For many years, Borders bookstores have been a staple in different communities and have provided a wide variety of reading material, music and movies to its customers. Many of the stores are large and contain coffee shops that make going to the bookstore a more fun experience. The atmosphere inside a lot of these bookstores made it easy for customers to come back again and again.
This past week, the financially strapped company announced all of the Borders bookstores were going to close. After failing to catch up to other big bookstores in the market and falling behind in debt, Borders decided to liquidate its assets and close it's doors.
Upon hearing the news, I couldn't help but realize how much I will miss going into the location in Solon when it finally closes it's doors for the last time. The Borders in Solon has been there since I was a middle school student and it saddens me that it will be gone soon.
During my first trip there, I couldn't believe the size of the place and the wide variety of books. You could find just about any book you wanted and the CD and DVD collection was also extensive. The place was clean, it was quiet and I knew I would be going in there again and again over the next several years.
As I grew older and could drive up there on my own, I enjoyed going in there at times to read the comic books in the cafe, search through the collection of graphic novels they had or pick up a Stephen King novel or sports book. There was never a time the place seemed empty and there was always a line at the counter for people looking to pay for their new found treasures. The place always seemed to be hopping with activity and drew in a lot of people.
When I moved away to go to college, I didn't get a chance to go into Borders often but found the place still busy with activity when I came home on breaks. I noticed more high school students using the cafe to get studying done but always found the line at the checkout counter still had lots of people waiting to pay for their items. It never ceased to amaze me how busy the place was after all of those years and how it became a place for many students to get their homework done.
Even though Borders will be shutting its doors one final time in the near future, I can't help but think of how much fun it was go in there. It was great to see people inside there, the wide selection of books and the incredible atmosphere. I know the store will be gone soon but the memories I have of going in there will always remain.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Importance of Photographs at Events
In today's business world, having an event can be time consuming but beneficial at the same time. Hosting an event where you could meet potential clients and people to network with can be beneficial if done correctly. Being able to pull of the event does take lots of preparation and can be rewarding.
While putting on a great event can be beneficial, there is one key component that can benefit your event or business in the future; taking pictures! It's not often that many pictures are taken at key events so designating someone to take photos can help out in the long run.
Even though it might sound like a lot of work, having photos of your event can help sell your business, your event and even yourself in the long run. Being able to tell people about your event is key but proving how much fun and enjoyment others with pictures can help sell your event in the future. Stories can sell but having the photos to prove it can help prove your point.
For example, when you look at wedding photos, it's very easy to see the emotion, the happiness and the fun times the people are having at an event like that. Wedding photographers capture all of the moments that happen during the ceremony and the reception. They capture the smiling faces of the bride and the groom, the fun the people are having while out on the dance floor, how happy the guests are, etc. These photos easily capture the emotion and the fun people are having at a glorious event and prove the a picture can say a thousand words.
For your event, find someone who can take photos but also take them well. Having photos is key but having photos that are framed well and clear will leave a better impression than blurry or distorted photos. You don't always need to hire a professional photographer at your event but make sure the photos you will have can be easily viewed and capture key moments.
In addition to making sure you have someone that can take good photos, use proper judgement when deciding which photos to use for promotional purposes or show to others. If someone was skeptical about being photographed in the first place, make sure you have his or her permission first to either take a photo or use it later on. Keep in mind that not everyone may want his or her photo used for a promotional piece or shown to others and may be embarrassed if the photo shows up in a place he or she did not expect. Use your judgement and be considerate of someone else's privacy.
For your event, being able to host an event that is fun and enjoyable to others can be rewarding and beneficial but having the photos to prove the success of your event can be key later on.
While putting on a great event can be beneficial, there is one key component that can benefit your event or business in the future; taking pictures! It's not often that many pictures are taken at key events so designating someone to take photos can help out in the long run.
Even though it might sound like a lot of work, having photos of your event can help sell your business, your event and even yourself in the long run. Being able to tell people about your event is key but proving how much fun and enjoyment others with pictures can help sell your event in the future. Stories can sell but having the photos to prove it can help prove your point.
For example, when you look at wedding photos, it's very easy to see the emotion, the happiness and the fun times the people are having at an event like that. Wedding photographers capture all of the moments that happen during the ceremony and the reception. They capture the smiling faces of the bride and the groom, the fun the people are having while out on the dance floor, how happy the guests are, etc. These photos easily capture the emotion and the fun people are having at a glorious event and prove the a picture can say a thousand words.
For your event, find someone who can take photos but also take them well. Having photos is key but having photos that are framed well and clear will leave a better impression than blurry or distorted photos. You don't always need to hire a professional photographer at your event but make sure the photos you will have can be easily viewed and capture key moments.
