1. What is the Oldham Project?
The Oldham Project is the product of several circumstances and of a place in life that I’m fortunate to be in. My husband and I had a daughter who died at birth and we never got a photo of her, so my biggest fear has always been that I will forget what her little face looks like, so photos became very important to me. After watching my sister in law loose both of her sisters to breast cancer within a couple years of each other, and my sister in law making the courageous decision to have a preventative mastectomy to save her own life…. The Oldham Project was birthed in memory of Kathy and her sisters. Oldham was their maiden name.
The mission of the Oldham Project is to provide free portraits to those suffering from life-threatening or terminal illnesses. When families are facing these diagnoses, they probably won’t initially be thinking of a portrait, but it’s the first thing their family will think of when they are gone. Also, families and individuals are facing mounting medical expenses and at this time, don’t have the resources available to pay for fine portraits. This project enables them to have fine, remembrance portraits, free of charge.

2. What do you offer to people?
We offer a free session and a disc of retouched images with a copyright release to use as they wish. If the ‘patient’ is too ill to travel, we do a location session by special arrangement. These are images that will live on for generations to come, long after the ‘patient’ is gone.

3. How did the Bold and Beautiful campaign get started?
The Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Mid-Michigan approached me last fall about a partnership. I had always wanted to do a photo expose about women who are bald, so this appeared as a great opportunity to mesh our mutual interests and promote The Oldham Project at the same time. Our Board of Directors came together and discussed the project, it’s goals and objectives, it’s funding, etc. and Be Bold, Feel Beautiful launched on July 1, 2010. We garnered sponsorships from some notable retailers in the community and are offering free portraits to women currently bald from chemotherapy. Participation is not limited to only breast cancer, but any cancer. Ages range from 26 to the oldest so far at 71.
We have a major Spa in town offering free makeup applications prior to their photo sessions, which includes false eyelashes when theirs are gone from the chemo. A jeweler in town is donating some specialized “United Heart” necklaces that we will be giving away at the end of the campaign as well as spa packages, audio books, and coffee gifts. Our Board and their committees are currently planning a large Gala/Fundraising event in January to honor these women and their courage. Funds will be raised via ticket sales, silent auction and corporate sponsorships. Each woman at that time will be presented with an 11 x 14 mounted print of themselves from their session.
During the month of October, Adams Outdoor (a nationwide billboard advertising company) will be displaying these images throughout the greater Lansing area to bring a visual awareness of cancer in women and how Bold and Beautiful they are. Also, a notable radio station in town is partnering with The Oldham Project and the American Cancer Society to create a calendar with the images we provide. All proceeds will go to our fundraising event.
It is our long-term vision that “Be Bold, Be Brave and Feel Beautiful” become a nationwide campaign in association with either the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen. Talks are in the works with both entities as well as trademark applications with our attorney’s.

4. What life lessons are you learning?
Every one of these women teaches me something about life and how to live it.
Their determination, faith and personal strength give me passion to create amazing images for them. I’m being challenged professionally to think “outside the box” with my lighting techniques to create dramatic and emotional images. I want the community to see the actual ravages of cancer and what that ‘looks’ like on women, but yet how beautiful they can be. Women tend to hide behind their wigs and scarves and this project is challenging them to ‘uncover’ and be BOLD.
I have watched one of them die since she was photographed and it was a very emotional time for me… I hadn’t considered that when starting this project, but am gaining strength from each and every one of them since. They have taught me to cherish the small things in life. I’ve always been a pretty positive and upbeat person, but I’m learning to appreciate each and every day, being thoughtful of those around me and spending time with those that I love. Our fates could change in a moment.
Having been part of the medical community for 23 years as an RN, I have a pretty good understanding of what they are going through medically, but I’m learning to appreciate what they’re going through personally and emotionally and I’ve earned many new friends.

