Portraits with Shoshone Artist Rochelle Nielsen

Yesterday I got to spend about an hour with Rochelle Nielsen, an artist who lives near me in Vancouver, Washington. She's a Shoshone Indian, and most of her art that I've seen is about that. In her art, Nielsen shows how she struggles to weave her heritage into her modern life. She's got a show coming up at Marylhurst University in the spring. After we shot portraits, Nielsen asked me to get some photos of her doing the Shawl Dance, or Fancy Dance. This image was among my favorites.

Marrying off the First Niece

Yesterday, one Garan Keeler of New Mexico got the best New Year's Day gift imaginable. He married my niece, Ashley Bitton. Her dad, my brother John Bitton, asked Garan if that means he'll be "taking over the payments" to support Ashley's upscale lifestyle. Garan just smiled. The first few months of married life can be pretty intense. Keep smiling, you two! (David Bitton photo)

Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge

Heading out on assignment for a client is always a thrill, but this particular trip took me 12 time zones away from home. Checkpoint Zero Adventure Racing, the leading source for adventure racing news in North America, sent me to the Middle East to cover the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in the United Arab Emirates. The emphasis of my coverage is North American teams, so I've been spending time with teams Nike, Salomon/Crested Butte, SOLE and DART-nuun. You can read the reports I've been posting over on Checkpoint Zero by clicking here. This shot from the sand dunes near Liwa, Abu Dhabi, is typical of the terrain teams trekked through during the event. Sand, sand and more sand! Us media types were escorted through the dunes by a local 4x4 club. All the jostling led to me losing my lunch at one point! As I often say, it's not really an adventure unless you throw up at least once. So true!

Rockefeller Plaza, all Dressed Up

I'm in New York City for a few days, visiting friend Jake Bennett before I hop a plane from JFK to the Middle East. Jake's apartment is in a fabulous location for a NYC first-timer like me. He's in Midtown East, and very near a Subway station. Today he took me on a walking tour of Manhattan's famous shopping district, Fifth Avenue. I've long been a fan of Cartier wristwatches, but never seen one. That changed today, when I tried on a $10,000.00 tank watch. It felt good, but not ten grand good, so I guess I'm back to my Wengers and HighGear watches. Here's a shot I got of "30Rock," it's an actual place, not just a TV show!

iPod Playlist Annoys Newborn

I just love photographing newborns. As a father of two, I know how fast these babies become toddlers and are swept away to kindergarten. Capturing their smallness is my contribution to a family's history.

For this shoot, after we got all the "standard" shots, I suggested something fun. Her parents are really into music -- her father plays regular gigs in Portland, Ore. -- so I snatched his iPod and headphones for this setup. The baby lasted about a minute, but we got this great shot! See? Family history. I'm sure this is the first pic her parents will show when they want to talk about the Baby Days.

Portland PRSA Draws Crowd for Spotlight Awards

Portland Oregon's chapter of the Public Relations Society of America drew a nice crowd for its annaul Spotlight Awards last night.  I was on hand as a volunteer still photographer, and my brother, David Bitton, volunteered to shoot video.  Here's the blrub from the PRSA website about the event:

PRSA-PDX's most festive and spirited gathering of the year to honor outstanding work in public relations, to recognize individuals who advance the profession and to have a great time. This annual awards program is an event not to be missed.

David and I had a great time getting to know the PR pros in attendance, especially the team from Portland General Electric, which let us sit at their table.  That's them in the photo above. Hi girls!  A complete gallery of images from the evening can be seen here.  Want to know who won and for what?  Check the results on the Portland PRSA website, www.prsa-portland.org.

SCORE! Free Advice from Pros Who've Been There

Bill Rooney worked for decades in the marketing department of forest products giant Georgia-Pacific.  Today, as a volunteer for SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," he listened to my plans for Bitton Communications.  He said I've got a great start, and suggested some next steps:

1) Develop an "elevator pitch," a concise story to tell people what your company does.

2) Put a short version of that pitch on the back of your business card.

3) Read a book by marketing guru Bob Bly.

I've got the elevator pitch ready.  My business cards will soon be redesigned.  And Bob Bly? Haven't gotten to that yet.  It's on my list!

Thanks for your guidance, Bill!  I'll be in touch with more questions!