In addition to making sure you have someone that can take good photos, use proper judgement when deciding which photos to use for promotional purposes or show to others. If someone was skeptical about being photographed in the first place, make sure you have his or her permission first to either take a photo or use it later on. Keep in mind that not everyone may want his or her photo used for a promotional piece or shown to others and may be embarrassed if the photo shows up in a place he or she did not expect. Use your judgement and be considerate of someone else's privacy.
For your event, being able to host an event that is fun and enjoyable to others can be rewarding and beneficial but having the photos to prove the success of your event can be key later on.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Having A Great Support Staff For Your Hobbies
Hobbies are great for any person to have. It helps develop who we are as people, provides us something to look forward to when we need to relax and helps connect us with other people at times. Being able to take part in a hobby gives us the opportunity to share your passion with others and develop relationships. By sharing your hobby with others, you can develop a great support staff with those who will stand by you the entire way.
Outside of work, one of my favorite hobbies is photography and the passion started with the support of others while I was in college. As a college freshman at Otterbein, I started taking my small point and shoot digital camera to some of our campus radio station events and took lots of different pictures. I hadn't really given much thought to getting involved with photography prior to that but I noticed I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the events and sharing them later on.
As I started taking more and more pictures, some of the other students who worked at the campus radio station started to take notice and encouraged me to take more photos. At every event I could be at, I had my small digital camera and took as many shots as I could with that. I even started taking shots of the band my one friend was in (and my friend's boyfriend) and it was on the night of one of their gigs my friend said something that inspired me to pursue the hobby further:
"Jeff, you ought to be a photographer."
Not too long after she said that, I decided it was time to get a bigger camera! Months later, as a birthday gift, I ended up with my Nikon D50 semi-professional camera and with the help of a photography class I took not too long after, the hobby took off!
During the rest of my college years, I took pictures for local sporting events, charity events on campus and even Greek Life activities. Many people appreciated my photos and those who had an opportunity to see my work often enjoyed looking at my pictures. Even my friends who inspired me as a freshman still took time to look at my pictures and offered me encouragement.
As my college years came to an end, I had new goals in mind for my photography hobby and the support system was still there. I got involved with my alma mater, Solon High School, and began taking pictures of their sporting events and often post the pictures on Facebook. The head football coach's son began to take notice of my work and has been one of my biggest supporters since I started taking pictures for the school. Several parents, coaches and a couple of school employees took notice and have served as a great support staff as well.
Whenever I go out and take my pictures, whether it is a local sporting event, a wedding, a stroll around the park or a car show, I always think back to the support I was given from the early start. My friends who inspired me while I was working for the campus radio station gave me the support I needed to get started and I am grateful for their guidance and friendships. Their support helped pave the path for one of my favorite hobbies and their guidance and the other support I have gotten along the way have helped inspire to keep taking more shots.
Outside of work, one of my favorite hobbies is photography and the passion started with the support of others while I was in college. As a college freshman at Otterbein, I started taking my small point and shoot digital camera to some of our campus radio station events and took lots of different pictures. I hadn't really given much thought to getting involved with photography prior to that but I noticed I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the events and sharing them later on.
As I started taking more and more pictures, some of the other students who worked at the campus radio station started to take notice and encouraged me to take more photos. At every event I could be at, I had my small digital camera and took as many shots as I could with that. I even started taking shots of the band my one friend was in (and my friend's boyfriend) and it was on the night of one of their gigs my friend said something that inspired me to pursue the hobby further:
"Jeff, you ought to be a photographer."
Not too long after she said that, I decided it was time to get a bigger camera! Months later, as a birthday gift, I ended up with my Nikon D50 semi-professional camera and with the help of a photography class I took not too long after, the hobby took off!
During the rest of my college years, I took pictures for local sporting events, charity events on campus and even Greek Life activities. Many people appreciated my photos and those who had an opportunity to see my work often enjoyed looking at my pictures. Even my friends who inspired me as a freshman still took time to look at my pictures and offered me encouragement.
As my college years came to an end, I had new goals in mind for my photography hobby and the support system was still there. I got involved with my alma mater, Solon High School, and began taking pictures of their sporting events and often post the pictures on Facebook. The head football coach's son began to take notice of my work and has been one of my biggest supporters since I started taking pictures for the school. Several parents, coaches and a couple of school employees took notice and have served as a great support staff as well.
Whenever I go out and take my pictures, whether it is a local sporting event, a wedding, a stroll around the park or a car show, I always think back to the support I was given from the early start. My friends who inspired me while I was working for the campus radio station gave me the support I needed to get started and I am grateful for their guidance and friendships. Their support helped pave the path for one of my favorite hobbies and their guidance and the other support I have gotten along the way have helped inspire to keep taking more shots.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)