Snow, and when it rains it pours - the JHP business report‏ - Apr 2009

Yesterday it snowed 12 inches. That's just crazy. By Sunday, it's supposed to be Spring again and the temperature will get to 70 degrees. Like a parent in the grocery store, "Good weather, you get over here right now. I thought I told you to quit snowing. We talked about this."

And over the next two days, I have five photo shoots. When it rains it pours. This 30 Strangers project has drummed up some business. In addition to the 30 Strangers session each day, we have lined up a few other people that were interested, but didn't get on the list of 30 in time. And we do something different, now. Instead of just uploading all the images, we invite the people back to the studio to see the images projected large, on a screen. Then we offer the prints in packages. The least expensive package is $175. And we give them a nice discount if they buy something right then. Like I said, we used to just upload them and hope someone is in the buying mood. Now we put them in the buying mood and encourage them to think about getting lots of pictures. It's working. I wish I would have thought of this a year ago.

Speaking of a year ago, I've attached a file that shows our web traffic this year in April so far, versus our web traffic last year in April. It's consistently three times as much web traffic and on some days, much more than that. Some of the increase comes from the buzz we're creating with the 30 Stranger project. Most of these people have blogs and we've encouraged them to post about their experience here. Man, I love blogs. (NOTE FROM LONI: The picture did not turn out well...sorry)

Amy and I are working on getting a location to hold an exhibit once the project is complete. We've asked the Center for Women and Children in Crisis to ask Thanksgiving Point for a room that we could use at the same time they have their Mother's Day brunch. We'll see what happens there.

So there's the business report.
Justin

That was fun to read. Thanks so much for the update. It makes me so
happy to hear your good tiddings.

Janna and I are headed to the outer banks again later today. We
rented a cottage that is 4 miles up the beach, so we will be without
faxes or telegrams or the like. Incidentally, we will also be without
purse or script since Janna just lost her job. But we won't be without
giggles, sandcastles or lifelong memory-making. Let's hope those
memories aren't about taking 6 hours to dig a Honda Pilot out of the
sand while 4 hungry kids sit by and whine.

 Jordan

What's cool is the staying power. There wasn't a big surge at the beginning and then a drop off. You have sustained interest. Super cool. So happy for you. 



And BTW:  parenting usually falls on deaf ears, but you just keep at it whipping old spring into subserviancy!!

Jenni

Picture From the Past - Apr 2009

I happened to run across this on Gheen's facebook the other day...thought you would all enjoy it too.

It was labeled the bachelors of SLC.
Loni

Product Survey - Apr 2009

A survey found that owners of a certain product are more likely to
 be arrogant than owners of the competing product.
 Enjoy.
 Jenni

This was so offensive.
Jeremy

Well you can stop being offended, the survey says some nice things too:

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2008/01/21.9.shtml

And so does Will Farrell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNC1UyVEOic
Jordan

This is so funny. I don't think an official survey was really necessary. 
Amy

oh i fully admit to being superior to PC users.  you're right Amy, i didn't need a survey to tell me i'm better.
Kristi

The great thing about being better than other people is that you're so much better than other people.
(this message was typed on a mac)
JH

Where the Wild Things Are - March 2009

Hi everyone! 
Thanks for all the good wishes. Oli did really well, and we were home for a big nap mid-morning. No pain meds so far, and he's *really* happy to be free of the frame! He still has a brace on to slow him down for the next two weeks. Tomorrow we can remove the dressings and bandage, so I'll take some more photos of his actual leg, but for now, here are some from the hospital, and some before and after shots.

Oli just got home from a good day at school with a big smile on his face. They're taking practice SOL tests, and he got 100% in both math and science!
Janna.

WOW, WOW, WOW....glad it's over for him - and you!  He's been a champion as he's had that "THING" on his leg for a very long time!  Thanks for the pictures, and congrats on his great scores!  You go, Oliver!
 loni

Safe in Australia!‏ - July 2012

Trying to send some pictures
Jordan

Good Quality Family Time - Jul 2012

Kristi

A Toast - Aug 2012

Dear Jeremy & Carisa,

Thank you so much for inviting us to be with you on Saturday. Thank you for the comfortable bed and fun times in your awesome home. Thanks for including us in your family. The whole experience was nearly perfect. 

My only lament is that I didn’t get a chance to publically toast you on the special occasion. I’m constantly showered with compliments when I am among the Hackworths and I haven’t perfected a graceful response to all the praise. Additionally, I haven’t yet mastered the ability to adequately return the expression of love to you and your family. 

Behind the shelter of my computer I will attempt the salute I missed when we were together.

My friends have been among my most cherished blessings in my life. Lance taught me how to work, Tom, how to bike, and Justin K., how to shoplift. No, Kaaiakamanu taught me vital lessons about business and friendship. Who would I be without these influences? 

But Jeremy, you have truly changed me. You are a missionary of music. Roy Clark inspired me to learn guitar, Roberta Boice taught me the chords, but you, You converted me to the gift of music that has become part of my foundation as a person – my self esteem, my passion for life, and even the ability to lure Beth into my life are the result of your influence. I would truly be upside-down without this amazing gift. There is a bond created from so many hours reading each other’s fingers on the fretboard and finding harmony to each other’s voice. 

Carisa, thank you for being a part of my friend’s return into my (our) life. It is as though you’ve been here all along­– an old friend that I’ve finally met. What a great companion you make – to Jeremy and the rest of us.

There, I’ll stop to keep this medium in length. Here’s to Jeremy & Carisa & their wonderful kids!

Love,
Gheen

Gheen, 

That was so beautiful...thank you for that toast. Your whole family means so much to us!

xo. C

Gheen. 

Thanks for the wonderful toast. I'm sorry it took me so long to respond but I couldn't finish it as every time I got to the part about Justin K, I would drop my phone laughing. 

Jeremy