Cardas Photography {PhotoBlog}

Mommy and Me QuickPics - Get in the picture!

It's that time again! The 3rd Annual Mommy and Me QuickPics. Just Moms/Grandmas/Aunts/Sisters/Kids/Pets. (Sorry Guys!) April 15/16/17. Message or text and let me know if you'd like a morning or afternoon slot. $25 gets you a 10 minute slot, 1 digital file and online gallery to choose more. Thanks for making this such a fun and rewarding event!! Please share!

Picture This! A conversation with Angela Cardas, Cardas Photography

Thank you to Geneva Miller for the interview in this month's Bandon Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.  

 

 

Angela Cardas Meredith started Cardas Photography in 2004. She moved back to Bandon, (she is a BHS graduate), and set up shop on the coast in 2009. Five years, and countless shutter clicks later, Cardas is known in the business community for consistently delivering high quality images that showcase people, places, and events in their best light.

 

Cardas serves as secretary for the BCC Board of Directors. Here, she talks about the business of photographing Bandon.

 

Q: Your attitude about documenting people, illustrating each person's unique beauty and charm, hasn't changed since you moved to Bandon. Tell us something you've learned or changed in your photography in recent years.

 

A: I have become more ingrained in the community, from being involved at the leadership level for the Chamber to volunteering for the Cranberry Festival for the 4th year in a row. And with the support for various non-profit and community activities I've been able to give, I feel like I have connected with so many different kinds of people, and I'm able to capture the heart and soul of this town. The people are really what makes this place special and unique, and I just love delving into their personalities. I think you need to get a little skin in the game, settle down and let people know you are here to stay and that you care about the future of this town.

 

Q: You're active in professional groups, such as the Bandon Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Professional Photographers Association. How has leadership in those groups influenced your business model?

 

A: Becoming more active at a leadership level has helped my business to be more forward thinking. I get a chance to talk to other fellow professionals working in my field to see what the global business issues are. I don't get as down on myself for short term setbacks because I know others have been through the same and overcame them. I think it is very important not to be a "lone wolf" –mistakes don't have to be made over and over again. You can learn from others and set a different course right away. I am a firm believer in the saying, "A rising tide raises all ships."

 

Q: Why is professional photography a good investment for business owners?

 

A: We have become a much more visual society. There are very few places in media today that don't use photographs as a main subject. Newspapers are expanding their photography features; magazines, Facebook, blogs, Instagram –all contain photographs! People are moved by photos, many people can connect with a photograph for different reasons. It could be a smiling face, a well laid out display, new products or services –and it all can be captured in a photograph.

 

Washed Ashore Project - Bandon, Oregon

I usually use this blog to showcase my clients and my favorite images from their sessions - and while I will continue to do that (hopefully more often!) I also want to start using this space to showcase my awesome home town as well. In case you don't know - I live in beautiful "Bandon By the Sea" on the Southern Oregon Coast. While I shoot all over the United States - the majority of my weddings and portrait sessions are in Oregon. As I have told many brides and grooms - "I am a 'Destination Photographer;' your wedding is my destination." I crack myself up. ;)

Between sessions the other day, I was able to sit at my favorite local coffee shop and relax for a few minutes. Outside of the Bandon Coffee cafe were these amazing pieces of art, and I wanted to share them with you.

 

The Washed Ashore Project was started in Bandon Oregon. From their Facebook page:

The Artula Institute for Arts and Environmental Education's Washed Ashore Project works to increase awareness of the global tragedy of plastics pollution in the ocean. We accomplish this by collecting marine debris through organized beach clean- ups. The collected trash is used to create large scale sculptures of sea life threatened by the debris. The sculptures are created by volunteers in our workshops held twice a week. The finished sculptures become part of a traveling educational exhibit that tours the country. A curriculum has been developed to accompany the exhibit through an action/activity book targeting grades k-12. Other activities associated with these efforts include outreach programs that educate and encourage community members to become part of the solution to a serious pollution problem. We partner with schools, 4-H, scout programs, youth centers, local businesses, city athletic organizations and many more to spread the word about plastics pollution and to teach citizens to become better stewards of our lands and seascapes.

 

The Washed ashore project is now in the Harbortown Event center in Old Town Bandon. If you want to see these amazing pieces of art up close and in person, please visit them there.

65th Annual Bandon Cranberry Festival!

This weekend is the 65th annual Cranberry Festival in Bandon. There are lots of great activities going on all weekend including the parade Saturday morning through Old Town, and check out the photography competition/exhibit at the Harbortown Events Center on Saturday!

I loved photographing the Cranberry Court all year long - good luck to all of the girls, competing Friday night for the crown - and a spot in the Miss Oregon Pageant!

Check out the entire schedule of events >>> HERE <<<

 

 

{Headshots} Julie Miller - Executive Director: Bandon Chamber of Commerce

Next up on the Bandon Business Spotlight blog is Julie Miller.  Julie is not only the Executive Director of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, she is also the President of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce. It was a pleasure to update this busy woman's professional headshot.

 

 

As you can see - I don't shoot the traditional (stuffy) lights and backdrop sort of headshots. I prefer natural light, relaxed environment, plenty of outfits and big real smile headshots. Julie worked her signature scarves and bright red jacket perfectly and I hope these shots show her happy and outgoing personality.

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