Happy Holidays from TRR Photography

The holidays are here, and with them comes a celebration of our relationships, especially our family ties.

And I would just like to say, "thank you," to those of you who, like the Stone family (pictured), allowed TRR Photography to play a role in yours this season.

May all your days be merry and bright!

- Tammy

NEWS FLASH: Vinny AND Cirino WIN Best of Breed at Eukanuba!

                        

Pictured L to R: Champ Vinny the Bernese Mountain Dog and Champ Cirino the Cane Corso

THIS JUST IN: Both of these handsome fellas were awarded Best of Breed at the pretigious AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Show over the weekend.

Congratulations to their owners respectfully: Eric Buonpane and Rich Hudgens on these wonderful wins.

I am so proud.  I like to think the portraits and ads I have created had a little something to do with their success.  ; )

It's NOW Champion Wildwoods Cirino Di Campo!

It's official, "Cirino" is now an AKC Champion!  What's more, he has qualified to be shown at the pretigious AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Show just around the corner.  Now in its tenth year, the show will be held in Long Beach, California, December 4 & 5.

To celebrate, Cirino's owner, Rich Hudgens, asked me to create portraits of this impressive Cane Corso befitting of the breed's character.  For those of you who are wondering if this boy is one of the pups featured in an eariler post, he is not.  He, however, has the same daddy.  ; )

At just two-years-of-age, Cirino already is throwing his muscle around the show ring going Best of Breed over top-ranked specials.  If they only knew; he's really a sweetheart.  To that, I just have to muster my best English accent and say, "bully"--a compliment amongst fanciers of the breed.

For more info on the Eukanuba show, visit www.akc.org/invitational/2010.  Also, be sure to visit the AKC Online Catalog to view more images of CH Wildwoods Cirino Di Campo by yours truly.

- Tammy

Breaking New Ground

TRR Photography congratulates ADESA - A Vehicle Remarketing Industry Leader on the groundbreaking of its newest location in N. Las Vegas.

Who says you can't have a groundbreaking on an asphalt parking lot?!  Thank you, Mike, for building the sandbox.  We trust that you pulled the appropriate permits...

Special thanks to Jim, Tom and Bob, members of ADESA's senior management team, for being such good sports in the 100-plus degree heat that afternoon and making the event fun!

When open for business in Spring 2011, the multi-use facility will include complete detailing, reconditioning and mechanic shops as well as a state-of-the-art auction house.  Other customer amenities at ADESA Las Vegas will include a dealer lounge equipped with online workstations and a full-service cafeteria.

Here's looking forward to the next phase of the project!

Beautifying Our Community - One Company's Quest

For many family owned businesses, these are very trying times.  It's no longer business as usual.  Indeed, many have been forced to reinvent themselves, changing with the economy, as was the case for Blue and Green Outdoors.  Owner Tom Anderson says, "As a result, the company actually is thriving, even hiring!"  Not many companies can say the same, especially in the highly competitive field of landscape/pool design and maintenance.

Blue and Green Outdoors celebrated with a company-wide picnic last weekend at Lone Mountian Park.  Yours truly was the photographer for the event.  And an event it was, from the authentic Mexican food to the antics of Charlie the Clown, employees and their families, especially the kids enjoyed a picture-perfect day.

It also reminded me of what it means to be successful and the importance of celebrating family.  Kudos to the Anderson family on keeping it together and, in the process, beautifying our community in more ways than one.     

- Tammy

Sister Act

While the temperatures are presently still in the triple digits, soon enough we will be breaking out the sweaters as Fall is just around the corner. And, what better way to celebrate than with a family portrait, especially of siblings?

Just over the weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing three lovely ladies here at TRR Photography. Sisters, Ana and Alexa, and their mother, Shauna, wanted to create a variety of portraits before older sister Ana went off to college.

As we discussed, it is important to mark such milestones. For it won't be long before the girls marry and otherwise start families of their own. Especially important to me as a professional photographer are the relationships between my subjects. And the bond between sisters is very special indeed, if not comical as seen here.

While I only have brothers myself, I'm sure these sisters will always be close. What's more, they will have this portrait to bring a smile to their faces, no matter how many miles may separate them.

The CPP Process - Part II

It's official: I passed the Image Submission Review as Part II in the process of becoming a Certified Professional Photographer. Part I consisted of me declaring my candidacy and Part III will entail sitting for a written exam. So, it looks like I will be going to San Antonia in January to take the exam (if I don't go to another test site before then).

In the meantime, I will be hitting the books to study for the exam which will cover everything from camera/lens operations to lighting/posing to digital capture/output. Specifically, I will be brushing-up on the Inverse Square Law and Color Theory as well as the history of photography. At this point, you may be asking, Why get certified? After all, I already possess a degree in Commercial Photography.

