Photography

It still amazes me that people like my work.  I fully admit that I don't have a degree in photography, but have taken a lot of courses in photography and continue to take and study the great photographers that move me.  Two that come to mind are Jerry Avenaim (http://www.jerryavenaim.com/splash.html)  and Eddie Baute (http://www.eddiebaute.com/) these two I strive to be like in so many ways.  It's funny when you come across someone that moves you.  I'm currently studying the works of Jerry Avanaim.  He's done so many photos for Newsweek, TV Guide and People magazines. (Just to name a few) he puts his whole heart and feeling into what he does and who he is.  He is also very personable with his work.  I like that.  So many times people just want to get the shot and be done with it, but he feels his way through every photo shoot.  Eddie Baute is just a great photographer!  I can't see anything wrong with his work at all.  It's flawless from the technical side to the artistic side. 

I've got a photo shoot coming up with a make up artist/hair stylist/fashion stylist and I'm really excited to see what comes out of it.  It will be shot both outdoor and indoor.  Should be fun!  I also have about 3 calendars I'll be shooting very soon!  Things are getting even more busy!! 

Just finished another photographer/model meet in KC.  There were 3 photographers (myself included) and 5 models.  We shot at a park then went downtown to shoot in a penthouse loft.  We wanted to get some outdoor shots but it was raining so we shot in the parking garages!  That was fun! 

Well, I gotta run!  Have a great day!

Doug

Title smitle

It's been a long time for me to be on here, but I've been checking a lot of others here through out this year.  I think I'll start using this more. 

D2imports.com changing to midweststreet.com = very cool.  It will be an online magazine for everything automotive/truck/motorcycle.  I'm currently writing the first draft of the new article.  Maybe you guys/girls can help me think of a title??  It's about women and the autos/trucks/motorcycles they drive.  The article will be 2 to 4 pages long with pics of each women and what they drive.  I have some women that I'm going to interview, but could always use more so if anyone knows any women around an hour or two from Manhattan that really truly love what they drive then make sure they contact me.  What they drive doesn't have to be a show vehicle, they just have to really love it!!  Have them call me at 785-313-5629 or email me at doug@d2imports.com....thanks!

My photography is really taking off, but needed a website specifically for that so www.flinthillsphotography.com was born this week!  There is still a lot to do so please excuse the construction as I load as much as I can in the next couple of weeks.  The site will feature H.S. Senior Portraits, family/children/couple portraits and model portraits.  I have a reduced sitting fee until the end of the year.  ALSO*** I'M OFFERING THE FIRST 5 SENIORS FREE PORTRAIT PACKAGES.  This package INCLUDES sitting fee's, (1) 8 x 10, (1) 5 x 7, (2) 3 x 5's and 8 wallets sizes and an hour with 2 outfit changes all for FREE!!  (clothing provided by you)  Under 18 you MUST have one or both of your parents there at the shoot and they will have to sign a waiver so I can get their permission to work with you in their presence.  That is standard for all photographers!!!  I have one spot filled already so if you know of any guy or girl that needs their senior portraits done, please have them contact me!  785-313-5629 or at info@flinthillsphotography.com  Thanks!!

Ok, so besides that I'm going to KC tomorrow to shoot on a photographer/model meet where there will be 3 photographers and around 10 models and we'll shoot in various outdoor locations around KC then do some indoor shots after we loose the light.  So it will be an all day thing, but will be fun.  This is the second one I've done and they are really fun so I'm super excited about that.

My family is doing really well.  I'm still working a lot, but trying to cut down on the night job.  It's been really exhausting this week becuase I've been working on the site and staying up til 2 am every night but also keep and 8 to 5 day job and a 6 - 11 night job mon - fri.  Then I shoot on the weekends.  I don't know how long I can keep this up, but up until this week I was doing good.  Now I can honestly say that I'm exhausted.  Oh well.  Life moves on and I'm loving it. 

Have a good one!

