{Green Apple Photography or Red Poppy Photo?}

Okay, I know most of you have voted for Red Poppy Photo and I really like it too. I just have been having a hang up about how it rolls off the tongue. So, I am not totally discounting the idea of using Poppy and I know that no one has voted for it, but what about Green Apple Photography? I know Tara liked it, hopefully it sounds good to some more of you too.
I went to lunch with Pepper today and she had some good ideas regarding marketing Green Apple Photography. She said it would be really easy to brand Green Apple. I could send caramel apples to every bride that books as a thank you gift (cute!) and I could have green apples in the store (oh wait, I don't have a store). Both Green Apples or a Red Poppy would be a cute logo and I like both colors (maybe red a smidge more). Both names are taken as far as domain names go, but neither are local.
Green Apples make me think of fresh, clean, sharp. Pepper pointed out that they are unique (way more red apples than green apples). Also, G comes sooner than R for advertising purposes, but there is a Shabby Apple clothing store that is local. I'm not sure if I should worry about that.
Red Poppies are a fun color and would make a cute logo as well. I could also do cute branding with poppies. I just think it sounds funny when I say it. If I was a design company I think it would be really cute. Red Poppy Design.

It is crazy how so many names are already taken. We would come up with something, google it, and find out it is already gone. I guess as long as it isn't local, I shouldn't worry about it.

So, the two options on the table are Red Poppy Photo or Green Apple Photography. What do you think?

{Final Names}

Hello again. I think I have narrowed it down, finally. Some of the names, thanks for pointing that out Tara, have already been taken as far as domain names go. Do you think it is weird if I have the same name as someone else in a different state? Also, I agree with Tara that Red Poppy Photography doesn't roll off the tongue. I love poppy, but that has been my hold-up with that one.
That being said, here are the final ones. I'll put a star by it if it is taken. None of the names exist in Utah at least. I'm glad I didn't go with Lindsey. There already is a Lindsay Jane, Lindsay Hale and a LS photography in Utah.
Mom, I like your idea of having by Lindsey Stewart underneath. I might try to incorporate that. Oh, I should probably say that I will market for weddings and on-location photography. I like urban settings, railroad tracks, meadows, etc. I think my style will be similar to what I did at Silver Pelican, but focusing more on outdoors and maybe more casual. So the nominees are,

Yellow Bird Photography
Blue Sparrow Photography
Little Bird Photography
Azure Blue Photography
Azure Lane Photography
Azure Sky Photography
Blue House Photography
Cafe, Blue Cafe Photography,
Blue Bird (already taken)
Green Apple Photography *domain name taken*
Red Poppy Photo
Red Poppy Photography *domain name taken*
Red Poppy Studio *domain name taken*
Red Poppy Design and Photography
Red Poppy Design and Photo
Poppy Lane Photography (thanks Katie!)
Poppy Meadow Photography
Green Sage Photography
Painted Daisy (I decided no on this. I like it, but it does sound too country)
Peach Street Photography
Blue Lane Photography
Willow Tree Photography
Green Button Photography (I love green button flowers)

I hope I went in the right direction with these. I didn't want it to be cheesy, contrived or on the other end ultra modern and edgy. I can't find a combination of photography words I like, shutter, focus, etc all have been used and so seem overdone. I guess whimsical is the right word. I don't mind being feminine, but I don't want to seem like I am only a children's photographer (which would be way easier to come up with a name).

{More Names}

Thanks so much for all of the great ideas. I loved all of them. I really appreciate all of the support. So, I started to narrow down my list, but then I thought of a few more and then my list grew and grew. I am sorry if this is getting old. I promise I wont bother you this much on every single idea, but for now...

