Green Dragon Bagua Zhang|Interesting person: part one|K. Betz Photography

So, remember when I asked y’all if you knew some pretty cool people in your life who did crazy things or had a sweet talent? Well, I’ve been DYING to share with the world a few of the ones that I know…

 

Meet Matthew. The ninja. Yes, he’s really a ninja. It’s cool, right? 
I had the lovely opportunity of photographing his Traditional Chinese Internal Martial Arts school, also known as Green Dragon Bagua Zhang more than once! I also got the privilege of getting to interview him and learn a little bit more about it in detail, other than being a complete bad ass.  READY?! 

Hello Matt!
– Hello Kaitlyn Betz, how are you doing today? ( side note: he greets me this way every morning. I enjoy it.)

Just peachy. Ready to talk about ninja stuff?
– I am always ready to talk about the martial arts. 

What got you interested in the Martial Arts/how long have you been doing this for?
– I will spare you from saying, I was born this way. I blame the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I have been doing this long enough to know I have much to learn but I have been teaching for 4 years. 

Can you tell me how you got started with Green Dragon Bagua Zhang?
– I studied under a man by the name of Jack Davis at the Chi’en Institute of Internal Martial Arts. After I got my teaching credentials it became time to form the school. Green Dragon Bagua Zhang became that school. 

What exactly do you do/teach at the school and how can it help people with their everyday life?
 – Traditional Chinese Martial Arts that include Bagua Zhang, Dim Mak Kuen, and Taiji Quan. These are Taoist Martial Arts, so Taoist principles are also included. Because Chinese Martial Arts covers many topics, you can say that I teach many things. 
    Within the Martial ArtsI teach forms that benefit: health, flexibility, stress reduction. For Self defense we work with pressure points, joint locks, striking, kicking, throwing, weapons, weapon defense, and defense against multiple attackers. A key component for any Martial Arts program is fitness. The forms themselves serve as a cardiovascular activity, increase endurance and flexibility. Outside of forms, we also do standard exercises, push-ups, crunches, etc and also kettle-bell work outs.
     Chinese Martial Arts are all steeped in the philosophies of China. The Internal Martial Arts being focused on Taoism. So naturally, I talk about and show Taoist principles that include the understanding your inner nature, improved diet, stress free living and absolute happiness. I think that each of these is valid for everyday living. 🙂 

Thanks for sharing Matt! Don’t forget to check out K. Betz Photography on Facebook for a look at my most recent session with the school! COMING SOOON! 

 

 

If you are interested in joining the school contact:
Matthew Barrett; Martial Arts Consultant.
GreenDragonBaguaZhang.com
Twitter: @DragonBagua
Facebook: Facebook.com/greendragonbaguazhang
Matthew.R.Barrett@gmail.com

 

 

 

HAPPY HUMP DAY KITTENSS! 😀

 

Spring Fever

 OHHH HEYYY THERE! REMEMBER ME?
That one girl who is constantly shoving a camera in someones face? 😉

You get what you pay for.

You’re not paying for just pictures, you’re paying for the experience, for someone has studied/practiced their tush off and works hard to make sure you’re going to be 100% okay with the finished product. Now let’s be real here, this goes for everything/anything in life. (check out some of my favorites @ http://www.facebook.com/RenaissanceNY)
One thing that I will never understand are the people who choose to do a poor job on something just to make a quick buck. Your clients are investing their hard earned money and trusting YOUUU with it, it’s your duty to make sure you are pleasant to work with and are giving them something that they will be pleased with.
Be incomparable to the others around you. Absolutely draw inspiration from others, but make it your own. Get creative with it! So so&sophotography is doing this kind of session at this price, so i’m going to do the same but make it 5 dollhairs less. No way! Do you really think people aren’t going to catch on to that? 😛

 I love every single one of you who have supported me on this crazy journey of becoming a better photographer- I’m feeeling ohh so kind again and with that being said-lets get this page to 500 likes and I might be having a sweet little mini giveaway!

( http://www.facebook.com/kbetzphotography )

Yes, it is just a number but the more people who like it, the more people will know about it and share with their friends. If they truly enjoy what I do (I know I do!), maybe they will book a session?! Lettt me tell ya, one of the things I love about this job is the feeling of satisfaction that you get when someone is truly please and appreciative of what you have done for them!

I have this ridiculous itch for sunshine and warm weather. Sunsets with sun flare/bokeh filled images, happy faces and lots of laughter. I am almost completely booked for spring sessions (still accepting a few more $30 mini sessions, hollaaa while you can!) and I am now booking for summer! I am working on a little projoect with some really talented artists in the area. If you know someone who has a crazy skill (I.E–> painter,photographer,writer,tattoo artist,BMX,chef,WHATEVER!) send them my way for further details and keep an eye out for the super sweet things coming to daa blogg! 😀

Happy Friday kittensss

Let’s talk business | personal

 

 

Photography will always be an ever growing and changing industry. 
As I grow and change with each session, I find myself reaching out and discovering new ways to become better at what I do. 
There is always room for improvement.

 

“One of the reasons many photographers never get their business off the ground is they let concepts overwhelm them.
They live in a “what if” state instead of actually doing things.”

 

I am so not one of those people. I am determined to make this work. Sometimes I just need to take a minute and remind myself I am only 22.
It’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from it and stop making excuses. 
It’s not going to be easy.
Make it about other people and not yourself. 


There are a few good tips I have learned so far, one of them-
DON’T BE BORING! 
Be daring, be different, impractical & yourself. Laugh. SMILE.
Jump around (jump up, jump up & get down?) 

                 Follow in the footsteps of people who truly motivate you.

There are a few people that come to mind:
Amanda Hedgepeth (Amanda Hedgepeth Photography)
A female dominating in this industry like a boss, with a baby! Constantly helping others with a smile on her face. Not only that, she teaches other photographers on how to succeed and accomplish goals. she’s also from one of my favorite places EVER 😉 

 

            Josh Ruff (Renaissance Studios)
Sincerely one of the most talented artists I have had the chance to meet! Also a small business owner of a tattoo shop,he definitely has some skills & proves how hard work pays off. (Personally, I wouldn’t choose any other shop!) Josh has given me the opportunity of having a gallery showing. I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am for something like this! A chance to share something I am extremely passionate about- heck yes! 
April 13th, 2013 @ Renaissance Studios in Endicott, NY! 

 

 

The ones who supported me from the beginning
Erin, Mark, The Amanda’s & Diane
Yall happen to be my closest friends but I wouldn’t change that for anything. Putting up with cameras in your face, having me harass you about sessions all the time, and plastering the internet with those not so nice photos (sorry!) I have every single one of you to thank for being there for me, letting me take your picture and sometimes giving me advice on how to improve. If I am having a bad day, I take a moment & reflect on the positive things in my life and what I have accomplished so far. 
I’m just getting started and I couldn’t find myself doing this without the people who support me the most. 
I love you guys! 😀
 

 

I am so ready to take on this crazy world
& I want to document it every chance that I get and share it with you.
Learn it. Experience it. Love it. Repeat.

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