I Married a Photographer

I promised myself that I would have a blog every week and so far the new year is stacking up with all sorts of time constraining surprises!  Most recently, Dean has had the opportunity to work with some local bands.  He has been excited to take photography to another level and explore a slightly more creative talent.  PA Crude has commissioned our work for a promotional poster, which Dean had a lot of fun creating.  Thanks so much!

Additionally, we have a collaborative art show coming up in the spring of this year; and Dean has teamed up with some friends to work on a completely new project, hoping to launch in early spring-late winter!  Please stay tuned!

This year has proven to be one of the most trying years I have existed.  Through the personal and professional struggles; we have managed to continue with our small business to help out some new friends while meeting more people in our untapped industry.  Who doesn’t need pictures?  I will be happy to see this year off and welcome new ideas, talents and success with DSP.

I would like to personally mention a few of our new friends and thank them for using our business for their promotion.  First, the Frank Wicher Band they sought out Dean for a promotional idea.  Dean met and maybe exceeded their expectations by mastering a photo composition used all over the area.  We still enjoy walking into venues and seeing our poster, it puts a smile on our faces.  We hope to have future projects with FWB.

Next, Terry from WQSU who has promoted our photography business on her radio show “Home Made Jam”  and “Happy Hour”.  She has been a long time friend of mine and Dean’s and though she runs on a much higher energy level than most people, her zest for new ideas, people and love of the arts; gets us excited to work in conjunction with her!

Next, Michiko Egger and PA Crude.  Personally, I love live music.  I could watch bands play all day.  These are just two pockets talent from this tiny geographical area.  We have been fortunate to work closely with these folks and produce art that may have never been possible; not to mention, attend concerts and speak with them about their musical philosophy. We enjoy being part of the equation when it comes to promotion and helping these bands form their image.

Thank you for being part of our success!  There are many people I didn’t mention but don’t worry, I will.  Happy New Year!  Cheers!

Catastrophes and stressors are a normal part of our day.  Everyone thinks that their life is the hardest simply because of one’s particular perspective.  Who knows, maybe it is but realistically, awful things happen to everyone.  You can’t escape it.  Where I am going with this idea is: no matter what amount of planning or preparation anyone does or is involved in there is always the ‘unknown unknown’ factor.  Interesting idea, there are things/situations one can never plan for or factor into a problem or a solution, for that matter.  I firmly believe that other than waking up and the sun rising there seems to be little else one can plan with any kind of precision.  Sometimes, I think what little grasp we hold on our lives.

On a different note,I am happy to announce that DSP has a few new adventures on the horizon.  Specifically, we have a few new techniques in our photography that Dean has been exercising.  He was learning how to take these amazingly detailed shots compiled of 15-119 photos.  Once stitched together and finished, these came out to be ridiculously humungous images most of them were 9′ by 6′!  Unless we had a corporation interested, I doubt we could ever sell them.  We’d have to price them in the thousands and realistically who would purchase them?  Needless to say, we’d love to be cosigned to photograph your business or aspects thereof and produce one of these amazing photographs for you!  If interested, contact us!

In other DSP news, we have successfully produced our first poster, designed completely by Dean!  He was approached by Frank Wicher, of the Frank Wicher Band to use some of Dean’s images for a poster to advertise upcoming shows, etc.  From all the local buzz, they were a hit!  I’ve had people come up to me, not knowing who made the posters and comment on how much they’d love to have something like that as well.  It feels great to hear positive feedback and get the ball rolling in other directions!  We have been photographing more live bands, recently.  Getting out in the local music scene is a great new branch of where our business may take us.  I will try my best to keep a better grasp on writing on the blog weekly.  I do enjoy this (the business, the photos, the marriage) I need to better manage my time and devote a bit more to thoughtful writing.

Here’s to the unknown unknown!

I think that I’ve done a fair job in getting Dean and his photography out into the community. We are continuing with the trend of creating a name for ourselves and our business (I can’t anticipate that ending any time soon). The only constant is change. So after a writing hiatus (me) and a photo hiatus (Dean) we are, again chipping away at how to approach our next ideas/projects and planning, lots and lots of planning! Sometimes the biggest challenge is splitting time between these things that need completed vs the things that aren’t necessary for the function of our microcosm. With that tidy introduction, a few events of note are on our plates. First, the Bloomsburg ArtWalk taking place in Bloomsburg’s Main St, May 6th from 1600-2000. Look for the local businesses with sandwich board signs located near their doors denoting participation and check out what the arts have to offer! To aid in promoting the ArtWalk and it’s activities, Dean and I had the opportunity to sit down with WVIA’s Erika Funke. Her interview should air on 89.9 FM around 1230, give or take a few minutes, she’ll feature songs by JT and Ann Kerstetter. If you miss the live show, it will be available on podcast at some point in the near future.

Secondly, Dean has been asked to have a few of his abstracts on display at the Ditty-Wilcox Art Gallery located in the Pajama Factory in Williamsport. The opening is Friday, May 7th from 1700-2100. From what I have heard first Fridays are a really busy time! The weather should be beautiful and we’re excited to have this opportunity, opening new doors for our business.

Come out and see us!

ArtScene with Erika Funke listen here

Joel B. Vincent, drummer for Blind Chitlin Kahunas

On a clear, balmy winter night, Dean and I approached the seemingly tiny bar just out of the Milton city limits.  With hopes of hearing a great blues band, we approached the door, the boom of music became louder and louder.  Opening the door, the smell of cigarettes wafting up my nares, we entered the single room bar, scanning for an empty area to perch.  Dean, equipped with only his 50mm lens attached to the D300 was hoping to get a few shots of the band.  The lighting was nonexistent, at least not for photographs, and the people seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Luckily, Dean was able to work around the low lighting by using his Nikkor 50mm prime lens at f/1.4, barely.  The inside of the bar was tight, which also limited the available shots. But he was able to get several that bring out the energy of the band and the personalities of the musicians.

After ordering beers and listening to The Blind Chitlin Kahunas  for a few minutes, Dean took the camera and made his way closer to the performers.  I stood at the end of the bar, guarding our beverages and took notice to a few key people in the bar who I was entertained with, the dancing couple (such a forgotten past-time) and common to every bar, the wall flowers.  The partakers of the festivities were an eclectic mix of local business class and trailer dwellers, all congregating in this loud, smoke filled, dimly lit room.  To appropriately illustrate to you  how the bar operated: my husband asked the bartender what Yuengling beer they carried, she replied “Uh, Yuengling.”  At that point, I was glad we had a beer or two already!

Waiting for a friend, Dean continued finding photo opportunities as I sat sipping my Blue Moon, soaking in the experience.  He took about 50 shots that night and once processed, here is what we came up with.  Leaving the bar, feeling full of bluesy-soul and beer in addition to topping off the night with the band’s talent on Jimi Hendrick’s “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)”,  we’re excited to see them again! Enjoy!

Chris Bovard, guitarist Blind Chitlin Kahunas