:51:00.003-05:00

In the last several years, we have seen a rather dramatic rise in the number of maternity portraits. Now whether this has been because we are a more visible studio, our marketing or samples, or if there are just plenty of people who want this level of intimate portrait for their home... it matters not. But it is interesting to learn some of the top reasons why people are getting maternity portraits done.

"I want my baby to see how much we loved him/her before they were born." I think this is probably the most popular response to the question at hand. Many people want the baby's father involved, too, so that the child gets a distinct sense that both parents really cared about the progress of their child and how beautiful the whole maternity process is. Many even went on to have video or still photography during delivery.

"The art of maternity is astounding." True enough from many perspectives. From the parent's angle, this may either be their only child or one of only two or three they are planning. You can get a family portrait every year, but how often is a woman going to be pregnant in her lifetime with one of her little bundles of joy? The art surrounding maternity images is, for us, about so many elements... the lighting, the color, the belly, and for some, the interaction between mother, child, father, family, and much more.

In the last few years, we have taken portraits of families with the pregnant mom, pets, older children, dads and even siblings of the mom-to-be. From full states of dress, with even the belly covered by a shirt or sweater to complete nudity for the sake of the art and intimacy of the portrait, we have seen so many people who genuinely care about making sure that the deep love and commitment to their child is captured forever after.

One thing is certain with maternity portraits. They are an amazing way of displaying a kind of love for the unborn child that ordinarily is reserved for the moments following birth. In a recent maternity session, mom and dad held alphabet blocks with the baby's name in front of her belly. Dad was very into the whole thing and became something of a contortionist in order to do whatever was necessary to create the 'good shot.' It's moments like those that render the emotion we feel as part of why we enjoy doing what we do.

So... why maternity portraits? It's for the love.

Generally, maternity portraits are best in the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. We always encourage people to bring any props they wish, their family, pets, and anyone else who you feel is important in your baby's life. Often times, people bring samples of what they would like, and we will even present a few of our own ideas.

But one thing remains constant... we always do maternity portraits with grace, elegance and class. From fully clothed family portraits to totally nude works of art, the important thing to us is that you feel comfortable and at ease.

Back to the blog...

2009-11-26T22:59:00.004-05:00

I've been bad.

No... really bad.

I have neglected my blogging since July. Although my main excuse is that I've been very busy (you'll read below why), that doesn't mean I shouldn't be connecting with my fans more often... and better.

First, let me just tell you all that the holidays are going great. I had a nice Thanksgiving, and am looking forward to more holiday time with family and friends. My family is doing fine, and everyone is in relatively good health. The dogs are all fine, too. :)

We started working on a boudoir/modeling project about three months ago. We even hired a couple of models to do some work for us. The results are fantastic, but we need more samples of course. We'll be working more on that in the coming months.

The second thing we've been working on is a new division called TLC Pro Executive Imaging. This will be a separate division in our company that just handles commercial photography. The objective is two-fold. First, while I love doing commercial photography, I'm so busy with portraits and weddings that I really cannot commit to the kind of schedule that is often needed in commercial work. As this is the case, we hired a new photographer who specializes in commercial photography. Her name is Kristi and she's done some amazing work. You'll see more from her in the next few weeks.

The third thing is our seminar and workshop series. Diana and I have created a series of workshops for intermediate to advanced photographers who need more information about getting into portraiture, seniors, babies and other areas of studio management. The entire series starts in January, and we'll start taking registrations soon. Stay tuned for that, too. We are already so enthused about this, because I love teaching and Diana has so much to share.

Now, none of this takes away from our seniors, babies, families, or weddings. In fact, it will only draw more of MY time toward those things because I won't have to do as much with commercial work (because that's Kristi's thing now), and I can focus deeply on my portrait work because I have to explain details to budding photographers and that makes my work only that much better.

I've included a few images of what we're doing lately, just to give you something to look at.

I'll be back again in a couple of days. :)

Engagement Session - Maria & Chris

2009-07-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

What can I say? I'll begin at the beginning.

Chris and Maria arrive and Chris goes immediately for a cup of coffee. Maria explains that he talks about the coffee here all the time. We do have good coffee... stop in for a cup and a chat. :)

So we go on to start taking photos in the camera room upstairs. It was too nice a day to take a bunch of indoor shots, so we quickly moved outdoors. And Chris could not stop picking on Maria. I would have felt sorry for her, but since she wouldn't stop laughing at him, I couldn't help myself.

Chris can talk... but it's not just random chatter... he really asks intelligent questions and talks about stuff that has real meaning to people. Maria scoffs, playfully, but you can tell she cares. There's an incredible connection between these two, and one I'm going to really enjoy capturing at their wedding in October.

Um... Chris... I won't be bringing coffee with me in October. Sorry. ;-)

Shaina

2009-07-10T12:21:00.002-05:00

We did Shaina's sister's senior portraits a few years ago... Shaina was ready, too. She knew exactly what she wanted to do... and we treated her like a queen for a day. :)

Amanda

2009-07-10T12:19:00.000-05:00

How can you not smile when you see her smile? Wow... we commented on that throughout her session. She had a good time, and brought her own hairdresser... nice!

