The more things change ...

... the more they stay the same!

Stormy Spring Skies - click to enlarge

I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post!

New: Finally found a job ...

New/Same: Body breakdown ...

Same: The joys of being a tenant ...

Small Signs of Spring - click to enlarge

Like so many people who live and work in the beautiful Sea To Sky Corridor, we rent the place we live in. This means that you constantly under threat of having the place sold out from under you - whether you have a lease, or not!

Our circumstance was made doubly unpleasant by the fact that our landlord didn't even tell us he was formally putting the place on the market. Hubby found the listing by accident. And to add insult to injury, the landlord used photos that had been taken during an "annual inspection" of the unit, which showed our valuables - camera, computers, etc.

Rents are exorbitant (I was just offered a 3be/2ba unit for $4000/month!) here so it makes sense to seriously consider buying. Of course, it means buying something that's less than one's dream home, and living in too-close proximity to lots of other people. But at least we'd be paying our own mortgage, instead of someone else's!

Stay tuned for developments!

Moss in the Forest around Squamish - click to enlarge

Next up: Tennis elbow. Fantastic news to report on that front. It is 95% gone and my right arm is functioning as it should! I can still "feel" the elbow issue, but got through a day with SIX pet photo sessions without any side effects! Happy dance! I can take photos again, without fearing painful repercussions!

As I emerge from that 3-month recovery period, I seem to be diving into another issue ... my left shoulder is freezing. I've had frozen shoulder before. For weeks, I had to sleep sitting up because that was the least painful position, it ached all the time, and the pain from flare-ups when I forgot what I was doing were enough to knock me down to the ground, literally. This time, I'm diligently doing the exercises to keep the join moving and, so far, I'm still able to lift my camera. I have an acupuncture appointment for April 18th (unless the wait-list gets me in sooner). I've never had acupuncture before ... message me if you have, please, with The Truth about what pain is involved in being stuck with needles! ("They" said that having a tattoo isn't painful, but I found it quite challenging - yes, I'm a wimp when it comes to pain!)

Tantalus Range - click to enlarge

Ah, the new job. Not only working in a front-line position, but also in a medical field - a very busy dental clinic reception and administration. I'm being challenged on several fronts with this one! I've been there about a month, though, and they haven't kicked me out yet! Hopefully the great team of people I work with will get me through this breathtakingly precipitous learning curve!

Until next time, I hope spring has arrived where you are! It's warming up here and I've seen a few green shoots, but no daffodils or crocuses yet!

Cheers!
Tanya

How to Choose a Pet Photographer

Have you ever wondered ... how to choose a pet photographer?

I've put a comprehensive collection of thoughts onto paper, with the hope of helping you with what might seem like an overwhelming decision-making process!

It really isn't as difficult as you might think!

I'll help you figure out what to look for ...

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I'll tell you what to watch out for ...

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And I'll share a few things you hadn't thought of asking about, too!

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Follow this link if you'd like me to email your FREE copy of How To Choose A Pet Photographer to you!

Please share this blog post with your friends who might be able to benefit from this information!

Thanks for visiting ... and see you next week!

Tanya

Restorations & Adjustments

Restorations & Adjustments

That's the name of the new section I've added to my website!

Restorations are when Photoshop is used to remove creases, tears, spots and stains from the digital version of an old print - or a newer print that's seen more wear and tear than it deserves!

First, the print is scanned at high resolution, which results in a digital file. (If you don't have a scanner, try a nearby stationery outlet like Staples - they usually offer this service).

Then you email the digital file to me - saves you paying for postage!

I will work on the digital file to bring it back to life, removing those unsightly marks!

For the month of February I'm promoting this fledgling part of my business by offering introductory rates for photo restorations. You get this great deal because I need to do two things:

1.     Practice, practice, practice!
2.     Build my portfolio of samples!

See the attachment below for more information about this one-time offer!

So if you or your friends have some precious photos that need some loving, please get in touch!

Until next time!
Tanya

PS: In case you're wondering, adjustments in Photoshop are when I digitally alter an image's appearance. For example, I change a colour photo into black-and-white, or convert a photo to look like a painting or a sketch, etc. It is used in commercial work, too, when product photos need to have their backgrounds changed, things like that!

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The Joys of Job Hunting

(Edit: Getting some great suggestions and comments on my FB post about this! Thanks!)

I got knocked a little sideways this morning ... so I'm cheering myself up with a collection of pretty flower images from last summer!

