theadodds's blog

You know how they say you don't know a good thing till it's gone?  Well I have been taking ProDPI for granted.  Did you know they are closed this week for relocation.  Yes closed.  These guys never close!  I've had to order from another lab - yuck.  I've had to pay a min. order fee on drop ship orders, I've shipped in non-recycled packaging.  I can't wait for them to come back on line Sept 3. 

Good news is, they are moving to Colorado which is more central location, 300 days of sunshine and no earthquakes.  Sounds like a good life move to me (no offense CA, but plate tectonics is nothing to mess with). Seriously though, ProDPI is a super swell little lab, with awesome service and beautiful prints.  I appreciate the reminder that I love these guys and now I'd like them back, please.

Rehabilitation Through Photography (RTP) harnesses the wonder and the beauty of photography to help heal body and spirit. Founded almost 70 years ago as a humanitarian response to World War II and to help soldiers and veterans, RTP has expanded its mission to serve individuals in need from childhood through old age. RTP now provides photography instruction and programs to the physically and emotionally handicapped, the elderly, at-risk youth, the economically disadvantaged, the homeless and the visually impaired.

RTP is running Summer camera drive.  There goal is 100 cameras by Sept. 1.  Let's help them out!

For more information please click here.

During the month of August, 2010, Red Thread Photography, llc, a custom children’s portrait studio serving Northern Virginia, will donate 100% of its proceeds from portrait session fees and digital negative sales to CARE (care.org), a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.

“As a parent, I understand that in these difficult economic times, it can be tough to make as many charitable donations as we would like, and to invest in custom portraits of our children, so I wanted to give clients the opportunity to do both at one time“ says Lisa Hager, owner/photographer of Red Thread Photography, llc.

Hager states that she chose CARE because of its emphasis on women and children and its focus on tackling the underlying causes of poverty so people can become self-sufficient and notes “I have three young children and when I try to imagine my children and I living in the poor conditions so many families must endure, I wanted to work together with my clients to make a meaningful difference in addressing poverty for these families.”

Red Thread Photography, llc would like to raise at least $5,000-$10,000 for CARE during the month of August, 2010. Hager states that she plans to continue dedicating one month of every year to raising money for charity.

Red Thread Photography, llc is an environmentally and socially responsible children’s portrait photography studio serving Northern Virginia and focuses on capturing connection and natural expression.

For additional details regarding this charitable event, or to schedule a portrait session, please visit www.redthreadphotography.com/blog or call Red Thread Photography, llc at 703-314-6777.

Free Webinar to explain the entire certification process from start to finish!  Join us Tuesday August 3 at 1:00 PM EST.  We will show you the real application and have a live Q&A.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat today!

Leadership Circle and co-founder Thea Dodds' article, "Printing Green" was published in the Green Bride Guide. Check it out and tell us what you think in the comments section!

Join Me, Thea Dodds - Membership Director on Tuesday July 13 at 1:00 PM EST for a live demonstration of the entire certification process from start to finish. We will have a live Q&A where you can ask questions about the process.

Transparacy is the name of the game!  And we'll have a special promo code for attendees.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now!

Is there a energy initiative in your area?  If not, want to start one?

I am just filling out my membership application for the Plymouth NH renewable energy initiative and had to share.  This is one of the cleverist little ideas I've heard of in a while.  It's turning solar energy into a community process.  Members join for a fee and volunteer to help other community members install solar systems.  In turn member's get a system of their own installed for a very reasonable price, a home energy audit and a host of other benefits.  It's so exciting to see renewable energy becoming affordable, accesible and a community-building opportunity.

They also offer a CD for someone to start one these in your area.  What a great idea!!

I'm so excited it rained today!  We just installed two 80 gallon rain barrels and with just a half inch of rain, they both were flowing over.

I am shocked that that much rain comes off the roof.

We do not live in a dry area by any stretch.  We have more of a flood problem then drought.  We are using the barrels to catch the rain that has done a number of our brick patio and siding.  It is so cool to see how easy, effective and inexpensive this system is!  We bought the barrels for $80/each from Rain Barrels and more.  The shipping was free, quick and they weren't packaged at all. 

Installation took very little time and we hooked up a hose to water the garden as needed. 

