Portfolio Tommy McDonald
Tommy McDonald tommydanielmcdonald@gmail.com
407 484 0157 1344 Waterwitch Cove Circle Orlando, Florida 32806 April 22, 2013 James Gentes CEO/Founder The Social Business/Good Peeple 141 NW Greenwood Ave, Suite 100, Bend, OR 97701 Dear Mr. Gentes, Your upcoming tech company, The Social Business, has potential to succeed in the highly competitive market, and further assistance would help it reach it’s maximum efficiency. A person like yourself, a busy father of two, or four if you include your business creations, could use some additional help to take the stress out of the daily grind. If this kind of help sounds beneficial, please consider the internship of a diligent, hard-working student with knowledge of technology and business. I am applying for a general internship of whatever position you deem necessary. I have already managed a community clubhouse during events and parties, and this has taught me how to be attentive and stay on task. With working at a large facility, taking responsibility is key. Forgetting to lock a single door can lead to massive thief. In addition, I am finishing my first year on my high school newspaper, Hi-Lights. While working on the paper, I have learned how to use computers to a greater degree, specifically including Photoshop and InDesign. With a general background of the skills necessary to be successful in business and a solid fundamental of computers, I make an excellent, well-rounded candidate for an intern at The Social Business. My attention to detail would keep the company well run, and help you attend to all the minor, but crucial details you do not always have time to attend. The general knowledge I possess about technology, social media and computers would lend myself well to suggesting and innovating ideas currently implemented in The Social Business. Also, after countless hours of supporting family and friends with technology over the phone and in person, I am able to help support customers in a detailed, thorough and polite manner. I understand you have plenty of work to do, and I appreciate you taking time out of your day to read this application. I believe that a personal interview either over the phone or Skype would lend better to us discussing my abilities. An interview would be a great honor, and setting up one at a good time for you is a personal priority. Thank you for the consideration. I look forward to your further inquiry and our upcoming interview. Respectfully yours,
Thomas McDonald Enclosed: resume
Tommy McDonald tommydanielmcdonald@gmail.com
407 484 0157 1344 Waterwitch Cove Circle Orlando, Florida 32806 OBJECTIVE To learn how an entrepreneur in the tech field creates a small business, builds it, and innovates. Also, how to manage and run a business successfully. EDUCATION • Completing second year of high school at Boone High School • Graduation date: May 2015. • GPA. 4.6 • Top 5% of class. EXPERIENCE Hi-Lights Newspaper Staffer, Boone High School • Aug. 2012 - present: Writing and designing stories for the newspaper including in-depth editorials, sporting events, and features in addition to live tweeting sporting events and posting a wrap up to hilights.org in a timely fashion. Demo Volunteer, Orlando Science Center • June 2012 - May 2013: Learning how to work over 12 different demos and exhibits while interacting with guests and keeping them engaged. Office Employee, Windsong Community Clubhouse • May 2012 - present: Setting up parties and greeting guests. Maintaining an orderly and clean party with minimal guidance. Working in the office, taking phone calls, helping guests take out boats and paddle boards and monitoring the facility. ACTIVITIES • Varsity Tennis Team Jan. 2012 - present RELEVANT HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES • Newspaper: Writing editorials, features, reviews and news stories. Taking pictures around campus, at sporting events and music recitals. Designing layouts in InDesign. Editing pictures in Photoshop. Using Wordpress to compose and post web stories. Using iMovie to edit and create videos. • Web design: Creating HTML code by hand and in Dreamweaver. • AP Language and Composition: Writing essay and analyzing writing. HONORS, AWARDS, AND MEMBERSHIPS • National Honor Society 2013 - present • Boone High School Varsity Tennis Team 2014 GPA Award • “Newbie of the Year” Award in Newspaper 2012-2013 • Adobe Certified Associate in Photoshop REFERENCES • Renee Burke- Hi-Lights Newspaper Adviser (407) 443-8451 • Susan Woods- Windsong Community Clubhouse Manager (407) 953-0052 • Adrian Zguns- Winter Park Tennis Center Pro (863) 605-4342
Tommy McDonald
Self-evaluation