Just Don't Panic

2009-07-07T20:54:00.002-05:00

I recently spent several days visiting my brother, who is vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He rents a house there each year for two weeks of rest and recharge.

On our first day there, I discovered boogie boarding. Now look... I'm 50. And I decided on my 50th birthday that I was not going to act the way I thought a 50-year old should act when I was 20... you know... old. So, taking turns with Diana, we taught ourselves how to ride the waves, waiting for the proper wave to break and somehow knowing that it was right. It didn't take long to get the hang of it... and after a couple of hours, we quit and went back to the house to relax.

On our second day, we discovered that there were THREE more boogie boards in the house, so all four of us (me, Diana, my brother Jon, and his girlfriend Patty) had the opportunity to "play" at the same time. Jon got into the mood last, but he nevertheless enjoyed the adventure. Doing anything new often means that you want to keep doing it more... and bigger... and so on.

So as I was going a "little" further out, some by choice and some by being pushed out by the undertow, I quickly realized I was at about four feet of standing water and about seven feet of wave water. Another little push and I was at five feet of standing water and eight feet of wave water. I'm six foot two when I stand up straight, so I was in (pardon the expression) deep water. What struck me first was that I knew I was still being pushed (pulled?) further out.

So, I grabbed the board, which was about three feet long and 18 inches wide, tethered by a vinyl cord to my wrist via a velcro strap. I attempted to pull myself up on the board so I could paddle in... the board flipped (how annoying). When I fell back, I went completely submerged. And I felt that gentle tug of the undertow again. Seems every time my legs or feet fell closer to the ocean floor, I got tugged further out. This repeated twice more, but without becoming submerged.

Diana called to me, but all I heard was "too far." I could have extrapolated a lot from that. But what I also realized at this point was that my position and my inability to get onto the board was going to be a bit of a challenge - one I'd never faced.

Only an hour before, I'd read a magnet hanging on the refrigerator in Jon's rental home. One thing it said was "call for help by waving your hand." The other was "don't panic." So, I called loudly for Diana, and then called loudly for help. I waved my hand in the direction of the lifeguard (who immediately bolted from the chair). I turned my head and saw Diana headed my way. I tried the board again, fell off, and went submerged.

This time, though, I pulled my legs up. I didn't feel the undertow.

Hmm...

I pulled the board toward me, hearing Diana briefly over the waves and surf: "board is behind you." I turned and so it was. I pushed myself up with my arms, somehow pretending I was a fish (I CAN swim, but swimming ABOVE the surface is often a challenge for me. :(...). Since I knew I wasn't going any further out, then I reckoned that I was either going further in, or that the lifeguard or Diana would reach me before I got into real trouble.

Again I pulled the board toward me and somehow it flipped right directly in front if me, back of the board into my waist, and I pulled myself up so my belly was on the board. I felt myself move a good ten feet toward the shore. I wasn't TRYING to ride, but I was riding the board.

I realized I was going to be okay. I waved off the lifeguard, and motioned to Diana I was going to be okay. I got an indication from someone on shore (my brother?) that the lifeguard needed an okay signal. I stood up in four feet of water and gave her the okay. She echoed that signal and moved back toward the really tall chair that they sit in.

Diana kept moving toward me, and the face I love was both worried and relieved at the same time. I smiled at her, and she seemed to relax a bit. We walked up to the tent that we had previously set up on the beach (umbrellas are for very small people), and Diana lay her head on my chest... it was beating rapidly. The whole experience was over, but it could have ended differently.

The entire thing took less than a minute, from the moment I realized I was out too far until the lifeguard turned around to go back to her chair. In that minute, I knew two things... that I need to learn more about how to use flotation devices on open water, and that I wasn't going to be a statistic because I did something stupid.

I just kept telling myself "just don't panic." And I didn't.

I told you that, to tell you this. The economy over the last couple of years has given us all cause to reflect on our expenses and our savings. Everyone has made some kind of adjustment to the way they plan their budgets. We have tried hard to work toward helping keep photography as part of your budget. And just briefly I want to remind you of some of those things:

1) Third Friday Free Portraits... 15-20 minute sessions for kids. Each month is a new theme... July is "Day at the beach" (appropriate!) where we'll take pictures on the beach at our studio (yes, we have a real beach in our backyard).
2) NO price increases on weddings, dance, portrait sessions.
3) New LOWER pricing for senior portraits
4) We have maintained 2005 pricing for our special promotions... those prices will remain in effect throughout the remainder of 2009.
5) Senior portrait session discounts (50%) have been extended through July 31, AND the yearbook/cap & gown sessions are FREE.

What's important to remember... just don't panic.

See you soon.

Pretty Day

2009-06-27T22:31:00.002-05:00

I went out this morning to let the dogs out, and it was actually a little cool. The day only got better from there. In the afternoon, Kevin came in for his senior portraits. Now here's a kid who knows how to be the subject.

