The Ripple Effect

Some months ago now after my photo of Edward and Danni appeared in America's Rangefinder Magazine after taking out 1st place i received an email from the other side of the world from a woman named Jeanette Powers. Jeanette had picked up a copy of the magazine, saw my photo and fell in love. She emailed me via my information on my https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deb-Sulzberger-Photography/466761970001931 and asked if at all possible would she be able to purchase a copy of the image, she wanted to frame it and hang it on her wall... 

After various emails back and forth, weighing up the cost of postage and packaging i decided i would email the file instead, yes i know most photographers will cringe about now and say NO NO NO !!! never send the file...but sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling and trust someone so i did...  i mean i was pretty happy that this complete stranger wanted my photo to hang in their own home !!! We chatted about the cost and how we were going to make this work, I really had no idea what i would be selling it for to be honest, how do you decide stuff like that !!!  in the end i made a decision, i asked Jeanette in return for the image if she could make a donate to an animal shelter. Very excited she wrote back 
"Thank you so much for emailing the image. I just printed it up and it looks fantastic and I can't wait to
frame it. I took a look at the other images you took and like you this one is my favorite. You can tell she Loves her little fur babies very much and they feel the same way about her. You really were able to capture that Love. Thank you again for the image and for your time. It's very thoughtful and generous of you to have only a donation made to the animal shelter. You're a woman after my own heart. My sister and I do that very thing instead of getting each other Christmas presents every year. It makes so much more sense and there are so many animals out there who need help. The Humane Society in town does a great job and I try to help them out when I can.  You're a great lady Deb and you do incredible work. I wish you all the best and once again THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! :)
Sincerely, Jeanette

Now, i thought that was it, I felt good knowing i had made someone happy, my image was on the other side of the world hanging on someones wall and Jeanette was over the moon.  Today i received an email & photo from Jeanette and it touched me and helps restore ones faith in humanity...


"Hi Deb,
Hope all is well with you and life is good. It's been a while since I wrote you but wanted to touch base with you to let you know a couple of things. In case you don't remember me please read the email trail below. :)

Basically I wanted to let you know that I donated a couple of times in your name as a payment for your photo. The first one was with an animal rescue site to help with vet costs for a dog that was brutily abused. Believe me you don't want to see the pictures and yes the dog is doing fine now. YAY!!! 

The second donation and one, which is the reason I'm writing now, is for an advertisement showing available animals to be adopted at the humane society here in Moab. It's a weekly newspaper that just has advertisments in it. I've attached a copy of the ad for you to see. You're name is at the bottom. I have to tell you that when I arranged for your name to be on it the woman was so excited knowing that you were from Tasmania. 

Again, thank you for the beautiful photo and again, hope all is well with you. 

Cheers,
Jeanette Powers
Moab Utah

I am glad i made the decision to go with my gut feeling and give my file away, i am glad i trusted someone at their word, i am chuffed i am this weeks sponsor of the Humane Society of Moab Valley and i am glad i do what i do...
So next time you you have to make a gut choice, go with it, a tiny act of kindness and have a huge ripple effect and make a difference.......
Pay it Forward !