Category : Everyday Moments
PUG (Pictage User Group) Mini West Coast Speaking Tour
By: Wendy
For the first time, a real merging of past and present have come together for me. It’s been really exciting over the last few months to stand up and start speaking to other wedding and portrait photographers about their web marketing. It started first with the 20th Kubota Bootcamp, then WPPI Photographer’s Ignite, and now a west coast mini-tour of PUG groups (Pictage User Group). Educating others on the value of web marketing is a true passion of mine over the last 10 years and merging that with our photography has been a journey that hopefully others can learn and prosper from. Web marketing is essential and the big questions we review in the presentations are:
- Where do I start?
- What’s the most important thing to do with the budget I have?
- How in the heck do I get on the first page of Google for my keyword phrases?
- How do I start a Facebook fan page?
- What are the top 10 mistakes photographers make in their web marketing?
- How do I review Google Analytics?
We started with San Jose and San Francisco PUGs and now we’re off to Portland, Oregon and then June 29th and 30th , Seattle and Tacoma. These PUG leaders volunteer their time for this position and each and every group so far has been exciting, invigorating and lively. Thank you for this opportunity Pictage and for your support!
Moreover, we’ve had awesome sponsors that have stood up and gotten behind us. We couldn’t do it without you, so thank you: Revolution Imaging and Design, Kubota Image Tools, SnapKnot, Zach Prez and the Photography Web Marketing Guide.
Rock on…I look forward to releasing upcoming speaking dates via our official Facebook page – so be sure to stay connected. Also, I’ll be featured in several upcoming blog posts on Pictage’s blog: The Photo Life and the Photography Web Marketing Guide Blog and look forward to sharing those with you as well.
Lastly, thanks to my hubby for grabbing these candids – love you hunny.
All the best,
B + W
The lively, entertaining and awesome San Jose PUG – thanks to leader San Jose Portrait Photographer -Jill Johnson!
The exciting and somewhat tangent-oriented San Francisco PUG – thanks to leaders San Francisco Family Photographer -Keri Vaca.
As a signature, I like to bring a little of Bend, Oregon to my destinations and bribe attendees with Deschutes Brewery Beer 
Works every time.
The Right Person, The Right Moment – Family Portraits; Bend, Oregon
There’s times in your life when the right person comes along at the right time – out of the blue – and forever makes an impact. Sharon is one of those special people, with big smiles and an even bigger heart. She was a recommendation from a former bride when we were on the hunt for a caretaker for our dogs during our recent wedding shoot in Mexico. Our ‘kids’ (our dogs, Miles and Dizzy of course!) were getting older and needed some extra special attention. Dizzy has been having some trouble with a tumor on her arm and we thought it would be best to have someone take care of her and stay at the house.
The worst happened and during our trip, Dizzy very rapidly went downhill and passed away. Without Sharon’s dedication and love, the experience would have been extremely difficult (as it was, losing a pet you’ve spent 13 years with is tough enough!). There’s not enough gratitude in the world that we can share to say thank you. As a tribute and small token of thanks, we invited Sharon and her adorable 12 year Boston Terrier, Brodie, to do some formal portraits.
Sharon, you are a God-send and true friend.
Many, many thanks,
B + W
LOVE this – just wanna kiss his forehead.
These are the kind of shots where I wonder what Brodie is thinking….
Ultimate bliss – smothered with love!
Byron: “Brodie! Brodie, over here” Brodie: “huh?”
A Happy New Addition To Our Family!
We are VERY excited to announce a new addition to our family – Ella Fitzgerald Roe!
She’s an adorable, 8 month old orange calico that was in desperate need for a happy, caring home. Ella was subjected to sickness and abandonment until she was rescued, nursed back to health and given to CRAFT ready for adoption. CRAFT (Cat Rescue, Adoption and Foster Team) of Central Oregon is another alternative to the Humane Society for cat adoption in Bend, Oregon and we had a wonderful experience adopting!
She and her brother, Miles have yet to be introduced but seeing how things are going so well so far…it shouldn’t be long before he has a new companion to play with! We love to name our pets after famous Jazz artists…(Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald), a tradition Byron started long ago
Welcome, Ella. We can’t wait to snuggle and play string with you and hope you and Miles become good buddies.
Ah, pets are so cool.
B + W
Her new favorite place, the bathroom SINK.
Pinch-ably cute!
