Never thought I would pass this way again . . .

I created www.Extraordinary-Images.com as a venue from which to sell my fine arts photography. Over the past several months friends have asked me why I didn't provide a broader range of photographic services, like weddings, special events, presentation and promotional publication shots, to name a few.

My answer was always vague and usually consisted of muttering about not having the time or desire to get back into the “swing of things”, which I think was my codeword for just being too lazy to apply myself. Then, one day, Justin Pearson, a fine, young, up and coming photographer, as well as a great friend, dragged me “kicking and screaming” into his studio to just play around with his newly acquired photo strobe system.

After a couple hours we sat down to look at the results, and to look at some of the work he had done in his studio, then we looked at some of his wedding stuff and fashion photography and I felt a surge of enthusiasm being reborn deep in the recesses of my photography psyche.

As blind luck would have it, or maybe it was fate, I became involved in some voluntary school functions which included a component for photography and I was also asked to make some promotional shots of recreational activities and trips at a couple of local retirement homes.

The studio time and events photography served to remind me just how much I love photography and the challenges of working with a diverse cross section of people, from elementary school students to senior citizens. My efforts were well received and I really enjoyed doing the work. I enjoyed the studio time so much, in fact, I contacted the always helpful staff at B&H Photo on line and Kenmore Camera just across the sound in Seattle, to do some serious shopping for portable studio components.

As if it was all meant to happen, and some of my Buddhist friends assured me it was, my enthusiasm continued to grow and opportunities to take photographs seemed to leap out at me from all directions.

Another friend, Cynthia Collett -- a talented internet business consultant -- spent many hours this past summer convincing me I should enter some photo competitions. I broke down and entered five images, bringing home six awards ranging from Judge’s Choice to a third place ribbon, two second place ribbons and two blue ribbons. If you are interested, check out the “Award Winning Image” section of my home page.

Thanks again for dropping by.