Hello everybody...
Well, as always, we have been very busy lately. I want to get back to doing blog entries every couple of days, instead of every week or two...
Good news first!
We set a new record Monday with 150 customers in one day! Woo Hoo!
Our previous high was 145...
We had our second highest weekly sales last week, and we are on pace this week to break our current standing record.
The rental house is coming along, and I should be finished with it in a couple of weeks. We have already shown it to several interested buyers and we hope to nail down a quick sale.
I have scheduled over 14 photography events over the next six weeks or so...
Here is a rundown of some of them:
Colorado Springs Christian Photography Guild - 2 meetings in August
Professional Photography Seminar/Workshop - 5 events in September and October
My Photography Group: Still Life photo contest August 22, Hot Air Balloon Classic Photo Contest September 13, Avatar Photo Shoot August 14, Colorado Springs Free Your Mind Suicide Prevention event August 18, American Diabetes Association event photography at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on October 6. I also have coordinated an action photo shoot of Dave Leland, who is a world class competitive cyclist. He is currently training for a world record attempt for the one hour speed record (velodrome). He is going to ride while we pace him in a vehicle and take really cool photos of him in action. I also have some model shoots coming up, and a couple of senior portrait sessions...
My brother Aubrey and his wife Steffi just had their second child this week! Her name is Kaydence and both her and Steffi are doing great! Aubrey is in Iraq and was not able to be present. Please pray for Aubrey's safety, and for Steffi as she goes home with a newborn and toddler (Braeden) without Aubrey's help and support. While you are at it, please pray for all of our troops, and for their families carrying on at home...
Well, Michelle, our employee who was working with me tonight, just went home sick! I have 20 photographers showing up here in less than an hour for a photo shoot in my studio. Yikes!! Gotta run...
JD
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Need Some Growth!
Well, it would appear that we have flattened out on the growth curve at $500 to $600 per day. I have mentioned that before, but we have another week's data to confirm... College starts up again in a couple of weeks. Colorado College and Pikes Peak Community College are not far from us. I'm going to start doing flyers around the campuses soon... Kids will be moving in over the next couple of weeks.
We are also going to get some signs made and have someone stand out by the street advertising $1 coffee and $2 lattes during the morning commute hours. Pikes Peak Ave goes straight into downtown. We obtained traffic data last week and 80,000 cars go by our shop DAILY. We need to tap into some of that, as we have not done so yet.
Paul Kulik came by this weekend and swapped out his amazing photos again (third set of artwork to be on display). They will be up until September 8th, at which time Paul's work will come down and we will support another local artist. It has been a real blessing to have Paul's beautiful work on display since our opening, and we look forward to showing his work again in the future. We can't thank him enough! What I look forward to even more is to go to some of those places myself! He is a great inspiration. Bottom line, though, is that you need to get in here this month and see his photos of Western Colorado, Antelope Canyon in Arizona, and some other beautiful locations...
We had a meeting with the local event organizer for the Diabetes Walkathon. It is confirmed... We are going to provide the coffee service, after Starbucks backed out. I will also be doing candid photos of people on the walk for their website, and I will also be doing formal group shots for 85 groups. In exchange, we get to have our logos on the event t-shirts, flyers, brochures, and have flyers in the event bags that all participants get.
We spent some quality family time yesterday by checking out Red Rocks Canyon, which the city of Colorado Springs recently purchased from a private owner. They have built a some trails, a technical mountain bike practice area, lots of rock climbing areas, etc... I only took the point and shoot, and the batteries went dead after just a few shots. Here are a couple of them of the kids doing what boys do best:
Gotta run,
JD
We are also going to get some signs made and have someone stand out by the street advertising $1 coffee and $2 lattes during the morning commute hours. Pikes Peak Ave goes straight into downtown. We obtained traffic data last week and 80,000 cars go by our shop DAILY. We need to tap into some of that, as we have not done so yet.
Paul Kulik came by this weekend and swapped out his amazing photos again (third set of artwork to be on display). They will be up until September 8th, at which time Paul's work will come down and we will support another local artist. It has been a real blessing to have Paul's beautiful work on display since our opening, and we look forward to showing his work again in the future. We can't thank him enough! What I look forward to even more is to go to some of those places myself! He is a great inspiration. Bottom line, though, is that you need to get in here this month and see his photos of Western Colorado, Antelope Canyon in Arizona, and some other beautiful locations...
We had a meeting with the local event organizer for the Diabetes Walkathon. It is confirmed... We are going to provide the coffee service, after Starbucks backed out. I will also be doing candid photos of people on the walk for their website, and I will also be doing formal group shots for 85 groups. In exchange, we get to have our logos on the event t-shirts, flyers, brochures, and have flyers in the event bags that all participants get.
We spent some quality family time yesterday by checking out Red Rocks Canyon, which the city of Colorado Springs recently purchased from a private owner. They have built a some trails, a technical mountain bike practice area, lots of rock climbing areas, etc... I only took the point and shoot, and the batteries went dead after just a few shots. Here are a couple of them of the kids doing what boys do best:
Gotta run,
JD
Friday, August 3, 2007
Another studio shot
I spent a few minutes in the studio during a slow period today. I took this flower out of one of Tracy's arrangements on the tables in the cafe. I used a main light to the right of the camera, fitted with a 10 degree spotlight grid, to give highlights and shadows, giving the flower a 3D look. The center of the flower was in deep shadow, so I added a second light, at about 15% power as compared to the main light, to add a little fill. This light was just to the right of the camera, fitted with a 20 degree grid (snoot).