This project has far exceeded my meager expectations and is gaining momentum each week. The Lansing State Journal is covering the entire project and is beginning to run a series, with interviews with many of the women who’ve participated. Our blog has been so well received and grows daily between 200-300 readers, with almost 30,000 pages being viewed in the past 5 weeks. The phenomenon I hadn’t considered when starting the blog, is that the women are beginning to talk to each other through the blog, encouraging each other and making friends amongst themselves. It’s accomplishing all of our initial goals.
Making women feel bold.
Making women feel beautiful.
Making women feel empowered.
Helping women engage and encourage each other through their journey.
Bringing a visual awareness of cancer to the community.

1. What have you guys been up to since you were here last…2009?

- Has it really been that long already?! WOW! Well to start we just returned from Michigan. We were honored to photograph Carrie Freeland’s wedding which we booked after meeting her at the MTPPA meeting! I think everything is pretty much the same- studioU is still doing everything on-location (without a studio)… but we did add in-home projection sales [using PROselect] to client experience. This nearly doubled our sales!

2. When you came here in 2009, you had just started your on location business philosophy. How is that going and have you made any changes to your business since then?

- Everything is fantastic, cloud 9! We are meeting goals and creating new ones everyday. We are constantly tweaking our business to make it better for us and our clientele… things like phone scripts, marketing plans for next year and new product ideas. We still do all of our shoots, sales and meetings on-location in our client’s homes. The biggest change for us right now is that after almost 10 years of renting apartments we’re building a house!!!

3. What inspires you?

- God, life, architecture, design, retails stores, movies, magazines, nature, other artists, etc.
- Henri Cartier Bresson: Just finished reading his book “The Mind’s Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers”

4. Do you have any new products that your clients are loving?

- Album frame from Arthur Kjelshus Frame Design
- Our 10×10 “Storybook Album” still remains as a top choice for high school seniors [Hinged Press Printed book from WHCC]
- Photo cover CD cases from WHCC for our wedding clients

5. What is your favorite image that you have taken this year?

This is always a tough one! How can I pick just one?  We just completed one of our baby plans and we incorporated the vintage scale from Avery’s newborn session into her 1 year session. It’s amazing how fast kids grow and these images are the true testimony!

Try These from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

His black and white landscapes are reminiscent of Ansel Adams and depict the beauty of nature’s diversity. The portfolio ”Faces In Time” takes the viewer back to an age of Americana that is forever lost. One of the images from that portfolio, “Lill”, was purchased for donation to the Smithsonian. In 1994 his distinctive photographs of Florida were published by the University of Florida Press in a book entitled, “Visions of Florida.”

The reason for the inspiration for “Reflections of Christ” came from a very spiritual place within his heart. “After viewing the many negative portrayals of Christ that are found in art today, I felt compelled to take a positive approach to the depiction of Christ. With the experiments in combined imagery this work is now a reality.”

Through his diverse portfolio subjects, Walters’s work is sought after and appeals to a very wide audience. Walters’ works appear in museums and galleries throughout the world, including Ansel Adams private collection, the Smithsonian, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Yergeau-Musee International d’Art in Canada, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Hoyt Institute of Art, the Pensacola Museum, the Madison Museum of Art, a private collection at the Vatican in Rome, and is featured in many international tours with the United States Embassy.

Walters has been in the top five photographer’s in Iowa seven times. He has also received the Top Heart of America Photographer five times, a record in the state of Iowa. He received his Masters and Craftsman Degrees from PPA in July 2003. Sixteen images were chosen for the prestigious loan collection and he received the coveted Medlar Award for the top portrait at the April 2000 affiliated competition. In 2005 he received the Imaging Excellence Award from Professional Photographers of America. To date Walters has collected an astounding eight Kodak Gallery Awards and two Fuji Masterpiece Awards. He is one of the only photographers to receive two perfect scores in print competition for his images “My Ex Wife” and “Born in the USA.”

Walters contributes to many business and industry magazines on a regular basis and is in demand on the lecture circuit. He teaches across the country offering photographic workshops for beginners to the very advanced and his self published instructional DVDs “Inside Woody’s World” has been highly regarded by professionals.

