I can't believe it- I'm actually announcing that I'm going greeeeeeeeeen!!!
For any of you that already know me this probably comes as no surprise at all! hehe But I've been reluctant to call myself green. So why the hybrid driving, CFL bulbing, (that's not even a word- I know it. :0P) garbage composting (why yes, I do have corn carpet!) and pretty much environmentalist freak won't call myself green?
Because I always want to do MORE!
For some reason I didn't feel that being green in my personal life translated to my business. What kind of business practices do I do differently to qualify me to be green? It got me thinking…
It's hard to be environmentally friendly as a photographer. I want my products to last forever! I want your grandchildren to hang your portraits in their hallways and laugh over how the people in your wedding album dress so funny! But being eco-friendly is absolutely about the material and product choices I make- those that won’t need replacing. But I, in good conscience couldn't call myself green until I had even MORE green business practices in place.
- I work from home (no wasted gas!)
- I turn off all my computers and equipment each night. (This is great on two levels- it saves energy and lengthens the life of all my gadgets!)
- I have this awesome programmable thermostat that I have set to turn the A/C & heat off automatically when I’m out for even a little bit like taking the kids to school each day.
- Although I do tend to book most of my clients via email, when we do meet up it’s in my most favorite car ever- my hybrid! :0)
- I only buy 100% post consumer recycled paper and of course recycle the waste.
- I use rechargeable batteries.
- My product information and pricing are all digital so no trees were harmed in the process! :0P
- I shoot all digital- unlike film, no more chemicals are used!
- Offer only matte papers for printing. (Most lustre and gloss papers contain petroleum products.)
The more I think about it the more I realize this *is* my life... and my business. :0)
So be on the lookout for more posts from me about how to have a greener wedding. Also I’ll be reviewing green options for photographers. Hopefully this will help others in their pursuit of greeness! (Yep, another non-word, but this one will catch on, I’m sure of it!!!) hehe
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Laura Siivola- Photographer.
Organic wedding and portrait photography based in the Phoenix Arizona area.
laurasiivolaphotographer.com
1 comment:
Hi, green Arizona lady!
"Es gruent so gruen wenn Spaniens Blueten bluehen."
"It greens that green when Spanish blossoms bloom."
That's the translation into German of the "My Fair Lady" song "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain". ;-)
It is very interesting to read that you pay so much attention to save our resources and take care about our nature. That's what a lot of Germans - unfortunately not all of them - try to do as well as good as possible.
It might be interesting for you in this green context that my recent post is about the "green village" Keitum of the German island of Sylt. (Have you ever heard about Sylt???)
Enjoy watching some pictures about this lovely place on my blog if you like...
Best wishes,
Uwe.
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