Welcome ELLA!
Happy Birthday Miles!
Today is Miles B-day; we really didn’t know his actual special day so we thought this day would be perfect for him. As most people know, labs have an affinity for eating anything they can stuff in their mouths. Miles is no saint though and he’s stolen a number of steaks in his time but we really wanted to get him his own for once.
He’s been an amazing friend for 13 years and we’ve had more fun running, mtn biking, xc skiing, swimming, etc, etc. than I could have ever imagined. At 14 he can still run 4 miles with us so he’s no slouch. Since Dizzy passed away three weeks ago, we’ve been spoiling Miles a bit more and we thought it was time for some major spoilage.
Here’s to you Miles-AKA: Tank, Bubba, Bubba Jubba, Numb skull, Puppy Paws!
With love always,
B + W
The Wonders Of Mexico: AKA, “Roosters & Fireworks”
We thought it only appropriate to throw out a “Did you know” post about Mexico since we had so much fun with the Italian post of the same title. We had to dig a little deeper with this one since I know many of you’ve traveled around in Mexico at some point in your lives, (and if you haven’t you need to!).
Did you know that:
1) Mexican’s do not put limes in their cerveza or tequila? It’s an American thing!
2) The Mexican celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place each year from December 1st to the 12th. This is the largest and most important religious celebration for Mexico. Each days celebration is accompanied by aerial bombs and other fireworks that continue day and night until the 12th where the culmination of explosions reach a level that tends to shake the buildings. SEE BELOW
3) In Puerto Vallarta, the left turn lane is actually in the right most lane. There are two lanes going each direction in the middle, (separated by a median from the turn lanes on the right side) that allow for quicker travel but you can’t turn left or right in these.
4) People celebrating the “Virgin of Guadalupe” attach fireworks to a paper mache bull and run around with it, (much to the children’s delight….). SEE VIDEO
5) Papaya’s are super cheap and crazy big, (not a delicacy down here, just a staple)!
6) Because of the large amount of Bend, Oregon people down here in Sayulita, (who would have thought) the locals call us “Bendito’s”.
7) Surfing in Sayulita can be amazing for beginners to pro’s, (lots of pros are born in this area and they rip).
There’s lots of homeless dogs all throughout Mexico but many of those in Sayulita are well cared for by the locals.
9) The front gate security at Dream’s resort in Puerto Vallarta (where our bride and groom were) would make the U.S. military proud. “What, I was just here 4 hours ago meeting with clients….don’t you remember me?” A Costco card for ID seemed to suffice oddly enough.
10) The drug cartels have not taken over the entire country! It’s unfortunate fact that Mexico is, (at the moment) receiving such bad publicity since the areas we’ve experienced, are no less safe than any city or town in the U.S. The locals say it’s the slowest season they remember. So sad because it’s so beautiful and everyone we’ve met has been friendly.
The “Running With The Bull” – WOW, yeah, that’s a little freaky.
Let the festivities begin in Sayulita!
A festival parade in Puerto Vallarta
The old cathedral in Puerto Vallarta
The plaza in Sayulita where all the celebration begins and ends!
The running of the bull, (with fireworks attached of course!) Other fireworks are flying around at times during this bull run and it’s not unusual to have very big and loud firecrackers go off right underneath you.
Another viewpoint of the exploding bull run. The kids love this and scatter everywhere!
Lone fella rollin cigars on the street in Puerto Vallarta
Great way to sum up Mexico for us!
2010 Holiday Card Contest Bride + Groom Doggie Portraits, Bend Oregon
It’s that time of year again – jingle, jingle! This year we decided to use our ever faithful bride and groom models, Miles and Dizzy. They were also ‘hired’ for our 2008 Holiday Cards and it went over so well, we decided to do a little variation on the theme.
Miles and Dizzy posed again with bowtie and veil, just as happy as can be (we didn’t even have to bribe them with treats surprisingly!). What can we say, we love our doggies They’re 14 and still as cute as can be.
What we need from YOU:
1) Review the top 6 images below and choose your FAVORITE.
2) Write a blog comment, include your name and the image # of your favorite.
3) Complete this task by this *SUNDAY, Nov 14th by 12 NOON.
Majority wins! Thanks for your participation
Happy Holidays,
B + W
Image Number: 1
Image Number: 2
Image Number: 3
Image Number: 4
Image Number: 5
Image Number: 6