We started off with some pictures of Kevin and his girlfriend, Caitlin. I really liked working with them because he was kind of funny and she just laughed at everything. After a few studio shots, we went out to take pictures with his car. Kevin really played it up, wearing a dashing suit for these photos.

It wasn't until we went into our backyard portrait park that he mentioned "you really have a lot of stuff here." And he's right, we really do. Let me recap what we have in the portrait park... most people say "I didn't realize you had all this back here." So, here goes...

- A double-sided aluminum wall (one side is distressed and rusted, the other side is clean)
- Tiki Bar/Pier area
- Beach, complete with sand, pylons, and a pier
- Large white gazebo (several areas are covered in flowers)
- Hanging porch swing
- Stone pathway under a white arch
- Hacienda with curved walk-up steps (with a look-through window and a closed window set)
- Barn set, with two doors, hay, barrel, saddle, two ladders, and a pitch fork. :)
- Waterfall/fountain (yes, the water really runs), with large rocks and scenic greenery
- Bamboo forest... really, a Panda's heaven
- Foot bridge
- Boulder garden
- Grey & black rock wall with door and window openings
- Brown & tan rock wall with door and window openings
- Green garden area
- Park bench scene
- Garden gate set
- Rock gate scene

Not to mention the rock wall that backs the fountain, the greenery on the fence, the ivy wall, and we can't forget the split rail fence.

If you want to take a look, come on by. We'll be happy to give you a tour.

Kevin

2009-06-27T12:17:00.000-05:00

THIS is a guy who knows how to plan for his session. Not only did he bring a spiffy suit for his senior portraits, he waxed and buffed one side of his entire car for portraits! We did a lot of pictures of Kevin... he smiled all the way through. Except the ones at the wall... 'member Kev? :)

Autumn

2009-06-23T12:15:00.000-05:00

There is a good smile in everyone... we just have to find it. With Autumn it took us only a few minutes to find the good smile. She was so great to work with... we also enjoyed her friend Danielle and her brother. The barn was a smash!

The dancers have left the building

2009-06-21T23:14:00.002-05:00

Dance season in WV's Eastern Panhandle is a frenzy of rehearsals, recitals, pictures, emotions, rushing around, and so much more. And we are grateful to provide our photographic services to several of those studios.

There are always the memorable moments... and I like to recount them:

- The smilingest child in the world danced every dance with a happy face that is unforgettable.
- The little karate guy who was so happy and bouncy that I thought he was going to fly.
- The poor like crying Elephant who hit her head before going on stage, but insisted that she had to go perform. She cried, but she did the dance.
- All the beautiful costumes.
- The last dances of the seniors. We will miss every one of them. Please keep in touch.
- Seeing all the dance parents again. Hi!!
- Stage Art
- Shooting portraits on stage... what a difference a year makes.
- A dancer thanking ME for being there. How humbling.
- The continued tries at jumps that weren't quite perfect until we made them perfect.
- Working to make the action pictures look great before showing them... it was worth it.
- Katie's help in the dance studio... Thanks, Kaytee. ;-)
- Watching all these little girls growing up.
- Missing Jimmy already.

There are more. Most of you who know... you understand. If you don't... well, look for us next year.

Have a great summer, dancers. We hope to see you all again soon.

Back to seniors

2009-06-20T15:41:00.003-05:00

We have been so busy with dance studios in the last few weeks that we have barely had time to breath. But now we are going back to being totally focused on seniors.

There are a couple of things we'd like to tell you about that we think are really exciting.

Senior Albums - Why we haven't done this before is beyond me. Sometimes you like so many of your pictures, it's hard to pick just two or three. These albums give you the chance to twenty or more images in a single book. And these are REALLY nice books. Hardcover, bound, and available with or without photo covers. Very stylish and classy. They are 10x10" and a great bargain.

Accordion Wallets - Sounds funny at first, but you'll get the gist of these things quickly. There are twelve DIFFERENT pictures on one set of accordion wallets. Six on one side, six on the other. They are a great gift for grandparents, close friends and just about anyone who really wants to see the different personalities from your senior pictures. They come in sets of three.

Our senior consultations are filling up, so you will want to call soon. Our senior consultations are held every Thursday at 6pm. They are free, and take about an hour. What we do is take you through our studio, including our outdoor portrait park, and give you some tips and pointers on how to look your best for your senior portraits. We'll be happy to answer any of your questions, too.

Finally... I want to remind you that senior sessions are currently 50% off through the end of June. Call and set up your appointment and you can save over $100 on session fees. Your pets are welcome in your sessions, and yes we DO photograph cars and bikes!

304-263-3100... a great start to your senior portraits.

Samuel

2009-06-13T12:13:00.000-05:00

What can I say about Samuel except that he was a lot of fun... we loved the photos of his ROTC duds, and this one that really shows off his devotion to his team!

Tyler

2009-06-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Tyler has two passions... his music and his cat. The cat got plenty of attention, but the photos were about Tyler. He laughed most of the way through his session... but we had a blast!