Unfortunately, anyone can claim to be a professional photographer. And with the state of the current economy, many folks are buying digital cameras with the intention of making a few extra bucks on the weekend. The reality is that more times than not, these weekend worriers leave their clients with little more than lighter wallets.

Less than 8% of all imaging professionals are certified. Compared to any other profession, this number is astonishing. In fact, most professionals of any other occupation cannot even hang out a shingle without first being certified by a governing body of their profession. Further, I, personally, would not want to use someone who wasn't certified.

For these reasons and more, I have made certification a goal of mine. For more info, see Blog Post: It Starts-The CPP Process 9/15/09.

Tammy

Make A SPLASH This Summer as a Mermaid!

After 18-months of preparation, here at TRR Photography we are now ready to hold our first limited-edition themed sessions. And, we are doing it with style--mermaid style.

All over the world, mermaids have captured the imagination of sailors, writers, artists and more for centuries. Even today, as evidenced by their presence in several Las Vegas venues, mermaids continue to draw us in. As an Aquarius and romantic myself, the idea of staging mermaid sessions here amongst the living backdrops did not take a stretch of the imagination. After all, what could be more natural than a mermaid sunning herself on the rocks of a 30-foot waterfall?

To make these limited-edition mermaid sessions a reality, I've enlisted the help of The Tail Main, Thom Shouse. You may know his work from the movie SPLASH amongst others. His realistic tails are so convincing that you'll soon believe you are a goddess of the sea!

The hour-long sessions will only be offered July 5 - 18. Session times are being scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Portrait consultations are highly recommended to ensure that you are fitted with a proper tail. The session fee of $250 includes the tail rental (a $500 value) as well as use of our props, including wigs, shells and seaweed boa! As an added bonus, each session comes with a studio credit of $75.

So, make a splash this summer and book a mermaid session with me! For more information, or to book your limited-edition session, please call 702-889-4011 or write trrphotography@intermind.net.

Vote for my entry in the 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest

Vote for my entry in the 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest

If you vote you will be entered to win a Canon PowerShot G11, and you will get a big "Thank You" from me.

The gallery of cover prospects contains many beautiful and humorous images. It's definitely worth scrolling through as you enjoy your morning coffee. Who knows, you just may become inspired for your next session!

Advocates for Justice

TRR Photography was recently honored with the job of photographing this year's honorees of the Nevada Justice Association and creating the cover for the professional association's bi-monthly journal, the ADVOCATE.

Unfortunately, Trial Lawyer of the Year, Peter D. Durney, Esq., was unable to get to Vegas, but did provide me with a photo. The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Neil G. Galatz, Esq., and Consumer Advocate of the Year, Victoria D. Riley, however, were not so lucky and were shot by yours truly. The resulting three images were then transformed into an Andy Warhol inspired piece--sans the green and blue hair. A preview of the actual cover is posted here.

The real story, however, is the work performed and example set by these individuals for the legal profession, in general, and their dedication to those who have been injured through no fault of their own, specifically. For without advocates like them, there would be no justice in our justice system.

The gala honoring all three will take place here in Las Vegas at the Encore at Wynn on June 17th. For tickets or more info on this event, contact the NJA at www.nevadajustice.org or (775) 883-3577.

Congratulations Neil, Victoria and Pete, enjoy your evening--you deserve it!

Hooray for Hollywood!

It had been four years since I last attended a National Specialty Show of the Collie Club of America, and true to the show's slogan: Hooray for Hollywood, the show committee did not disappoint.

The week was packed with events for every type of Collie fancier under the warm California sun from agility to conformation as well as those of a more social nature. One of my favorites was the live auction benefiting the Collie Health Foundation. With Bob Kelly serving as auctioneer and Gayle Ann Stepanik and myself once again in charge of the display tables, the event was both entertaining and festive. And, yes, I did end up the lucky bidder on at least one item.


Outside the ring, I had the best time photographing a young rough sable and white dog, call name Quinn, from Texas. His owner, Therese Holmes-Terrell, has high hopes for this boy and for good reason. I have no doubt that by this time next year, he will be an AKC champion. At which time, I will be able to say I knew him when...

The climax of any dog show, however, is the Best In Show (Best Of Breed at a National) judging, and my friend Judge Carl Williford made it just that by bringing his own class act to the ring. Carl himself had been looking forward to the moment for two years--since first being elected by his peers to officiate. For the final showdown, there were two dogs (males) standing in the ring, a smooth sable and a rough tri-color. Before a full house, it would be the latter, Ch. Fantasy's Rising Dragon, that would receive Carl's nod, the accompanying fanfare, and make Collie history.

