Monday, June 30, 2014

Interview with Tamea Burd Photography- Tamea

We recently spoke with Tamea from Tamea Burd Photography. This is our interview with her.

Tell us a bit about your company?
I’m a local photographer, specializing in headshots, portraits, online profiles portraits and weddings. My style is very much about people looking natural, relaxed and happy. As far as my company goes, ethical and eco-friendly business practices have been very important to me since I first began.


When did you start?
I’ve been taking photographs for over 20 years, and studying photography since high school (history, art, technical aspects, etc). I began my business full-time, almost 8 years ago.

Competition?
The professional photography business is insanely competitive. But of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of people advertising their photography services in any city, only a handful are knowledgeable about more than just using a camera. Photography is an art form. It involves far more than simply technical knowledge about your equipment. You have to have a way with people, you have to have an eye for composition and light, and you have to be very proficient at using photo-editing programs like Lightroom and Photoshop. There’s a huge, visibly obvious difference between the photographs of a professional photographer and those of an amateur or hobby photographer.

Advice for youth?
- As technology advances, making your living as a photographer becomes increasingly difficult.
- Opportunities are more limited than they used to be and pricing is much more competitive.
- Don’t get into the field unless you understand that there are many barriers to overcome.
- If you really are passionate, do it. But always have a secondary, more bankable skill as well.

Why is it important for youth to get involved in sustainability?

I grew up in a very remote, rural area. Sustainability was a way of life, it supported the local ecology and economy. I learned – as we all should - at a young age, that the only way humans are going to survive long-term, is to respect the ecosystem. We should and do want our beautiful earth to remain beautiful and inhabitable.

Could sustainability and businesses work together?

It’s short-sighted not to realize that sustainability must be a factor for all businesses. Its essential. What good is the economy if you can’t drink the water or breath clear air? The choices business owners make, affect our community, influence our clients, and can create a ripple effect throughout the world. Putting more into the world than we take from it, is so much more important than money. Personally, I keep printed/paper materials to a minimum, all of my images are distributed exclusively in digital format and I buy locally (personally and professionally) whenever I can.

Closing comments?
- If you want to be a professional photographer, be prepared for it to be an incredibly difficult way to earn a living.
- The Arts have always been one of the best things about humanity, so if you’re passionate about photography, don’t let anything stop you.
- As with anything, success is possible if you truly believe in yourself, constantly keep learning, and never stop working towards your goals.


Thanks to Tamea for taking part in this interview!


Website Link
http://www.tameaburdphotography.com/

Blog
http://tameaburdphotography.wordpress.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/tameaburdphotography

Google+:
https://plus.google.com/118262425775470205709/posts

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tameaburdphotos

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/tameab/

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/tburdphotos/videos

LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tameaburdphotography

Interview with Pure Magnolia- Patty

We also recently spoke to Patty from Pure Magnolia wedding dresses.

Tell us about your company
- Sustainable Eco-friendly wedding dresses
-Started in 2009
-Wedding dresses- styles change on a constant basis

Is there any competition?
-In wedding dresses? Yes
In sustainable dresses? No
-Online shoppers looking for eco-friendly product, there are more then a dozen from outside the city. Locally, only person that’s doing it.

Advice for youth looking into a similar field?
-Sustainable fashion is tough. Need to be unique and driven.

Is it important for youth to get involved in sustainable practices?
-Absolutely. Necessary, especially in the fashion industry.

Internships/Job experience?
-Every summer has internships. Take on fashion students

What does sustainability mean to you?
-Sustainability means not wasting resources you have. Not creating waste for future
-Environment and business have to go together. Businesses have to provide environmental services.

Thanks to Patty for taking part in this interview!

Company website link

Blog

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Instagram

Interview with Fairy Cakes- Cera

We recently spoke to Cera from Fairy Cakes.

Tell us a bit about your company?
-Bakery geared towards dietary restrictions
-Use as environmentally friendly company as possible
-Don't allow dairy, peanuts, eggs, etc
-Been open for 2 years

Popular products that you have?
-When first opened, it was strictly cupcakes
-Expanded to mini-cupcakes, cakes, cheesecakes, cinnamon/blueberry/etc buns, cookies, etc

Advice for youth?
- Do your research
- I took business classes, surveys and spoke to different business owners.
- Research gives an edge on things
- Need it to survive with a small business
-It’s important for youth to get involved in sustainable practices
-This is our planet and home.

Internships/work experience?
-Not currently, but thinking about it later

What does sustainability mean to you?
-Doing whatever you can to help your home
-The more we learn, the more responsibility to take knowledge into account
-Only way planet will survive is through sustainability. Takes awareness in public’s part. Environmentally friendly products are the norm rather than exception. Pass that idea onto the consumer.

Special thanks to Cera for taking part in this interview

Company Website
http://www.fairycakescupcakes.ca/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FairyCakesVan

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fairycakes_yumm

Interview with Recycle 4 U- Dave

We recently spoke with Dave from Recycle 4 U

Tell us about your company
-Started in 2010. Already being in garbage/recycling game, opportunity in lower mainland for this program.
Put yellow bin in each area.
- All I do is pick up pop bottles, beer bottles, etc.

Is there lots of competition?
-In hotels and bars, there is lots of competition. Not in recycling companies exactly.

Any advice for someone looking to go into a similar field?
-Have to work really hard, roughly $40,000-50,000 put away to get bins.
-Not easy to get into

Do you think its important for youth to get into sustainable practices?
-Good for landfill, economy, make money as well. Win-win for the environment, for landfill, for recycling, and to make some money off it.

Any internships/work experience?
-No, it is a small company
-No students at the moment. Still starting up. Takes about 5-7 years to really take off

What does sustainability mean to you?
-What I’m doing is great for environment/employment, put money back into governments pockets
-Strong outlook in the future
-My company will never go away
-In one word, it’s recession-proof
-People have recycling that needs to go
-Steady career/business

Last comments
-Initially, the city was kind of nervous
-Encorp advertising, started from the bottom
-Donate money back to boys and girls club, grew up on downtown Eastside
-Donate $10,000 a year to boys and girls club
-In the future, kids should run the business no problem.

Special thanks to Dave for talking part in this interview!

Website Link
http://recycle4u.ca/