Catch-up/ketchup
Reinventing and Expanding Our Horizons
We've been very busy reinventing ourselves here at the shop. To start, we've been focused on unveiling Red Wing Digital. This print-on-demand product offers unique large-format presentation options, including the Panel Print and the Acrylic Print. While the Acrylic Print has taken longer to get ready for production, we're excited about its potential.
Additionally, we have a new business partner, Fine Art Prints on Demand, a UK-based company. We've been quietly working and growing this side of the business (printing and framing fulfillment) for several years. FAPoD is our third customer in this area.
These developments have driven our third initiative: moving our production to a larger facility. We've narrowed down our options and expect to make some final decisions soon.
On the topic of work, road trips & writer's block
Back After a Six-Month Hiatus
It has been almost six months to the day since this blog was last updated. This is inexcusable, so here are the excuses:
Busy Shop: The crush began in August (the last blog posting) and has been unrelenting ever since. The simple solution would have been to hire additional help to manage the workload, and to some extent, that was the solution. But as a business survivor of 2008 (remember Lehman Brothers?), you learn not to trust short-term business trends. So, you suck it up, put in long hours, and satisfy each and every customer.
RedWingDigital.com Success: Contributing to this work crush has been the success of new products at RedWingDigital.com. This new business model takes time to hammer out a smooth workflow. But if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Look for new products soon.
Vacation: January is supposed to be quiet, so we closed the shop for ten days and took a long road trip to the most remote part of the United States we could find. However, this January was the busiest January ever, even with ten days removed from the calendar. It's not fair to have a customer wait for my vacation, so it meant even longer days once we returned.
Writer's Block: This stuff doesn't write itself, especially when you're tired and have convinced yourself you have writer's block.
That being said, I promise not to allow such a break in the blog pattern to ever occur again.
2011 Flyway Film Festival
Flyway Film Festival: A Creative Celebration
The Flyway Film Festival is one of our favorite events each year. This uninhibited creative endeavor spans three days in October. Each year, the festival has grown in size and scale, and this year promises to be especially exciting.
First, the Flyway Film folks received a generous grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, which will significantly boost marketing efforts. This extra funding will help expand the festival's reach.
Second, the festival graphic is noteworthy for its artist. Gaylord Shanilec created the original etching of the three pelicans used in the poster. Gaylord is undeniably talented, and pelicans are indigenous to this area, making it an exceptional image representing our region.
Lastly, a very limited edition of signed fine art prints will be available for purchase, with proceeds helping to fund the festival. We printed these limited edition prints on Hahnemühle textured 100% cotton paper, ensuring they will last for hundreds of years.
Mark your calendars for October 23-25. We can't wait!
The 1st Half of 2011
Reflecting on the First Half of the Year
The end of June marks the conclusion of the first half of the year. Last year was a good one, and so far, this year is ahead of last year. The business mix has evolved over the years, and we've been fortunate to be well-positioned to leverage these changes.
Red Wing Digital has been a significant time and financial investment. While there are still a few issues to resolve, the product inventory is now in place, and the product design details have been finalized. Orders have been increasing at a steady and realistic rate. We are currently addressing packaging and shipping issues and continuously seeking more production space.
This year marks our 10th year in business, and we've been tracking business patterns since the very beginning. Typically, the second half of the year is much busier than the first, for several reasons.
We owe our success to our loyal customers. Thank you for your continued support.
Red Wing Digital is officially launched!
Red Wing Digital Launches Today!
It took longer than hoped and cost more than expected, but Red Wing Digital was finally launched today.
Red Wing Digital is a targeted business providing products for fine-art and passionate photographers. The initial product is the Panel Print, with more products to follow. What makes this website unique is its point-and-click selection of products and the print-on-demand nature of the interface.
The most exciting part of the website will be the guest contributors. These guests will provide inside tips for their specific photography niches, making the website a portal for photographers who are always striving to advance their skills. So far, contributors will include:
Stacy Bengs (Stacy Bengs Photographer) discussing sports photography and photojournalism
Barbara O'Brien (Barbara O'Brien Photography), a talented animal photographer
Clare Polencheck (Off the Cuff Photography), an especially skilled portrait photographer
It is a privilege to work with such talented and creative individuals, and this will be a lot of fun.
The above Panel Print is 'Red Wing Boathouses' by Dr. Jack Alexander and is on display at Red Wing Fairview Hospital.
Visit the new site at RedWingDigital.com.
Please keep arms and legs in the vehicle
Looking Forward: Lessons and Excitement for 2011
Back in July of this year, there was a blog posting that discussed the first half of the year and what the second half of the year looked like (1st Cutting...).
Now, at the end of the year, it seems overwhelming to look back. That being said, the point of this entry will be all about looking forward.
If there's one lesson learned in this business, it's to trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. And if it does feel right, it probably is. 2011 feels very right.
The new website is close (and late) to being rolled out. Products are being refined, and some new projects are already in the queue. It will be very busy and a lot of work.
But it is still a labor of love, and that is what really matters.
Thank you for your support. We are very grateful for our customers.
Trains are cool
It is difficult to take a bad picture of a moving train. They are just that photogenic.
Trains are big and powerful. They kick up dust wherever they go and nothing better get in the way of a moving train.
Slow your shutter speed down, find a static element in the foreground and shoot as many exposure combinations as you can, as quickly as you can.