As this year comes to a close, I have been taking the time to step back, prepare, and think about the direction my photography business is headed in. I am figuring things out for what I want them to be, and not just how they’ve evolved over the past two and half years since I’ve been in business. I have spent some time with other local photographers who have really inspired me to work hard on the business end- and I’m really excited about what this will mean in 2011.

What this means in a nutshell is my clients deserve the best and that’s what WoodMoore Photography will give them. From the first interaction to the final product- it’s all getting better. And it will be a process, but I’m excited to unveil the newness here soon. I will take a week off to be with my family over the holidays, but come January, check back and see what I am talking about. I may even have a contest to celebrate:)

And there will be pictures on my new blog- I promise!

There is something to be said about healthy competition. Honestly, I thrive off of it at times. I take pride in the fact that if you come to me for photographs you will get something that you will not find anywhere else. My process is different, what I offer is unique, and in the end your images will tell a story. I love that. But it’s the age old story of being unique but wanting to be like everybody else. The same problem I had in fourth grade rears its ugly head in the face of competition. I feel a sense of urgency to stay fresh with my blog, current on my facebook, get my photos done faster, schedule more events, go, go, go… and for what?

From the top five competitors in the best portrait photography category, I am taking away a sense of what it takes to make it. And perhaps the anxiety I feel is because of the realization that I won’t be getting to that point where everything is perfect anytime soon. My business is a work in progress. And unless I wish to ship my toddler son off somewhere for a few weeks so mommy can stay competitive, I guess that’s the way it will be. And maybe it’s okay. They can have their best in western washington. For now, I’ll stay home on this gray day and hold my son this morning and sneak in some editing when he goes down for a nap. All the sudden, I see a little sunshine…

The last time I really blogged here was in January. We were just getting going with the World War II Veterans’ Project. That project consumed my time for almost six months and although it was a ton of work, and very time-consuming, I have to say it was the most amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. With Christina, my cousin-in-law, we interviewed forty-seven book participants, photographed them, collected their photos and mementos, transcribed (with lots of help), wrote, edited, and created a special book detailing personal stories from some amazing men and women. It was the project of a lifetime. You can certainly read more about it over at the War and Sacrifice page (link on my main page), but it was incredible. And what was even more incredible was the amazing expression of love and respect that was displayed to the veterans by their family members, community members, and even strangers. The book was dedicated to the Snohomish senior center on May 22nd, 2010. And on that day, each veteran was gifted with their own personal copy of the book made possible through generous contributions. It would be impossible to list all the people that were involved here without forgetting a few, but the list is also on the War and Sacrifice website and it made for an amazing event that celebrated the veterans. We were so grateful for all the people that participated to give the veterans something special. We were asked to speak at the Navy the following week for their Memorial Day service which was also an honor and a privilege. The Lynnwood library has asked us to come and speak about the project on November 10th and we are looking forward to that as well. We have some additional editing to do to the book and then we would like to submit it to the UW Press for it to be considered for actual publishing. We would love to see the book available at a considerably lower price, but we will wait and see.

My business has been going really well and I have been keeping busy. One thing the veteran’s project has taught me is it doesn’t hurt to try something and if it doesn’t work, oh well, but at least you gave it your all. I will be back at Bob’s Corn in Snohomish during the weekend afternoons in October- yay! Can I just say that I love that place? If you haven’t been to Bob’s Corn then you’re missing out. It’s run by a family and it feels like family when you go there. There is so much for kids to do- corn maze, pumpkin patch, cow train rides, country store, etc. (and this year free Facebook photos courtesy of yours truly!) but really it’s a great place to make a memory with your family. I can’t say enough good things about the place. I’ll be there Saturdays and Sundays in October from 1-5pm. On Sundays at 11am I will be scheduling special full-size basic portrait sessions at the farm (just in time for the holidays) so contact me if you’re interested in scheduling one! Mention “Bob’s Corn” and get $25 off the session fee. In November, Marizbeauty, Seattle hair artist Jodie Haug, and myself, will be holding the first “For His Eyes” event. Check out more details on my main page under “Events/Specials.” So a lot of things to look forward too! I may have some mini-holiday sessions coming up too, but for now am thinking about letting stuff unfold as it comes. It’s been a busy, wonderful year and I am very grateful. If you like my work, please fan me on Facebook, my husband entered me in the Best of Western Washington contest and I’d love to spread the word! Thanks!

So far, we have photographed and interviewed twelve veterans.  We made house visits to the last two, both former POWs.  Yesterday, we met with Robert Otto, who authored an amazing memoir, A Walk with God. Christina and I visited with him and his wife for over two hours.  He remembered his experience with such clarity, it was like it had just happened.  Bob was a prisoner for a year at Stalag Luft IV, before he spent 70 days on the Death March across Germany.  His story was amazing, but then again, each story has been special and important.

I don’t know how to adequately describe how it feels to be a a part of this project.  As I photograph the eyes of a man or woman in their mid-80s I see so much life and it’s humbling to realize in 10 years this book would not be possible.  Some eyes sparkle, others dim, some wink at you… But each person has brought so much to this project, I can’t begin to express my gratitude.  Thank you for sharing your stories with us.  We will never forget.

I feel inspired to do something great with what I have been given in these stories.  Our goal is to have a coffee table book together and presentable by May.  We hope to invite back every participant and their families for a dedication to the Senior Center.  Christina and I have also been talking about the possibility of traveling to Europe this summer and exploring the sites that my grandfather and other veterans visited during the war.  We are thinking of photographing/writing a book about the pilgrimage.  Please pray for us as we look into this aspect of the project and decide what our next steps should be.  We would have to find funding and I don’t know where to begin.  If anybody out there has any ideas, please let me know.

