A simple compliment can do so much!

This is an email I received from my client the other day.

Hi Brad,

I just wanted to let you know that the guy who lays out our magazine made a comment to Catherine about the high quality of your photos. He said that your style of shooting is bringing a whole new dimension to the publication and that working with your photos made him excited about laying out the magazine again. I thought that was a real compliment and I wanted to pass it on!

Can you believe that! WOW! Thank you!

I have to tell you being a creative person I'm always questioning my resolve and creative skills. I think this is fairly normal for us who put our work in the public eye and open ourselves up for critique. It's the professional affirmation that lets me know I'm on the right track. To some, being a creative person it is no surprise that insecurity comes with the territory. Receiving an email like this one helps wash that all away.

My wife is an Ironman

Lorie Ironman Nov. 2008

My wife (Lorie) is an Ironman athlete! Some know this already and some may not. Lorie qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii coming this Oct. 2009. She qualified when she place 2nd in her age group (55-59) at the Tempe Town Lake Ford Ironman last Nov. 2008. Lorie is 55.

I would like to tell you a little about her since I’m going to put her blog and website links on my blog. Her links will be the only links that has nothing to do with photography on my blog.

Her racing career began at the age of 48 when our kids were grown and in the process of moving out. We were in the beginning stages of becoming empty nester's.

At first, Lorie couldn't run more than 200 yards without stopping to recover. Her goal was to compete in an Ironman race by her 50th birthday. With that in mind she had a long road in front of her literally.

She found people and organizations that had like-minded people with similar goals. Today, Lorie has a core group of friends that I think would die for each other if they had to. This core group spends a lot of time suffering together which has cemented an incredible bond. Lorie's accomplishments wouldn't be possible without these people.

Since her humble beginnings Lorie has finished 4 Ironman competitions and close to a hundred smaller triathlons from Sprint, Olympic and Half-Ironman distances. The Ironman race for those that don't know consists of three disciplines a 2.4-mile swim; 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run consecutively equaling 140.6 miles. This is a serious race that tests your physical and mental conditioning.

Lorie has begun a blog about her training and her journey to the World Championships. She also has started a website with the help of a Bob Fabey. Her website is about her accomplishments but it is also a place to learn about corporate sponsorship. These are exciting times for her and I would love to support and promote her in any way I can. So check out her sites and as usual leave a comment if you feel compelled to do so. She would love to hear from you. Thanks

A NEW LOOK

A new identity. Branding, marketing and watching your expenses is the foundation of a successful business. This is my first real step toward success.

It has been a while since I have posted. My apologies!

Keeping the reading short and to the point. I have been working with my close friend Phil Timper of Timper Arts http://www.timperarts.com/ on creating a logo. After creating several choices we narrowed it down to this final design. This is my new logo. This logo will be on everything I do for now on. I can finally order business cards, stationary, envelopes, and maybe even coffee cups who knows. I love the design. Thanks Phil.

I want to publicly thank a few close friends. Tony Blei for his advice and support, who himself needs support during difficult times since his mothers passing this week. Dave Cruz for keeping me on task and reinforcing the business mantra. Above all my "reverse" mentor EB McGovern. EB was a young kid right out of ASU's Journalism school when we first met. All I did was be her friend and tell her how special she is. I helped her with lighting techniques and some basic photography skills. It didn't take long before she was kicking butt. It is so important to be nice! EB is the type of person who has a positive attitude with just about everything. She is now my business mentor. In a way it's funny beacuse I was her mentor as a young photojournalist 10 years ago. What goes around comes around.

EB is owner operator of Blush Imagery http://www.blushimagery.com/ a successful wedding photography business in Portland, Maine. EB married former Tribune photographer Brian Fitzgerald http://www.fitzgeraldphoto.com/who also has chimed in with suggestions, advise, and contracts for me as well. All I did was call her about my situation and immediately she started helping me without hesitation. She is my adviser on the business of photography. You guys rock! To tell the truth I think I have motivated her to become a photography consultant. I would like to thank EB, Brian, Tony and Dave. Your the best!

As far as my photography I have landed a nice corporate account. I really don't want to talk about that to much because it is to soon to think I'm their go-to-guy. I'm still working hard to develop long term relationships. Beyond that, I have photographed a couple who are engaged, a couple of models and former Tribune intern. The images are a departure from my former photography work but I'm finding it equally rewarding. When you make a good picture you always feel good about it. Today, I feel good about these pictures. I think it is correct to say I'm forever learning, a student of life and continually evolving as I go. I still have a long road in front of me, but I feel I'm off to a good start.

By mid March, I will have a new web site. My address http://bradarmstrongphotography.com/ will be the same but my hope is to grow the site as I expand. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for visiting!