Exposing the Over Developed Portrait Market

A wise man once said, he could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves. It's true, marketers have perfected the art of developing demand through a perceived need. It seems this point is not lost on the portrait industry.

There's a portrait to cover all life's milestones. We have portrait sessions for each new school year, senior pictures, prom pictures, college graduation pictures, engagement pictures, wedding photos, belly pics, baby photographs and then family portraits. Repeat process. Oh and don't forget puppy pictures.

If paying a professional money the snap the shutter says I care, what does it mean if I don't buy into it? Since when is a normal photo taken by mom and dad not good enough? Instead, we're made to feel guilty if we don't shell out the cash to do what you or I could easily do our selves for a fraction of the cost. Sure, the result wouldn't be taken through a soft filtered lens, airbrushed in editing and printed off after special effects, but is all that really needed?

I propose we take it back to the days when grandma would take a picture with a camera you had to manually wind. The family would pose in the heat on the porch of the farm house with awkward smiles on their faces. However, in order to make this plan work there would have to be large spaces between all members of the family, except the two kissing cousins in the front and grandma has to take five shots because she's not sure the camera worked on all the trials. The final result, a poorly framed blurry shot. On second thought, maybe many of us should leave it to the professionals.

Shells Guide: Wearing Black

There are myths and misconceptions about fashion and personal style. Some times people take a simple idea and turn it into a "rule". Sadly, many people have bought into the "rule" that wearing black makes you look fancy.

There are certain things one can do to dress up an outfit. Adding nice jewelry to an ensemble will usually add some class. Putting on a nice pair of dress shoes instead of tennies or slip ons can also achieve a look. I have noticed some people will try to attain the same results by simply trading in the faded blue jeans for a pair of black jeans; this does not work. Or, by wearing a pair of black Crocs some think they can pass as high class, which is also a fallacy.

The key is to remember what material you are working with. Sweat pants are never fancy, no matter the color. Crocs are not acceptable n most social situations, even if they are black. Additionally, black jeans or blue jeans, it doesn't matter they're both denim and not appropriate for all situations.

Remembering the information in this blog could be key to making sure you don't get laughed at, or at least key to making sure you get laughed at less.

My Plastic Bottle Goal

Every bit helps, right? I know I can't alter the universe with my acts of conservation, but as I live the eco-life, I hope my influence rubs off. For instance, I'm taking it upon myself to try to change my father from a wasteful plastic water bottle buying person into one who uses a water filter and non disposable receptacle.

Every time I visit my parents home, the upstairs refrigerator is filled with plastic water bottles (Okay, maybe not filled but I would say there are at least ten in there at any one time). The remainder of the case, which in all likelihood was purchased in bulk, is stored in the downstairs refrigerator. This is a waste of money and resources.

Since my father feels the need to have a lot of cold water on hand at all times, he could easily save at least $143.43 a year by switching to a filtered water. The savings is based on the assumption that one bottle of water is consumed each day of the year versus the cost of pouring a glass of filtered water.

The cost of a 24 pack of 16.9 oz bottles of Nestle brand bottled water costs $13.99 according to amazon.com. Nestle brands vary by region, but include Zepharillis, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Arrowhead, Deer Park and Poland Spring. A bottle a day would cost $212.42 a year.

Meanwhile, the green option costs much less. The cost of a Brita Grand water pitcher, which holds 80 oz of water, is $26.99 at Target. The Brita pitcher, like other water filters reduces sediment, chlorine, copper, mercury and lead. Studies have shown the filtered water has the same makeup as the water from a store bought bottle. The cost of a 16 oz CamelBak Better Bottle is $12.00 on rei.com. The bottle is BPA free and dishwasher safe. However, if one is not worried about bisphenol A leeching out of the plastic and into drinking water there are much cheaper alternatives (we're taking baby steps). Add those together and you spend $38.99. Even when you throw in three Brita filter replacements at $7.34 a piece at target you're still saving more than $100 a year. Saving money is one thing that appeals to even those who are skeptical of global warming and the effect of their carbon foot print on the planet.

