Last night we had the best time at out local PUG. (For those of you just tuning in it stands for pictage user group, a fancy name for fellow photographers to get together). With the beginning of the new year most of my colleagues take some time in January to reflect on how things went last year and what they would like to do for the new year. I had heard Dane Sanders speak at Pictage’s Partnercon in Los Angeles in September and asked him to come on up and tell the group about his book Fast Track Photographer. I just knew it would be a great inspiration for all those new resolutions for the new year. Plus, the information and the pDNA test included with the book would help them find a starting point.

Dane is a wedding photographer based out of Orange County and he speaks nationwide for Adobe and Pictage at various events including WPPI in February. (So if you missed you can see him again at the big conference). This is a great book for anyone involved in the photography business. Whether your new or a seasoned pro you can identify and pull something out of it. I wish I would of had something like this when I started my business years ago. Below is just a couple things about the book.

Standing Out from the Crowd: Imagine life as a professional photographer where you never fake it or pretend – where your confidence in your art and your business comes from who you are as a photographer and not from what someone tells you you’re supposed to be. Imagine a recession and competition proof photo business built on a resource uncompromisingly committed to your core strengths. Now, imagine being given the tools required to get clear on what those skills are, as well as a fool proof plan to maximize your talents.

I’m sure that even if your not a photographer this book would be helpful to anyone starting a business. Click on the link Fast Track Photographer and find out what more people are saying about it. If you’ve read it tell me what you think. I’d love to know.

Dane was such a joy he even put up with Flamingo and his shenanigans. Come on a guy who wears socks like that has to be comfortable with Flamingo.

I love Flamingo doing a surprise attack on Gustavo Fernandez. They are great friends now. But the question of the night was Where did Flamingo’s legs go?

Ok trying to keep up with that resolution. ( I was on vacation last week so that shouldn’t count, plus I couldn’t access the internet).  The last wedding of the year was a special one since it was my nephew who was getting married.   It is always a good time when I get to go home and spend some time with the family and especially for such a happy occassion.  I had to admit though they must of gotten married on one of the coldest days in December.  It was cold and I was grateful that I didn’t have to take many outdoor photos. Whew!  Well one of the incredible Hulk and his friends was about it.  I was laying in the snow to get some of those shots.  What a dedicated Aunt.

It was a Christmas theme wedding with pointsetta’s, gingerbread houses, and cookie cutters for guest.  There was a lot going on and I was kept busy. Besides being the photographer I had Great Aunt Duties.  There was a new generation who needed to learn the “Macarana” and to yell “Tin Roof Rusted” with the B-52’s As you can see from the photos Flamingo fit right in in fact he matched so well he was like an honorary groomsmen.  He’s made himself one of the family.  Like usual he got the party going.  He gave piggy back rides, danced the circle, and of course nestled up to the ladies.   He tried the Hula hoop contest but he hurt his neck.  Allen was funny because he wanted some pink too to blend with his groomsmen.  So pink socks is what he came up with.  I’m wishing blessings on Allen and his new wife Hellena.  That was one more down and quite a few to go.  The family is taking bets on a couple of prospects.  Will it be Alex and Laura  or Jeffrey and Samantha?  What do you think?  Take a guess or do you think someone will come out of the shadows and surprise us all?

Just started a great bible study today on Esther. It is by one of my favorite’s Beth Moore. She is a crack up! Even though I’ve never met her every time I do one of her studies its like catching up with an old friend. I’m anxious to tell you what I learn about her over the next couple of weeks. But I want to find something out from you.

She asked a great question and asked us to think about it. I thought it was it was fun so I wanted to ask all of you. I would love to hear your thoughts and answers. The answers just have to be real. I don’t care if there sappy, funny, serious, medical, etc. I just want to hear your answers. So, the question is “What is the three hardest things about being a woman?” Or at least one.

I’ll start you off with one of the funniest answers I heard.

Being a woman who wears panties and trying to hide the fact that she has them on! Loved this!

Hey all, have you seen me on facebook?  Add me as a friend!

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. It is hard to believe 2009 is already here. Usually, the beginning of January is a time to relax, reflect, and to figure out what I can do better for the New Year. This year 2009 didn’t even do a warm up it started off running and I”m dying for some quiet reflective time. I have so many things to still tell you from last year I don’t know even where to begin for 2009.

So let’s start off with everyone’s favorite thing of the new year. You know what I”m talking about your New Year’s resolutions. Who has them, made them, and already broke them? I have to admit I’m not one who makes the resolutions. Why make something you know you probably won’t follow thru on? If I do make them it is something I know I can follow up on. But this year was a little different because there were a lot of things I wanted to do or improve. So, instead of keeping them all in my head I thought I would share some of them with you so that you could keep me on track. Plus, I think I went a little overboard. Most people do one, I have several so here it goes! (They are not listed in any order of importance just a list). Now that I think about it maybe there not resolutions but goals? Is that sugar coating it?

Number One: (Typical girl resolution). Loose weight. My goal is to loose between 10-15lbs. this year. For those who know me this is the pounds that I hate! I know a strong word no one should use but I’m honest I hate the final count down. They always give me the hardest time. The LB’s just hang on to my hips for dear life. There like a clingy boyfriend or girlfriend. They just won’t let go. They just have to be near you.

Number Two: Eat Healthier I know I know this one usually goes with number one but what I would like to try and do is have at least 2 Vegetarian meals a week. That doesn’t mean just having a salad but a meal. If you know me I love my steak, chicken, ribs, etc. So this will be a challenge. If you have any great recipes please pass them on. I”m not to creative with this one. Need to get that cholesterol down.

Number Three: New Blog 2008 was new website, this year a new blog was on the list. I’m so looking forward to it. I think it is going to have some really fun features and I”ll be so glad that it matches the new site.

Number Four: Blog More I have to say this one I’ve almost blown it already. I wanted to blog at least once a week. Two if I can swing it. I have about 4 blogs already started over the holidays but haven’t had the chance to finish them. So maybe I”ll have to resolve to not always having a photo. Or to put the thoughts down and post the photo later if it needs one. I don’t know but keep after me people.

Number Five: Contact an old friend This one I can say I already did and was so glad. I hadn’t talked to a good friend of mine from college for over a year. It was fantastic and he is just one of those friends that feels like we talked yesterday. We can always just pick up where we left off. Who would of known that a life long friendship could start because two kids hated math and connected at their college entrance exams. I love life!

Number Six: Finding the time This one is tricky. There are so many other things that I would like to do and accomplish but I haven’t fully had the time to sit down and figure them out. Things include organizing the closets, parenting skills, spiritual time, more business related goals, volunteering, personal, physical, and family goals. So when I can do that then maybe I can add to the list. But I had to be realistic and I would never get to started on the things I already was firm on. But I guess Finding quiet time for me on a weekly basis would be an awesome goal. Let’s see where I get with it.

What are your resolutions or goals for the year? I would love to know.