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Archive for December, 2005
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Tonight I received a call from Frank DiMeo asking to take me out for smoothies…. which of course I’m always game for (thanks Frank)! In addition to the surprise visit by Frank, I also had another surprise… a present from my friend Alisha in St. Louis. Even though Alisha and I have only been friends for maybe a year at most, she just really seems to totally understand me and my way of thinking. Maybe all those late night talks have something to do with that (naaaawwww). Anyway below are some pictures…. 1. Frank and his "everything green" smoothie (the bread and butter of all smoothies), 2. Alisha’s total "female" wrapping job… I think I need to start having things wrapped at the store, 3. Alisha’s present to me…. a 2006 calender with positive thinking and inspirational quotes, 4. My mint carob smoothie… the absolute best!
Two quotes really struck a chord and I want to share –
- "make a true estimate of your own ability,
then raise it 10 percent."
Mmmmmmm that is so true, and such good advice. I always joke about being so busy and never even seeing that medaphorical light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s really the way I prefer it. If we ever really get "caught up" then that means we haven’t set big enough goals, or aren’t giving ourselves enough room to grow. We should always be almost in "over our head" so to speak with what we do, it gives us the chance to really shine and grow.
- "the best thing you have to give is yourself."
This is the principle I base my business on. As almost all of you know when it comes to albums, reprints, anything tangible, I don’t even talk about it until after the wedding. I don’t let it even play a factor when deciding whether to work together. Of course I use really beautiful albums, as do many other photographers… and I use really advanced cameras, have sound technical ability, and all these other examples of things that any photographer can have, acquire, or purchase. But what separates me from the rest is my personality… dealing with me day in and day out, my personality in the photography, just me. It’s the main thing I try and give people. Any business can offer a great product or service, but it’s the businesses that offer themselves that are the truly successful ones (successful in many ways) in my opinion.
Anyway, on to the pics mentioned above….
   
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As many of you know, the blog has been a tremendous tool in helping me communicate and stay in touch with everybody. Before this blog I struggled with an effective means to stay in touch with people, from a hardcopy newsletter to an email newsletter in HTML format. Each time there was excitement and interest, but they all presented big challenges as well. Enter the blog… which has made life easier on me because I want people to have access to me, and everyone reading this seems to love it. And I can’t tell you how many people tell me they read it "religiously," so that tells me this is a huge hit with all of you.
Anyway, because of the difficulties above I was not able to start my own little end of the season contest last year. I had the idea to start a small contest every year in which I would select a handful of my favorite images from a certain category and have people vote on the winner. I would change the category every year to make it fun :) So….. because of the blog I finally can start the first annual contest! I still don’t know what to name it though, if someone has an awesome idea please forward it. I’ll send you a special prize!
So the theme for 2005 is………..dessert!! I saw my friend Becker in California does a cake contest every year and looking at his images made it obvious which direction I had to go in this year. Ok Ok that and the fact that I love cake. Religiously love cake perhaps ;) Megan has to be laughing as she’s reading this, it’s one of the first things I do when I get to a reception….. straight to the cake to see what’s in store for later. I use "detail shots" as a cover, but I’m really just checking out the cake.
Below are the entries for 2005. I really didn’t plan on entering 7 of them, I had 4 as my goal… but looking at so many desserts was just too tempting. So I’ll let all of you decide. And there was no criteria for selecting these, they were just desserts that I personally remember either loving how they looked or tasted (or both)… if you’re looking at this and want your cake added just let me know and I’ll search for it.
The entries are 1-7, the first picture being #1 and the last being #7. Please leave a comment in the comments section below with the number you want to vote for. The dessert with the most votes at the end (when this entry falls off the first page) or the first dessert with 5 votes is the winner! The winner will get a special prize of course :) Rather than just making that prize something no matter who wins, I think it makes more sense to just ask the winner what they want and deliver something special. My original thought was a custom enlargement, but I’ll just talk with the winner and deliver something very cool to their liking. And of course post it here as well so everyone can check out what they missed out on ;) Vote away….
P.S. – ive already decided…..next year’s theme is craziest group shot. a little heads up for those 06ers. get creative!
      
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For those of you always visiting the blog to see new work, don’t worry… I have an engagement shoot and a couple weddings coming up in the next month. The little bit of time off (from shooting) has allowed me to get hammering away on all the albums. I think I might be starting to see daylight even!
Anyway, since I’m a digital photographer I spend a good amount of time in the office here with a couple computers. Because of that, iTunes has become my best friend! Even though I’m a PC guy (and so are over 80% of the people visiting my website) Apple has outdone themselves with this iPod and iTunes phenom. It’s a total lifesaver for me. I get to experience new music all the time, and I need it considering how much time I spend here in the office. So because I’m a part-time professional computer geek I figure it’s about time I start putting up new tunes I find that I love. I was going to do it on a regular schedule (like twice a month), but it seems to make more sense to just put up a hot new track when I come across one.
And the first new track I’m recommending…..
song – Listen to the Music (DJ Malibu Mix)
artist – The Doobie Brothers
album – What Is Hip? Remix Project, Vol. 1
The song selection I put up here will probably be fairly diverse as I like a lot of different music, but the central theme is almost always something with a good beat. Something that gets me rocking in the studio ;) Please download the song on your iTunes if you’re interested and support the artist!!!
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I had the chance to go out with a bunch of friends and contacts the other night, and I wanted to introduce some of them since they are so involved in my life and work. I’ve had the chance to make so many awesome friendships, and meet so many creative people that have played a part in helping shape my work into what it is… aka lukestyle ;)
1 – ok this is just me laughing in the front seat
2 – myself and Gillian Moritz. Gill is a good friend of mine, and an insanely talented make up artist. You can find her work at www.devenirbridal.com. Gill lets me stay at her place pretty much at will, and has done make up and hair on many of the girls in my work. She is largely responsible for the fashion influence in my work.
3 – Jason Groupp, Frank DiMeo, me, and Robert Kaussner. These are the 3 closest photographers to me, and some of my best friends. Many of you have seen some of Frank’s work when we’ve had the chance to shoot together, and Robert is also located nearby and graces this blog occasionally. Jason is located in NYC though, and doesn’t frequent the blog as often, but still has an influence in my work. He loves night shots in Manhattan, and as many of you have noticed I’ve taken a new love to outdoor night shots this season.
4 – Jason getting one of Frank’s newly infamous headshots!
5 – What kind of party would be complete without models ;)
    
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That green one looks sick. But I guess it just goes to show that Frank can eat anything! That mint carob sounds/looks tasty.
12/29/2005 8:11 pm
Hey Luke!
That everything green smoothing looks nasty! I see that the beard thing has stuck with Frank for now. Man, we have about the same growth going on, haha.
Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.
LOVE the cake shots below, btw.
12/29/2005 9:15 pm
no love for frank’s everything green smoothie! LOL mint carob all the way bro ;)
1/2/2006 11:52 pm