I had some amazing photo sessions with Red and Mrs. this week. Instead of taking photos from inside the casita through the window, I sat outside. Red landed within a few feet of me and posed. Mrs. did the same.
The result of sitting outside with my camera was clearer photos. Red and Mrs. didn’t seem afraid of me at all. In fact, every time I sat outside, they appeared and flitted around me.
I shared a few of my Red and Mrs. photos with my graphic designer friends I worked with back in my PR days in Palm Springs. They both moved a few miles away from our home but they moved here 15 years before us. They were so encouraging about my photos. They suggested I sell prints and make cards. One said that cardinals are very popular in Arizona and cards would do well.
I never thought of those things before. I followed their advice and made a card using Canva that is blank inside with a photo of Red on the cover. I ordered a few to see how they will turn out! I’ll let you know.
I even came up with a little logo to put on the back of the card.
Happy Friday! What are your plans for the 250th birthday of our nation?
What a great and fun idea EA! I hope this venture brings in a bit of $ and is fun for you and the birds. They can pay for their own birdseed blocks going forward 🙂 🙂
We are one of the counties that has significant bans in place given all the wildfires to the west and our severe drought. Fireworks are banned, even the city show is cancelled thankfully. Things could go up in an instant. Our air quality is pretty bad as well so being outside isn’t great fun as the afternoon rolls on. In other words- things will be low key with some of the other Colorado family members. I think they are planning a Mexican fiesta/carna asada taco feast.
Thanks for your encouraging words about the Red and Mrs. card idea. I had fun creating the first card and can’t wait to see it printed. We also have a ban on fireworks. It’s very dry and fires are breaking out all over the place.
Those first two photos are stunning.
Thanks! My first card has the first photo of Red on it. It should arrive in a few weeks.
I see you are on the road to building a greeting card empire. I wish you every success, and I especially hope you put Hallmark out of business.
Ha! I’m wondering now if I need to get business cards? A business license? What have I gotten myself into?
It could be that you’re unretiring yourself.
Oh boy! I am looking up what I need to do in Arizona to sell cards or other merchandise. A TPT license, a local Scottsdale license. All sorts of government hoops to go through. I may want to think this through!
Those government hoops have stopped many a business. Yeah, a good question is, is it worth the effort when you may not even need the money?
Exactly. I could create cards and use them myself or give them as gifts.
I did that once with calendars I made out of some of my photos. It was expensive, but people liked the gifts.
That’s a great idea. 👍🏼
Excellent photos of my favorite couple! And, now you have a business opportunity? ❤️ I’ll be here by myself seeing fireworks all around the house… God bless America!! 🇺🇸
Thanks! It was such a great feeling to sit outside and have Red and Mrs. show up for a photo shoot! Enjoy the 250th birthday and fireworks!
These are really good and I love that idea of you selling prints. Go for it!
Thanks! I’m excited to see how it goes. There is a little town next to us with lots of shops that sell nature products. I’ll have to make business cards, get a business license, etc.
How fun! You got this!
I had fun creating my first card. But I didn’t think about what else I had to do!
I hope your business opportunity comes through. Owning your own business and being responsible for all aspects is a wonderful feeling and this one sounds as if you don’t need to rent a place, and buy many things to begin, so it sounds feasible. Good luck!
I had a business pre kids. It’s been awhile!
I guess you will be busy figuring out all the hoops to go through. I thought of for awhile after we closed the store of marketing a keto sweeterie with a home bakery but there were several hoops to follow, so I settled in. I don’t miss the days of waking up at 4:30 to get ready to go bake for the marketing days. Sitting at home in the heat and writing seems much more pleasure ridden and I do not feel an ounce of guilt.
I had a PR business with several big clients before kids. Then after I had kids, I was paying a nanny. I’d watch her take the kids to the park. I was always busy and not spending time with my kids. I had demanding clients who had no problem calling me with a project at 7 p.m. and wanting it the next day. I didn’t know how to make boundaries mostly because I was working from home. Finally, I chose writing children’s fiction and being a mom.
Now you have a chance to try again!
Yes! I’m grateful for the chance.
Beautiful photos.
Thanks!
What a fantastic idea, Elizabeth! Your pictures are so stunning and it totally makes sense that cardinals are popular in Arizona. Love it!
Thanks!
I like the suggestion of your friends. You’re photography is beautiful and cards and prints would be a lovely idea
Thank you! I am working on it and my friends have more ideas for me!