All in all, 2016 was a very good year for us and our journey.  Denise pushed forward with her Healthy Living business on a number of fronts including revamping and rehosting her web site, sponsoring events, participating in tabletop shows, landing new customers, selling products, experimenting with healthy recipes, training and completing her first half-marathon and much more.  

I continued to challenge myself to improve my photography in a number of genres, I partnered with a national publication to become a staff photographer, increased my customer base and doubled my photography revenue. 

Together we did a number of things to prepare for a very different lifestyle.  I started getting the house ready to sell next year and Denise had some corrective foot surgery.  We met with attorneys and financial experts to plan for our big transition.  2017 is going to be a major year for us.

We met so many amazing people this year too, from business contacts to customers to models and other photographers.  Everyone we've shared our vision with has been supportive and excited for us.  

Models we worked with in 2016.   ©2016 Images by Design

Oh, I almost forgot.  One last big step on our journey forward.........

Anyone else suprised that she said yes?   

Before a shoot I always sit down with our models/clients for some nice, informal, get-to-know-you time.  We learn a bit about them and share what we're all about.  It's a great technique to help everyone relax and explore details about the project or the wants and needs of the customer. 

This weekend we had a lovely young model, Tabitha,  in our studio.  As Denise and I were sharing our business plans, Tabitha called us a "Power Couple."  I'll paraphrase her definition that a power couple supports each other's efforts and enables each other's dreams.  I had made almost an identical statement to Denise the week before.  I just didn't have the buzz-word to go with it.  I like it. So, now we're a "Power Couple!" 

Well, this "Power Couple" is still working each day toward our goals.  Denise just ran her first half-marathon a week ago and completed it in just 2:18 flat. I'm so proud of her.  The course wound through the streets of Norfolk allowing me to take a few photos along the route for her web site and social media posts.  With her running milestone safely behind her, Denise had elective foot surgery a few days later.  She's currently laid up on crutches, hoping to get cleared to put weight on her heel in a boot later this week to get cleared to start running again in 6 weeks.  She's using her "downtime" to work on her feng-shui web site and marketing strategies.  

Bedtime Stories - "Caught in the Act" ©2016 Images by Design

I just submitted a series of photos for consideration (including this film noir styled shot from Tabitha's session) to hopefully be shown at Virginia MOCA this winter.  I couldn't have completed this project without Denise as my model, agent, muse, lighting grip and HMUA.  We'll know on Dec 23rd if we made the cut.  It's very competitive exhibit.

Just when you thought there was a place on the Internet this week free of political opinions, you stumbled across this.  Sorry.  I've been successful avoiding politics on social media, at work, and at social gatherings.  Everyone seems to have a strong opinion based on half the story, or something completely made up by the other side.

In order to figure out the candidates' actual views or platform I have to go do my own digging, because the campaigns and the media are 102% focused on defaming the opposition.  While mud-slinging during any election has become a mainstay campaign strategy, it seems that's the only tool being used in this Presidential election.  I can't wait for it to be over.

I so desperately want to see a female POTUS.  America could truly benefit from an honest, trustworthy, experienced woman in the oval office.  But Clinton, as far as I can see, is only one of those things.  And gender alone is not enough to make me consider giving her my vote.  If Hillary is guilty of just 1/10th the things that the GOP and cronies are accusing her of, she is not fit to hold the highest office in the land.  What the FBI has confirmed she's done is enough to make me look elsewhere.

I also want to see my beloved country stop hemorrhaging money.  We are dying from both internal bleeding and gaping wounds that will surely kill us if we don't get this under control. We need a savvy business leader who is not beholding to a SuperPAC, or dangling from lobbyists' puppet strings.  Sure, he's a billionaire, but "The Donald" is not as astute as his bank account might suggest.  He's lost his fortune twice and managed to claw it back.  But I don't measure a successful businessman by their bank balance alone.  A truly accomplished entrepreneur will have risen by bringing those who work with them and for them up alongside.  I only see Trump himself getting rich.  We can't expand that business model to the world.  The US cannot return to solvency at the expense of all other countries.  Trump's a spoiled child who's behavior has shown that he's incapable of becoming the statesman we claim to be "The Leader of the Free World."  

