My company already is Green but there is always more to be done. I will be adding new practices as I continue along in business.

BUSINESS PRACTICES
- I have an online system that allows clients to view contracts, information materials, their invoices and other items digitally. This cuts down on print materials that might otherwise get thrown out.

- Begin a collection of rechargeable batteries for my flash.

- Carpool with other photographers or with my clients to reduce vehicle use. This may not always be a possibility or even feasible, especially for weddings, but if the moment allows, this is a great way to reduce vehicle emissions. I take the bus on a regular basis for personal errands.

- Turning off my workstation every evening to save energy.

- Encourage clients to print only what they need.

- Establish an online viewing gallery that clients can order prints from.

- Purchasing second-hand items for the office including any furniture I may need.

- Using only recycled paper for office printing (if I need to print anything at all).

PRODUCTS
- Use flash drive media for wedding packages. Images are often given out on CD’s or DVD’s with an accompanying leather-style case, if given the option.

- An even further step is to offer a completely green means of distributing files — through a third party online file sharing program that allows the client to download their photographs securely without creating any packaging waste or shipping emissions.

- Source out packaging materials that are not only 100% post-consumer recycled but will also fit with my current branding. That means papers, boxes, ribbons and any other sort of material that I might find would be useful for creating rigid yet beautiful packaging for your images.

- Work with a printing company that uses environmentally-friendly inks and energy efficient machines for business cards, stickers and any other print materials I might need.

- I am working with Cypress Album, a premier supplier based out of California for albums, folios and presentation boxes. Their products are not only well-made but beautiful to look at and will last a lifetime. The company has a green mandate that Simply Rose can support.

- My ultimate goal with providing products is to find as many local producers as possible to not only cut down shipping distances but to keep product costs down and keep the dollars in our local communities.

IN THE WIDER WORLD
- Volunteer my services with organizations that I feel a connection to or donate portions of earnings to those organizations.

- I would like to do some sort of photographic project from my next travels and donate a portion of the proceeds to an organization that works in the area.