Thank you, LO Chamber!..
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Thank you Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce members for sharing the evening with us, to learn more about the evolution of Studio B.
In my first 15 years, I said yes to nearly every form of photography, not out of desperation, but because I genuinely enjoyed every part of it.
Senior, family, wedding, kids/baby, even pets!.. For my first 10 years I was perfectly content turning down headshots and marketing photography.
Little did I know that my scenic photography would make me a better portrait photographer - now putting people in my nature photos.
My background in merchandising made me a more intuitive marketing photographer.
Retail turned me into a methodical system junkie, helping me stay efficient through the not-so-Great Recession, bounce back after a pandemic, and navigate the volatility of today’s distracted consumers.
Networking made me a better headshot photographer, mostly because I had to hear myself talk about my work. It taught me that:
1 - I love connecting and working with people.
2 - My life has gone full circle: working retail to fund my photography dreams, then photography bringing me back to retail. Now, instead of stocking shelves, I create the images that go on the packages.
3 - I thrive on variety. Two decades of portraiture helped make my lifestyle photography more authentic. When subjects feel at ease, they don’t look “stock”, which your more discerning clients can spot.
4 - I became a more effective networker (not a transactional one.) You may have noticed a great number of familiar faces in my studio slideshows.
6×9 Postcard launching out of chamber-member MinuteMan Press of Tigard.
That said, I just wanted to go beyond a simple thank-you. I’m deeply grateful that so many of you made time for an evening event on the first Friday of summer.
A big shout to chamber member/Sommelier extraordinaire, Michael Perman of C’est What? I chose both wine varieties based on his incredible knowledge.
Also, a nod to our nearby Grocery Outlet. Cathy ran down the road to grab ice and some backup wine glasses. They wouldn’t let her pay, knowing it was for the chamber. Such great members and neighbors, thank you Liz and Tamara!
I could say great things about at least 60% of those in attendance, but I have to give the biggest shout-out to Cathy from Kiwi Catering. (kidding, she’d rather design and create as KiwiDesigNZ.com (product) and Kiwi Quilting (service.)
If anyone took food photos, the photographer in me forgot to be a good husband. I think I want to see them more than she does. Email b@studiobpdx.com and/or info@kiwidesignz.com
One last thing—the sale items. In case you missed the prior announcement, the gallery that sold my work at Bridgeport Village closed unexpectedly. Had I known her lease was up in eight weeks, I probably wouldn’t have invested $15,000 in large acrylic pieces.
It was a beautiful, 50’ display (if I do say so myself) but that was a pricey investment for a short-term show and tell.
Since I don’t have room for them in my Studio Gallery, I’ve put many pieces on sale. As mentioned, if you’re interested in a Salisbury painting, I’ll give you a 25% discount—100% of which will come out of my gallery commission, so Graham Salisbury gets his full share for being such an incredible artist.
If you ever want to grab coffee to explore a collaboration or mastermind your way through growing pains, click here to give me an excuse to leave the studio. Ava’s, Peet’s, Starbucks, Well & Good - they’re all just 5 minutes away for me so you decide.
Hope to see you all at the Tigard Balloon Festival. CLICK HERE to see what I grabbed from prior attendance. PASSWORD: balloons
ou’ll want to arrive by 5:30 AM for the best shots. In 2013, I didn’t make it until 6 AM. Last year I arrived at 5:30—better light, better shots. Then stay and network with folks from Beaverton, Tigard, Sherwood, Tualatin, Wilsonville, and Lake Oswego.
Thanks again, and best of success to you and yours.
Cheers!
Brian & Cathy Geraths (Germanic name - rhymes with carrotts)
PS:
I didn’t add you to my mailing list. I only send to those who opt in. If you’re already on my list, you can attest that I’m anything but frequent. I email as infrequently as I wish everyone would. (ha - yes, I should do more.)
Should you accept this invitation:
OPT into Studio Newsletter or OPT into Brian’s Creative Writing (non-fiction, but raw truth)
Here’s that 360 demo most people missed. Pottery by chamber member Ha Austin Ceramics—the mastermind behind Lake Oswego Open Studios.
FOLLOW OPTIONS:
Facebook (I haven’t given up on society, or a future where facts matter - sticking it out here.)
Instagram (Gallery page) or Instagram (Studio page = equally deprived because you know… The cobblers kids…)