Green Meadow
Yellow Meadow
Bits and Pieces
Green Button
Yellow Dot
Lemongrass
Sweet Grass
Green Circle
Red Letter Photography
Chic and Shabby
Sweet Clementine
Wild Poppy
Yellow Poppy
Sweet Clover
Clover
Sweet Pea
Green Pea
Green Sage
Wild Sage
Green Apple
Painted Daisy
Wild Blossom
Tangerine
Red Boots, red shoes, blue shoe photography?
Blue Design Photography
Lime and Pears, or anything that could have an and in between (hip and humble, rose and radish)
Scarlet Pear, Red Pear?
Red Buckle, Scarlett Buckle?? Yellow Buckle
What about something with a street or lane in it...oh, I guess I already said windy lane. Pear Street, Apple Street, Blue Street, Green Street, Red Street (sounds violent), Yellow Street ?
Blue Lane, Yellow Lane
Maple Leaf
Yellow Leaf
Dandelion and Peony, Dandelion and Pear
Dandelion
Boardwalk
Lollipop Photography (I love the look of a lollipop)
Red Carnival Photography?
Cotton Candy Photography (would people think I'm too sweet with no substance?)
Red Pier, red wheel

Maybe I am using too many color adjectives. I am having a hard time coming up with something else. Okay, okay, I am stopping. I am, as always, random in my thoughts. If I could narrow it down to 10 I would be in good shape. I think I need to stop thinking of new ones and just go with ones of these, unless of course someone has more ideas and then I can start all over again. Yay!

{Thank You}

Wow, thanks so much for all of your kind words and advice. It means so, so much to me.
Having this blog has really been a blessing. I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends in my life. I am starting to calm down a little. What I know for now is that I have a job through May, after that I'm not sure. It is all up in the air for now. I'm not sure if someone will buy it or if the customers will be turned over to another studio or if there will be a longer transition period than just May. I'm not sure if I will be continuing with my wedding clients in the summer or not. I know that they will take care of all the old customers one way or the other, so I hope I didn't panic anyone. It has been a dark weekend, but I think I am beginning to see some light.
Oh, Caitlin I like Bumblee Bee. I think that is cute!
Here are some other ideas for names that I have had (all of these would have photography on the end),
Photography Names
Poppy, red poppy, wild poppy, etc
Cypress (it is an album company, so it might be lame to use it)
Clover or sweet clover
Sweet pea (maybe better for children photography, which I would do too)
Painted Daisy
Green Apple
Twig
Bumble Bee-Thanks Caitlin!
Avenue
Red Barn
Picket Fence
Lane, Windy Lane
Red Brick
I like the idea of citrus, carnivals, fresh cut grass, dandelions...all things to do with spring and summer
Maybe something with fresh??
Color Names would be good to (maybe I should look at some paint stores?),
Scarlett/RedTurqouise, Lemon, Yellow, Lime, Green or maybe a better name for those colors,
Maybe something with shoes, red shoes or yellow shoes?
Sage, or blue sage, yellow sage, wild sage
I like names like Cactus and Tropicals, Rose and Radish, Whimsy, Roots, Red Lantern, Artichokes and Co, Simplicity, Frosty Darling. Those are all names already taken that I think are fun. I like all of those directions.
Man, I'm so confused. Let me know what you think and I will try to come up with some more.

Thanks!

