Theler Community Center Publishes Upscale Premier Edition of 2011 Calendar of our very own Belfair Belles 50s-style Pin-Up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belfair Washington, September 16, 2010

Theler Community Center [TCC] and Always Elegance Photography produces premier edition of 2011 calendar of  Belfair Belles 50s Pin-up. Production and shooting of our premier editions will commence immediately, that is, as soon as our famous firefighters and the Belfair Belles are ready to go. Production plans are to be completed by October 15th with design and printing to follow. Copies will be ready for sale at Theler Community Center and other local venues by Thanksgiving. ALL sales proceeds will go to benefit Theler Community Center.
Our first and PREMIER calendar edition will be an upscale collector’s item. We are asking all our local businesses to sponsor a firefighter and a belle. We need 15 sponsors for each of these premier editions. All sponsor forms are available at Theler, either in person or by contacting the office at (360) 275-4898. Two sponsorship levels are available: $200.00 level or at the $150.00 level. There are a few extra perks at the $200.00 level.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to take advantage of prime real estate on Belfair’s PREMIER EDITION of our own Belfair Belles 50s Pin-Up calendar. We, the Theler Board members, are so proud to be able to make this an annual event and hope to boost the presence of our local businesses — Which is already proving to be a big splash!
For additional information Contact: Theler Community Center at (360) 275-4898, or, Fay Marley-Clarke, Always Elegance Photography at (360) 616-2396
Lets make this Premier edition one to remember, as the Community Center provides a focal point for our community. Events for youth and seniors, weddings and other community activities are hosted at the Center. Thanks to the generous gift of Sam Theler, the people of North Mason have come to think of Theler as a large part of the “sense of place” that defines North Mason.

Contact:
Theler Community Center at (360) 275-4898
Fay Marley-Clarke  at Always Elegance Photography at (360) 616-2396

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Frank Kenny from North Mason Chamber spoke at Mastermind Mondays in Poulsbo last night. Great presentation Frank! I always pick up something new.

This is a test from ping.fm

Here are some visual treats from Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

As my sister and I were driving to visit one of her friends, this beautiful site appeared as we were going over the bridge. I don’t have too many details about this treasure, just that it took me by surprise. Old is beautiful! Yes!

Well here is the new look

After a while away from the blog, I decided to give it a new look and see what I was missing with add-ons etc. So here is the new look and new images to come soon.  I know I keep making promises, but this time is for real!

New Social Media Networking-One Idea at a Time

Our lives are filled with junctions and crossroads and every one of them points to choices we must make. Which way to turn – which road is better – which avenue has the better stops along the way – which one will bring only good adventures – and probably the most important question, which one will make me happy? I wonder how many of us think about the last question, which choice will make me happy? I think it is important to ask, do we even think about that as a viable option? And from a business perspective, will that choice change the way we do business or will it change us?

How on earth does making choices about different paths in our lives have to do with the new social media and networking? Well that has been the subject of my thoughts over the past few months and I am going to open up my brain here and allow some of my thoughts to spill and see where it will lead. To me the choice to join the new social media frenzy seemed like the best thing to do as I am not the type who like to be left behind. Was I happy about this choice – well, considering that I knew nothing about social media, I guess I was happy about following a new trend, after all I have been networking socially for quite a number of years, this shouldn’t be all that bad.

A few times I brought it up to some of my ‘real’ networking groups and all I got was a shoulder shrug. Maybe they weren’t into this new trend. Maybe they didn’t even know what I was talking about. Who knew! All I knew then was that I wanted to be on the cutting edge and get my business off and gallopping in Belfair, WA. There was no turning back this time, as all my eggs were in one small basket. Looking back at some of these thoughts, I realize that there is no sense in asking anyone for any real commemt on anything. No one ever says anything REAL about anything anymore. Eyes go back and forth searching for some talking point, sound-bite or buzz-word on the subject that fits in with the going ‘shpeel’- Sound-bites and buzz words be damned! I absolutely dislike the sound-bite and buzz-word culture and the current path it is taking. I C it all now B4 my I’s!

This blog is taking on epic proportions, and as I feel I want to begin wrapping up, I feel more chapters in the making. But let me continue a bit more and see what happens. Well I was happy [maybe out of ignorance] and stepped into the foray of learning all about Social Media. Hence my attendance at all of Frank Kenny’s training sessions at the North Mason Chamber of Commerce and reading pertinent blogs. I picked it up pretty quickly and moved right into the stream of things and that is when the fight started. The fight or struggle to keep things simple began almost immediately. But, things just aren’t that simple, speaking in sound bites means changing who I am, doing something I don’t like to do.  Suddenly I was fallling prey to the sound-bite culture I so passionately abhor. So I began to say nothing and that nothing turned into more nothing and the silence grew by the week. And, all of a sudden it was not fun anymore. Things were a-changing! My social media learning curve was bending me into a completley different shape and the strain was painful. What was happening to ME?