I received my start in journalism when I heard about Boone’s outstanding publications program, and its exceptional teacher. After completing a year of newspaper, it seemed like a better fit for me because of my strengths in writing compared to photography and design. I have improved every skill I have learned last year in this class during this year. The previous year when selling ads my approach was to target as many businesses as possible and hope most of them would buy around $50-$100 worth of ads. This year I decided to target businesses that had a high chance of purchasing ads while purchasing a large amount. I was very fortunate to contact FLVS and have them purchase $575 worth of advertisements from me. I have learned bringing a highly targeted approach pays off more than spreading oneself thin often in areas that are simply a waste of time. I have learned how to use InDesign this year. Before this year, I would avoid design as much as possible, and to a certain extent, I embraced this philosophy for a good portion of this year. The last issue I choose two stories that required me to design two layouts. Although my designs did not work very well at first by the end of my time working on them, they came out clean. I will use this skill when I have to learn new kinds of technology and specifically when using InDesign like designing my portfolio. This year my dedication has improved. Instead of letting my work fall onto someone else, I have learned to take full responsibility of my work and completing it to a professional level in a timely manner. After I took my AP Environmental exam, I returned to class even though I was excused from school. I learned that my pages had been altered and that I was now responsible for completing two COBs with quotes. After multiple attempts to find students to use and becoming unsuccessful, I completed my work even though it required me to stay later than I would on a normal day. I will use this skill in almost every aspect of life including my final year of high school and college. My deadlines have greatly improved from the previous year. Last year, I did not know that we had deadlines, but this year, I consistently am one of the first to final both of my stories. While others struggle to go to Lizzy before the workday, by that point I am either finaling or going to Sam. I have learned to manage my time and make sure I can spend more time on newspaper during final week before we go to press. I will use this skill when promising things at a certain time and completing them by their deadline. I was an asset to the Hilights staff because of my consistency and dedication. I consistently finished my work on time while creating a quality piece. Even when I was informed of a story days late that was due the next day, I kept a positive attitude and completed it on time so that the DPS could go to press. As mentioned previously, I stayed after an AP exam to finish work that had been assigned to me that day and needed to finished that day. All work that is assigned to me is always completed in a prompt way.
Tommy McDonald
Reflection 1
My most significant piece of work for Hilights this year is “Air Combat Controversy Drones On.� Not only is this piece my best work from this year, but it also demonstrates the resilience and adaptability needed to create for the newspaper. When I was assigned this story, it was a pro-con piece on technology, specifically focusing on drones, medicine and automobiles. As wide ranged as the piece sounded, it was. After trying to fit this all into one story, me and the person writing the con decided that this was to large of a topic to cover in the alotted space, so we choose self-driving cars to focus on. I then promptly completed the pro-side of self-driving cars, but the next day I found out that the story had been changed to a pro-con on drones. Despite having essentially completed my story, I had to start over because of no fault of my own, but I accepted it and moved on. I did the necessary research and generated a piece with a strong factual foundation supporting each of my points. Since my strong point is writing factual based pieces, especially editorials, actually writing it was not very hard, but having to keep starting over was slightly annoying and discouraging. Since I realized that constantly adjusting one’s story and getting rid of ideas that might have been good on first thought but are not good in the context of the story and layout is part of process, I was able to accept that I had wasted my time and focused on executing on the new topic. This was definitely frustrating, but having acceptance that creating a story is not a point A to point B process, but rather like wandering through a maze where every turn can lead to unnecessary steps was key to being able to move past this. I liked how convincing the final piece is. Before writing this piece, I did not really have a conclusive position on the topic but tended to lean towards pro-drone. After researching about drones and writing my piece, I firmly believed in my position based on the evidence that it was saving American lives and foreign civilian lives. The piece uses statistics instead of claims to make its point, which gives it an undeniable convincingness.
