They are here!

After weeks of selecting images, style design and packaging my first series of "whatever" cards are now available.

Those of you that have been with me from the beginning know that I began revisiting my love for photography about one year ago. It has been wonderful. The next step for me in this journey was to create something that would allow people to enjoy some of my favorite images in a useful fun way. Hence, my creation of the "whatever" card.

The first series are three images that were selected to represent my love of nature and concern for our environment. All cards will be printed on recycled paper. This is just a small step to help protect and save the environment....

If you are interested in ordering a box of the first series, please send me an email at thomas@thomastaulbee.com or go to my website thomastaulbee.com and fill out a comment form and I will contact you.

Thanks for your interest and I hope you enjoy this series and future one's....

Start'em young

On a recent trip to visit with family in Atlanta, I met my cousin's daughter's for the very first time. What a wonderful time we had. Catching up on old times and seeing the sites of their hometown. It was just great! Oh, can't forget feeding the fish!! Hi, Victoria....

Now, all of you know that my interest in photography started at a very young age. And, you can contribute that interest to my Dad. Not realizing at the time, photography would become a big part of my life so many years later. But, here I am.

I was so pleased to see Sofia, the older of the two girls take such an interest in photography. She would follow me around with her camera shooting lots of pictures. Some of her shots were really good and she seemed to enjoy it. Now, this (photography) may be a brief moment in her life but you never know. If her interest continues to grow we maybe are looking at the next great photojournalist or nature photographer. Who knows but the fact that she has started at this young age is very promising. And, if that interest is just a hobby then she is in for years of great joy taking pictures of the world around her.

So, take interest in these brief thoughts and give the young one's around you a camera to play with. You never know!!

Skies the limit, Miami

Growing up in Miami, I have been witness to the many faces of an emerging city. And, Miami, like many cities have been blessed with the good and the bad. But, Miami and it's residents can say with pride that the sky is the limit.

I had the pleasure today of going to what is a world class event. Art Basel! This event finds it's permanent home in Basel, Switzerland but has made it's way to the Magic City. It truly is magnificent. Hundreds of artists flock to Miami to show off their talent to a collection of people from around the world. Wondering the floor today as I did made quite an impression on me. The amount of talent that was available for the average art enthusiast to the serious art collectors was incredible.

As a photographer, I was most curious to view others that shared my same interest. There was an impressive collection of photography and I was most pleased albeit surprised to see works from a particular favorite which is "street" photography. I chatted with a younger (well, slightly younger than me) guy from England about his work. He sounded very similar to a guy I know (me) saying that street photography has given him the ability to show off the world around him. His work was intriguing to say the least. Although, impressive may be a more accurate description.

Miami, you should be proud that you have finally joined the ranks of such cities as New York, Boston, San Francisco in catching the attention of the world's elite artists...Cheers!

Take it and Sell it!

Living in a city as beautiful as Miami one can't help but to venture out and take pictures.  Because I am not a professional photographer most of my photography is for personal use or an occasional purchase from a friend or admirer of my work.  But, several weeks ago I mentioned to a friend that I had some really nice photo's of our city and would he like a few to hang in his office.  He lives in the already bitter cold Northeast.  Well, he loved the images and as a result showed them to several others in the office and they fell in love with the sunny and warm view of the city.  

As a result, of that first simple "trying to be nice" email I sold three images to several people.  Simple, quick and effective.  So, in the future you can be assured that I will take more pictures and be sure to let people know they are available.  My point is that you never know if you don't ask.  Take it and Sell it!!

Take it with you!

One of the biggest obstacles faced in getting back into photography is the fear of "taking it with you"....The camera, of course!

How many times have you been in a situation where you wished that you had your camera. Of course, with almost every cell phone having a camera installed it does make it easier. And, that's fine for what it is ....But, what I am talking about are those moments that just catch your eye. That's why over the last several years I have started carrying my camera with me all the time. Yes, from time to time it does get in the way but I will take that in order to know that at any moment I can catch that memorable image....

The photo included in this post was taken at one of my favorite Charleston, South Carolina restaurants S.N.O.B. I was eating with family at the chef's table which as you can see is just outside the kitchen. The atmosphere was as to be expected at a well known restaurant jumping! Chef's were busy shouting out orders to line cooks and servers attempting to get orders out on time. Loving cooking as I do this really sparked my interest and I began to the dismay of my fellow diners shooting images of the kitchen. But, having overcome my fear of what other's think I tuned them out and just concentrated on what was going on just in front of me...

So, as photographer's we need and should have our equipment with us at all times. It has taken me a while to get over the fear but for every shot that I capture makes it that much easier. So, "Take it with you!!"

Making an image work for you

For most of my life, I have been known by my friends as the guy with a lot of good ideas. Well, some of those ideas have been successful ventures and some have been left on the cutting room floor.

But, as I rediscover my love of photography those ideas keep coming. And, now with that connection, I am going to combine one idea with one passion. This idea is not new, but, an idea (product) that is something we all need and use on a regular basis....I am talking about a "thank you" card. Not what you were thinking? How many times have you needed to send a quick note to someone special or send a greeting to an old friend. Well, I hope to be able to fill that need with an attractive environmentally friendly card.

Combining some of my favorite images that friends have helped select, I am in the production stages of the development of this new idea. These cards will be made in keeping with my concern for the environment "Green". Recycled paper and environmentally friendly ink. We are currently in talks with several local printers and my goal is to have the first series of cards available for the holiday season. Please say tuned.

This first series will be a limited production run and carried by a select number specialty stores and available on my website. www.thomastaulbee.com . Please feel free to let me know what you think by filling out the comment form on my website....I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Holiday!

A photographer's photographer

One of the biggest compliments a photographer can give to another photographer is that they hope to achieve their level of skill and that they enjoy their work!. One photographer that I have admired is a guy from the Seattle area, Chase Jarvis.

I came across his site several months ago and it impressed me then and continues to impress me with each visit to his site and blog. His work quite simply is amazing. He seems to be a fairly free spirited guy which I guess comes along with being a photographer. Or, at least one would hope. What impresses me about his style is his ability to capture and portray images in the now. Now, that's what photography is supposed to do many of you will say but his images are extraordinarily in the now. It's hard to explain but if you visit his site
( www.chasejarvis.com ) you will see what I am referring to...

Like so many of us in today's society Chase is on Facebook and upon a request from me we are now friends. No, I am not a stalker! Just a fan. And, trust me I am not the only one. What prompted me to write this post is a brief visit to his Facebook page and was surprised at how many people around the world are following this guys work. It's amazing...From Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. Even with the web providing exposure to the world not many of us can say that we have that kind of following. Obvisouly, this guy is doing something right.

As an amatuer photographer, I am inspired by the likes of Chase Jarvis and I will continue to work hard at my craft to become a more skillful photographer...