I'm proud to announce the launch of my new business called Lasting Light Photography.  My recent decision to pursue photography professionally builds on a lifelong interest in the art form, and my passion for making great images.

I've been a photographer for a long time.  I took my first darkroom class in junior high, worked at a local camera store in high school, managed the darkroom facility in college, and learned digital imaging skills during my first job at Adobe where I ultimately became an Adobe Certified Expert.  I've always considered myself a photographer, but never had the courage and drive to pursue it as anything more than a serious hobby until now.

My intention for the business is to offer a growing collection of fine art landscape prints in a variety of sizes, styles and formats.  I will also be creating high quality portraiture for clients throughout the Columbia Gorge — including family portraits, senior portraits, engagement photos, and newborn photography — which capture authentic moments and reveal each client’s unique personality.

Over the past few weeks, I've received an overwhelming amount of encouragement and support from friends and family, and I'm counting on that to continue.  There are several things you can do to help me get my business off the ground:

1.  Spread the word.  Please share the news and refer anyone who may be interested in my services.

2.  Follow Lasting Light on social media.  To make that easy, here are some direct links:

3.  Online reviews and reputation building.  For new businesses, it takes time to establish a reputation and acquire customers, and nothing helps more than favorable reviews.  I'd be grateful to receive positive reviews on my Google+ business page.

I'm feeling creatively inspired and empowered by the possibilities that come with this new venture.  It also feels great to be achieving "work life integration" rather than just "work life balance."  As my  son's t-shirt says,  "Do what you like.  Like what you do."  That sounds like some pretty good advice to me.

PS: You may be wondering how I came up with the name Lasting Light Photography. A few years ago, I read Timothy Egan’s excellent biography of Edward Curtis, called “Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher” and came across this sentence:

“Ever since the daughter of Chief Seattle had caught his eye in the tidal flats, Curtis had been looking for a community of Indians to cast in lasting light on his camera glass.”

I liked this simple turn-of-phrase, and the notion that one can preserve special moments of beauty by casting them in lasting light. So there you have it!