New Year, New Direction

Last year during an interview with a local newspaper, the reporter asked me what it would mean to me to see the Portraits of Hope project completed. I had not really thought of it that way before that moment. I choked up, and tears came to my eyes, and I replied, "It would mean the world to me."

So, as 2012 was drawing to a close, I took a close look at where I am, where I've been, and where I want to be. I love photography. (And, frankly, I'm a really good photographer. I'm still learning and growing, but that is part of being a better than average photographer. I'm way ahead where I was when I started, and way ahead of most of the "competition.")

That being said, my passion has always been more about people and relationships than about the photography itself. I want my photography to be a blessing to people, to encourage them in their relationships, to affirm the value they place on family. Most people today seem to think, "photography is just taking pictures, and professional photography is doing it with a really nice camera."

With cancer survivors, though, it's different. Their world has been, or is being, radically shaken. They are embracing life and relationships in a new way. And the relationship portraits we've created for many of them have helped to reinforce that.

So, as 2013 begins, my focus is going to be on completing that project and developing a plan and new projects for my new company, Portraits of Encouragement, Inc.

• If you know someone who is a cancer survivor (whether still in treatment, in remission, or cured), I would love to talk with them about being part of this or future projects.
• If you or your company could help financially to complete the Portraits of Hope project, or would like to be involved in future projects, call me. (We may even be able to create fund-raising projects to help someone you know.)
• If you would like me to create senior, family, child, or wedding portraits for you, call my daughter, Elise, or contact her through her website, Photography by Elise. If you really want me to photograph you, call me, and I'll be glad to do so, but it will be as a photographer for her business.

I'm currently serving as president of Professional Photographers of Oklahoma. Between that and the Portraits of Hope project and Portraits of Encouragement, Inc., and working an additional part-time job to pay off medical bills from my own run-in with cancer, I have a pretty full plate.

New Year Special

New Year Special - We're doing spring cleaning early. I'm not a believer in selling digital files of photos. Fauxtographers have cheapened the industry by creating sloppy images, calling them "professional" by charging high session fees, and virtually giving the images away on CD.

However, I really need to clear out my archives. I have boxes and boxes covering one wall of a climate-controlled storage unit, plus a couple of boxes in my office and 6 external harddrives. I should be selling these for files for several hundred dollars per CD or DVD, or for a per image price of $40 or $50 or more. This is my art. I've spent many years studying, honing my craft, and creating the best images I possibly could.

So, here's the deal:
You can purchase your negatives or digital files for just $20 per session; $50 maximum for multiple sessions. Some people have been repeat customers over the years with senior portraits, weddings, family portraits, etc.

This will include a copyright release, so if you ever need reprints, you can get them. You could select files you want printed, bring them to me, and I will get them printed for you at my cost. Or you can take them to a lab to be printed. I'll include the name of a couple of labs that do professional quality work, but also serve the general public. I do hope you will not take them to any one hour lab, quick print place or print them yourself. There really is a difference in quality. My work deserves a better quality printing, and you deserve a better quality finished print.

Another Chance for Santa Portraits This Year

Mrs. Santa checked their calendar, and they are available Friday morning the 21st. (I'm guessing after that they'll be packing the sled.) If you're interested in "Santa's workshop" portraits on that morning, let me know asap. (Couldn't get a Tues or Thurs this time, Kimberly.)

We can do the session and 24 Christmas cards for $75, like we offered last time. But you probably won't have the cards u

ntil after Christmas. Packages start at $125, so we can do the session and a package (8x10, 4 5x7s, 8 wallets) for $150.

Call me at 392-3929 to schedule. I'd like to book at least 4 sessions to make it worth Santa's time. We'll do this one through our non-profit corporation, and all proceeds will go to the Portraits of Hope project.

Update on Portraits of Hope

So, imagine yourself (if you have not already had the experience) dealing with cancer. There is a lot of stress involved. There is the physical stress of the disease. There is the emotional stress of just hearing the words "cancer" and "malignant." Then there is the emotional stress of dealing with the disease, personally, and for the effect it has on your family & friends, your job, your lifestyle. There is the physical stress of treatment. And, frankly, there is the spiritual stress of dealing with your own mortality and coming to grips with your faith, or lack thereof, and how that plays into the experience.

Stress is not just emotional. Stress in one area of our human nature - body, soul or spirit - puts stress on each of the others. Conversely, relieving that stress helps with the healing. Being at peace spiritually helps with the emotional and physical stress. Finding emotional release helps with the spiritual and physical healing. Getting physical comfort and nurture helps not only heal the body, but the spirit, mind and emotions.

That is the idea behind alternative treatments like massage therapy and acupuncture. Many cancer centers are beginning to offer these services. The Stephenson Cancer Center now offers massage therapy as a prescribed treatment for many of their clients. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover this treatment, and many patients cannot afford it.

According to a March 2012 article in the Wall Street Journal, massage therapy has been proven to boost immune function in women with breast cancer. The benefits go far beyond just a general feeling of wellness or relaxation. A single massage ranging from 15 to 45 minutes lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, in the blood; decreases cytokine proteins related to inflammation and allergic reactions; boosts white blood cells that fight infection; and lowers the heart rate and blood pressure.

Portraits of Hope is still in the works. We have had more delays and setbacks than I could ever have imagined setting out. When a reporter for the Mustang Times interviewed me awhile back, he asked me what it would mean to me to see this project completed. I had not thought about it that way before. I choked up, tears came to my eyes, and I said, "It would mean the world to me."

As the project has evolved over the past couple of years it has gone from a general project for "cancer research" to addressing this specific need. In working with the Stephenson Cancer Center, it was decided that the funds we raise will go to their patient services department. Initially, we thought we might be able to buy them a massage therapy table, but that has already been done. That is when they discovered the financial need for so many of their patients. Our goal is to raise $6,000 to start &/or contribute toward a fund to help pay for this treatment for patients who cannot afford it. We need your help. Contribute if you can. Help get your company to make a tax-deductible donation* or contribute as an advertising expense**. Small companies or large corporations, does not matter - please talk to them, show them this article, or even better, call me and tell me the contact person to whom I would need to speak. You can reach me at 405-392-3929.

*Our 501(c)(3) application is on file with the IRS and is making its way through the bureaucracy. 
**Contributing businesses will be recognized in the promotion of the photographic display we are creating, and on the display itself as it tours area businesses. This will be a lot of positive, high-traffic publicity. So a business could write it off as an advertising expense rather than a charitable donation if they prefer.