When he is not teaching he is doing what he loves most, creating images and working with his wife Ninya in their portrait studio business in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Woody Walters – One day – 2 programs!
From 1pm – 5pm Woody will be photographing a high school senior guy and show you how he shoots for his amazing collages. Learn how to light and pose during this first session.
The evening session (7pm-9pm) Woody will show you how he puts his collages together. Register below.

The Secrets to Illustrative Portraits

Join master craftsman photographer Woody Walters as he shares his unique vision into montage imaging and how he utilizes this technique in portraits. Walters will demonstrate his distinctive masking abilities while he shows you how to incorporate multiple images to capture and illustrate your clients’ passions and lifestyle. Using custom backgrounds created by Woody, these montages come together in minutes and offer your clients endless possibilities. Learn the special blending techniques that will turn your images into art. If you’ve seen Woody before, be prepared for an all new program, with new images and new techniques to take your illustrations to the next level. His unique vision, light hearted delivery style, and photographic knowledge have made Woody Walters one of the foremost speakers in electronic imaging.

Register here:
Afternoon session: $29.00 Register at the program: $49.00
Evening session: $29.00
Day Registration

Evening Registration

I wanted to give you a little recap of Chris Routt’s program for those of you who missed it. Let me just say that Chris is an exceptional guy. He wanted to take into account every level of photographer that was at his program and make sure he had something to offer each of them. He gave us inspiration, marketing ideas, background ideas, studio tips, lighting techniques and even a few movie breaks. He talked about SPA and how they have helped him grow as a photographer and a business. It is so important to find other photographers to encourage you and stretch your skills. I know I have a few photography friends that push me to outdo myself every time I talk to them. It’s so important to have that encouragement.
Another source that he talked about is Fstoppers.com This site is full of inspiration! They have compiled tons of Behind the Scenes photo shoots that are great! You will get completely caught up in this site I promise. There is so much to learn! I have been in this business for 10 years, and sometimes I get stuck in a rut…do you? The videos on here get my wheels turning and make me want to learn something new. Which is so exciting! Check out the iphone video…I think this video will not only make you laugh but show you that it’s not about your equipment…it’s how you use it!
Overall, I thought Chris had a great program and from what I heard from all of you…you agree!
Thank you Chris! It was a pleasure!

SimplyBloom Stop Motion Film from christine berry on Vimeo.

Here’s a little bit more about Vania and Christine!

-How long have your been in business together?

We have know each other for about 4 years, and worked together for over 2.

-Do you work from home or do you have a studio?

One of the many many reasons we love what we do, is that we are able to
work from home, and we should admit that several of those days we work in
our pajamas while surrounded by our pups!

-Where do you find inspiration?

There is an endless amount of inspiration out there, and we are always
thirsty for more. Antique stores, clothing catalogues, music videos, and
movies are just some of the resources we go to when we need an
inspirational boost!

-If you weren’’t a photographer, what would you be?

Christine would be a designer of some sort, perhaps an interior designer!
Vania would have loved to study fashion design in the big apple!

> -What are your roles in the business? Who does what?

Christine is in charge of invoicing, ordering & packaging etc.
Vania likes to deal with the public relations side, so things like: phone
calls, blogging, submissions etc.

What’’s grand is that we have naturally fallen into these roles from the
very beginning of our company!

-What’s your favorite image that you have ever taken?

It has to be a recent one from the wedding we shot in Tuscany Italy this
past May!

> -What has been your greatest learning experience?

Having each other! Sounds cheesy, but brainstorming, discussing, and
digesting every decision together has made our business as successful as
it is.

-What are your best/worst qualities?

Christine– worst quality: the incapability to control my facial
expressions. (I think I look rather mean when my face is at repose.)
Best quality: My willingness to take risks.

Vania—— I have many, but perhaps my worst quality would have to be my
impatience.