Charles

2009-06-06T12:09:00.000-05:00

Every senior provides us a new opportunity. With Charles, there was some new opportunities, but the session went by so fast that we barely had a chance to get to know him. He was cooperative, easy to work with, and fun! Thanks Charles!

Andrea

2009-06-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

The interaction between mother and daughter sometimes is not just amusing, but fodder for quite probably the story of the month. Andrea likes her hair the way it is... mom wants it to be something else. Ergo the reason for the humor. :)

Kristin

2009-05-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

Of all the seniors I've photographed lately, I've known Kristin longest. I first photographed her at her mother's dance school when she was 7 or 8. She's grown up to be quite the lovely young lady, and still quite the dancer... with the Rockettes even!

When it rains...

2009-05-04T18:54:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

...get an umbrella!

Perhaps this is the wettest spring on record. I don't know... meteorology, while a fascination, is not something I keep up with. But it sure has rained a lot. I hear friends exclaiming that their kid's baseball and softball games keep getting canceled, that they can't mow their lawns, and that they are starting to sprout webs between their toes.

But that's neither here nor there.

Often times I find myself so mired down in the day to day stuff we have to do to keep the studio operating, that I miss a few things... especially those that are worthwhile reporting.

Part of my recent past has included a considerable amount of teaching, primarily at the university level. When I was teaching Studio Photography to college juniors and seniors, I knew that most were serious art students. When I added Sports Photography to my resume, I felt like I finally had the opportunity to not only teach the things I love, but teach them to people who really cared about the subject. Okay, it was college students, but hey... 'nuff said.

Now, as I continue to poll other photographers, I'm learning that they want to learn more about lighting, photography, workflow and so much more. Things I have not only been teaching, but also learning more about in the last few years. So, I'm going to start teaching again.

This time, I'm going to teach my own workshops. My first is scheduled for May 31 at the studio, and covers basic lighting that helps prevent common mistakes that you always end up fixing in Photoshop. If I had to have some fancy name for it, I would call it "Mind your FIPS: Lighting Revisited."

Email me if you're interested in attending. I'll have to limit the class size to 15. Fees will likely be $25 per person to cover modeling fees (yes, a live model) and drinks.

About our Seniors

2009-04-27T17:47:00.001-05:00

See, here's the thing.

Over the years, we have photographed a lot of seniors. We have met some incredible young people, amazing parents, and taken a lot of photographs that have really added a lot to this important part of their lives.

In 2008, when we moved our studio into Jack Dehaven's former studio, we stepped up our game maybe a hundred-fold. We are still meeting some incredible young people, their parents, and taking some amazing photos. But the changes we have seen in ourselves have been that much more stunning than ever before.

So, what's that much different?

We have a facility that was specifically designed for portrait photography. We aren't stuck in a hole-in-the-wall strip mall, or in the upper floor of a retail store. We're in a location that we have complete control over. That makes a difference because we determine what we can and can't do. We can upgrade to the right equipment and install it without regard to the landlord's issues, or the restrictions of space and neighbors. And that makes us more at ease, and probably a lot more fun.

Well, mostly more fun. There are two things we are very serious about.

One is great images. There's no substitute for great imagery in our studio. It's taken me a year, but I think I've finally gotten used to the equipment, the lighting, the props and how to best use them effectively. And Diana, bless her heart, has been really putting together some amazing touch-up work to my pictures. You will never look as good until Diana gets hold of your pictures.

But the proof is in the pictures.

Go to www.tlcphotography.com/seniors. Click on the Catalog download. All of the images in that catalog are ours. We took them for 2009 seniors. The work is a joint effort between Diana and I to bring you the absolute best pictures of you.

For 2010 seniors, we have some wonderful new products. This includes two new album options that will give you more of your images in a single place that is a keepsake forever. You will, of course, always want the wall portraits, the desk prints and the wallets. But this year we're adding 411 cards... yeah, they're really that cool. We can't wait to show you all the samples.

An Earthy Day

2009-04-22T10:06:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

A lot of times we get caught up in the daily minutia.

And days like today I'm reminded that there are more important things than tweaking this or fixing that. Today is Earth Day, and it is an opportunity for all of us to reflect and recognize our responsibility to our planet and to each other. Whatever your stance may be on global warming or issues that affect our environment, there's one thing certain: We have ONE planet. And if estimates are accurate, there isn't another habitable planet nearby that we can jump to if something happens to this one.

We have been trying to be responsible:

1. We have stopped using paper products, both at the house and at the studio. Paper, styrofoam, plastic... they all take years (and longer) to breakdown in the landfills. We use stoneware and ceramic plates and mugs, real flatware, and wash them for reuse the next day.

2. We recycle our plastic containers by refilling our bottled beverages with water and one of those single-serving drink mixes. At the end of the day, the bottle goes into the recycle bin. We recycle all of our glass, plastic and metals from the studio and from home.

3. We recycle items we don't need anymore. We have recycled furniture, clothing, and much more through online groups like Precycle and Freecycle. We donate used clothing to Goodwill (which is also a tax write-off!). We even reuse items we cannot use elsewhere.

