{"id":4539,"date":"2020-12-31T15:10:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T15:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/?p=4539"},"modified":"2020-12-31T15:12:07","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T15:12:07","slug":"were-not-normal-and-thats-a-good-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/31\/were-not-normal-and-thats-a-good-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"We&#8217;re Not Normal, and That&#8217;s A Good Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As we reach the end of this incredibly frustrating and problematic year, I was reflecting on our past 15+ years in business.  In many ways, our little photography business is not &#8220;normal.&#8221; Our focus has not been on maximizing profits even though that is a generally-advised good business strategy.  Instead, our business has been focused on serving the community, yes through striving for excellence in my photography and teaching, but also through simply trying to make our community a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I just wanted to celebrate that decision to not be normal.  We have helped so many local and national nonprofit organizations and other groups that are doing good things, and as I look over the list, I smile because the work we did made a difference, because we supported (and\/or helped promote) others who are making a difference.  Groups such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"330\" height=\"221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/nyos.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/nyos.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/nyos-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>We Are Not Broken<\/li><li>Deaf Dreams<\/li><li>Girl Scouts of the USA<\/li><li>Darius Pettway Youth Leadership Conference<\/li><li>Progeria Research Foundation<\/li><li>Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure<\/li><li>Weekend of HOPE &#8211; Benefiting Austin SafePlace<\/li><li>Beyond the Lights Celebrity Golf Classic 2010 hosted by the Austin Community Foundation<\/li><li>PMDA Portraits of Love Program<\/li><li>Kidsave International and Kidsave Austin<\/li><li>Foundation for the Homeless, Inc.<\/li><li>Interfaith Hospitality Network<\/li><li>Fort Hood Earth Fest 2009<\/li><li>Creation Celebration 2009<\/li><li>Bass School of Music<\/li><li>United America Pageant<\/li><li>Oklahoma City University<\/li><li>Bethany House of Friends<\/li><li>The National Arts Program<\/li><li>VSA Arts of Texas<\/li><li>Bikes for Goodness Sake<\/li><li>Mobility Worldwide, TX-Austin<\/li><li>Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas<\/li><li>Make-A-Wish Foundation<\/li><li>Helping Austin<\/li><li>Miracle4Megan<\/li><li>AdvocateWeb<\/li><li>Austin SafePlace<\/li><li>H. E. Butt Foundation<\/li><li>Foundation for Laity Renewal<\/li><li>H. E. Butt Foundation<\/li><li>Mobile Loaves and Fishes<\/li><li>Community First Village<\/li><li>Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity<\/li><li>C. S. Lewis Austin Conference<\/li><li>Deerpark Middle School, Roundrock ISD<\/li><li>Great Oaks Elementary, Roundrock ISD<\/li><li>Laurel Mountain Elementary, Roundrock ISD<\/li><li>Westwood High School, Roundrock ISD<\/li><li>NYOS Charter School<\/li><li>United America Pageant<\/li><li>Bethany United Methodist Church<\/li><li>Summer Celebration<\/li><li>Pure Sound Youth Choir<\/li><li>Eyes of Faith &#8211; Austin, Texas Photographic Media Interest Group<\/li><li>Power of the Cross Festival<\/li><li>The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center<\/li><li>Cattlemen for Cancer Research &#8211; Annual Auction<\/li><li>Youth2Seniors<\/li><li>Intergenerational Day 2012<\/li><li>LifeWorks<\/li><li>Partnerships for Children<\/li><li>Help-Portrait<\/li><li>Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/KG20190810A_8571-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/KG20190810A_8571-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/KG20190810A_8571-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/KG20190810A_8571-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/KG20190810A_8571.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/LifeInsights\/\">Life Insights<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; In addition to all this, in 2018 we (with the help of some friends) started a free group that met on Monday nights at my studio, with the vision that we can make our world a better place if we intentionally take a little time to get to know more people around us, and sharing in this thing we call \u201clife.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting-1024x452.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting-1024x452.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting-768x339.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting-1536x678.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/AKG20190422A_13385_DariusPettwayMeeting.jpg 1997w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes social media these days is trending to be quite anti-social, often fostering polarization and discord.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>That is not what the world needs right now.<\/em>&nbsp; We don\u2019t need more polarization. &nbsp;So we started this group called <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/LifeInsights\/\">Life Insights<\/a><\/strong> as a place where <strong>anyone can join us<\/strong> (for free) as we explore insights about life.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In a sense, our goal is simply to&nbsp;<em>love our neighbors<\/em>.<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>Our \u201cneighbors\u201d are the people we encounter in our life, the people next door, the people in our city, our coworkers, our friends, and this includes the people who may or may not be like us at all.&nbsp; What a world this would be if we could all do more to love our neighbors.&nbsp; We are trying to do our part, at least in a small way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/discussing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/discussing.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/discussing-300x106.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We initially started out meeting in person at my studio in NW Austin.&nbsp; We started with a book study of&nbsp;<em>The Gifts of Imperfection<\/em>&nbsp;by Brene Brown. From there, we decided to continue with more&nbsp;<strong>book discussions<\/strong>, and then we expanded our activities to include&nbsp;<strong>watch parties<\/strong>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<strong>TED Talks<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>documentaries<\/strong>&nbsp;followed by discussion time, and then we started also inviting a wide range of&nbsp;<strong>fascinating guest speakers<\/strong>&nbsp;including people who are striving to&nbsp;<strong>make our community better<\/strong>&nbsp;in some way, or are sharing from their life experiences with various&nbsp;<strong>disabilities<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>challenges<\/strong>.