Blog - Karen A. Chase

Giving Versus Giving It Away

September 23, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

In addition to writing and photography, I’m also a designer. Over the seven years I’ve had my own business, two questions are recurring. Clients ask me, “Could you do this project for free?” And designers ask me, “How do you manage all the requests for free work?” Here is my answer to both.

Building thoughtful design work that we can be proud of, and which also has great impact for the client, is a result of talent, experience and skills. For those abilities, we should be fairly compensated. However, I also believe it is our responsibility to give back to the communities where we live and work. So, my advice is to select a non-profit group and offer as many hours as you can afford. When others come begging, your conscious will be clear and you may politely decline. For several years my donation group was the Roanoke Valley SPCA–the work was rewarding, I did fun projects like this television spot, and my contact even became a good friend.

Recently, however, I did not follow my own advice, and as a result I have three free jobs–one of which is rewarding (my non-profit I selected), one of which is a drain, and one that is seriously under-utilizing my experience and talents. It is time to reapply my own advice. I recently found a Freelance Ain’t Free T-shirt online. I should order one and put it on each time I’m about to undervalue my work.

SPCA_Brochure — A bonus–Colada and I made the front cover of the RVSPCA brochure. (My friend Jim Dudley took the photo as part of his donation to the RVSPCA.)

Freedom of Expression

September 16, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

When I was thirteen, I bought a photograph of Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was in mid-flight, muscles taut, and the expression on his face was one of sheer freedom. There was nothing but air around him to drive home the point. I recall staring at it hoping my body might eventually feel that way (or at least would get to feel him). Around that same time, I also discovered Annie Leibovitz, a female photographer whose portraits stunned me with their simplicity and her ability to capture the private portion of her subjects’ famous public persona. For the first time, I saw what the eye of a woman could behold and it had a profound effect on me.

In part because of her influence, photography is part of my life. My daily-life of design and writing however, has me sitting for hours. So at 40, I realized the freedom must be within dance itself (and a realization that Baryshnikov will never ask me out). So a girlfriend of mine and I started jazz classes on Tuesday, and I found freedom within minutes. It was in the rhythm of the music. In the mentality of letting go. Radiating from my limbs. And right when I thought, “I’m dancing at 40. This is fabulous!”… POW! I blew out my hip. A trip to the orthopedic doctor confirmed strained muscles, and two weeks of constrained movement. I am not thirteen anymore. Yes, I will return to class, but perhaps life is freer behind the lens.

Leibovitz' Baryshnikov — Baryshnikov's portrait by Annie Leibovitz that is similar to the photo I purchased.

Timing and Juxtaposition

September 9, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

Just this past June, a book of short stories coupled with photography was released. As of this posting it is ranked number 342 in books on Amazon, and number one in three other categories. Written by National Geographic Senior Writer, Jennifer S. Holland, her book is called, Unlikely Friendships. It’s filled with images and stories of unusual and endearing pairings in the animal kingdom. A leopard that sneaks into a field to curl up with a cow. A hippo that finds solace with a tortoise. A black bear that befriends a black cat.

I’ve chosen her book for my first blog topic, not merely because it marries writing and images in a lovely, and well-designed layout. I’ve chosen it because sometimes what allows a composition to have the most impact is either the timing of it, or the juxtaposition of it next to other things. This book with it’s easy prose, and heart-warming pictures is on shelves alongside just-released photo books commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It’s so easy for us to be captured by dramatic and devastating images of a day that moved us beyond words. A day that moved us into action. Protection. Sorrow. Even anger. Our feelings were almost instinctual. In the case of Unlikely Friendships, Jennifer’s collection of stories shows us that perhaps instinct can be overcome. Every day we have the ability to choose nurture over nature. The timing of her message is impeccable.

For more photos of unlikely pairings and Jennifer’s book info.