http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:amillionwords&section=today deviantART RSS for by:amillionwords en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:38:43 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/25761904/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/25761904/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:42:55 PDT [link] I'd love to hear what you all think

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/22374130/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/22374130/ Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:59:31 PST
I haven't posted any of my newer work here on DA in quite a while. I am actually months behind in sharing my images! I have a backload of photos sitting in a folder on my hard drive just waiting to be shared so you will definitely be seeing a lot of newer work from me over the next few weeks.

Thank you to everyone that commented and took the time to favorite the images that I shared over the past year. I am aiming to branch out this coming year and shoot some stuff outside of my comfort zone and I can't wait to hear what you all think

Love Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18790725/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18790725/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:21:11 PDT I just wanted to give you all an update on what I have been doing lately (if anyone actually reads this!).

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18583362/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18583362/ Fri, 30 May 2008 20:08:07 PDT
1- Higher quality images taken with higher end digital photographic equipment and a variety of professional camera lenses.
2- Portable lighting equipment that will allow us to work in your home and on-location with studio lights if needed.
3- A professional website that will be up and running in the next few weeks that will contain a password protected client proofing area....no more contact sheets through e-mail!

All of these changes will allow me to continue to provide my clients with creative portrait and wedding photography services. My new business phone number is 902•456•4146. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at your own convenience.

Thank you for your continued support!
Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18154652/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/18154652/ Sat, 03 May 2008 19:55:26 PDT
My hotmail account was recently hacked by an individual that is obviously out to ruin my photography business and give me a bad name. I have been using this e-mail account to answer inquiries, schedule consultations and book sessions. After receiving a message a few days ago from someone informing me that I did not show up for a planned meeting and that the same thing had apparently happened to other individuals over the past few weeks, I began searching through my e-mail sent messages and was shocked to find that there were messages in the folder apparently written and sent by myself that I did not write or send. I receive and respond to a large number of messages on a regular basis so it is not uncommon for me to have a large number of received and sent messages in my account. Over the past few weeks I have apparently missed a number of scheduled consultations and meetings that I did not set up. Someone hacked into my hotmail account and began posing as me without my knowledge. This individual has been setting up these meetings (which I would obviously not show up for due to the fact that I was completely unaware of them being scheduled). This same individual would then pose as me and send messages of apology to these potential clients and set up second meetings with these same people (which I of course would not show up for due to the fact that I was completely unaware of what was happening!). The hacker would delete received, sent and trashed messages to keep me in the dark as to what was going on. The only reason that I eventually became aware was when I received a nasty message on my phone from an individual that was ticked off at the fact that I had an appointment with and that I did not show. I thought that I was losing my mind because I had no idea who this person was! I then started checking into my e-mail messages and luckily found a few that the hacker neglected to erase....messages written and sent by me that I myself did not write or send. I felt sick to my stomach! How long had this been going on?! How many people set up appointments with me (but not actually me!) that I did not show up for because I didn't even know that the appointments were set up?! How many people now thought that I was completely unreliable?! My reputation has been tainted and trust has been broken with so many people. I am afraid that due to this unfortunate violation of privacy, I have potentially lost clients and that word of mouth will spread that I am an unreliable individual.

I'm not sure if this note will make sense as I am furiously writing and probably babbling due to the fact that I am so upset at the moment. As a new business owner this is one of the worst things that could have possibly happened. The only individual that would do such a thing obviously wants my business to fail for one reason or another. Through research, I have discovered that my e-mail account was initially hacked possibly as far back as September 2007. One individual is even now claiming that I stood her friend up twice and then spoke to her on the phone to set up a third appointment. Who ever this is did not ever speak to me or they are making this up!! Is this hacker also sending out a phone number and posing as me on the phone?!

I believe that it is most likely an individual that knows me personally as crimes like this are very personal. Through reading the few messages left behind and sent by this individual posing as me, they obviously know a lot of my personal information and day to day activities. It does not look as though this individual actually attended meetings posing as me or taken money from anyone as deposits for weddings or portraits, but this is still infuriating and scary!

