Imagine going to work one day only to find out once you got there, that you no longer had a job.  I’m sure this is a reality that many people can relate to right now during this difficult economy we’re finding ourselves in here in North American.  But what we may NOT be able to relate to, is the reasoning behind the job loss.

Women in Antigua Guatemala woke up every morning to go into an apparel factory where they worked long hours and were not paid fair wages.  They were excited when they heard rumors of new labor laws that would work in their favor.  They would no longer have to work the painstakingly long hours, and they would earn a more fair wage.  Instead, they went into work one morning, and there were no jobs for them.  The owners of the factory made the decision to outsource their business to Honduras where they would be able to take advantage of their lack of labor laws.

It left these Guatemalan women without jobs, or ways to provide for their families.  A company who’s owner had a vision for these women, decided to do something about the problem.  The company started a small factory for those women to work, producing bags and wallets made out of billboards.  Billboards are now made of a sort of vinyl like material.  When the billboards are taken down, they clean them, and cut them up and create wonderful bags and wallets out of them.  These women work normal hours, and are paid fair wages.  They’re accomplishing 2 really good things.  They’re upcycling the billboards AND they’ve given jobs to women who desperately need them!  We’re excited to help support this company and distribute these products.

Jeff and a few of our friends of Plywood People had the opportunity about a month ago to go visit these women in the factory and celebrate their hard work. Stay tuned for a video explaining the products, and introducing you to our friends in Guatemala!

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

“To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations.”
— Jean Paul Richter

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
—Theodore Roosevelt

I have been dreaming and talking to friends about a community garden for a long time. I have thought about doing this for both individual and communal reasons. I personally connect with God by spending time in creation and enjoying the outdoors.  I also love the idea of working together in community and getting back to the way we ought to eat-locally and organically. I am excited to turn off the TV and computer and get some dirt under my finger nails.

Well, it’s time to stop talking and start doing. I have been talking about this idea since I moved into our house 3 years ago, and yet somehow every year as spring comes and goes I have no garden and I am disappointed. I really have no excuses to not do this. We have a huge back yard that we could have a big garden and still have a yard. I have friends in community who also want to be a part of it.  I love to garden and I love fresh vegetables. So, what is my problem?

When it comes down to it, I know this is a big commitment.  Gardens take dedication and perseverance to upkeep.  This garden depends on me watering it and weeding it to survive. That is a lot of pressure! I mean, what if I can’t do it? What if I fail?  What if I dig this gigantic hole in my backyard and then it all dies and at the end of it all I am left with a dead plot of land that reminds me of the fact that I suck?

We all have those people in our lives that challenge us, and I am sometimes grateful for them, and sometimes I wish they would just keep their mouths shut. Well, those wonderful friends brought up the idea that I should blog about the garden regularly on the plywood blog–about the progress, about the hardships, about what I learn and hopefully about the successes. So, this is me, willing to put my humble gardening skills to the test, and if I fail, well you will know about it.  And maybe I will learn that it doesn’t matter if I have a thriving garden or not, it just matters that I tried and that I learned something. I hope you will follow me on this journey and if you have some mad gardening skills, please comment because I need all the help and advice I can get!

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“Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigor and freedom of the forest and the outlaw.”~Henry David Thoreau

Today all across the world there are women celebrating this day!  In 1975 the United Nations set apart this day (March 8th) as International Women’s Day, although the very first one was celebrated nearly 100 years ago.  It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women past, present and future who have made changes in their communities, whether it be economic, political or social achievements.

When we think of strong women in the world who have made great changes through unconditional sacrifice we think of women like Mother Theresa serving the poor and dying, Rosa Parks ensuring a better life for generations following her, Joan of Arc, as a 19 year old being unfaltering in her belief, or the myriad of amazing female writers whom we have read and learned from indirectly through their writings.

We also think of women around the world who are making better lives for themselves, their families and communities by overcoming obstacles of abuse, war and poverty.  We want to celebrate the women who we help to support internationally through the goods we sell.  Each of the products we sell are created by women who were looking for ways to provide for their families.  These women very easily could have given up and no one would have blamed them after all they had endured, whether it be because their company closed so they wouldn’t have to abide by labor laws, or brutal civil wars.  Instead, these women made a better choice.  They work hard for their families and produce amazing products.  They are resourceful, hardworking women, transforming their communities. They use their creativity and an amazing work ethic to provide a new hope for their families.

We hope you’ll take the opportunity to celebrate an amazing woman in your life that has made a difference in the community in which she lives.

We want to share with you a few quotes by some amazing women!

