What is your time worth?

OK,

I know this is a touchy subject....

All of us, who own a business

are subject to this question though....

What is your time worth?

Mostly...

we hear it expressed like this

"How much do you charge?"

and then we 

freeze......

Lingering doubt 

overwhelms us.....

negative feedback from crazy former clients

springs back to life in our 

frontal lobe....

we don't want to say....

But 

if we intend to become successful business

owners......

(IF is such a big word, don't you think?)

Then we must have an answer.

Here is something I have done in

the past to help me answer

 this question.

I went to seminars

conducted by "successful" people 

in my industry. 

And listened to

 what they did to 

develop their style

 and reputation.

And by,

Successful,

I don't mean just 

financially.

I mean that I have 

looked at their 

websites.....

seen their portfolios....

read client feedback....

and then,

made my own determination

as to their 

success.

Did I admire their style

(remember that I am a photographer)

Do I like the way that they promoted 

themselves. In other words,

were they boastful or did their 

personal assessment have to do with

achieving high ideals?

Success is a subtle thing.

In my mind,

money has very little to do with it.

Here is an example.

Over five years ago,

I was approached about photographing a wedding.

The bride had seen my work and wondered if 

I was willing to negotiate on price.

I wasn't over-booked, so I was willing to entertain

the notion.....and the result was a lasting friendship.

Not only did I receive my base pay,

but this lovely lady is now in the same industry

(photography)

 and allows me to mentor her.

It has been a win-win situation.

What am I worth?

Well, I know that my previous coverage of 

weddings says that I can record the moment 

 you want to see.

It says that I try very hard

 to stay out of the way....

 not "stage" your moment.

It says that I will make it my goal to

record people's reactions,

 smiles,

surprise,

 tears

 and pride 

with the 

utmost of respect.

Now 

what that is worth to 

someone 

depends....

smiles.

For more on this subject,

check out this article that 

instigated this train of thought.

HERE

Not my daughters, but...

I have to say that I wish they were.

These are the daughters of my best friend f(rom the age of 5....)

Their mother and I have always been close.

I watched her raise them.

They are two of the most beautiful women, inside and out.

The occasion of this photo is the wedding

of the one on the right, 

Jennifer. She is joined by Lisa, her younger sister.

I love the down to earth attitude that Jennifer exhibits.

She did not want to marry in a "Big Church Wedding".

She and her beau decided to marry on

the Blue Ridge Parkway last weekend. 

How sweet is that?

I would have to say that I understand 

the thinking that goes into this 

decision.....perfectly.....

The stress of planning a wedding can 

tear a couple apart.

Trying to please everyone is 

mind numbing.

Cheers to Jennifer and Tate!

smiles.

Fushia, lime and pink

Fushia, lime and pink, originally uploaded by ellenmr.

Spring....
how do I love thee?

More than just about anything....

except Summer, Fall....and even Winter.....

Where I live there are 4 distinct seasons.
We almost never have more than 6 weeks of Winter weather.
So...
just about the time that I am sick of wearing coats, gloves and a hat...
well,
the
weather starts
to change....

Spring is truly lovely in the Carolinas....

The BAKW.....

Well,

here she is....

the 

Big A@* Kitchen Window.

She's a she,

because of her prominent curves....

and 

they are BIG,

like mine.

She is the defining feature of the 

kitchen in our condo.

We have lived here for almost 

5 years now....

When we saw her for the first time.

I nearly cried.

She (the condo)

had been badly neglected.

Her carpet was torn and stained.

Her tile was cracked and loose.

Her cabinets were, original 

(she was built in 1972)

She looked decrepit.

We have replaced carpet 

in bedrooms,

put hardwood on the main level

painted every surface.

 Really.

When we gutted the kitchen,

we made it clear to the contractor,

that we had priced a new window,

and that he would probably want to be 

very careful around it, as the custom window 

would run around $9000, 

no kidding....

So,

the kitchen is wonderful now.

And as mentioned previously, 

I am blessed with women in my life,

that come by for conversation,

and tea, or coffee, or sweet tea....

And

we 

sit at the kitchen table

in front of the 

BAKW.

Sometimes,

conversations that are difficult,

are easier when 

there is something to look at

outside of ourselves.

Something that allows us 

to say the unspeakable....

I have noticed this affect 

on people that sit in front of 

the BAKW.

They "Blurt out all over the place".....

as one of them explained to me....

She was amazed that 

things that seemed to be locked in 

her head forever....

jumped out....when she sat there 

with cup in hand.

Maybe it's magic....

It is coated with some sort of 

UV protective film, not 

really reflective but which 

that tends to make looking in

difficult, unless it is night ,

and the lights are shining bright

inside.

There is a bird feeder 

and a hummingbird feeder

right there within 3 feet of the window.

The birds rarely notice those inside.

Only if we move, or are too loud...

This is also my favorite 

place to photograph

products,

food,

jewelry,

vintage finds,

treasures found,

and 

treasures kept....

and 

Tomatoes!

Again,

I know how lucky I am 

to have this BAKW...

she makes me smile.

A cupa tea...

I am blessed....

I have women in my life that remind 

me how very lucky I am .....

Each week,

one or two of them will come

by my house after work,

or on their way to play,

and we will sit in the 

BAKW

(Big A@# Kitchen Window)
drink something hot,
tea, coffee, hot chocolate

and talk.

We do not discuss politics

(ever)

we do not discuss children

(well, occasionally)

we do not discuss men

(now that's a lie!)

But we are 

regularly

aware of how 

blessed we all are.

To have good health,

friends, family,

food (especially food!)

And now,
I am blessed in a new way...
Bloggy friends.
(hope they don't mind that name)
I am so amazed
at the talent,
the kindness and
the sheer joy of writing...

Thank you Anne!
smiles

Carina Nebula

CTIO Image of Carina Nebula, originally uploaded by NASA Goddard Photo and Video.

Really....

How could anyone look at this....

and not be awe-struck?

I am amazed at what we are learning about 

the universe.

Imagine the possibilities! 

smiles.

The cake lookers...

That's how I saw these girls....

as a moment in time 

not unlike the 

"Potato Eaters" by 

Van Gogh.

"The Potato Eaters"

were a changing moment for Van Gogh.

He had the desire to transform 

the way he documented life.

He did just that.

He changed the way we too look
at Sunflowers,
Haystacks,
and
Starry Nights....
He had no idea that he was changing
 the world of art.
He died having sold very few paintings.
He died depressed, lonely,
confused, sick and mentally ill.
But his work
changed us all.

This photograph was taken many
years ago.
Perhaps, it may not
seem like a pivotal moment to
you or even, to the bride.
But it was for me.

It was the moment,
the very wedding,
that I saw what
B/W photography could
bring to a wedding.

Rather than concentrating on the
colors of the
dresses, cake, flowers,
etc...
You are moved to look
at the expressions on the participants
faces.
You are more inclined to
observe the detail on the cake,
the texture, and even the weight,
 of the fabric in the dresses.

The whole scene is transformed.

And
I
loved
it.
smiles.