Tommy McDonald
Reflection 1
Tommy McDonald
Reflection 1
Tommy McDonald
Reflection 2 N5. “Air combat controversy drones on” p. 2, March 14, 2014 I would like this piece to represent me because it demonstrates my ability to argue a controversial issue while incorporating facts and staying concise. It conclusively argues the position both through a logical and emotional appeal, convincing the audience on multiple levels.
N9. “Girls bounce back fast” p. 16, October 4, 2013 I would like this piece to represent me because of how many different and unique angles it tells the story. The large vertical picture immediately draws the reader’s attention. The text covers the team’s atmosphere while touching on specific matches and statistics. Readers can also go further in depth with the secondary coverage, which offers more statistics and more on an individual player.
N31. “Instant Replay” p. December 13, 2014 I would like this piece to represent me because it captures the key events around campus in a striking yet slightly humorous manner. The selection of events for this Instant Replay include events looked forward to all year such as the Boone-Edgewater football game, the NHS induction, the return of Polyester Paradise and the senior breakfast. Most of the photos on the page capture the moment well, and these are my best lead-ins to date.
Tommy McDonald
Reflection 3
Every aspect of my abilities relating to journalistic writing and production has improved since last year. Although there is still room for improvement, my writing now is more succinct than it was last year. I have focused this year on feature writing, which is a challenge for me. Besides the progress in my technical writing, my ability to design and use InDesign has also improved. My designs from last year were text heavy lacking any graphical aspect to pull in readers. The central use of graphics is present on stories this year like “Boutique gyms fulfill workout niche,” “Girls bounce back fast,” the calendar and Instant Replay while last year only two out of my seven stories had photos with actual action. Also, my portfolio design went from a basic cob of a star to a design with multiple visual aspects including a bar with varying colors at the top, a color palette and varying diamonds. The addition of multiple colors and multiple graphical elements is a sizable improvement from my portfolio design from last year. Overall, my portfolio looks like much more time was put into the design although it is likely less because of my superior knowledge of InDesign this year. Last years looked and was excessively simple while this years’ design is more visually pleasing and well thought out. Last year I neglected the header portion of the cover letter and resume and opted to just to use the stars I used throughout with a red bar. I did not make any attempt to incorporate the text in the header. This year I spent time creating a header that fit into my design while still being unique to the rest of the pages.
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
DPS, page 8, November 1, 2013. Credits: Writing and picture for Mechanic mends motors
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
DPS, page 8-9, February 7, 2014. Credits: Writing Eating habits benefit individuals
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
Insight, page 3, March 14, 2014. Credits: Writing “Drones stop mass murder� in Air combat controversy drones on
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
Entertainment, page 20, May 9, 2014. Credits: Writing, picture, secondary coverage for Friendly atmostphere pleases all
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Friday, May 9, 2014 hilights.org
artsentertainment hilights
QUICK HEADLINE HERE
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
This would be some news brief that we could highlight but not write a story about. It could allow for more coverage on pages and throughout the paper. Short and sweet quick reads. That’s what readers like.
I made the varisty basketball team [this year] after getting cut from Boone basketball my first two years Frank Dempsey, junior
Friendly atmosphere pleases all By TOMMY MCDONALD Filling the open space, 40 flat screen TVs illuminate the backdrop of Friendly Confines with the latest in the sporting world while patrons casually dine. Friendly Confines, the newest restaurant in Gatlin Plaza occupies McWell’s former space, provides a relaxing atmosphere for small and large parties, easily accommodating extended groups. It is a local chain with three other locations in the greater Orlando area. Once one is seated, there are a variety of options from healthy to fattening. Soups and salads, such as French onion ($3.49 cup, $4.99 bowl) garden salad ($3.99 small, $6.99 large), caesar salad ($3.99 small, $6.99 large) and Greek salad ($7.99, $9.99 with chicken) are available. If one is looking for more traditional bar food, venture for wings ($9.99 for 10) in over 40 different flavors. Hot dogs, Italian sausage ($7.99-$10.99), burgers ($8.99-$9.99), wraps, flatbreads ($8.99-9.99) and sandwiches ($9.59$9.99) are also on the menu. The teriyaki wings’ sauce is delicious and mildly sweet making them full of flavor, but they were under cooked on both visits and came out slightly cold on one. The old fashioned cheeseburger ($8.99) is what one would expect from an average burger; nothing is special or unpleasant. The taste is satisfactory, but lacks seasoning to make it a stand out
#the411 Where: 4757 S. Orange Ave.