I figure if I can get my dad to convert I'll accomplish three goals. First I will help my dad save money. Second, even though he recycles, I will be helping him be less wasteful. Goods take energy and resources to make and then when recycled, it takes energy to convert the materials back into something useful. Lastly, I will fulfill my goal of continuing to come up with new ways to conserve the environment.

City Council and Environment Shot Down

It's is trendy on the west coast to ban plastic bags in grocery stores, however one seaboard city snubbed its nose at the environment and city leaders. Tuesday, voters in Seattle rejected a 20 cent plastic bag fee.

According to the Associated Press, the fee would have been charged to customers for every plastic bag received from supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores. The city council passed an ordinance imposing the fee on shoppers, which did not sit well with the plastics industry, so it bankrolled the referendum to put the issue to a vote.

Supporters said the fee would have encouraged the use of reusable bags, cut down on pollution and waste and reduced green house gas emissions. Apparently, those opposed to the fee were worried about the same effects.

Of course the plastic industry, just like the former auto industry, doesn't want change. The more people use petroleum based products, the better. Saving the environment and the future of the human race is much less important than turning a profit and ensuring the vitality of the industry.

The plastics industry should learn a lesson from the disastrous fall of the Big Three. Diversify now. Find new product areas to branch out to, preferably something that is on the opposite spectrum from oil products. The demand for petroleum products will lessen as society continues to grow more wise to conservatism.

Shells Guide: The death of Crocs

Some sing sad songs at a funeral, while other will cry. However, when it's the death of Crocs we're talking about (the silly plastic shoes not the reptile), I sing praises and do a happy dance.

From the beginning, I thought Crocs were ridiculous and hoped the fad would end quickly, but it did not. Soon there were more colors available, showing off a rainbow of pliable holy shoes that would be better suited for the beach or for walking around in a water park.

As more people jumped on the bandwagon, more stores sold their souls to the petroleum-based gods. I think I may have even seen them sold in a book store. Racks of Crocs took the place of gum and mints in the impulse buy areas near checkouts.

They had all colors, sizes and then, they grew fur. Seriously, how much can you dress up a plastic shoe? You can take the kid out of the trailer park but you can't take the trailer park out of the kid. They're still Crocs.

The Croc accessories may have been the last ploy by the makers of the laughable trend to get the ultra casual sect of society to buy their third or fourth pair. However, when people decided two is enough, the demand fizzled and the market dried up.

Now, I can walk through shopping centers with less fear. In most cases I know the only Crocs I will see are on the grandma who is just trying to be cool or the soccer mom who just hasn't found the time to buy more appropriate foot attire.

I can hold my head up high, knowing I made it through the ultra embarrassing period of time when so many people thought Crocs were cool, without ever owning a pair. I've never tried on the silly slip ons nor thought it would be a good idea to do so.

Don't Forget the Pepto

A birthday trip to the Florida Keys sounds like something that requires a pina colada, not Pepto Bismol. However, on a recent birthday celebration trip to Miami I wished I had the bottle, pills and chewables.

While vacationing with friends one October, we decided to take one of or days and head to the Keys for snorkeling. Our friend had the car, a small, cramped Honda Fit. The comfort factor was not bad for me as I got shot gun, however for the three men in the back it was a different story. They were hot, sweaty and sleepy. Jon even fell asleep on Bill's shoulder (a very cute picture I might add). The ride was long and we were in a cycle of speed up, slow down, speed up, no radio, road rage trucker and slow down, which made our anticipation all the more palpable.

Finally we get to Key Largo. Now we just need to find the snorkel shop, oh that's right directions are my job. Okay, so after getting us lost we find the little surf shack surrounded by nothing that resembled water. Hmmmm, let's start asking questions about the reputation of this err company.