4. This year, we introduced the no-paper Senior Catalog. Last year, we sent out nearly 2,000 paper catalogs, using some 10,000 sheets of 11x17" paper, as well as 2,000 9x12" envelopes. This year, we designed the catalog for use online. And to add more incentive for people to download their own catalog and view it online or on their own computer, we offered a $50 coupon so that they didn't have to print it out or have us print it.

5. We are reducing our paperwork in the studio by using fronts AND backs of paper to use all surfaces. The objective here is to stop wasting the back of the page. Now, law requires us to maintain paperwork for all transactions, so there's little we can do to eliminate the use of paper. But at least we can utilize the paper we have a little more efficiently. We have even taken to emailing invoices and receipts to client's email addresses in an effort to reduce that paper usage.

6. Finally, we are eating smarter. We buy very few pre-packaged foods... the packages that get thrown out and fill up the landfills. We buy fresh meats, fresh veggies and throw in our own spices and sauces. Each day for lunch we have a salad with chicken and fruit. Our dinners, many of which have been prepared in advance, are stored in reusable containers that we open up, empty and wash.

We need to take care of Earth. She's going to be here long after we are gone. But it would be nice to leave it clean for the next person... ya know?

Here are some links we can all use:

Sharing time...

2009-04-19T22:24:00.007-05:00

Even with as much work as we do, it is not very often that we get a client as enthusiastic about their portraits as this one is. In 1997, we photographed Don and Katrina's wedding. It was a lovely wedding with plenty of emotion and warmth.

Well, 12 years later Katrina called us and asked if we could enlarge a photo from her wedding. She had long wanted a large portrait from her wedding, but wasn't ready to get it just yet.

When she visited to pick out the photo, I was delighted to meet two of her three children. It isn't often that we get the opportunity to meet the children of our wedding clients.

We got to work on Katrina's wedding selection and she also brought in the kids (all three: Ashley, Allison and Adam) for our Easter Portraits with a Lamb. It was great fun trying to take pictures of three young kids AND a live lamb. Well, that's another story.

We delivered the large portrait from their wedding not long after the Easter photos. We had it sitting up on an easel in the reception area of our studio, and when she walked in it was right in front of her. She was very happy with it.

After she got it home and put it in place, she called. She was very grateful and wanted to thank us for the extra effort we put into the photo and the presentation. We were humbled, of course, because our biggest reward after delivering the photos is how people respond.

Well, tonight I got an email from her. Attached was the photo you see above. The text of her message follows:

"As I look at my wedding picture above my bed EVERY day (and several times at that:) I want to pick up the phone and thank you again. It's the best! And I LOVE the picture of my kids you were able to capture for Easter- with ALL of them looking at the camera. We've had several compliments on both pictures I've mentioned. Did I tell you I took the wedding picture to work with me? They all LOVED it too:)

Thanks for making me smile several more times during the day as I look at these pictures."

This gave us a big smile and a little tear to the eye.

So we had to share. :)

The weather...!

2009-04-18T16:34:00.003-05:00

Like most of you, I'm enjoying this incredible weather we've had the last couple of days.

I spent a little time cleaning up some things in the backyard park today. Mostly leaves and branches that had fallen over the winter. All cleaned up now. There are probably a ton of leaves embedded into the rocks in our waterfall, though. So, next week I'm going to get out the blower and foof it all into a big ole pile.

But the reason I'm writing has everything to do with a morning dove that has taken up residence on the top of one of the lattice work fences in the back. It's a tall green fence, so nobody would likely see the nest from the ground, but from our back porch it is literally less than four feet away. The first few times I went out the back door and she (mommy bird) flittered off, she was quite scolding. When I noticed that she stayed put when I went out more recently, I figured she was probably sitting on eggs.

So, I'm going to keep an eye on things. Assuming that a neighboring stray cat doesn't cause too much havoc, we'll be seeing dove babies soon! I'll post a pic of her on the nest soon, too.

Let's Get Excited

2009-04-09T10:52:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

You know, it's only a few days before Easter.

Chicks, bunnies, eggs, pastels, warm weather, cut grass smell, buds on the trees, daffodils in bloom... I'm a big fan of Spring.

Spring also means planning out the year's approach to many things. Now, most of you know that we photograph only a handful of weddings each year. I love weddings... I really do. They are very time-consuming, though. The overall time we spend for a single wedding is upwards of 30-50 hours. I won't bore you with the details, but the time spent is always well worth it, because there are so many great opportunities at weddings to do some great photo work, meet some amazing people, and have a lot of fun.

My primary focus this time of year goes to high school seniors. This part of our planning involves many, many hours of sitting in front of the computer, reviewing layouts for marketing and presentation, hiring and training new personnel, and instituting updated policies. I know, b-o-r-i-n-g! Well, the result is a phenomenal approach to high school seniors. This year, we are really revving up the engines here to prepare for what promises to be a wonderful spring and summer season.

So, what's this post really about?

