ZachIsHere

(Via Fox 4 Kansas City)

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Long-time Chief’s band leader Tony Dipardo is hospitalized. His family is asking for prayers.

The family said Dipardo is in serious condition and was hospitalized last Friday.

Dipardo has been a part of the “TD Pack Band” since the Chiefs arrived in 1963 and led the band for 20 years before his daughter Patti took over in 1983. But, the 95-year-old remains a fixture on the sidelines with his signature trumpet.

As the story says Tony has been a part of the Chiefs since the beginning. That sound has always been there. Before that big 3rd down, during timeouts, at halftime. A chilly Sunday at Arrowhead meant football, the smell of great food, and that unique sound. All of those touchdowns at his end of the endzone waiving his arms in the air with that trumpet in one hand.

“The Music Man” made Kansas City a better place.

Here are a few good Tony reads.

“A Community Honors its Philanthropic Leaders” (Via Ingram’s Online August ‘02)

Excerpt from “The Need to Win” by Otis Taylor (Via Google Books Published ‘03)

“Mr. Music Shifts Into High Gear” (Via Examiner June ‘05)

(Via Photopreneur.com)

The decision to move from talented amateur to professional photographer isn’t an easy one. There’s a big difference between shooting what you like, when you like it because you like it, and shooting what people tell you to shoot because you need to pay the bills.

The work can be hard, the clients difficult to find, and the commissions can leave less scope for creativity than you might want.

And then there’s the rising competition, the declining market, the falling prices and the capital outlay to consider.

And that’s before you reach the question of whether you really do have the skills and the talent to produce images that people will buy.

On the other hand, you’ll be making a living doing what you love to do in your spare time — and there’s no better job.

If you really love photography and can’t think of a better way to spend your day than taking pictures then maybe it’s a step you could consider taking.

Here are seven signs that show you should be a professional photographer:

1. You regularly sell pictures
The first photo sale is always a thrill. As a professional though, selling images happens every day so a good sign that you should be a professional photographer is that you’re doing it, you’re used to it and you know how to handle it.

Regular interest from buyers shows that you can produce images the market wants but it also shows that you know how to negotiate, can turn interest into a deal and win back satisfied buyers. It’s a good sign you can cut it.

2. You regularly win commissions
Many professional photographers start by shooting weddings and anniversaries for friends and family. Word spreads, more requests come in and people start offering money. Soon the photographer has a portfolio to show, starts asking for money — and receives it too.

If that’s happening to you, you’re just a short step from being a pro… and are being shown one more sign that you should make the jump.

3. You get a kick out of the marketing
Professional photography isn’t just about taking great commercial images. It’s also about finding buyers and bringing them in. That’s work but it can also be pleasurable too. It is possible to get a real kick out of setting yourself goals, saying that you shoot great pictures — and finding that people believe you.

4. You’re inspired by others’ images…
Sure, we all love looking at great photographs. When you’re a professional photographer, the work of other photographers isn’t just something to admire. It’s something to compete against and improve upon. That means recognizing what makes a great photograph great, understanding how the photograph was created and not being afraid to adopt some of those techniques in your own images.

If you’re accepting the challenges laid down by other photographers — and meeting them — then that’s another good sign that you could make your living from photography just like them.

5. But Add your Own Twist
Of course, anyone can copy an image; professionals have to produce something original and use the work of others to inspire them not just to take more pictures but to build up their own skills and contribute to the genre.

As a professional photographer, everything you create adds to the profession. That’s a responsibility you have to be prepared to shoulder. If you’re feeling that burden already, you’re well on the way.

6. You Understand the Technical Stuff
Making a success of professional photography means being creative with your images and smart with your marketing. But it also means getting the basics right. Professional photographers have to act professionally. They have to know how to get the lighting levels right, set exposures and create exactly the effects they want.

Hobbyists experiment; professionals get paid to produce — and they do it against the clock. You will need have a good grip of the numbers and science behind photography if you want it to pay your bills.

7. You Really, Really Want to Do it
Photography isn’t an easy way to make a living, especially at the beginning when incomes can be low, clients demanding and work hard to come by. What can get photographers through the tricky times though is the knowledge that they’re still getting paid to take pictures.

And there’s nothing better than that.

If that’s how you feel about photography, then maybe you should think about doing it all day too.

(Via About.com’s Kansas City section)

As we walked to the sneak-peek of the Kansas City Power and Light District’s Gordon Biersch Brewery last night, we happened to stumble into the almost opened Chef Burger. Peeking in the windows, I could see three guys putting the finishing touches on chef/entrapraneur Rob Dazell’s newest venture and I couldn’t be more excited. Chef Burger follows Dalzell’s mouth-watering 1924 Main, Souperman and Pizza Bella restaurants that all offer fab food, fresh ingredients and amazing service. Chef Burger promises not to disappoint with its ‘BYOB’ (build your own burger) concept that has great sauces, more toppings than you can think of, and some serious side dishes (think sweet potato fries). Chef Burger opens tomorrow for lunch at 1350 Walnut (just one door north of Chipotle).

Chef Burger Grand Opening
1350 Walnut in the Kansas City Power and Light District
Monday, March 10th, 2008

Sounds like an interesting idea. 1924 Main is a great place to have a meal. The menu changes a lot and offers well thought out flavor combinations with a Prix Fixe type menu that I am a big fan of. I enjoyed one of the best salads I have ever had with Casey at lunch a few weeks ago. A spinach salad with goat cheese, walnuts, cranberries, a light fruit type dressing and marinated duck. Yum.

Went to the Auto Show with Danny yesterday. The KCAS has always had a special place in my heart because years and years ago I got to see the “Ghostbusters” car and the car from “Back To The Future” which at the time was was the coolest thing ever. The nexus of my young life. This year’s trip didn’t have that world altering moment but it was fun to get out and about and snap a few photos. Be sure not to miss the last photo in this set. There is actually a hatchet and knife built into the outside of that vehicle. I could certainly see that situation deteriorating quickly driving around the wrong parts of town.

I have two works showing in the 30th Annual Blue Springs Fine Art Show. The show is open to the public this coming weekend. From 10a - 5p on Saturday and 11a - 4p on Sunday. Entry is only $5 and will showcase varied works of photography, drawings, and paintings. This is another exciting new venture for my photography with this being only the 2nd time anything of mine has been formally shown in public in an “art” setting. I will be there most of the day Saturday if anyone wants to drop in and visit to help support and encourage art in our area. Exhibition is at Vesper Hall. 400 NW Vesper in Blue Springs, MO. Click here to check out a map.

I rang up an old college friend to help with the matting framing. Shelby studied interior design and did such a wonderful job I couldn’t even believe it. You think I would be better at hands on type projects and coordinating design styles aside from the photos. Thanks so much to Shelby and her boyfriend Brett for help on this project.

Pictures to come from show…