“We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us” Virginia Satir

“I am prepared to sacrifice every so-called privilege I possess in order to have a few rights.” Inez Milholland

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” Mae Jemison

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” Mother Teresa

Bryan is a photographer based in Atlanta. Never considering a career in photography, Bryan made the transition in the fall of ‘09 after spending 10 years working for ad agencies and other in-house design departments. In addition to photography, Bryan is working on several projects which all involve the betterment of society and giving to those in need through both photography and other means.  Bryan is also working on his first book entitled “Toy Monkey”.  Bryan is a HUGE Denver Broncos fan and currently borrowing the paper bags from the Saints fans.  Bryan is not married but has an amazing girlfriend (Bethany) who he plans on making his Mrs. sometime in the near future (he has to ask her dad..buy a ring, you know…details).

Gisele Nelson:  You’ve talked about work and play.  Can you explain how you see these in what you get to do through what you do?

Bryan Scott: James Michener once wrote the following:

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion.  He hardly knows which is which.  He simply pursues his vision of exellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing.  To him he is always doing both.“

Photography for me blurs the line between work and play. My work is my passion and in turn I feel like I’m playing.  Every time I pick up a camera it’s a tool to gain access into the life of someone. Be it a wedding, commercial shoot, non-profit work or shooting on location for a film…every story and opportunity to connect is unique.  I love helping tell stories through the images I create and the relationships I’ve developed as a result of being able to capture light in a box!  Everyone should be as fortunate to be able to use a gift or talent to earn their living and essentially feel like they’re playing every time they “go to work”.

Gisele:  As a photographer what is your greatest ambition or goal that you hope to accomplish in your career?

Bryan: For me my “career” is about bettering the lives of others and using my ability to further others in their dreams.  I look at it as perpetual motion.  If I can help propel someone’s idea or image and in turn they use their gifts to propel another then we’ve essentially got perpetual motion in the human form.  It’s a sort of “pay it forward” mentality.  It doesn’t always pay the bills but you learn who is worth investing into and you do it because you want to not because you may or may not get anything out of it.

It’s every portrait photographer’s goal to shoot the “who’s who” which I’d gladly do but if I’m not touching the lives of those who have less then my career is a failure.  There is a growing trend where photographers are gaining a celebrity status in some markets and circles.  Through accountability and the grace and mercy of God it’s a MUST to always keep my head and humility about me as opportunities continue to come…so bring them on, I’ll humbly accept!

Gisele:  What’s your most interesting photo shoot experience?

Bryan: I honestly don’t have just one memory that jumps out at me. As cliché as it sounds, every opportunity is a new, unique experience.  I love sitting with homeless people and hearing their stories. Recently I set up a photo booth at a retirement home and did Christmas pictures for the residence. That was a pretty awesome time.  You hear some amazing stories…and some that just flat out don’t make sense but give you the best laugh you’ve had in a while.

If there’s anything I could inject about “the experience of photo shoots” is finding a way to educate people on the time involved in producing quality images.  There is so much competition in the industry today.  Anyone can go out and buy a camera these days and take a half decent picture. We’re facing the same problem we had when Apple started putting little stickers in their products.  Somehow that sticker on your car window made you a designer.  Just because a kitten is born in an oven is doesn’t make it a biscuit…get my drift?  I think it’s great that people young and old are exploring photography more and more but education is key for professionals to be able to give their client a five star experience. Setting expectations from the get go will assure happiness, amazing images AND interesting photo shoot experiences!

Gisele:  What is your favorite image that you’ve captured, and what made it so great?  Why do you love it?

Bryan: I can’t say I have one favorite image. I go through seasons where I like different textures and different lighting set ups.  Regardless of the environment that makes up the composition, the images of the homeless that I’ve shot are always so captivating to me.  Within the wrinkles of their faces and the curls of their beards there are so many stories of hurt, loneliness, addiction and rejection.  It’s weird to go from those images to a picture of a bride belly laughing. A bride who’s full of hope, joy, acceptance and happiness.  As much as my images tell the stories of others they can also lay out a time line for my life. So again, it’s cliche but I have new favorites every day.

Gisele:  When you find yourself inspired, what other outlets do you love to do other than your photography?

Bryan: I’m inspired by so many things. I get ideas from something as deep as a theological discussion or as random as talking about how I’d return my baby if it was born with red hair (sorry red heads).  People in my life have been a HUGE encouragement and inspiration and I can honestly say I would not be where I am or who I am without them (Bethany, Mom, Dad, Kristen, DWP, Jorge, Yarby.)  I was raised to appreciate beauty in everything. I grew up on musicals, movies, books…you name it!  I’ve always loved music and art which I always tend to pair together.  I often buy songs or albums based on what I see in my head visually when I hear it.  Inspiration is everywhere for me.  My brain is always chugging and looking for inspiration in everything…sometimes even in my dreams.

For more info on Bryan check out bryanscottphotography.com
Also follow Bryan on Twitter: @bryanscottphoto