The next thing I heard was the show announcer calling the 2010 National a wrap. And, all cheered, Hooray for Hollywood!

Highwire Rocks!

TRR Photography recently had the pleasure of shooting a great group of guys: Las Vegas' own Highwire - the Rock Tribute Band - and immediately became a fan. And once I actually heard them play, I knew it was the real deal!

The talent in this five-man-band runs deep. Pictured L to R: Brad Hagen - Bad-ass Bass Player, Sam McCastlin - Keyboards & Guitar, Geoff Garrett - Lead Singer, Shon McKee - Drummer, and Rob Robbins - Lead Guitar. Together, they well...rock, but don't take my word for it. Go see and hear them for yourselves!

Highwire is playing this Friday night at the Ovation inside Green Valley Ranch with The Neal Schon (of Journey) Band. Neal goes on at 8 pm followed by Highwire at 11 pm. The Highwire concert is FREE, but you will need tickets for Neal's show (which start at just $24).

For more info, please visit www.greenvalleyranchresort.com/entertainment/ovation.

Cameras and Collies

TRR Photography

Most of you who know me, know that photography is just one of my passions, the other is Collies. It was my Dad who introduced me to both, and for most of my childhood, I had a camera and/or Collie with me. In fact, it was not unusual to find me taking photos of the family Collie, Cavalier, with my Brownie. Even today, I find that cameras and Collies go well together.

To my delight this year, the Collie Club of America will be hosting its National Specialty Show and Convention, March 24 - 27, in Pomona, California. Needless to say, I will be there with camera in hand. What's more, I will be offering three different sessions to fanciers at my special show rates as shown here. Those making a reservation in advance of the National, also will receive a bonus set of eight wallets!

At the National, TRR Photography will have a display and sign-up sheet at the Laura Weiss booth. I, however, will likely be found sitting ringside with my camera aimed at the action and my favorite breed, the Collie.

For more info or to book a show session, please write trrphotography@intermind.net or call (702) 889-4011.

A Pleasant Surprise!

Yesterday was a particularly stressful day for me. However, that all changed as if by magic upon receiving an unexpected email from one of my clients, Karen Anderson, for whom I had recently photographed her champion Collie.

In her note, Karen informed me that she had reserved a full page in the show catalog for the Collie Club of America's upcoming National Specialty featuring one of my portraits. Upon inspection, I also found a pleasant surprise in the form of a special "thank you" and plug for me?! Needless to say, it made my day and reminded me of why I chose photography as my occupation. It also is why I am writing to you all now...

Now more than ever, I feel privileged to be a photographer. And, it is because of clients like you and Karen that I continue to love what I do. In turn, it is my hope that I can bring some joy to your lives. Let me begin by saying those two magic words: THANK YOU for being clients of TRR Photography!

Now Showing: The Sexy Side of TRR Photography

It began with an innocent comment by one of my male executive clients, and now I am pleased to announce the creation of my new website featuring the sexy side of TRR Photography: www.letyoursexyout.com!

While the site is still a work in progress, it is my hope that it will become a forum and resource for women like you and me--women who juggle their family and professional lives on a daily basis, but who also are proud to be women. Thus, if you know of a product or person that I ought to feature on the Let Your Sexy Out Blog, please let me hear from you. My email address is: trrphotography@intermind.net.

For now, I invite you to sit down with your favorite beverage and visit the website to experience it for yourself. And as always, your feedback is appreciated. Again, Let Your Sexy Out is about real women--women like you.

Joining the Digital Club

So, you just got your first digital camera for Christmas and are now asking yourself,"What's a pixel?" Don't feel bad. For most folks, there is a learning curve when it comes to digital capture, especially if you are over 50 and have only known film cameras.

I, however, have good news for you. Everything you ever wanted to know about digital photography--from getting up and running to sharing on the web--has been addressed in the book In Easy Steps: Digital Photography for Seniors by Nick Vandome. Don't be fooled by the title though, this book actually is a must read for anyone just joining the digital club. I especially like the "Hot Tips" featured throughout. What's more, the size, illustrations and layout of the paperback make it a handy desk resource.

As a professional photographer, I am frequently asked for tips on common issues that beguile novices from brightening dull photos to making photos crisper. And these, too, are covered in this book using Photoshop Elements. As a bonus, Digital Photography for Seniors (for over 50s) also discusses sharing photos on the web using online sites such as Facebook.

All in all, this book makes the perfect companion to your first digital camera. And with a list price of just $14.99, it's cheaper than the batteries you just purchased!