I sent out a mass e-mail to all of my contacts a few days ago from a new g-mail account explaining what was happening. An individual promptly phoned me to confirm that she had a scheduled appointment with the following day. She was one of the victims of my hacker. I had never scheduled this appointment with her nor corresponded through e-mail with her. I booked an appointment with her for the same day but at a different time later in the afternoon. I met with her and she was extremely understanding of my horrible situation. When I arrived home that evening, she phoned me to tell me that she had received another message from my hotmail account. The hacker posed as me again and sent this message to apologize for not showing up for our planned meeting. Little did the hacker know, but I did actually meet with the client, just at a different time that was booked on the phone!

There are a few individuals... ]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/17387099/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/17387099/ Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:01:23 PDT
On top of writing my business plan I have been attending business workshops and networking events as part of my program. I have been working on my portfolio and pushing myself to try a lot of different things with lighting, atmosphere and editing. I have also been booking weddings for the upcoming wedding season, booking paid portrait sessions, designing a session tips booklet that I will be able to give to clients whenever they book a session, working on my website, choosing an assortment of my images that will be on display at two different business locations here in Halifax.....my god, the list just goes on and on!!!

Until my website is up and running, I have started a blog page to share new images and ramble on about my life. You can check it out here. [link]

My boyfriend informed me that I need to slow down or I will burn out. I have been spending 12 hours a day and sometimes more on getting my business up and going. I have days that I second guess myself and my ability to do this. I sometimes look at my to do list and become stressed to the point that I just don't want to work on anything! Starting a business is very hard!! My boyfriend told me that I need to look at the obstacles as speed bumps in the road. Whenever you come to a speed bump, you need to slow down or drive around it. If you drive at it full speed ahead, you risk causing major damage to your car. I really like the way he put this....it totally makes sense to me. Now, if I could only take his advice and give myself a little bit of free time to relax

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/15909968/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/15909968/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:01:37 PST
I received a phone call last week from an individual informing me that I had been accepted into the self employment program....woo hoo!!! A huge wave of relief washed over me because after waiting such a long time to hear anything I had pretty much given up hope of being accepted. The program is for 40 weeks during which I will receive a regular bi-weekly paycheck while I start up my business. Every week I will be attending business workshops and each workshop will focus on different aspects of starting and owing your own business. They will help me write my business plan step by step and provide me with a support team while I embark on this journey. I will learn about business accounting, the importance of marketing and promotions, business banking, networking, insurance, taxes....you name it and it will be covered in detail. I can not express how excited and happy I am to be a part of this program! By the end of the 40 weeks, my business will be completely up and running and hopefully making some money My dream is finally becoming a reality!

So I just wanted to share my exciting news with everyone and thank you all for your support. Happy Holidays!

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/15433913/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/15433913/ Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:22:21 PST
I have changed my business name...again....but have decided on a final name and will be sticking with it!!! After trying out a few renditions I have decided to go with the name "Patricia Sampson Photo Graphics". I have finished my logo and am in the process of finalizing my business cards and promotional material. Still no word on the self employment program that I have applied for through the government but hopefully I'll hear something soon I really hope that I get into this program!! If not, I'll truly be a starving artist living off of kraft dinner

I hope that everything is going well for everyone. If you know of anyone looking for a photographer or graphic designer send them my way!

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/14970254/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/14970254/ Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:23:28 PDT

I've been doing a lot of shooting lately and have been extremely happy with my results. I had a wonderful session with the other day. She is such a doll to work with!! Such a beautiful model and a great personality to boot!! If anyone has the opportunity to work with her I would totally recommend it! I feel like my photography skills are evolving and that I'm finally getting the types of results that I have been striving for. I still have so much to learn, but that's what I love about photography...I learn something new everyday.