I'm excited! And besides, this is my blog. I'm taking a different approach to my blog this year, too. This year, I'm just going to post whatever, whenever... not just pictures. You need to hear my wisdom, I guess.

In a week or so, things will have greened up enough for me to show you some of our outdoor portrait park. It's a gorgeous place... there's even a beach!

Until then...

Kids and Lambs

2009-03-22T22:39:00.002-05:00

I love kids... I mostly love their reactions to things new. So as each child walked into our studio on Saturday, they each had different reactions to the lamb, Princess (not a name I provided). Most were fascinated with the wooly little animal, one seemed a bit afraid, and yet another just became completely defiant (until Princess nuzzled her, which loosened the mood a bit).

In all, we had a great time taking pictures, wrangling a very wiggly lamb, and having some fun with the kids. As if that wasn't enough, we're doing it again THIS Saturday, 3/28. Just call for an appointment!

Chelsea C

2008-09-04T13:30:00.000-05:00

Chelsea and Jerika are best of friends... her mother warned me that the two of them together are "big trouble." They didn't seem to create much trouble... at least not while they were apart. ;)

Jerika H

2008-09-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Quiet, but very posable... Jerika enjoyed the beach set and many other outdoor sets in our backyard.

Barbara C

2008-09-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a senior comes to us that inspires a new idea in the studio. Barbara did that, and enjoyed the new ideas.

Chris S

2008-09-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

It's not every senior that brings a Harley Davidson with them to their sitting. But it was an essential part of who he is, and we found that the barn set in our backyard lended itself quite well to capturing the overall feel.

Jacki's Bridals

2008-08-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

The great thing about bridal portrait sessions is there's no pressure on the bride, and we can spend some quality time doing some fun and artistic poses.

Tabitha and Brandon's Engagement

2008-08-30T18:00:00.000-05:00

These two are one of the cutest couples we've seen in awhile. Both were very happy to spend some time together in the studio and in our backyard portrait park.

Aimee's Bridals

2008-08-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

As part of most of our wedding packages, we offer a no-charge bridal portrait session. Aimee took advantage of hers on the same day that she also had a trial run done for her hair.

Pat S

2008-08-28T13:00:00.000-05:00

Pat came to us through our association with Valley Homes and Style's graphic designer, Heather. He had a great time.

Kelsie W

2008-08-19T18:07:00.000-05:00

Somewhat reluctant at first, Kelsie warmed up to the camera. Her eyes really helped make her portraits wonderful!

Lori R

2008-08-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

Pixie. Faerie. Other smallish terms flittered between Lori, her sister, my assistant, and me. She was an engaging conversationalist, and started off the day with "I'm not really into the whole senior picture thing." But someone wanted pictures of her, so we took quite a few.

Alicia P

2008-08-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

So, we wanted to show you what we could do with some of the awesome images we take. Alicia had some great photos, and this was just one of them. This process produces a sketch-like image from the original picture. It can be done with most photos, but please let us guide you on how to make it look best. By the way, Alicia stood on the swing... danger girl, that one.

Kevin D

2008-08-12T15:00:00.000-05:00

Kevin was compelled toward senior pictures by both his mother and his girlfriend (who provided some of the ideas for his session). He did a great job and we got some wondeful images. Ask him to see the shot of him jumping out of the truck. Priceless!

Brettney C

2008-08-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Some seniors are so easy-going, that they will just listen to our ideas and roll with it. Others have their own ideas. Brett was a mix of both. She knew what she wanted, but listened to a few of our ideas, too. Don't forget to ask about the shirts.

Jessica F

2008-08-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

So her mom says "Jessica is very basic." Her pictures didn't seem to agree, as Jessica was apparently involved in quite a few things. And polite. And fun to work with.

Michael L

2008-08-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

A very "sincere" young man, Michael at one point told me "you're killing me" with all the smiling I was having him do. I was fascinated by Michael's skateboarding and other interests. This picture was based on one his mother had seen us do some years ago for a startup rock band.

Jackie W

2008-08-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

So, mom sent a list. And while dad and sister Kayla laughed at the list (and at Jackie) he basically followed along with mom's wishes. Including the hat. Ask Jackie about the hat.

Courtney F

2008-08-05T15:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't that a great smile!? We think Courtney spent more time smiling during her session than she did all day long. We enjoyed teasing her about hair that kept appearing in front of her eyes. But we wouldn't let that stop us taking pictures.

Krista B

2008-08-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Something of a natural poser, Krista spent a good deal of time smiling at the camera and seemed to know when the perfect time was to add that glint in her eye.

Dustin V

2008-08-05T13:00:00.001-05:00

When Dustin came in, he said "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do." We wasted no time giving him plenty of poses and options. He was fun to work with and was very interested in how we posed people.

Todd A

2008-08-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

If we had to personify "personality", this is one picture we would most certainly use. Todd had plenty of personality and wasn't afraid to share it.

The Big August Senior Sale

2008-07-31T21:17:00.002-05:00

Many seniors got a new offer from us this week. The deal is that you can save 50% off your session fees if you call and book the next available sitting date. The brochure also says that the sale expires on July 31.