&nbsp; We also occasionally hosted&nbsp;<strong>pot luck dinners<\/strong>&nbsp;or outings to&nbsp;<strong>area restaurants<\/strong>&nbsp;and occasional&nbsp;<strong>breakfast get-togethers<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456-1024x499.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456-1024x499.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456-1536x748.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cubaIMG_9456.jpg 1997w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When this COVID-19 crisis turned our world upside down, we didn\u2019t let that stop us!&nbsp; We switched to doing online meetings<\/strong>&nbsp;using Zoom video conferencing, just scheduling programs week to week. We are continuing into 2021!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4540\" width=\"542\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/image.png 590w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/image-300x99.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 542px) 100vw, 542px\" \/><figcaption>From back when we first started our little group.  What a wonderful group of people!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We have done a bunch of different book studies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"197\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-1.png 391w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-1-300x151.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026 and a wide range of TED Talk \u201cwatch parties\u201d and discussions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"396\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-2.png 396w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-2-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026 and discussions about various documentaries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-3.png 395w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-3-300x167.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We have had some absolutely wonderful guest speakers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"344\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-4.png 618w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-4-300x167.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We had a fun time at our Drum Circle and Picnic Around a Campfire at South Wind Equestrian Center in Leander!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KG20191101_14946-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3890\" width=\"619\" height=\"412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KG20191101_14946-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KG20191101_14946-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve eaten together, pot lucks, dinner outings to area restaurants<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"616\" height=\"343\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-5.png 616w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-5-300x167.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CommunityFirstVillageOfLights2019-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CommunityFirstVillageOfLights2019-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CommunityFirstVillageOfLights2019-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CommunityFirstVillageOfLights2019.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We had a fantastic study of the book \u201cThe Road Back to You\u201d led by two licensed professional counselors,<br>Lisa Blackwood and Sherri Woodworth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"617\" height=\"345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-6.png 617w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image-6-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"877\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CraigOs03022020-1024x877.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4549\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CraigOs03022020-1024x877.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CraigOs03022020-768x658.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CraigOs03022020-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/CraigOs03022020.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"641\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/dariusandkevin.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/dariusandkevin.jpg 641w, https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/dariusandkevin-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We can ALL choose to make this world a better place and love our neighbors a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On this New Year&#8217;s Eve, as I reflect on all we have done through our little business, I smile. So many wonderful memories and great moments.  I have discovered over the past decade+ that my business may be photography and teaching classes, but my real business is about loving people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you all for being a part of our lives.  Gail and I both thank you so very much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wishing you a better 2021.  We can all help make it a good year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>P.S. Please help us spread the word about our classes and my photography business. That&#8217;ll enable us to keep doing what we&#8217;re doing. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kevin Gourley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; &#8211; &#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we reach the end of this incredibly frustrating and problematic year, I was reflecting on our past 15+ years in business. In many ways, our little photography business is not &#8220;normal.&#8221; Our focus has not been on maximizing profits even though that is a generally-advised good business strategy. Instead, our business has been focused &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/31\/were-not-normal-and-thats-a-good-thing\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">We&#8217;re Not Normal, and That&#8217;s A Good Thing<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4553,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>We&#039;re Not Normal, and That&#039;s A Good Thing - KGPhotoWorkshops Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kgphotoworkshops.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/31\/were-not-normal-and-thats-a-good-thing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"We&#039;re Not Normal, and That&#039;s A Good Thing - KGPhotoWorkshops Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As we reach the end of this incredibly frustrating and problematic year, I was reflecting on our past 15+ years in business. In many ways, our little photography business is not &#8220;normal.&#8221; Our focus has not been on maximizing profits even though that is a generally-advised good business strategy. 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