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Coffee Photos
Finally, after three months, I got around to taking a couple of coffee photos. I only spent a few minutes with this, since it is late. I used one studio light only...
This is my favorite of the two. I adjusted my single light (with a 10 degree snoot) to create dramatic shadows across the cup, reflect the handle in the cup to create an abstract heart, and to allow light/shadow to spill onto the background, which would contrast with the cup. It was a little tricky to set up, but I'm very happy with the outcome. I converted it to black and white using calculations (which creates an alpha channel in Photoshop), then toned it with a nice, coffee brown.
Here is the second, which used one light, and a reflector to the left side... I'm not too excited about this composition, but thought I'd post it anyway...
Everybody have a great night...
JD
This is my favorite of the two. I adjusted my single light (with a 10 degree snoot) to create dramatic shadows across the cup, reflect the handle in the cup to create an abstract heart, and to allow light/shadow to spill onto the background, which would contrast with the cup. It was a little tricky to set up, but I'm very happy with the outcome. I converted it to black and white using calculations (which creates an alpha channel in Photoshop), then toned it with a nice, coffee brown.
Here is the second, which used one light, and a reflector to the left side... I'm not too excited about this composition, but thought I'd post it anyway...
Everybody have a great night...
JD
Still Life Photo Contest
Click this link for information and to RSVP:
http://photo.meetup.com/586/
When:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 6:30 PM
Where:
Nemo's Coffee
2230 E Pikes Peak Ave
Colorado Springs , CO 80909
719-635-2745
Description:
After having the Still Life Workshop tonight, I thought it would be fun to have a Still Life themed contest to give everyone a chance (and the motivation) to practice what was discussed tonight.
Here is the plan:
-Create a still life image, subject of your choosing, between now and August 22.
-Editing rules are wide open, although your entry must be a single photograph (not a compilation of two or more photos). Artistic filters are allowed, but remember that this is a Photography exercise.
-Attend the Meetup on Wednesday August 22 with an 8x10 print of your entry.
-We will have a review and critique session, where members can provide feedback and encouragement!
-Voting will be by secret ballot, and only those participating in the contest will vote (others are welcome to attend, though)
-First place prize will be 1/2 lb of premium whole bean coffee from Nemo's! (if you have other ideas for prizes, feel free to email me).
That's it... Keep in mind, this is just for fun and to put into practice the Still Life concept over the next few weeks.
I will make my studio available if you need a place to shoot, and would like to borrow my lighting. Just stop in or call to schedule a time. I am typically here from 3:00pm to close, and on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.
I hope everyone had a great time tonight and I look forward to seeing all of you again...
Take care,
JD Anderson
719-635-2745
RSVP limit:
Only 25 members (including guests) can RSVP 'Yes' or 'Maybe' for this event. There's still room for 22 more.
http://photo.meetup.com/586/
When:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 6:30 PM
Where:
Nemo's Coffee
2230 E Pikes Peak Ave
Colorado Springs , CO 80909
719-635-2745
Description:
After having the Still Life Workshop tonight, I thought it would be fun to have a Still Life themed contest to give everyone a chance (and the motivation) to practice what was discussed tonight.
Here is the plan:
-Create a still life image, subject of your choosing, between now and August 22.
-Editing rules are wide open, although your entry must be a single photograph (not a compilation of two or more photos). Artistic filters are allowed, but remember that this is a Photography exercise.
-Attend the Meetup on Wednesday August 22 with an 8x10 print of your entry.
-We will have a review and critique session, where members can provide feedback and encouragement!
-Voting will be by secret ballot, and only those participating in the contest will vote (others are welcome to attend, though)
-First place prize will be 1/2 lb of premium whole bean coffee from Nemo's! (if you have other ideas for prizes, feel free to email me).
That's it... Keep in mind, this is just for fun and to put into practice the Still Life concept over the next few weeks.
I will make my studio available if you need a place to shoot, and would like to borrow my lighting. Just stop in or call to schedule a time. I am typically here from 3:00pm to close, and on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.
I hope everyone had a great time tonight and I look forward to seeing all of you again...
Take care,
JD Anderson
719-635-2745
RSVP limit:
Only 25 members (including guests) can RSVP 'Yes' or 'Maybe' for this event. There's still room for 22 more.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Sales Data, Aug 01, 2007
Well, today marks our fifth calendar month in operation, although we were only open the final four days in April.
Here are some cumulative sales data information:
We have sold 4036 espresso beverages (lattes, mochas, americanos, etc), by far our biggest seller (which is good, since we are a coffee shop!)
We have sold 2326 lunch items, which includes salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, soup, breakfast burritos, etc.
We have sold 1403 bottled drinks out of our merchandise cooler, which means we only need to sell about 2100 more for the cooler to pay for itself!
In 14 weeks of operation, we have sold 13,775 items!
We exceeded $600 in sales today, which is only our third time to do so! Today was also our second highest customer count ever!
Thanks everybody, for your support, patronage, and your prayers!
JD
Here are some cumulative sales data information:
We have sold 4036 espresso beverages (lattes, mochas, americanos, etc), by far our biggest seller (which is good, since we are a coffee shop!)
We have sold 2326 lunch items, which includes salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, soup, breakfast burritos, etc.
We have sold 1403 bottled drinks out of our merchandise cooler, which means we only need to sell about 2100 more for the cooler to pay for itself!
In 14 weeks of operation, we have sold 13,775 items!
We exceeded $600 in sales today, which is only our third time to do so! Today was also our second highest customer count ever!
Thanks everybody, for your support, patronage, and your prayers!
JD
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