So the dream is becoming a reality. For those who don’t know, I have started a non profit organization called A Portrait Project. The mission of this organization is to give the gift of professional portraits to families who have survived domestic violence. Most have either left their photos behind, or they have been destroyed by their abuser, never to have what memories were good. As a photographer, I can’t imagine not having photos of my family. This gives women a new start, a fresh feeling of new and better memories and portraits that they may otherwise never have. I have been given the gift of a Booth at WPPI 2009 to help spread the works of this organization. I am founder of APP, but on my founding board is Dawn Davis of La Storia Foto, Yazy Raclawski of Yazyjo Photography and Kristie Blake of Kristie Blake Photography. David Jay has agreed to donate a Show it Site! Pictage has agreed to print our marketing material. It has been a journey, let me tell you. Our tax exempt status is still pending but will be completed shortly. At this time we will operate out of California. I am accepting cash donations to further our cause and help cover operating and legal fees. I am also interested in photographers who want to volunteer their time as an APP Photographer. Please inquire to me directly. I will get back to you as I believe in this mission. How do you want to give back?

I just want to thank ALL of you who have made the contribution of your opinion on this. It is so important, I’m sure Coca-Cola, m&m’s, Apple and other huge brands took a long long time to figure out how to get it right! Talking with my friend Marc Weisberg, who just recently finished his new branding as a photographer gave me the advice to hook up with a professional designer to finalize my new branding. I think he had a great idea and respect him so much, as well as LOVE his new branding..check it out www.marcweisberg.com, that I thought in my best interest I should at least consult with one. So I was given Trish’s name and number at DezignMatter.biz. She was the magic behind his brand so we’ll see what she can work out for me. I really like the top logo, I mean I truly love it so far, but maybe it needs to be tweaked just slightly to make it even more personal and more me! Thanks for the talk Marc! XXOO

So, you know when you get something in your mind and you just can’t get it out? I had that feeling with the XO on my brand and love it, it’s so me and I am not getting any negative feedback with that so I think it’s here to stay. Well, my friend Jack brought up a good point, Why am I not using “Christine Bentley Photography”. Once he mentioned that to me, I can’t seem to escape it! I have a few obstacles to hurdle over, but since when do I let them stop me. Like, changing internet site addresses, changing some ads and changing my DBA. See I have an LLC under Bentley Studios. So I am being told I just need to create a DBA under Bentley Studios, as DBA Christine Bentley Photography. So I created YET ANOTHER logo…whatcha think? More Personal???? Need your feedback! Thanks JACK!

Here is the same “design idea” but with a little of my old one….what do you all think? Thanks Melissa for the idea!

XXOO

I really do love all your help! This is kind of fun!

Okay guys. I am NOT a graphic designer and I paid one, but for reasons that I can’t control, I haven’t been able to get my new branding done through that person. It’s just taking so long and me being the most IMPATIENT person in the world, I needed to just do something about it. I decided that what she was designing for me, really had nothing to do with me anyways and I would eventually need to let her know, and what she was updating, wouldn’t work. So I decided to do it myself. After reading Dane Sander’s book so many things for me have changed and yes it has only been like 2 days. WELL……I thought about not even having anything but just my name of the studio but then something in the back of my mind SPOKE loud and clear (yes I hear voices in my head)! I sign ALL my emails, blog posts for the most part with! you guess it and if you know me you get these ..”XXOO”. SO I thought about using that for my logo and I thought, “No, too cheesey…….but nothing else came to mind and I couldn’t get it out of my head. SO I decided to DO IT MYSELF! I know that I am supposed to be thinking about delegating work, and I did, made a huge investment and have been waiting about 12 weeks. I am running out of business cards and just can’t wait anymore. But you all got to tell me and give me your honest opinion. What do you think? I also LOVE my new blog header but not sure if I should put it in color or black and white, or actually I think it is Hot Fudge! Let me know people. I love and trust you ALL!

Big XXOO to you!