I'm finally starting to receive more page views and messages here on DA. I feel like I'm beginning to be a part of the wonderful community of artists on this amazing site! A big thank you to everyone for the encouraging comments...keep em coming!! I'm considering investing in a subscription so that I can spice up my journal entries, but I haven't completely decided yet. Would anyone recommend a subscription, or does it really make a difference?? Just wondering

If you have continued reading this far....Thanks!! I'm gonna go be lazy now for the rest of the day (I've been battling the flu that is going around), but new images will be submitted soon!! Oh, and I'm going to submit some of my graphic design work over the next week to get some opinions from everyone.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend!!
Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/14694416/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/14694416/ Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:41:37 PDT
A few people have asked me to write a bit about myself so I guess I'll start there. I am a 29 year old female who up until this point in my life has felt lost and confused. All through my twenties people kept asking me what I was going to do with my life and everytime I heard that question I cringed. I really had no idea! I have always been a creative individual and was happiest when I was able to let that side of me fluorish. But how does someone use their creative talents and make enough money to put food on the table? I attended the Nova Scotia Community College and took the Applied Communication Arts program and then Graphic Design. I loved being in school and creating and learning. I also loved being surrounded by other artists. Then I finished my programs and did nothing with the skills that I had learned. I spent all of my early twenties doing everything that I could to live a "normal" life and keep everyone happy. I was married, working an assistant manager position in retail and just going through the motions. I finally woke up one day and realized that I was no longer being true to myself and that I was really unhappy and depressed. Four years ago, my husband and I split up, and I found myself on a new path. I was no longer lost in someone else and I was given the chance to look at life and what I really wanted to do. The divorce was tough and starting over was scary, but I faced it head on. I started singing and writing music again, something that I had abandoned for such a long time. I started taking photos and creating art on my computer. I became interested in making jewelry and would spend hours playing with beads and coming up with new designs. I was finding myself and letting the artist in me out to play.

When things really started to come together and I felt that I had a hold on everything, my best friend of 22 years passed away in a tragic car accident on August 11th 2005. Of all the things that I had been through in my life up until this point, losing her was the hardest. She was my biggest fan and would always encourage me to be creative, be myself and to be happy. After her death, something in me snapped. I now knew just how short life was and that we only get one chance. I needed to do the things that I loved and take chances.

It still took me a little while to get myself together. I kept working my crappy job to pay my bills but I got through the days knowing that I was about to do something different..something that I loved. I became ill in November of last year and was put off work by my doctor for four months. It was actually the best thing that could have happened. It forced me to slow down and gave me the time that I needed to pull myself together. In April of this year, I decided that I wasn't going back to work. I finally felt that it was time to make a move and open my own business. I decided to open a photography/graphic design business and give it everything that I had to make it a success. I've spent the past few months working on a portfolio of work, and am now working on a business identity for myself.

So that is how I ended up here, and here is where I need your help. I'm working on a business identity (logo, business cards, posters, website etc) and I am totally stuck with deciding on a name for myself. Here is what I have it narrowed to:

1 - PDS Photo & Design
2 - PDS Studio
3 - Patricia Dawn Photo & Design
4 - Sampson Studio
5 - ????

I need your help!! If anyone has any suggestions for a business name for myself I would love to hear them! I'm having a really hard time deciding so any input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thank you to all of the wonderful people who have helped me in this journey. I love you all so much

Patricia

]]> ~amillionwords http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/13281313/ http://amillionwords.deviantart.com/journal/13281313/ Sat, 09 Jun 2007 18:12:44 PDT
EXPERIENCE:
• 7 years photography
• 7 years photoshop
• 7 years graphic design

TOOLS:
• Canon Digital Rebel XTi
• 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
• 17-35mm f/2.8-4 lens
• 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
• 50mm f/1.8 lens
• 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6
• Speedlite 580ex flash
• iMac
• Studio lighting setup
• a creative mind

FOR BOOKINGS OR RATES, PLEASE CONTACT PATRICIA VIA E-MAIL OR LEAVE A NOTE.

patriciasampson@hotmail.com

UPDATE:
Patricia is currently looking for volunteer models to help build her portfolio of work. If you are interested, the sessions would be on a trade for cd/trade for prints basis. Drop her a line if you are in the Halifax area and interested.

P.S. My lovely avatar was created by . If anyone needs a really cool avatar for their page, check them out!

]]> ~amillionwords