Your gallery is among the most unforgettable, and I hope you relentlessly continue your pursuit in the field of photography. I'm only a simple enthusiast, so I've no professional advice, just admiration for what you've done thus far.

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I like signatures; hate watermarks.

Stefani, here are some suggestions from an old pro (part II): Today's photography world involves college, yeah, I know. Years ago you just needed a good camera and an eye for it. Now, bigger places (newspaper, magazine, etc) want a 'learned' photograher, ie, college degree. I came from CA with a strong background in photojournalism and had worked at three newspapers and sent many shots to the AP and UPI when it was all black and white. But that was then. Now you need to get schooled or know someone in whatever field you are wanting to do: posting art isn't going to feed you until you have a name with a good publisher that pays. Maybe shoot for a newspaper or try a magazine or blog. The Times would keep you small, but you could build on it. Then the GF Herald, or Forum. You could try shooting commercial pics for JCPenney or maybe work with an established local photographer. That way you keep shooting and can eat! Keep sending your stuff off to bigger places and maybe the wires will pick up some of your stuff. You certainly can try opening a store front, but the rent and overhead will kill you and unless you have a real draw, it'll be awful. Get in with a company and keep at it. Slowly and surely you'll get a name -- although you have great talent that could be shorter. Try a magazine or newspaper, but they want college educated fotogs, but perhaps you know someone, try that angle. OK, enough of my banter -- go get 'em Stef! Rand Hughes

Stefani, I thought I'd throw my two-cents in about your comment. It isn't easy to break into photography and be able to pay rent and fill your stomach with it alone. Especially now with digital, almost anyone can take a picture, and some actually do a fair job. Very few do it well. But you something many don't and that is passion. Taking the picture is just part of the equation. The old dark room, now a computer program, is the other. Then there is marketing. Then the ability to keep at it, day after day. I have been watching you over the years and know you have something special in you, a real fire, a passion for your work. Be it as it is, short and sweet, good and bad: You need a regular job to pay for rent, food, and your hobby; sorry, it is true; unless you break in somewhere for them to pay for your talents, you're just another starving artist; there are thousands of them; I paid for my photography with my county job and started to make some money, but it isn't easy; also, everyone is trying to get there name out there and the big leagues know it -- one or two great shots might get you noticed, but it is consistancy that gets you a job. (Think of all the 'one-hit-wonders' in music). I wish you all the luck in the world Stef, and you're young and have lots of energy, so keep plugging away and hopefully someday you'll get what you want... I really hope so! Rand Hughes

I think you are one of the best young photographers I've ever appreciated, I've been checking your stuff for years, and being older than you, I definitely look up to you in photography

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love your life.

Your gallery killed it 4 years ago when I first saw it and it kills even more today.

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-All the effort in the world won't matter if you're not inspired-

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As promised, a small feature.

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Blue lights... I believe they will calmly follow me around.
"I need to focus so I don't lose you..."

A Fellow Minnesotan!!

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mrmd53..."Smile..always smile.."

Delightful Gallery!!
Had to Add You!!

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mrmd53..."Smile..always smile.."