After the experience of being by my Dad’s side through his battle with lung cancer, so many of the decisions and choices in business and daily life are much easier compared to the life depending calls I made for my father’s care at the end of his life.

The last two years have been jam packed with big life changes for me, personally and professionally. I’m hoping to get a few personal updates from the last year posted in the coming days, before giving birth to my first child.

I love and miss you always, Dad.

The story of how I went about the rebrand and transition from staff photographer to freelancer was fairly lengthy and detail laden and Jacqueline did a great job getting all the details straight. I’m super appreciative of the attention and recognition from PDN on my initial transition and marketing! Now, to keep moving full speed ahead!

The print edition tearsheets:

I covered Toastmasters years ago for another story but really had no idea what to expect from this event, it’s participants and audience. It was pretty clear upon my arrival that this event would be taken with seriousness by all involved as it was explained to me that this is the Olympics of public speaking, with finalists and supporters from the world over in attendance. Hefty security, hushed voices and repeated reminders to me that if any of the participants were uncomfortable with my presence (and shooting) at any time that access would be withdrawn.

Reporter John Bowe shares the full story best, so I’ll leave it to him. The morning was a fun one. The finalists were each interesting in their own right, and no one minded me documenting their preparations leading up to their world championship public speaking performance. It was another great reminder of how fascinating all of our unique stories, passions and sub-cultures are.

The tear sheet and a few out-takes from backstage…

This round American Airlines’ in-flight magazine, American Way, asked me to make portraits of Tony and shoot environmentals of the headquarter offices for a feature story for their August issue. My pleasure!

The story is a great read and fascinating tale of how doing things your own way and putting people over profits can work.  If you are ever in Las Vegas, Zappos does tours! You should go check-out this company and experience the unique culture of the place. Visiting always makes me reflect on how the majority of American businesses operate. And if you’re flying American Airlines or American Eagle this month, send me a cell phone snap of my pictures in the magazine via Twitter (@tiffanybrown) and I’ll send you a surprise!

Here’s the magazine spread and a few outtakes of Tony portraits.

I really appreciate Danielle’s comments. I did a great deal of research on marketing and self-promotion before beginning the creative design process for this current campaign, however, it’s really all an experiment to see how what we created sticks once it starts sending. Feedback like Danielle’s and response and work from new clients are the greatest pay-off.

Thanks again, Danielle!

Though I live my life pretty *off Strip* for the most part, I love hitting the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos with my camera most anytime.

The story is about the fact that most new properties built or renovated in Vegas in recent history are aiming to be the most expensive, most luxurious, most new dazzling sensation,  except the Trop. Instead, the new owners of the Tropicana  have spent tens of millions on a remodel geared to be nice, but not too nice, and it’s working.

The reality is that middle America and the middle-brow market is a massive one. Instead of Celine Dion the Tropicana features Gladys Knight and Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club. Garrett, ya know, that guy from Everybody Loves Raymond.

The only piece of the remodel/rebrand that reaches above that middle market is the Nikki Beach pool and nightclub. The story says, “this is because nightclubs—particularly daytime poolside ones—”are Vegas’s only growth industry, and everyone is trying to lure the chest-waxing set with more swim-up tables and strippers.”

The 10 hour day exploring the renovations did not fail to disappoint. The place looks great and is definitely revitalized. However, many of the staff boast decades of employment at the property, which helps to keep some of the (priceless) old character as well. The Trop has been added to my list of recommendations to people looking for an affordable place ($70/night!) to stay on the Strip.

Here’s the tear sheet and a few of my favorite selects.

These are a few casual snaps from moments in between, at the beach in San Onofre, California with the family last month.

And of course, my man and step-son…

I’ve had a lot of firsts since transitioning to freelance last May. This has been one of the most satisfying to accomplish thus far. My spring print promotion, one of three for 2011.

Last spring, to create a new portfolio better suited to my personal style and the freelance market – after eight years as a newspaper staff photographer, I worked on re-editing through my entire archive of the last decade, looking at literally every image I have shot personally and professionally.  After many rounds of edits and developing the concept of pairing my images as diptychs, came the re-brand and new web site creation. I thought all the design and site development would take 6-10 weeks. That was my first lesson that good design and thorough projects always take longer, several times longer, than expected. It took six months, however, the end result created by Greg Lutze of Must Warn Others was 100% what I wanted.

Phase two came last fall, developing a marketing campaign to introduce myself to a wide range of new potential editorial clients, ad agencies and design firms. By referral from a few friends and colleagues, I contacted Jasmine Defoore, a photographer marketing consultant. Jasmine had the background and experience to help advise and collaborate with me on developing a series of self-promos to kick off the next phase of my career as a freelancer. She was a perfect fit and was on-board with my goals, budget and over-all approach to relaunching myself.

Jasmine and I developed ideas for the concept of my self-promo and with a solid project proposal began researching designers and agencies whose work we were each impressed with or curious about. I searched design annuals by PDN and Communication Arts looking for any variety of design that resonated with me and explored links and followed tweet threads from designers I liked, and on and on. We made a list of 24 designers/firms between the two of us and then narrowed that down to seven who we contacted to see if they’d be interested in working with us on the project, and were available. We requested estimates, proposals and timelines.

We had an aggressive timeline we wanted to start by so it was just under three weeks from initial researching to when I contracted with the talented Giorgio Baravalle of de.MO to create this year’s promo magic.

The thing I have learned most is that these things, like the re-brand, always take waaay longer than expected. I decided to hand address all 1400 labels. THAT took way longer than expected too. But alas, this first of three mailers for 2011 is out! I’ll blog more on the creative process behind my re-brand and new site design last year with Greg, as well as the last six months of my work with Giorgio and Jasmine to create this piece. An coordinated e-promo will follow this mailing in a few weeks, and then the schedule of consistent marketing continues from here forward. That’s what all the surveys and experts say, consistent, quality communication is what works. Here’s hoping!

Below are a few glimpses of the finished piece. The promo is a series of six cards printed on 130# Chorus Art Silk Cover, designed around a boarding pass theme, playing off the fact that Vegas is such a travel destination. The cards are packaged in a zip-close silver transparent envelope showing the index card on one side and the opposite side addressed with a branded mailing label and recycle themed stamps.

The top index card is perforated so the contact information on the right can be kept, separate from the large card, if desired.

We used a QR code on every card that links to a special spring promo page on my web site for an accompanying print giveaway promotion. Recipients of the print mailer can sign-up to receive a signed, limited-edition print.

And of course, my best helper, my 8-year-old step son, James.