As you know, since early December I've been looking for an office job. I have applied to several places so far.

99% of businesses don't bother to acknowledge receipt of your resume. It would be so nice to receive a "thanks for your application, we'll let you know if you make the cut" message. Ok I lie, ONE company emailed me back, out of ALL the applications submitted.

This morning, I was excited to receive a call from a company I applied to last week.

After chatting for some time, establishing that my experience would be a good fit for the position, the woman said something along the lines of "we're looking for longevity, we've had a few changes recently, and want someone who'll stick to the job for a while". What would you say to that?

What I said was that I couldn't guarantee anything. I explained that if I secured a job where I earned enough to purchase a house, I would be committed and therefore a good chance that I'd have the requisite stick-to-it-iveness. I also explained that, because we're currently renting, there's no guarantee that our landlord won't sell the place out from under us, which would mean that there's a good chance that we'd be forced to leave town because affordable longterm rental properties are very difficult to find.

That ended the conversation with me effectively struck off the list of people who even qualify for an interview, although she does "appreciate my honesty"!

This new thing called "alternative truth" doesn't fly with me, so I just have to hope that I don't get asked that question again!

Until next time!
Tanya

PS: My testimonial drive is still under way - about a week left to get your Free Print!

Photos Forbidden!

Yes, my physio has told me that, unless I'm shooting from a tripod, taking photos for the next while is off the menu!

I literally took 6 frames the day after my last appointment. Six too many, apparently!

So, even though it's the Pemberton WinterFest pop-up event weekend, the first in a couple of years that isn't going to be rained out, I can't go and take photos of the action on the frozen One Mile Lake!

Very frustrating but, if it means that I can hit the ground running, so to speak, with my horse shows and pet shoots in the spring, then that's the way it is going to be!

Jay-Zee - he was my first client of 2016!

In the meantime, I continue to tweak my website and play on social media to raise awareness of the services I offer, and hopefully drum up some business. It would be great if my photography could become a living-wage generator.

On that note, I remind you that this month I'm conducting a testimonial drive! So if you've worked with me in the past, or even just ordered prints from an event I was shooting at, I'd love to receive a brief paragraph about what a positive experience it was! You know I'll make it worth your while - check it out!

See you next week!
Tanya

Testimonial Request

As you know, I'm between jobs at the moment so, while I job-hunt, I'm trying to breathe a bit more life into my photography business - and I could really use your help!

If you have been a subject of my photography at any point in the past, I would be delighted if you would consider writing a testimonial about the experience. Just a paragraph - it can be as short, or as long, as you like!

Along with my everlasting gratitude, I am offering you an 9x12 (approx) print of the image of your choice*!

Here's more information about the offer:

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I'll be using the testimonials on my website, my social media outlets, and my blog.

Thank you very much!

Tanya

*This can be an image from your photo shoot, or a photograph of you at an event I was working at - or any other image that doesn't have another identifiable person in it! TIA

In Limbo

It's that weird time of year, between Christmas and New Year ... several work days but it seems that little business gets done!

It is 10 days since I finished work at Riverlands. My perspective is starting to relax a bit (although I still dream about the horses, and regularly jolt awake mornings thinking "Omg, I've got to go feed the horses!").

I've started sending off job applications, too, but don't expect to hear back from anyone until next week sometime. If at all. The way things are done these days, I suppose.

While I am looking for a "regular" job, I'm also wracking my brain trying to figure out some clever promotional ideas to help me make live-able money from my photography. If anyone has any brilliant ideas for earning a living off both existing and new photography jobs, please share!

Meanwhile, we had a very quiet Christmas, as we like it - a couple of small gifties exchanged, a nice meal shared - but no decorations this year. Maybe next year.

We have had quite a bit of snow so far this winter! More than I can remember in quite a few seasons, actually. Yesterday, the thermometer got to 3C, but it puked snow anyway. Needless to say, the snow was very wet, and extremely heavy when it let up and we went out to clear off the cars and shovel the driveway!

Today is sunny and warm at 13C - the mercury must've been in direct sun! Lots of dripping going on! More snow forecast for tomorrow, then an Arctic Outflow predicted for the first 10 or so days of 2017!

The day after tomorrow is the start of a new year. A time to start afresh, with a clean slate and a bright, positive outlook!

Wishing you and yours everything of the best in 2017 - health, happiness, and a dash of wealth for good measure!

Tanya