When: Everyday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
How much:
photo/TOMMY MCDONALD
TERIYAKI. The teriyaki wing 10 piece ($9.99) served with blue cheese, carrots and celery is a flavorful choice either as an appetizer or entree. item, like at Johnny’s Fillin’ Station. If one avoids the obvious menu choices such as hamburgers and wings, there are other more flavorful options such as Cubbie Claw Basket ($9.99), seven chicken strips drenched in one of the 40 flavors ranging from “no heat” to “warning.” The rib basket ($9.99) is also an option flavored in a variety of different BBQ flavors. If one wants to order something to make use of the hot flavoring, order the buffalo chicken wrap ($9.59). It comes
grilled, fried or blackened with fresh lettuce and tomato. Overall it was a hit with the hot garlic, but it had a bit too much sauce making the wrap soggy. Consider asking for the sauce on the side to control this issue. For dessert, signature choices include funnel cake fries ($4.99), funnel cake made into long crispy strips, and apple pie turnover ($3.99-$5.99), an apple pastry served with vanilla ice cream drizzled in caramel sauce. Both of these are tasty options to finish of the meal,
$7- $14 Beverages: soft drinks (Coke products), free refills Noteable Flavors: Garlic, honey mustard, teriyaki, BBQ, parmesan garlic, lemon pepper.
Specials:
but neither are anything worth ordering if one is already full. The food ranges from average to tasty, but the consistency of the menu’s food is not the strong point of the restaurant. The environment is comfortable and welcoming. The open space gives everyone breathing room while offering every seat a view of a flat screen TV showing the latest sports. What the food lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in overall experience and accessibility.
Mondays 50¢ wings with a minimum of five.
Extras: good for groups, 40 TVs, arcade games.
Online: myfriendly confines.com
[ COSPLAY Dollar began cosplaying five years ago in eighth grade. Dollar’s first convention was Orlando’s Anime Day, as Lieutenant Momo Hinamori from the Bleach anime. “[My first cosplay] was butchered and I regret that cosplay. I didn’t really have the materials for it, I just sort of threw some homemade things together. It was not accurate at all but that’s going to happen for a first cosplay. I do plan on redoing it because she is my favorite character and I want to do that cosplay again so bad,” Dollar said. Back in the dealer’s room of MegaCon, junior Jacob Stein makes his way through the artist stands dressed as Alois Trancy from Black Butler. Stein’s first convention was last May at Florida Anime Experience, but his first experience in cosplay was MetroCon last July. Stein spent his time posing for photos and hanging out with his friends, who also enjoy cosplay. “[MegaCon is] more comic based but it invites many fans of many other genres, including anime,” Stein said. Junior Pamela Surran walks through the Mega Con crowd dressed as Briar Rose from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. She poses for pictures, interacts with other princesses and acts like royalty. This is one of the few days she can escape from her high school life. “I would have loved to go to MegaCon all three days but I couldn’t because junior year is so tough and there is so much homework. But there are so many great conventions throughout the year. Florida is a great place to have a
photo courtesy/JACOB STEIN
SNUGGLE TIME. Posing as Nagisa Hazuki from Free! Iwatobi Swim Club, junior Jacob Stein snuggles a stuffed penguin. “My favorite cosplay has to be my first, Alois Trancy, but I also really like my Nagisa cosplay from Iwatobi Swim Club,” Stein said. Stein attends one convention a month during the summer. con and I can’t go [to them all] which is upsetting. They’re so expensive and I’m broke after going to Mega Con for one day,” Surran said. Conventions are a safe haven for those who appreciate the cosplay genre. People feel they could be who they wanted and not be judged. This is not always the case. As the cosplay culture and fan base grows, so does the stereotyping and conflicts. Female cosplayers have faced backlash in the community. “What bothers me most is the stigma that, if a girl is wearing a revealing costume, then it’s okay to touch and