As I’m writing this, I can’t help but think of the scripture in Luke which talks about “to whom much has been given, much is expected…”(12:48).  I have been given so much.  I have been given the amazing privilege of hearing these stories before they are gone.  Now I have the opportunity to do something that honors them.

A shred of paper, in the shape of a spoon, served as a reminder to POW, Wally Pesznecker. Six feet tall, Pesznecker weighed only 140 pounds upon leaving the prison camp.

I have to say that this is no longer just WoodMoore Photography’s Project.  It really has become a passion project from the Moore family. I could never have accomplished so much in the past couple of days had it not been for the efforts of my mother, my father, my grandpa, my sister, my sister-in-law, my nephew, my niece, my aunt, uncle, and my husband.  They all helped in one way or another: scanning photographs, greeting veterans, making cookies and handing out apple cider, playing music, talking with senior center members, and running various errands.  I especially need to thank my cousin-in-law, Christina.  She conducted almost every interview as I was taking pictures and dealing with the more technical aspect of the project.  She is a great journalist and I am very thankful that she is part of this.

What has come from the past couple of days, is a greater appreciation for what our men and women did for this country during that time.  I always knew the sacrifices were great, but it didn’t really hit me until I took time to hear the stories themselves.  From the interviews I’ve been apart of so far, what has seemed to be a recurring idea is that they just did what they had to do.  It wasn’t a question.  It was a duty.  As we interviewed my grandpa last night, it struck me how unquestionable that devotion was.  Here was a man who had a wife, daughter, baby on the way, and then one day it’s time to go. And he went willingly- never knowing when he would return.  It has been very humbling listening to his and others stories and recognizing what has been given.

I am looking forward to the next couple of months as we continue to work on this project.  If you know of any WWII veterans from Snohomish County who may be interested in participating, please send them my way or they may contact the senior center for scheduling.

My grandpa never talks about WWII.  I don’t ask him about it, because I don’t want to bring up painful memories about his friends getting killed or the red cross on his back that the enemy tried to use as a target.  I don’t ask and I don’t know.  I put together a memory book for him (and my grandma) a few years ago, and I went through his old pictures.  It amazed me to see photos of a young soldier and realize I didn’t know any of that story and if my grandpa was gone, all that history would be lost and all that would be left are photos that no one knows anything about.

So I decided back during the summer to do something to honor my grandfather.  Thanks in part to the inspirational ideas given to me by photographer, Don Giannatti, the helping hands of a bunch of family members, and Karen Charnell of the Snohomish Senior Center, I am officially starting the Snohomish County World War II Veteran’s Project next week.  Below is the press release.  I am really excited about this project, and hope a lot of veterans respond to make this something truly special.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY WWII VETERANS PROJECT

The Snohomish Senior Center invites all Snohomish County WWII Veterans to participate in the “Snohomish County WWII Veterans Project”.  On Monday and Tuesday, December 14 and 15, Janell Wood, a photographer from WoodMoore Photography will be taking photographs of WWII veterans now, briefly interview each veteran about their experiences, and will scan old military photos they bring in and wish to share.  The images and stories will then be compiled into a slideshow and/or book which will be donated to the Snohomish Senior Center.  A viewing of the book and/or slideshow at the Senior Center is anticipated sometime in the spring of 2010.  Any WWII veteran who lived in the Snohomish area during WWII or who currently lives here is eligible for this project.  Please call the Senior Center, 360-568-0934 for an appointment.  If veterans are unavailable on those dates or unable to travel and would like to participate in this project, let the Senior Center know and private arrangements can be made.  There is no cost to participate in this project.  Participants may have a free 8×10 of their picture mailed to them after their photo session.

Janell is doing this project to honor her grandfather, Bill Moore, who served as a medic during WWII, and his fellow servicemen.   This is a project of Janell Wood, WoodMoore Photography, and the Moore Family of Snohomish Washington.

Snohomish Seniors is a Washington non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote and enhance the physical, emotional, intellectual and economic well being of older adults through a variety of activities, services, opportunities for learning, participation and socializing both at their Center and elsewhere.  The Center is located at 506 Fourth Street in Snohomish.

Snohomish Seniors receives funding from the Snohomish County Department of Human Services and comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

And speaking of slowing down, Brian and I made the decision for me to stay home with Caleb. As of the beginning of October, I have been officially a stay-at-home mom. Giving up my job with the County was gut-wrenching, but I knew I could never give Caleb or my husband the attention they needed when I felt so empty at the end of every day. For those who can do it, I applaud you. But I learned in the few weeks I went back to work, that I could not. So in this economy, in this time of uncertainty and doubt, we chose to take a risk and have me quit my job. And even though there have been moments of “how are we going to do this?” I am so happy with our decision. Being home with Caleb is the most wonderful job in the world. And of course, I am now trying to work on my photography business even more.

I am not so great at this “blogging” thing. I can’t figure out a template I actually like and have resigned myself to my blog’s current “blah”-ness. Note to self: try to find person who will help me fix my blog to be something cute and catchy and less clinical looking. I tried applying a different template. Tried.

I have spent the last five weekends at Bob’s Corn in Snohomish. Check out their website (www.bobscorn.net). Today was our last day. I am so thankful to Bob and Sarah for letting us come out and be part of such a positive and fun family-friendly environment. Our first year was a little slow, but we plan on coming back next year.