Best quality: My best quality is my drive.

-If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
Christine: This is a tough one. Right on top of my mind, Chopin: to teach
me how to play the piano

Vania: Zooey Deshnel so that I could photograph her!

-What songs are on your playlist?
Christine: anything by Bon Iver, Rachael Yamagata, Joshua Radin, Regina
Spektor and Carla Bruni.

Vania: Lights, Paramore, Regina Spektor, Kings of Leon, Owl City, Lady GaGa!

But sometimes, it’s difficult to keep it going.  How do we keep the creativity going during the rush of busy season?  Where do you turn?  I wanted to share a few things that I do that help me keep going.  Sometimes, I get so excited about photographing that I can’t sleep at night.  Do you?

1. YouTube: Fashion Cover Shoots – This is a great place to get a lot of inspiration.  I love watching fashion shoots!  There are so many things to grab while watching…background ideas, posing ideas, lighting techniques..really the list goes on and on.  One I would start with is ELLE magazine.  You can find them on YOUTUBE or go straight to their website here.

2. Take a Fun day! Yeah, you got it take a day for yourself! Get together with another photographer and photograph something you have never photographed before. Maybe it’s new lighting, maybe it’s a styled fashion shoot, maybe it’s landscape photography…whatever it may be…take the time to do it. Go outside of your comfort zone. I promise you will be rewarded for it. I try and do shoots for myself every 3 months or so. I have done shoots with lighting I have never tried and let me tell you, I fumbled the whole time! It was stressful! BUT, I learned so much and now I implement it into my everyday work. You have to stay on it…keep learning!

3. Go window shopping! Go to the mall and find stores that have great window displays. Stores like Anthropologie, J.Crew, etc. Here’s a link for a bunch of examples.

So, next time you get in a funk…do something about it! Don’t settle for routine. It’s not good for you or your business!

Brooke Mayo: Diving Doggies
Coming to MTPPA in April 2011
Brooke answered a few questions for us about her life and passions. As a photographer, business owner and now new mommy, Brooke is a busy women. Recently named #7 Artistic Wedding Photojournalist in the World, I would say this woman has gotten a few things right! She is going to share her passion with us…photographing DOGS? Wait a minute…DOGS?
Brooke has turned her love for these loving animals into a passion and a BOOK! Check out her website to learn more about her http://brookemayoblog.com/

What is your favorite subject to photograph?

As much as I love photographing weddings and families, doggie friends are my favorite! All three of these are high action and so much fun, but dogs give the most unexpected and surprising expressions, ones that you might not notice if you aren’t photographing them, they are so quick and funny!

How is it becoming a mom and managing a business at the same time?
I’m really taking to heart the phrase, “every time you say Yes to one thing, you are saying No to something else.” We’re being pickier about who we work with and when we work, and so far, it’s been a great thing! I started this last year when I found out I was pregnant and I have had the most amazing clients ever this year!!
So far, it’s much easier to work and be a mom than I thought, she stays with her daddy while I’m at shoots or meetings, thank heavens for a supportive and loving hubby!! When I’m doing computer work she sleeps on my lap on a Boppie. I’m sure this is going to get increasingly more difficult as she gets more active, crawls, walks and talks! However, the first couple of months have been amazing so far! I was soooo scared having her the end of April, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to make it to my weddings in May. I had a wedding scheduled the day after she was due in April that my associate, Carrie, photographed for me in Vegas. My first wedding back was May 15th, when she was 3 weeks old. They were happy if I couldn’t make it and Carrie would shoot it, however, I reallllly wanted to go! My mom went with us and watched her while we were working. As hard as we were trying to have a baby in the off season, January or February, it’s turning out to be perfect having her now. I will be much less busy when she is starting to walk and crawl and while she’s so little I can still get my work down without having to completely rearrange our lives. We are thinking we will be able to go the first year without having to have a sitter during the days while we work, which would have been impossible if we had her in the winter. I was super lucky to have such a great pregnancy and birth so I was able to go back to work so quickly.