bother her. Cosplay does not equal consent and I think that idea should be forced more at cons,” sophomore Chelsea McRae said. Surran has found that high school is often kinder to a female cosplayer than fans at the conventions are. “[At a con as a girl], you’re often discriminated against because they think either you have to look really hot or you can’t do it at all. But if you do look like that then they say you don’t actually like it you’re just doing it got attention. I find it interesting that people at the actual convention are more discriminatory than people at high
photo courtesy/PAMELA SURRAN
school,” Surran said. Despite the stigmas and stereotypes, these students continue to attend and enjoy conventions. Friends are the source of their love for cosplays and conventions and they continue to keep their interest sparked. “Friends have seriously made all of my cons. There are so many great memories. Some awful memories, but great memories always make up for them,” Dollar said. The next convention in Orlando is Florida Anime Experience on May 2325 at the International Palms Resort and Conference Center
SMILE. Under her electric blue wig Pamela Surran, junior, shows off her cosplay at Florida’s Mega Con. “At Boone, I don’t hide the fact that I cosplay. I really don’t want that hidden secret kind of thing,” Surran said. Surran buys and makes her own costumes, her last homemade costume was Princess Aurora.
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Design
Sports, page 16, October 4, 2013. Credits: Writing, secondary coverage, design
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Design
Features, page 5, December 13, 2013. Credits: Captions, design
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Design
Entertainment, page 15, December 13, 2013. Credits: Writing, design
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
Sports, page 4, May 9, 2014. Credits: Writing, picture, secondary coverage for Boutique gyms fufill workout nice
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sports hilights
Friday, May 9, 2014 hilights.org
SENIOR EXAMS
FUNNIEST MOMENT
Senior exams are May 16-20. May 16 is 5th, 6th, 7th; May 19 are 3rd and 4th; and May 20 are 1st and 2nd exams. Make up exams are May 21.
It was the first day of school and I walked into the wrong classroom twice. Both times they snickered and gave me a funny look. Crisd’liz Garcia, sophomore
Boutique gyms fulfill workout niche
By TOMMY MCDONALD Whether sports, academics or socializing is one’s priority, one will benefit, both physically and mentally, from working out a gym. Here are three local gyms located within five minutes of campus. Each specializes in a specific area, whether it be convenience, specific athletic goals or boxing.
9 Round provides an intense, personal workout experience in only 30 minutes Between school, homework, socializing and after school commitments, it is difficult to find time for a full workout. 9 Round is the solution to this problem; the full body workout only requires 30 minutes as one cycles between nine different rounds. Half of each of the rounds incorporates a boxing-related exercise. Rounds consist of exercises that incorporate both cardio and muscle training. The exercises tend to have patrons use their body weight or light weights instead of using heavy weights. One can work on muscle mass and cardio at the same time making it an efficient use of one’s time. One to three trainers are always present instructing people on how to complete each round and motivating them during each round. If one forgets how to do the workout, a trainer is only ever a few feet away. 9 Round excels at helping people keep their workout fresh by having a different routine on each round every day meaning no two workouts are ever the same. Although it does not offer an abundance of choices that an open gym does, it caters to those looking for an experience similar to a personal trainer, but with the flexibility of not having a set appointment in addition to unlimited sessions. “9 Round is as intense as you want to make it, and there’s a trainer here to push you every step of the way. The harder you hit the bag, the more you’re going to sweat and the better of a workout you’re going to get,” trainer Stephen Marshall said.
ß9round Where: 3150 South Orange Ave Time: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-1 p.m, 3:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Price: $39 per month for students, first time free Online: 9Round.com; like them on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram @9RoundOrlando
JAB. In fierce concentration, 9 Round trainer, Stephen Marshall, cross jabs a punching bag during a training session. photos/TOMMY MCDONALD
TIE. Two trainers at Gym Rat Boxing practice boxing technique while being critiqued by coach Todd.