Well now that quite a few months have passed and with the benefit of hindsight, I have brilliantly deducted that change is good and that makes me happy again. That is what blogs are for Fay, go ahead and rant away. But keep the social banter to 140 characters. Social banter is not soundbites, only quick short sentences [or maybe sentences] with one idea at a time. I can handle that! Sound bites are still a nuisance and a repetitive part of today’s culture. I am going to stick to my New Social Media as one idea at a time.

So choosing to discover the latest technology for social media networking has really taken me down a great path. Whether I took it in ignorance is a mute point right now, the fact that is that I am here and happy about it. Even though being ‘part-of-the-pack’ is becoming a buzzword too. Ahhhhh! I can’t get away from it. Yes I am changed, perhaps a bit more disposed to understanding a one word culture. But even more so – business is not as usual anymore; we tweet, facebook, blog, get ‘linkedIn  and whatever else is coming down the pike. And it has changed me too! At least I will always have my blog for rants that need more than one idea at a time! Maybe the next one will be shorter!

Stephanie Horton Rocks Tacoma Professional Photographers Group

Stephanie Horton from Top Dog Etiquette wows the Pierce County Professional Photographers Association in Tacoma Last night. We just had so much fun! Stephanie came and discussed very pertinent issues about networking, dealing with clients, what TO say and what NOT to say, how to sneeze and how NOT to sneeze, and just plain ole’ courtesy.  This humorous approach took all the negativity out of the need for professional and common courtesy that we all need in our world today. She really is the Common Courtesy Coach. “Not only is networking important in today’s challenging times”, says Stephanie, “it is important to make sure we do it in a way that is it not offensive.” Thank you Stephanie on behalf of all the members of the Pierce County Professional Photographer’s Association. After the meeting we all said that she had to come back for another ‘Courtesy Session’. I agree!

We all look forward to hearing her at the Social Networking Conference in Bremerton at the Kitsap Conference Center on June 4th.  Check out the site for registration and directions. http://bigfootsnc.com

Getting Ready for a Portrait Session

Had my first meeting with the DOOR-PRIZE winner at the Chamber After Hours, Carrie Cable. We are preparing for the portrait session with discussions about:
1- Clothing choice and why that is so important. Even though I recommend that you stay with clothing that you like and feels comfortable to you, it is  important to discuss colors and how colors help or hinder an image. After all we want to see your face first, not your multi-colored, bright and vibrant shirt or blouse.
2- Hair and make-up and why THAT is so important. Well Hair and make-up are self-explanatory, I know, but this is the only time when I say that a more is better.  After all you don’t want to look like you just finished the dishes – right? Also, lighting tends to wash out the skin, so more is better. Men too, they need to watch out for and fix little things, like around the nose and ears.
3- Your vision for your portrait is a very important step in the planning process. We all need to think about this part. Don’t think that the photographer knows what is in your head or in your dream look. We need to discuss this. After all, this will last forever and you want to make you the best you, you can be. That makes a lot of yous I know, but at the end of the day,  it is all about YOU!
4- My vision for your portrait is something that everyone should take advantage of, because to hear how another sees you only will enhance and embellish the new YOU we are going to see emerge. Plus, I do have creative ideas that you may want to take advantage of. That is what makes a portrait session special.

5- And everything else in between is also important because it gives me insight into who you really are and the person I need to find during our portrait session.

6- Last but not least is setting the date. We decided on May 5th! Now we are ready to go! Stay tuned …….

North Mason Chamber After Hours

We had such a great time at the ‘After Hours’ in the studio last Thursday.  We certainly packed the place. There were cars everywhere, on the grass and on the street. Thank you to all of you who came and made it such fun. Check out the “bow ties”. I think the ladies enjoyed their corsages, too! All in all it was great to showcase our business. And, it is always nice to see smiling faces! Joan Moore from BJs Cuisine did such a fantastic job on the hors d’hoevres. I hear the Mimosas and Belinis were good too!

Some images from my latest wedding!

Thank you Tiffany & Justin for appointing me as your photojournalist on your wedding day. Paparazzi is more like it! Yes. I was so nervous driving to Blaine in the pouring rain, but as prayers would have it — the sun came out, and all the itsy bitsy spiders climbed back up the water spout! Here are some images from that day.

Wedding Walk-about

Anticipation

Formal yet lovely

From the Balcony

Could not resist that moment

Wow girl! This says it all.

Amost time!

I do!

Yeah - its done!