{Drama}

So things have been pretty topsy turvey at the Stewart household. I would have to say that the last week has not been good. On Sunday I discovered that my favorite jeans and my favorite shirt (both fairly new) had holes in it. Grrrr. I hate it when my clothes get ruined. I don't have a ton to begin with and those particular items made me feel so skinny. Boo! OK, maybe doesn't sound so bad, but when you hear about the rest of my week you will hopefully feel my pain.
So, earlier in the week we found out that, yet again, not pregnant. This is kind of silly way to break it on my blog, but yes Scott and I are trying to get pregnant--for like, 2.5 years. That is worthy of a blog post by itself, and I had written a really long one, venting out my frustration (I was crying when I typed it, hence it might be a little too personal to post anyway) when I received some other news.
Drumroll please...so, on Friday my boss informed me that they are closing down the store. Yep, Silver Pelican is closing their doors. I couldn't have been more shocked. I was totally not expecting that. It completely floored me.
*Don't freak out Shannon, I'm not sure what they are doing with old customers, but I am sure they will have a plan. I'll keep you posted.*
This weekend has been stressful to say the least. I have been trying to decide what to do and what my options are. In a way I feel like I have given so much Silver Pelican, but I have also been feeling the desire to grow as an artist and not being sure if it was going to happen there. I have been so confused on my life. I want to be a mom so bad, but it just isn't happening and I keep feeling like I was putting my life on hold while I waited for it. I haven't known what to do or what I wanted anymore. The last few months Scott and I have done a lot of thinking and praying, but I still have felt so lost.
This new news has made me realize that I don't want to go work for another portrait company (besides the only options are Kiddie Candids or Sears), I want to start my own business. So yay! there is some good news, hopefully, amongst all the bad news. I am starting my own business! It is happening so much quicker than I would have ever have anticipated and I am sooooo stressed out--we don't have any extra money to start a company. Hopefully it will work out...No, scratch that, I know it will work out. It is exciting news, not sad news. I think I will have to get a part-time job in addition to that. We do have a mortgage to pay after all. OK, I need to not freak out right now. I will be able to pay the mortgage, this will all work out.
Anyway, enough of that. The secondary reason I am posting all of this is to ask for your help. I need to get a business name now so I can start developing a website, blog, etc. I don't want to use my name since there are already two Lindsey photography companies in Salt Lake already.
In my next post I am going to post some of the ideas I have had brainstorming with family. I would love any additional suggestions. I know I shouldn't over-analyze this, but I am having a hard time coming up with one. I love the look of Anthropologie and J.Crew combined. Something clean, fresh, classic and a smidge boutiquey. I don't want it to seem too contrived, but I want it to be fun also. Also, If anyone knows any great, flexible part time jobs, I am looking!
Anyway, thanks for listening to my crazy, random, rambling thoughts. I feel like my brain is all over the place right now. Hopefully (have I used that word too much?) it will all work out and when our life unfolds a little more Scott and I will understand this time a little better. Right now we are just trying our best to figure it out, stay positive and roll with what comes. Sorry if this all seems a little light hearted. I really am very upset, but I am starting to go into solve-problem-mode and that helps keep me focused on the issues I need to deal with.

{I Call Floor}

{I Love to Eat}

I love going out to eat. I especially love to eat at fun, local restaurants. Scott and I have lots of favorites and I thought I would share a few of our finds over the years. These are tried and true loves, places we eat at over and over again. Some, I like more for their breakfast (Ruth's) and other's for their lunches. We both are HUGE fans of Italian, so a big majority of our places are pasta and pizza joints. I love bakeries too. I can't resist a glass case full of little, pretty yuminess.
Yesterday, we decided to try somewhere new, Italian of course, and so headed over to Fratelli's, a restaurant that some of Scott's co-workers recommended. When we got there, we couldn't help noticing that the owner looked so familiar. We couldn't place him. Did he date one of my friends, did I photograph his wedding? Finally Scott put it together (after tasting the house dressing). He worked at Cannella's, a place Scott and I have been going to since we worked together at First Security over 10 years ago. We used to walk there on our breaks (it is, obviously, a favorite). Cannella's is a great lunch place, family run. Dave (finally found out his name) always helped us there. We found out last night that Cannella's is owned by his aunt and uncle and he decided last year to open his own restaurant with his brother. Yay, for locally businesses.
The food was yummy and fairly inexpensive ($9-$13). I ordered gnocchi (yum, homemade) and Scott got a meat dish, as always. The food was simple and hearty. We will definitely be going back.
Unfortunately, we don't go out to eat as often as we used to (house poor), but I have posted a list of my favorite places to eat on the right side bar anyway. Let me know if you try any of them and what you think. We are always looking for new places to try as well. I'd like to know where you all love to eat (other than home, of course).

