This series of photos reflects the business ideas and products that came from two DU alumni/ students. DU Senior and Founder of Twelve Petals Yoga Company, Rhiannon Hainds, is featured with her product line of yoga mat straps and accessories. DU alumni and Founder of Sport Bumper, Bo Pitto, is also featured with his product line of protective magnetic rubber strips that he created as a result to a problem that he was faced with while skiing in the Rocky Mountains during his years at DU. I chose to photograph these two subjects with their products because both of them were proud and excited to be photographed with what has come of their entrepreneurial aspirations. The final products are a tangible reflection of the hard work and success that has gone into each of their businesses, which are still under going growing pains as they try to get the businesses off the ground. By focusing on photographing specifically on the products themselves, I was hoping to inspire other DU students to go after their entrepreneurial dreams and show them that it is possible to make those dreams a reality. Additionally, I thought that shooting the products was interesting and was trying to capture them from different angles so that I could highlight the various benefits that each provided while at the same time creating an even flow throughout the slideshow. When I asked how she wanted Twelve Petals to be told through a photographic story, Rhiannon said that she wanted her yoga mat strap products to appear in their most natural environment while also showing their function and use. We decided to continue the yoga/Wanderlust theme and set up the shoot accordingly. She often rides her bike to yoga, which is why I chose to include that in photographs as well. Since it is already widely known, the peace finger sign represents peace-- which is also associated with the yoga mantra, and therefore I felt that it would be appropriate to include a shot of her posing with that as well. [READ MORE] After interviewing and meeting with Founder of Sport Bumper, Bo Pitto, he felt we focus on capturing shots that emphasize the functionality and various ways in which his product could be used, thus, the variety of product photos that are included in the ladder part of my slideshow. I chose to include them both “in action”/ on the cars, as well as in their packaging because Pitto designed and developed the packaging all on his own. He was very proud of the fact that he not only came up with the idea, but he also produced the first prototype, business plan and packaging design—so I wanted to give him the credibility and highlight his entrepreneurial achievements, as they pertain to my overarching story/ theme. Overall, I feel that the use of various camera angles, perspectives, and subjects makes this slideshow dynamic and interesting.

1. Chelsea Ortega
DU Provides Foundation for
Emerging Entrepreneurs
Photos by Chelsea Ortega
Founder & CEO of Twelve Petal Yoga
Company, Rhiannon Hainds, has
decided to take the entrepreneurial
path and is excited to focus on growing
her start-up post graduation.

2. Hainds and a sample of her full
line of yoga mat straps outside a
studio on Pearl Street in Denver,
Colorado.

3. CEO & Founder of Sport Bumper, Bo
Pitto, holds the two products he has
developed in less than 3 years from
graduating from DU.

4. Sport Bumper is a rubber magnetic strip that is
placed on the side of cars to protect the paint
from being scratched by equipment.

5. The Ski Bumper protects your car from
scratches caused from equipment that is
often leaned against the paint during pre and
post mountain time.

6. The newest product
developed by Pitto, the “Sport
Bumper,” which provides
protection from guns and
fishing rods.

7. The Sport
Bumper
protecting a
car from
possible
scratches
that may be
caused by
hunting and
fishing
equipment.

8. The magnetic strip on the back of Ski and Sport
Bumpers is a simple way to protect your car, as
demonstrated here.

9. Pitto designed and
developed the packaging
for Sport Bumper.

10. Sport Bumpers are
currently offered in a
variety of three colors
and two sizes.

11. Ski Bumper makes for
the perfect Father’s Day
or birthday present for
the avid skier,
snowboarder, fisherman
or hunter.