Category: Family

It’s the time of year when we all look back on the past year as well as looking forward to the coming year to make plans and also wonder what’s to come.

In that line of thought, I own a lot of poetry books and love to read them, mostly because of the influence of my mom who was a renown author back in the day.  My favorite poetry books I bought used after a lot of searching through an enormous used book store in Salt Lake called Sam Weller’s.

The artist in me gets inspiration and clarity from these books and I’ve been reading them even more intently over the last few days.

Here’s one poem in particular, called Survival by Margaret Moore Meuttman asking what will be remembered in 1000 years.  Here’s just a piece — the last stanza:

Perhaps a prayer, perhaps a song,
Fashioned of love and tears,
But only beauty,…only truth
Will last a thousand years.

I love that last line, “only beauty, only truth will last a thousand years.”  It’s hard to describe how much work goes into creating just one image, even though I work hard to make it look easy.  Nevertheless, an enormous amount of time, talent, and love goes into every project so that you can enjoy your custom portraits now, for years to come, and also by future generations.

Over the holidays, many clients called me later to thank me again for their orders.  That really meant a lot to me.  I also want to thank you all again for hiring me as your personal family artist in 2008.  I love what I do and appreciate that fact that you all love what I create.

I am so proud of the work I was able to do this year.  I feel it was my best work ever, and I know I will create even more spectacular images for you all in 2009.

See you all soon!

Because of the introspective nature of this blog entry, I thought it appropriate to post this image I created of the Salt Lake Temple, titled, “Mountain Tops.”   The title is a reference to the Old Testament use of mountains as a symbol of the temple — thus the phrase, “Mountains of the Lord.”

Well that’s it for now.  Until next time, America!
— Bry

Sometimes people ask me about my slogan,

Invest in Forever. Art is Forever.™

I’ve put it on everything from my website to my business cards for many years now, and sometimes I guess I just assume that the meaning is evident. Nevertheless, here is why I came up with that so many years ago and why it’s become a part of my business.

First of all, comparing prices amongst different photographers can be confusing. It is because the price of art is completely different than anything else out there. Normally when we shop, we look for the best deal. We all do it.

Art is completely different and is priced completely different. Artists charge based on what they are worth and what they put into a piece in terms of quality, materials, time, experience, expertise, and their heart.

The slogan is a reminder to not skimp on what matters. Your wedding portraits, your family portraits, and other timeless memories are heirlooms! They will be worth more and more as time goes on. You should have such amazing images that you love and enjoy them now and for your entire lifetime!

Just this week my parents wanted me to come over to their place. They had brought out all of the old 8mm and Super-8 movies of my sister and I growing up and wanted us to come see them. We went over and when it got dark, we set up the projector and watched some of them — just pieces and snippets of our past in little 3 minute reels.

I saw my early birthday parties, President Reagan coming to Hooper, and many other fun memories. Those movies are priceless! My dad invested in a Super-8 movie camera and projector back when few people had them, and I am so grateful now.

It was fun to see in those movies, the home decorated with photographs taken of me back then by my uncle Alan Gibby — a true master. In fact, one of the very few PPA Master/Craftsman in Utah. We still have those photographs and they put everything else taken at the same time, to shame.

Though I didn’t learn my trade from my uncle, he is the reason that I too am a PPA Master/Craftsman. I wanted to earn those same degrees and have those same national credentials that show clients that I really care about the work I create.

As I said earlier, artists charge based on what they are worth and what they put into a piece in terms of quality, materials, time, experience, expertise, and heart. An incredible photograph is an investment in the future and that’s why I say,
Invest in Forever. Art is Forever.™

Until next time, America!
— Bry