{The London Eye, 2005}

I loved going on the London Eye (big ferris wheel) on our 2005 trip. It was one of the few times that London was actually quiet for me and we got such a great view. Was it worth the $100 for both Scott and I to ride it? I think so. Scott would probably say no. Most people think I am the practical one, but that is sooo not true. I am the one who pushes for all our vacations, or any other expensive item as well. I think I was too practical in high school. I saved all my money and had $7,000 by the time I graduated. Wait, that is a good thing. I should probably be more like my 16-year-old self.
Scott is also a better disciplinarian than I am. Poor Oliver is experiencing that. Of course poor Oliver isn't that poor. He is getting so much love it is ridiculous. I'm sure he thinks he is amazing. He doesn't understand at all when people on the street don't want to come over and pet him. Don't they know he is a pretty big deal?
Anyway, this is a pretty random post. I tend to ramble. Sorry. I will try to post something fascinating and concise next time.

{Sheep Need Their Exercise Too}

{Wishing for Spring}

{Stupid Snow}

I am tired of you.

{Life with Oliver}

Oliver isn't quite so mellow anymore. His energy levels definitely went up as the week wore on. He also got a lot bigger. I guess he is a growing boy. Adjusting to a dog has been interesting. I know he is not a child, but sometimes it feels like one. We get up 3 times in the night to take him out to the bathroom and he eats 4 times a day. It is a big change to be so responsible for something, but a good change. Oliver loves to bite things and never having had a pet before, I'm still a little scared of his sharp puppy teeth. I just always have a chew toy handy that I stick in his mouth (as you can see from the pictures). He comes, (selectively, when we have a treat), sits and goes down. He is a little bit of a wimp. Today he was freaked out by the faucet outside. He barked at it, tried to paw it, and finally ran away. Regardless, we think he is the smartest, bestest, cutest, funnest dog around. Yay Oliver!

{Girls Just Want to Have Fun}

A couple of nights ago I was talking to a friend about the funny shows we watched as a kid. I reminisced about making up a dance to Girls Just Want to Have Fun (slow, slow, quick, quick slow), and she told me she prayed to be Wonder Women. I remember watching Girls Just Want to Have Fun at my very first sleepover (Amber's house, hamburger birthday cake). I so, so wanted to be Sarah Jessica Parker (her dance partner was dreamy). If you knew who Jareth was, or what DTV stood for, or who said, "Hollywood, Hollywood," you would have been my BFF in 5th grade.
I have seen most of these again as an adult (usually at 2 AM on some random channel). It is strange revisiting the films you loved as a more innocent you. The allure is definitely different--does anyone else think the premise of Mannequin a little creepy?
So, I started wondering, what were all of your favorite shows as a kid? I'm so curious to know where your sophisticated cinematic fancy led you. Was it Sixteen Candles, Lucas or The Never-Ending Story ("Mother!"), or something even more totally rad?

{More Holga Trip Pictures}

Okay, so a few turned out. I'm not sick of these, but maybe a few of you are.

{Look What I Did}

Following peoples blogs can be a dangerous thing. Case in point, Shannon's blog. She posted about these really cute shoes that she purchased at Black Chandelier for 50% off--well actually she got them 75% off. She is the second person who told me about Black Chandelier's amazing sale and so I thought I would check it out. You can see the damage in the photo above. I had 3 cute pairs in my arms (yes, Shannon's yellow shoes were one of them) when the sales clerk said if you buy 3 you get a 4th one for free. Sold! I knew it was so naughty, but I have an itching for Spring and Spring clothes. Sure, it snowed today and is only 25 degrees, but one can still dreamy of balmy, 60 degree weather and the cute skirts and flats that go with it.
So, I bought my 4 pairs of shoes for 50% off. I refuse to feel guilty. You might ask why I have 2 pairs of yellow shoes. The answer is not that yellow is my favorite color, but that the green ones were out of my size (a sad side effect of being a latecomer on such an sweet sale). I was all set to pay when I noticed the Holgas off to the corner. I decided to quickly browse those, when the sales girl informed me, smart gal, that they were 30% off. I decided to follow the philophosy I use when I have eaten too many treats--continue the badness for the rest of the day and resolve to do better tomorrow.
The Holgas were pretty fancy, all gussied up in their Lomography packaging fineness, but what really caught my attention was a turquoise blue Diana. It was so cute, I couldn't resist. I completely excuse my purchase because it was only $35 on sale, and came with an nifty photography/story book. A bargain deal, if there ever was one.
I came home a little embarrassed by all my boxes, but decided to photograph my pretty shoes anyway. Scott didn't care and only accused me of loving my new Diana more than him.
I blame Shannon.