We get further directions and meet our boat by the water. There are about 15 other snorkelers aboard and we're all excited and antsy to get into the water.

First stop, swim to the reef, but don't touch the coral. Sounds easy enough? Wrong, reef rash on my leg. Not touching the coral, which is all around and close to the surface, is hard in my case. I have an aversion to fish. So, why snorkel? When in Rome!

Back to the boat to head to the second stop, but the water is now much more choppy. Our little passenger boat is flailing around in the surf. All of a sudden I get this unknown feeling, I'm queasy and hot. Oh, and I know this stomach churning feeling, I'm going to throw up. So, I head for the part of the boat designated for those who are seasick and start vomiting.

After throwing up in one minute intervals, we arrive at our second spot. By this time I am feeling a bit too under the weather to snorkel, but the instructor tells me I should get into the water because moving with the waves will make me less sea sick (I think he secretly took joy in making patrons puke). So, I'm treading water out by the foot of the boat, hanging onto a nylon rope so I don't get swept away. Then I look around, there are about five others doing the same thing. Are they all sea sick too?

Back on the boat to head to the third stop. By now, the boat's sick bay is crowded. All but one of my friends are with me, hanging off the edge of the boat. At one point Michael yells out and moves. Apparently someone got sick from the upper deck of the boat and what came out landed on his shoulder. Then, startled at another noise, we turn and Bill takes a revolting picture of us with a look in our eyes that can only mean, we'll get you for this. And we did in a way.

The third stop is a longer distance away. About half way there, after we are all feeling well enough to get away from the sick side of the boat, but Bill runs over and starts hurling the contents of his stomach. So we of course, stop to take a picture and taunt him. Ahhh, sweet revenge.

No one wanted to snorkel at the third stop so we picked up the speed (thankfully because the faster we went the less sick we felt) and we all relaxed with sprite and ginger ale on the bow of the boat as we headed back to land.

I won the record for throwing up the most times during our excursion, nine times. Wait, I paid how much to throw up while in the Florida Keys? Next time I'll know to make sure to pack seasickness medication and some Pepto just to be safe.

Soundtrack to a Storm

A single weekend relived through a single song. During a three-day vacation the life was washed away from New Orleans. I watched the storm hit the once vibrant city as a commoner not a journalist, while visiting a friend.

It was late August and I was visiting New York City. From my friend's apartment we watched the Hurricane Katrina threaten the coastline as it churned through the Gulf of Mexico. Newscasters were warning what could happen if a storm of that magnitude hit New Orleans, the levees could break and/or the water in the delta could rise and envelope the city.

On Sunday, Katrina quickly grew to a Category 5 hurricane. There was a mandatory evacuation order, however, it looked like New Orleans was going to be spared a direct hit. That night, water started toppling over the levees.

On Monday, the hurricane hit Gulfport, Mississippi. The outer bands were lashing New Orleans. I was in Laguardia airport, watching the cataclysmic events begin to unfold. What started as water toppling over the 17th Street levee turned into a flow and then a breech and the city began to swell with water. From the T.V. set in the terminal, I watched people fleeing, seeking shelter and begging for rescue from the roofs of their homes.

I was sitting at my exit gate, listening to my ipod. The Snow Patrol song Run was on repeat. It will forever be my soundtrack for the storm, for the victims. I saw them while sitting safe in my seat more than a thousand miles away. They were waving flags and shouting for help. I also the line of cars of those who were lucky enough to leave. My heart went out, helplessly, to those who couldn't. "Light up, light up as if you have a choice. Even if you cannot hear my voice, I'll be right beside you dear. Louder, louder and we'll run for our lives. I can hardly speak I understand why you can't raise your voice to say."

Now, every time I hear the song it's a haunting reminder of how the nation sat by and watched the storm destroy a city. It's a sad reminder of how even though we knew it could happen, no one prepared for what would happen if the levees broke. "Have heart my dear. We're bound to be afraid, even if it's just for a few days, making up for all this mess."