What’s the best thing you have done to promote yourself/business?
Most of our business is by word of mouth and repeat clients. We send thank you letters the day after the shoot to all our clients and client’s parents (weddings and portraits.) We also send all the vendors we work with a high res disk of all images they helped to create on the day of the wedding so they have photos of their work. We send thank you cards to new vendors we work with saying how much we enjoyed them and what a great job they did, vendors we work with all the time, we send emails to saying how fun it was to see them again. We send anniversary cards to all our couples and include a gift certificate good for $100 off their next portrait shoot that year, as well as email updates throughout the year. We find when we send out an email to everyone to tell them what’s happening with us, we get several bookings or orders from those clients in the next few months.

Do you belong to any groups/organizations where you have fellow photographers to back you up and encourage you? Have they been important to you?
Outside of the fabulous PPA, ASMP and WPPI, I’m in a group called the PhotoGirls. The three organizations mentioned above are amazingly helpful and wonderful, but they aren’t active in our area… the closest place to go to meetings is 3 hours away. The PhotoGirls are a group of about 15 women located all over the country who openly share ideas. We get together once a year for a workshop and a different gal plans it each time. This year we will be going to the Dominican Republic. We were supposed to go back when the earthquake hit but are postponing it until November. We email each other first if we need a second shooter, backup or have any questions or advice to offer. It’s been really helpful since becoming a mom, most the women in it are mothers and offer sooo much support!

What’s your favorite thing to do to relax?
To relax I love to go boat riding, bike riding or swimming, all with wine included.

What are your goals for this year?

My goal for the upcoming year is to channel my experiences in publishing into tutorials and workshops for my fellow photographers. Publishing is a daunting, but rewarding venture, and I would like to create a “roadmap” for future authors.

Do you have a studio or do you work from your home?

I have a home office, I don’t meet clients here as it doesn’t have a private entrance. However, I only meet with 4-5 clients each year. Most of my couples come from out of state and we will have phone dates and email but I usually meet them for the first time during their Loverbuns (engagement) shoot or at their wedding. Especially since having a baby, I have loved having a home office.

How did you get into photographing underwater dogs?

My career as a photographer started with dancers, not dogs. It wasn’t until I trained a lens on my first rescue pup that the picture became clear: these animals make perfect subjects, full of life and emotion.
I got my first dog as an adult, Jay P. Bird from the pound the day after three men tried to break into my house. I went looking for the scariest looking dog possible, I found him. He was a brindle pit/ boxer mix, he grabbed my heart when I walked in. He was the only one who wasn’t barking or bouncing around, he stood and watched me walk up and down the halls and then he let me pick him up. Once we got home, I went to take a shower and he picked up all the clothes off of my floor covered himself in my bed. When I got out of the shower, he poked his head out of the clothes. It was love for both of us. Jaybird was older when we got him and he only lived a year.
Our next pup was Weezy, she is a brindle boxer. We got her when she was 8 weeks old, her first day home, she went swimming. She loved to carry a soccer ball, which at that time, was sooooo much bigger than her! Eventually, she grew a bit larger and would carry the soccer ball into the sound and float on top of it, she’d shove it under her belly and drape herself over it. As comical as it was above water, I wondered what she’d look like from below water. I never got that photo as she hates the pool and the sound is too murky for me to shoot in. From there, I began to wonder what other doggies looked like underwater.

What’s easier to photograph…dogs or kids?

Goodness, they are both sooo different to work with, it’s hard to say which is easier. Kids are easier because they can talk and understand you, you can play games with them and they are generally a ton of fun! They both run around like wild fire and love to be chased, dogs last longer though, you can photograph them through their hyperness until they sleep. Kids will usually “melt down” and while a few crying and screaming photos are sweet and funny, I don’t want too many. Dogs will calm down, sleep, roll over, stretch out and then be back in the game and all these stages are funny and cute in different ways.