{Oliver}

So we finally were able to pick up Oliver. He has gotten SO big since the last time we saw him. We were prepared for long nights and lots of yelping in his crate, but Oliver is a most mellow dog. He fell asleep on my lap the whole way home from Brigham City and has had no problem adjusting to his crate. He sleeps all night, except for when he has to go to the bathroom. So far, no accidents in the house either. For how easy he is though, Scott and I are still exhausted. It might have something to do with playing with a dog at midnight and 4 AM. We haven't spent this much time in the yard since we bought the house. Man, every time we go out there we realize we have a HUGE yard that needs a lot of work.
Oliver is getting more and more comfortable, evident by his increase in biting. He loves bounding after things and looks so cute in the long grass. He is a definite snuggle bug, and likes to curl up right next to you. Scott is his ultimate protector, and he runs right between his legs when anything scary happens; dogs barking, cars driving by, Lindsey taking pictures. We felt so guilty leaving him this morning, but it was time to go back to work. He had lots of love this weekend though, and lots of visitors. Thanks Marianne and Bryan for the dirty, rotten, kitty toy. It is his favorite. Thanks also Kelli, Jacob and James for the welcome package. We love that everyone is so excited for us.

{Stonehenge, 2005}

So we are getting our puppy tonight. We can hardly wait. I have feeling that for now on the blog will be be puppy oriented.

{Stow-on-the-Wold Hike, 2005}

I never felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel more (which, I often do) then when I was on this hike. These walks meander all through the countryside and cut right through peoples property. It was fun. We felt like we were trespassing, but we weren't.

{Tor Tower, 2005}

Tor Tower, Glastonbury, was one of my all-time favorite places in England. Glastonbury is an interesting place. It is very closely connected to Arthurian Mythology, (I know this because I am married to someone who did his thesis on Arthurian literature) and is now very hippyish--home base for England's new-age druids. There are lots of magic stores, herbal medicines stores, new age-bookshops, etc.
We (Scott) really, really, really wanted to see Glastonbury. Apparently, a must see for all Arthurian aficionados. Unfortunately for us, we were also in England over Summer Solstice--the biggest holiday in the year for a neo-druid.
We had actually arrived in London on Summer Solstice, and tried to see Stonehenge on the way to Bath. We weren't the only ones with that idea. As we got closer we noticed hundreds, maybe thousands of people, some with long cloaks and hoods (very Lord of the Rings), hanging out in the surrounding fields. There were police cars everywhere. We were informed, sadly, that Stonehenge closes on Summer Solstice--something to do with people trying to jump off it. Boo. So we didn't go to Stonehenge on 6/22/. We had to make a special trip to see it, totally out of our way, on another day.
Anyway, the problem for us was that all the druids who were at Stonehenge then go to Glastonbury for a week long festival. This put a serious damper on our ideas to see Glastonbury ourselves. Everyone kept telling us that there are hundreds of thousands of people all camped out there, and it would be impossible to get there, etc, etc. Total bummer.
Luckily for us, we decided to brave it anyway and fortunately, the festival was moved 5 miles away to some guys farm. Yay! We had Glastonbury all to ourselves. No on was there, well there were some people, but it felt like we were the only ones there. It was beautiful and I loved seeing all the sites that were so important to Scott. I also was befriended by a 4-year-old New Zealand boy who wanted go home with me. He kept asking who my friend (Scott) was. Adorable accent.
Glastonbury Abbey and Wearyall were pretty cool, but the tower and Tor were my favorite. When you were on top of the Tor (hill) you had an amazing view of the countryside-still very rural. It was all green and lush and totally enchanting.