For those of you in a dry area, you should definitely do this!

Carli Morgan Shows you how to be a “Greener Photographer”

-by David at PhotoBiz.com

Why we picked Carli Morgan?
We were fortunate to recently meet Carli at this year’s WPPI Convention in Las Vegas and she beemed with excitement. Even though she wasn’t a PhotoBizer at the time, and wasn’t really looking for a new website, I remember her introducing a friend of hers to us. Luckily enough, she decided to jump on-board with us as well. As I learned more about her, we found a true passion of hers was being “Green” and teaching others how to be “Green” as well.

A Little About Carli:
I have owned a camera for as long as I can remember. First a 110, then a disk camera (remember those), followed by a hot pink 35mm. I started out photographing baby dolls, Barbie vignettes, and family vacations. I studied art, specifically oil painting with great frustration before I realized that photography was the medium through which I could best express myself. I had some formal training in college before I decided to just dive in and learn on my own. I now very happily run a wedding and portrait business out of my home and try to balance being a wife, mother, and artist.

I have always tried to live in a way that is kind to the earth, produces less waste and conserves resources. I used to feel that my art was in conflict with that. Photographic prints are made through chemical processes, digital technology is spitting out new products all of the time which replace the old and create waste, etc.

What is “Greener Photography”?
Greener Photography is an organization that provides information on how to be green-ER. They provide list of vendors who offer traditional products with less environmental impact, non-traditional product designed especially to be more eco-friendly, and advice on ways to institute greener practices everyday.

What are Greener practices?
I was certified as a Greener Photographer, Leadership Circle earlier this year. I was surprised by how well I was already doing.

• I had carefully selected vendors such as White House Custom Color, and Finao Albums who have specific policies about environmental practices in place.
• I use DVD proofing in place of paper proofs, which cuts down on paper and chemical usage, and saves landfill space.
• I work out of my home which cuts down on commuter related usages such as fuel.
• I use natural light as my main lighting source, which saves energy.

I could go on and on, but the point is that you may already be headed in a green direction and not even know it. I have heard the argument that photography will never be green, and that these small differences in my practice will have little to no impact. If I were the only Greener Photographer that would be true, but I am not. All of us working together can make a huge difference and set examples for other industries.

Is there a fee to be certified?
Yes there is, and it goes to further the cause and spread the word to other photographers.

Do you need to be certified? I would love it if you were, but don’t let the label determine your practices. Conserve, reuse, live and work in a way that is less wasteful and less harmful. Certification gives you access to discounts and permission to use the logo so that other photographers and clients know where you stand and what is important to you.

Where do you start?
Go to the Greener Photography Website. Check out the list of greener vendors and what makes them so. Spend Earth Day checking out your practices and see where you stand. Find one thing you are doing greener, and one more thing you can do greener. Every single thing you do in a positive direction is a contribution that will make the world a better, cleaner, greener place.

Wearin’ o’ the Green (Certification Seal): A lesson in history, ecology, and Greener Photography

By Carli Morgan
Wednesday, March 17

In the spirit of St. Patrick, who not only drove the snakes from Ireland, but brought there the Catholic faith through his practice of Celtic Christianity I am spreading the green.  What St. Patrick did was unique in that he practiced his faith, and contributed to the community without demanding conversion, and by example converted the masses (mostly, hey pagans!).

I share today with you my experience, not as a command to action, but as an example.

I was recently certified by Greener Photography.  Yes, I had to pay a fee, but I am great with that and am happy to support the cause.  I filled out an online form qualifying me.  I knew I would get certified, but little did I know how truly green I am way down to my core, I am after all a wee bit Irish.  After an email from Thea with follow up questions I was certified Leadership Circle which means that I am so green I have the right and responsibility to mentor other photographers in greener practice.  I also got to meet and hang out with other greenies at the Greener Photography party in Vegas, which was a blast.

We are in an industry that consumes, uses chemicals, causes trees to be cut.  There are ways that we can practice our art and still respect the environment.  For me it is about finding a balance between longevity and ecological impact.  If you are interested in finding out more about the process, or finding ways to lighten your impact visit Greener Photography’s web site.  Or don’t.  It’s your decision.

-This blog post originally appeared on the DWF blog. Check it out here.