Doug

It's been a while since I've been on here.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Things have  changed in my life.  I got a full time day job on campus 2 weeks ago and everything is going well.  D2imports is going through a major change.  We are giving up the "focus" on being a car parts and accessories company and going with and online magazine theme.  The website will not change that much at first, but will start to feature more articles, advice and in the future will start to change a bit to eventually change into the new magazine name and format if everything goes the way or close to the way it's supposed to.  The website will still offer car parts and accessories, but we will no longer look for anything that is not on the website.

First off is the calendar coming out in late aug./sept of next year.  It will be a calendar filled with cars and bikes and girls posing in the latest bikini's.  Right now we are requiring women to submit their bikini photos to us for approval so if any of you ladies would like to submit your photos, just let me know here and I will tell you what, where and how to submit your photos.  Photo shoots for that will be scheduled from Jan. through May. 

The print magazine will be coming out in early of '07, so everyone save up your pennies to be able to buy the very first issue.  More details on this as it gets closer. 

I'm getting a second job to pay for all the money I've borrowed for the business from the last 2 months and plus I like to have some pocket money which I haven't had any since forever.  Man, I swear running a business takes a lot of time and cashola.  haha  Everyone seems to like the new direction of D2imports, so I hope it all works out.  I will be very busy with the full time job, part-time night job and working on D2IMPORTS AND (yes, I said AND) the new photography business.  We are calling the new photography business Flint Hills Photography for the main stream photography such as weddings, family, high school seniors and children portraits.  Then the D2Images will be more for the progressive side such as modeling, bands, events, and anything outside of the "mainstream" of the above categories.  Look for flinthillsphotography.com coming out soon.  I'm doing a lot of photo shoots lately here in the manhattan and immediate surrounding areas which I'm thankful for because I'm too busy to travel too far right now.  I want to thank all the lovely models, families, and high school seniors that I've worked with lately that are on here and can't wait to work with you all again soon. 

Besides the jobs and the businesses, my home/family life is doing really great as well.  I thank God everyday for the life he lets me lead.  No, I'm not a bible or religion pusher.  I do go to church just about every week, but I'm an open minded person that believes that we were put on this earth to express being individuals.  To each his/her own, I always say.  It doesn't matter to me if you believe in a higher power or not, just believe in something!!!  haha  I'm way more spiritual than I am a religious person. 

Ok...well I've been pecking at this blog entry for a few days now so time to stop.  Take care and I'll try to add an entry again soon.

Doug 

Usually I don't like getting criticism (sp...I can't spell worth shit...deal with it)  Because everytime I get criticism I get it all at once!!!  People seem to come out of the wood work and call each other to say let's all give him shit!!  Well, it's funny.....so many times I have thought to chuck half of what I'm doing and move on.  But lately it only seems to fuel the fire that is within me.  It's so funny when people think you are one thing or think you did something and judge you for it.  It's people like that that think they just started something that they are fucking experts on it now.  Me doing photography does not make me a professional photographer.  Will I ever call myself a professional?  Maybe when I make made cash off of it I might.  People that are modeling does not make them a professional model.  If I've taken a couple of great photos it doesn't make me able to judge others.  If your a model and have some awesome photos in your portfolio it doesn't make you able to judge others. 

I guess the reason I'm writing all of this is to just vent.  I actually feel better now.  I just received a couple of comments about the photography I didn't even DO!!  And I received a comment about the website.  But 2 comments should not make me vent like this, but when you pour your heart and soul into something you love I take offense.  People have no clue of what it takes to run a business unless they do it.  Sometimes you like what you see and sometimes you don't.  I shouldn't take offense, but looking at one of what that person had to comment on they don't really have much anything else nice to say about anything so I shouldn't take it personally.   

I always forget to do the Xanga.  It's almost becoming pointless since I write all my blogs in myspace, but I guess I will continue. 

Setting up several Senior portrait photo shoots.  Also setting up photo shoots with models for the website and for portfolio work as well.  Sept. should be fun.