So, if I can't vote the main party candidates for their own merits, how about voting for the constitution?  The Supreme Court is now listing slightly to port with the recent death of Justice Scalia.  With Justices Ginsburg and Kennedy both now in their 80's, it is likely that the next sitting president will nominate at least 3 new SPOTUS justices with ideologies to match that current administration.  But nomination is one thing while appointment takes Senate confirmation.  So, unless the President and the Senate majority are decidedly leaning one way or the other, candidates for these esteemed positions need be at least closer to the middle than the fringes.  I don't see the free world tumbling if the Supreme Court shifts slightly one way or the other regardless of decisions I'd personally like to see for the health and safety of my family and friends.  I can't envision a repeal of the 2nd Amendment or an overturn of Roe V Wade. 

I'm left looking at the political landscape in general.  The two party system has risen to power and has (along with our help, sheeple!) divided this country to the point we are today.  The minority fringe rules from the extremes.  The true majority of America, those of us who hold more moderate views and decide on issues not party lines, are left to choose between "the lesser or two evils" as we see them.  So, for the long term, for the future of America, I'll be voting for a candidate that does not have a statistical chance of winning this election.  "But Jim, you're throwing your vote away!" my conservative and liberal friends are all now screaming into their screens from both the left and right.  My response is simply, "No, I'm hoping a third party can rise up and bring a voice to the 65% of America that has no candidate."  If Gary Johnson and the Libertarian Party (I don't agree with everything they espouse, either) manage just 5% of the vote tomorrow, they are recognized as a "major party" and begin to receive equal federal campaign funding, and a seat at the table for future presidential debates.  I will cast my vote to help fill the chasm in the center of our current political landscape.

After all this has died down in a few weeks/months, we can go back to sharing silly cat videos and photos of our dinner plates.  I never thought I'd pine for either of those, but here we are!  With a little luck, we won't have to go through this same madness in 4 years, and my son might be able to cast his first Presidential vote for a candidate whom he actually believes in regardless of what that ideology might be.

And you still have a few hours this evening before the polls open in the morning.  Take some time to learn about your local elections and figure out those candidates and referenda.  They are likely to affect you far more than what happens inside the DC beltway.  

Stock Photo

Brain health has been on our minds a lot lately.  Like most, we have loved ones getting along in years that are starting to become forgetful.  Like everyone, we're a bit older today than we were yesterday.  As you know, we've got big plans for the coming years and need to stay tack sharp to manage and grow our businesses.  So, we think about brain health (see what I did there?) when we plan our meals, make exercise choices, etc. 

We've been helping others keep their brain in good condition as well.  First, we promote an anti-aging for the brain dietary supplement, called EHT.  EHT is an organic compound derived from coffee seeds (but no caffeine) which promotes TAU protein health - vital for keeping neuronal network paths strong.    EHT is endorsed by the Michael J Fox foundation, NFL, NBA, NCAA, and is certified by the BSCG as a drug-free supplement.  We take it every day.  It does help our (relatively) healthy brains with memory, recall, alertness and provides a bit of energy too. It really makes a difference in: children with ADHD, elderly with mild symptoms of dementia, patients recovering from a brain injury/surgery or anyone wanting to keep their gray matter running in top form.  If you're interested, you can find out more at Denise's EHT website.

Ping Pong for Charity 2016 at the Virginia Beach Field House. ©2016 Images by Design

Besides being a good low-impact physical activity, regularly playing ping pong has shown to greatly improve cognitive functions.  We recently partnered up with a fantastic non-profit organization predicated on this phenomenon.  Ping Pong for Charity raises funds for brain health research by hosting amateur ping pong tournaments.  Proceeds go to The Alzheimer's Foundation, American Parkinson's Disease Association, People in Need, and they work to get ping pong tables into elderly care facilities and under-served schools.  It's a local effort, started by our neighbor 8 years ago.  Small but growing, Ping Pong for Charity just passed the $500,000 mark in funding for the cause.  Every little bit helps, right?

Brain Food - Grilled Atlantic Salmon on a Bed of  Aavocados, Blueberries, Onions and Spinach. ©2015 Images by Design  

So, add more seafood to your diet.  Play mind-games (no, I don't mean messing with people, I mean games that make you think) and perhaps try some meditation.  Choose exercises that promote cognitive as well as motor functions.  You only get one brain and you need it every moment of your life.  It's never too early to start being proactive about keeping your brain happy and healthy.