Signature Fitness pushes clients to overall fitness or sport specific needs whether in a class or individual situation. Less than a mile from campus, Signature Fitness caters to each individual’s fitness needs. If one is looking to body build, Signature Fitness has a weightlifting class. If one is looking to get in overall better shape, they have Total Body Resistance Exercise classes and a boot camp. A spinning class is also available. Classes are available 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. To drop into a single class without any commitment, one can pay $10. For unlimited classes per month, one can become a member $100 per month. For even more specialized training,
ßsignaturefitness Where: 361 E. Michigan St. Time: 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Price: $10 per class, $100 for unlimited classes a month Online: signaturefitness.com Signature Fitness offers one-on-one training for specific sports and goals like body building. Rates range $20 to $70. Signature does not offer an open gym rather focusing on specialized instructed experiences.
Gym Rat trains members to box whether beginning or advanced. For those looking for an authentic boxing experience, Gym Rat Boxing and Fitness provides classes at just $15 or $85 per month for unlimited classes. Classes range in skill level, starting with beginner’s and Boxing 101, a slightly faster paced course than beginner’s progressing to Group Boxing. To take one’s boxing to the next level, personal training is offered starting at $50 per hour and $45 per hour for gym members. For those looking for a more traditional workout, boot camp is also offered at 6 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is also offered 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday at 8 a.m. Although all the previous mentioned classes are only offered to those 18 and older, those older than 11 may participate in the beginner’s class at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
ßgymrat Where: 119 Gatlin Ave. Time: Mon.-Thur. 6 a.m. 8 p.m., Fri. 6 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Price: $15 per class, $30 for weight room, $85 membership Online: gymratboxing.com Access to the weight room is included also with a monthly membership, but can be obtained through a $30 per month membership just for weight room access.
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
Sports, September 12, 2013. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=12351
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
Sports, September 20, 2013. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=12434
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
News, October 6, 2013. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=15310
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
Entertainment, December 16, 2013. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=29526
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
News, February 28, 2014. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=46157
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Writing
Entertainment, March 18, 2014. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=49858
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Web
Features, News, May 6, 2014. Credits: Writing
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=60296
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Videography
Multimedia, February 20, 2014. Credits: Video
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=43426
Tommy McDonald
Clips: Videography
Multimedia, May 7, 2014. Credits: Video
http://teacherpress.ocps.net/hilights/?p=58795
Tommy McDonald
Photography
Sports, page 4, May 9, 2014 in Boutique gyms fufill workout niche
This photo has multiple visually appealing elements. First is the repetition. The rope repeats three times, and its colors, red and blue, are repeated all around the photo including in the flag, the boxing ring’s floor, the walls of the gym and one of the boxer’s shirt and shoes. Also, the center of visual interest, the boxers, have balance. They are both punching each other in a similar style while one is faced towards the camera and the other is faced away. This gives the photo a sense of purpose and planning that came down to good framing and being in the right spot at the right time.
Tommy McDonald
Photography
Sports, page 4, May 9, 2014 in Boutique gyms fufill workout niche
This photo’s center of visual interest, the man’s face, draws in the viewer’s attention because of his look of determination and intensity. His back and the punching bag and it’s rope help frame the picture. The depth of field portrays the boxer and his punching bag on the same level. The photo is a glimpse into a action-packed moment where it captures the boxer in a fierce concentration.
Tommy McDonald
Photography
This photo captures a passionate moment from two widely differing perspectives. Boone’s side contains emotions ranging from fervent to encouraging while the opponent’s are disappointed and in almost utter disbelief. I think this capturing of both sides of the story gives the photo interest while maintaining a depth of field showing the audience watching without really either of the two side’s emotions.
Tommy McDonald
DPS
Tommy McDonald
DPS
Tommy McDonald
Brochure
Tommy McDonald
Brochure
Tommy McDonald
Design 3