However, we have extended that sale until August 16!

All you have to do is call, mention that you want the next available sitting date, and you will get 50% off your sessions. Remember, it is the next available, so be ready to come in as soon as the next day if we have an opening.

Even if you can't come in for our next session date, you can still take 15% off your sessions if you call by August 16.

We have seen hundreds of people this year, and we'd love to see you, too. Go to our website (www.tlcphotography.com/seniors), pick your sessions, look at some pictures, and call now! 304-263-3100.

And bring your music! (You'll understand that better when you come to a consultation :)

Taylor C (again)

2008-07-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

We did Taylor's senior portraits early in June. But she wanted more. We were happy to oblige. The violin was a big part of the pictures, of course, and it was a pleasure to add more photos to Taylor's selection.

Paige M

2008-07-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

While we suspect that Paige has done some professional posing before, she really turned it on for her senior portraits. There are some wonderful studio images. This is just one of her amazing outdoor images.

Yearbook Pictures

2008-07-29T14:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes everyone doesn't know all the answers. So, they guess. :)

Letters go out to seniors every year, many are ad pieces (we send out some, too) and many are telling you that you have to go to the school for photos.

The truth is that ALL area schools will accept our yearbook photos from your session. Even if someone at the school tells you otherwise. We have submitted photos to every school in the area, as has Jack DeHaven before us. We have had yearbook photos published in other states, and goodness knows where else.

We treasure our relationship with you, and would never want to deceive you about something like this. You're safe. You'll be in your 2009 yearbook if you have your pictures done with us.

Seirra Y

2008-07-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

See... we like cats, too. Our first cat senior of the season! We've had lizards, dogs, and maybe one or two other things. But Sierra brought the first cat. A beauty named Tinkerbell, she was quiet and very polite. :)

Symantha P

2008-07-25T15:00:00.002-05:00

Does this just say classy or what? What a GREAT subject Symantha was, both in the studio and in the mini-park. We had some great fun, did some mad dancin', and laughed way too much.

Lindsay C

2008-07-25T15:00:00.001-05:00

So we start out and Lindsay says "what do I do?" Then she brought out the polka-dot heels! She was non-stop, then. Tons of poses, and two hours later, everyone was exhausted.

Amanda B

2008-07-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

An aspiring photographer herself, Amanda was quick to pose and easy with the smile. Amanda had a lot of her own ideas, too, which helped move her sitting along smoothly.

Kathryn D

2008-07-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

With her parents at the ready, Kathryn went through her band uniform and two outfits in practically no time. There was a lot of laughter in the camera room this day.

Amelia C

2008-07-22T13:00:00.000-05:00

So with nearly 15 years between when her older sister had her senior portraits done and now, Amelia didn't know what to expect. Although she did admit that she was IN her older sister's pictures at one point... she was just too young to remember them. What a fun senior this was, and her mom was a tremendous help.

Kaela J

2008-07-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

There were so many great photos from Kaela's session, that it was hard to select just one for the blog. Her mom was a great help, too, since Kaela had a hard time choosing where in our mini-park to go next. It's so big!

Dakeea M

2008-07-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

There was a lot to consider with Dakeea, but it was important for her to have photos with her brother and mother. That was great for us. We love meeting the families, too.

Allen D

2008-07-17T15:00:00.001-05:00

So, do you like the 2009 like that? So did we. So does Allen. And his girlfriend. And his mother. Hey, we can do most anything with numbers. And colors. Allen liked green for some reason.

Ryan R

2008-07-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

With but one main purpose in mind, Ryan knew exactly what he wanted. We did get him to smile a few times, too. He resisted. Resistance is futile. :)

Amanda K

2008-07-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

Amanda brought her doggie for some photos, too. Although a bit apprehensive at first, he quickly warmed up. She also wore a beautiful white dress with teal accents.

Christopher H

2008-07-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

Seems brooding, eh? But Chris was very upbeat, positive and smiley. A musician, we created a lot of photos centered around his interests.

Sean M

2008-07-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

It wasn't at all difficult photographing Sean. He had a lot of good camera presence and wanted great photos. Simple enough.

Tiffany W

2008-07-11T15:00:00.000-05:00

I just love when people bring hats. If you normally wear a hat, or you look cute in a hat, then bring your hat! Tiffany did and she had the best time with that hat!

Taylar M

2008-07-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Working with Taylar was like she had been here hundreds of times before. She knew what she wanted, how it worked, and the best way to go about it. If you see her, ask about the balloon photo. It was awesome!

Corey P

2008-07-10T15:00:00.000-05:00

One thing in mind for Corey was basketball. We did some images of his moves, and the sequences are pretty amazing!

Alyssa S

2008-07-10T13:30:00.000-05:00

Quiet is how I can best describe Alyssa. But she has such a presence that it was hard not to take pictures. Studio and outdoor sessions, we spent a lot of time with Alyssa.

