I always love the start of a new year and setting new photography goals. Looking back I really did have a great year. There were some unexpected opportunities that came my way for which I am very grateful.
Highlights of 2014
Art Shows & Exhibits
I had decided that I wouldn’t pursue any art shows in 2014 to save money. I would only do shows if I was asked. Well, I was asked to be in four exhibits that almost covered the whole year!
Here is a quick run down of the exhibit opportunities I participated in:
- January – February: Evergreen Court (Evergreen Court Retirement Community) North Bend, Oregon.
- February: Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, Oregon
- February – May: Hough Macadam & Wartnik Certified Public Accountants, North Bend, Oregon
- August – October: Pacific Park Gallery Coos Bay, Oregon.
In the late fall I submitted entries for the first juried photography contest show I’ve ever done. I’m proud to have won first place!
Interviews
In January 2014 an interview I did with Diana Nguyen of To & From Magazine, was launched. The magazine is a lifestyle & travel publication.
In August I was contacted by Rick Sammon, one of Cannon’s Explorers of Light to be interviewed for his podcast, Digital Photography Experience. I had met Rick a couple of years ago while he was teaching a workshop in Bandon. Then a year later, I was invited to participate in shooting horses on the beach of Bandon with his workshop participants. It was such a fun experience! So when I received an email from Rick, I was delighted and honored to be interviewed. What a super guy and an outstanding photographer! Love his energy and enthusiasm.
Retail Locations
I’m beginning my third year at Second Street Gallery in Bandon, Oregon. I am happy that my inventory moves well there. I was invited to be a featured artist in September for their Meet & Greet event they do in their gallery. I really appreciate the owners, Candace Kreitlow and Peter Bauer who are such awesome people and artists themselves.
Later in the year my large metal and canvas prints started hanging at Your Space Designs in their new downtown Coos Bay location. Owner Terry Pittenger is a fantastic Interior Designer. If you are in my local area and need a designer, Your Space Designs is the place to go! Any of my photos can be ordered in any size through the shop. Give them a call for a custom quote. If you drop by the store front you can’t miss seeing two 60″ x 40″ metal prints of my photos.
TV Commercial Project
I was hired by a media company from L.A. to participate in a TV commercial that was filmed in Portland. Because of the timing of the filming, I didn’t do any fall photography. I was on location for three long days. It was an awesome experience, one I won’t soon forget. I haven’t been able to share much about that until it is released in February 2015. I’m hoping it’s as great as I expect it to be. I was hired to be a Still Photographer. I was also paid to do a little acting and participate in some video tutorials for the promotion. More on that later!
Print Sales
I sold more large, custom prints than I have in previous years. I am honored when a customer wants to decorate their walls of their homes or businesses with one of my fine art prints. In 2014 the big sellers for me were high gloss metal prints. They make such a high impact presentation. If you are interested in seeing samples of these metal prints, please get in touch!
New Things Coming for 2015
Live a Nomadic Life
This year I will be giving up my job as a web developer for a community college. I have worked there over eight years. Prior to working there I was a busy freelance web designer & developer.
My husband and I saved and bought an RV. We plan to start our nomad life this summer. We’ve been trying to do this for a few years. We’ve been anxious to get out and explore our country and beyond. I’m very excited to begin the countdown to departure!
New Websites
I am really close to launching a couple of new websites this year. The first one is a revamping of my old photography website and blog. Web developers are always slow in updating their own sites! I’ll be doing a better integration of both.
I am also working on a new blog specifically for tracking my travels in our RV. Both my husband and I will be updating the blog. Mainly to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our travels, but also to share what we learn as we go along in the RV lifestyle. We have learned so much from RV travel bloggers that we would like to give back if we can ourselves.
Visual Wilderness
I was invited in the later part of 2014 to become a contributing writer for the Visual Wilderness website by Jay & Varina Patel. They are awesome photographers that have developed their business model around photo education. I’m proud to be a contributing writer. Look for more articles from me this year!
I’m sure there will be more surprises and experiences this year that I haven’t even thought of yet. I am really excited about this year!
I wish you all the very best in the new year!
you’ve earned every victory this year Patricia! I wish you continued success and many great adventures on the road.
Thank you Mason! I’m a big fan of your blog and videos. Keep up the great work! All the best to you and your family in the new year.
You are one of the best writers on Visual Wilderness. We hope to expand your relationship with you in coming year. All the best.
Wow, thank you Jay! I’m so excited to be a part of the Visual Wilderness team!