Kaila A

2008-07-09T15:00:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows Kaila knows that she IS softball. She also brought LOTS of stuff for her Your Stuff session (including NY Yankees jerseys!)

Erin T

2008-07-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

No, it's not an optical illusion. Erin has a lizard on her rope swing. The lizard appeared in a lot of pictures, but there were also plenty of others. Oh, and Iguanas don't eat meat. My finger was happy about that. :)

Cassie M (again)

2008-07-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, again.

Cassie wanted an on-location session at her family home. Since I'd be out there two years before (with her older sister Lynn), I knew more about what to expect. The pond and barn, trees and landscape are just beautiful, and it was a pleasure to be there.

Meaghan M

2008-07-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

Meaghan brought her friends for some really nice shots in the barn, with a hot car, and even a few by herself.

Kim T

2008-07-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

Kim was going to be in California for most of the summer, but wanted to get her senior portraits done with us first. Of course, we were happy to oblige. :)

Meredith P

2008-07-01T15:00:00.001-05:00

Ah, the drape shot. Sometimes it's one of the best of your photos. In this case, it was her only photo... and her best. :)

Amanda A

2008-07-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

You only have one or two a year that meet the criteria of completely interesting. Amanda posed herself most of the time, and really played the camera well. This is one of about twenty shots I really, really loved.

Julia D

2008-06-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

If you really like Julia's beach shots, you should see her dance photo in the studio! Wow!

Brie L

2008-06-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

FIRE!!

Calm down, she's only hot because we lit her shoes on fire. No, really... we used fire. Just ask her. Of course, her shoes will never be the same.

Cassie M

2008-06-27T13:00:00.002-05:00

Although we did Cassie's sister's senior portraits two years ago, we treated Cassie like she was an original. She wore a beautiful gown in this shot, and mom kept telling her that she was beautiful and had a plastic smile. Oh well, at least the pictures are great!

Sabina N

2008-06-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

Making unique photos takes cooperation, patience and a very strong arm. Sabina laid like this for nearly 20 minutes while we worked out the logistics of the lighting. We think it was worth the effort.

Bethanne C

2008-06-25T15:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, Bethanne gets the best smile of the week award. I'm like so serious. And she definitely had her own ideas. TWO outfits in the beach set... nice!

Tesla M

2008-06-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

So she said "I'm not a girly girl, and I'm more comfy in shorts and a T-Shirt." And she was. The sunglasses were the most fun part. There's even a picture of JUST the sunglasses in her proofs. :)

Derek K

2008-06-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Reserve, but quite the poser. We agreed that black suits only certain people. And Derek can definitely wear the black. :)

Morgan T

2008-06-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Morgan brought a CD... I'm not sure exactly what we were listening to, but she enjoyed it. The fun part came when Morgan agreed to pose in front of our CD wall. You'll have to ask her to show you THAT picture. ;-)

Myrissa E

2008-06-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

Probably the smiliest senior we've seen thus far. Myrissa was wonderful to work with, and had a lot of energy to spare. In this image, she's really swinging. Action picture!!

The Marks Family

2008-06-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

Family is a wonderful thing to have around you when you're turning fif... um... four... um... thirty-something (again). This was a great family who really just wanted a nice family photo to celebrate everyone being together (one daughter lives in San Francisco) for dad's big birthday weekend.

Dewey M

2008-06-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

Dewey is a 4.0 student... and he doesn't study. Anyone else envious? We had a lot of fun with Dewey's sitting, simply because we know him and his mom - having photographed him many times over the last ten years or so.

Chynna S

2008-06-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

Another great senior session... some of her ideas, a few of ours and a new star was born. Laid back and casual, we had a great time with her.

James T

2008-06-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

Three words that best describe Jim: Quiet. Confident. Fast. Jim's entire life is racing and working on cars. The car he's shown with here, he helped build from scratch. And now races it.

Whoa.

Tiffany N

2008-06-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

We unleashed our creativity on Tiffany, and she fit in just perfect. We love it when a senior says "just whatever is fine!"

Matthew G

2008-06-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

Horns, bunny, and a few well-placed kicks highlighted Matt's session. Some of the most fabulous musician images were created this day. :)

Brandon C

2008-06-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

What patriotism! If you want to have a lot of fun in your senior sitting, just bring your parents and ask them to crack on you. Brandon did!

Stewart W

2008-06-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

This here is one of our future farmers. Currently having grown up on a beef cattle farm, we did a few barn and outdoor photos, but my fave was this one in the tux. Quite the looker, eh gals?

Ann L

2008-06-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

We spent most of the time outside with Ann. She tried out just about every set, and really got the most out of her session. She even had some pictures with dad!

John M

2008-06-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

We sometimes get the seniors who would rather be somewhere else. While John seemed to want to be elsewhere at first, he quickly came around. Hey, we're so personable that resistance is futile. Semper Fi, John!

Brittany B

2008-05-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

A triple-sport athlete, we spent a lot of time with Brittany to make sure we captured her athletic spirit. But we also captured her in red... and yellow... and green... there was some brown in there, too. I think blue, maybe purple. Wow.