I think the biggest challenge I face is just creating my "Brand" and marketing that. Over the last week I've been quite here on the blog because I have been busy trying to figure out how to really sale my brand. You see there are so many photographers for clients to choose from how do they pick? Is it purely Technical merit? Artistic? or something else? I think you have to have the technical and artistic, but most photographers venturing to this realm have that. So a lot of times it comes down to who you are. Do you sale yourself as THE photographers they want?
I've really been focusing on my wedding work this past week so I am going to talk about that for a bit. Now I am still actively working on entering the commercial ad world too. But I do enjoy shooting weddings. It is very rewarding to create the first set of family memories for a new family. I work very well under pressure, and I never slow down the entire day. I push and push for the next great image. After talking to my mentor this past week I realized that a lot of what I am doing at a wedding and the shoots surrounding it is actually editorial work with some lifestyle thrown in here and there. I honestly hadn't looked at my work that way before. And all of the sudden I felt really comfortable moving, no sliding over into commercial work.
I've also been flipping through bridal magazines cutting out great images for inspiration, and even cutting out the ones I know I could do better. Thinking and thinking, "How do I get out there?" I need to sale me. So I decided to put together a promotional video. Why should a bride have to wait to meet in person to hear how I feel about wedding photography? They shouldn't so I put together a 9 minute video that touches on what I think the most important points about how I shoot, and what I bring to the table are. And I'll give you a hint, there is no gear talk or talk about lighting or even a sales pitch about free prints.
Now you may be wondering why am I putting this effort into my wedding work? I have no intention of stopping my wedding photography. As a matter of fact for the market segment of commercial work I intend to shoot for I think it just goes hand in hand. However, you can expect to see in several months a new commercial centric website. It will be separate and apart from my wedding photography. The two will not link to each other. It's not that I am ashamed of one or the other, but my clients have got to see a consistent message. You know you can not be all things to everybody, and that is more true in the world of photography.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Late Day Update
The bike ride finally happened. I managed to get six frames while ridding around. I think that was still probably shooting too quickly, but I plan on heading out tonight and grab some more. Maybe....
Got back and the mail man had been nice to me. I got my Polaroid SX-70 and my four packs of The Impossible Project film. Awesome. I'm getting ready to play with this a bit.
I should have a couple of scanned images tonight to update the blog with!
Got back and the mail man had been nice to me. I got my Polaroid SX-70 and my four packs of The Impossible Project film. Awesome. I'm getting ready to play with this a bit.
I should have a couple of scanned images tonight to update the blog with!
I Am Blaming It On
Blaming it on the rain. i mean really Dallas gets like 1 inch of rain a year. I get a new camera and want to take the bike out and it rains. Jeez, so I'm blaming this blog on the rain! I admit I still like Milli Vanilli...come on you know you do too.
So my new camera? A Holga. Thi sis what is referred to as a toy camera. It has a plastic lens, only two apertures f/8 and f/11and like four focus settings. It is also a medium format camera taking 120 film.
So why on Earth did I buy a toy, film, medium format camera? Well, I'll get to that in a minute. but I also purchased a Polaroid SX-70 Timezero Autofocus Model 2 from Ebay (I'm still waiting on that baby). Ah you are now saying, "Wait a second John. They don't make Polaroid film anymore." And you are right, sort of. Polaroid doesn't, but The Impossible Project does! Oh yeah, have four packs on the way to me.
So why this crazy obsession with lo-fi film all of the sudden? It is simple really, I want to focus on the image not the technical pieces. I have found myself bogged down by the technical bits of lighting, depth of field, shutter speeds, etc while shooting. I want to shoot for the sake of shooting. I want a tool that will free me to focus on composition, art, creativity from the point of what I shoot not how I shoot it. I also have to admit that I love the quality and feel of these images. They just suck me in. Don't get me wrong, I have some ideas on incorporating some lighting stuff into both of these units, but in time, not now.
I realized walking around NYC last month that I do not shoot enough for the sake of just shooting, playing, having fun. As a matter of fact back in NC I went a couple months without picking up my camera. Blame my depression, work, self doubt, or all of it most likely. But how sad, I missed two months of growth in something I love. No more!
Maybe my first film shots will be junk, maybe not, maybe they will be award winners, or when I'm dead they will go for millions, but I know I'm having fun, finding the love of the craft and art again. Don't ever loose that..just don't hold onto it no matter what.
Business Update Time:
I have a wedding consult tomorrow evening. I'm looking forward to that. I love meeting new couples. I have six serious prospects currently. Weddings take time to book, and I expect folks to shop around. I'm getting good leads from Decidio and a couple of folks hitting through to my website from Facebook. While I'm not Ryan Brenizer I am getting about 25 hits a day on my site. If I can convert 1% of those on a monthly basis I'll be rocking!
Other things.....let's see I attended a meeting of the Dallas Camera Club last night. Trying to get out and network. I'll be hitting the butterfly gardens this Saturday with the local Flickr group. That should be cool. Maybe I'll have the Polaroid in time.
I'm keeping daily tabs on my Craigslist ad, seeing where I fall down the list. I don't want to go below 2/3 of the way down. I'm also checking click through rate on Facebook. Seems I do better on Tuesdays and Sundays. Not sure why, but I'll keep monitoring for trends to help me target my ad.
More later!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Getting It Done
Or at least trying to. I took a ride this morning on my bike with the purpose of taking some photographs of downtown Dallas. I wasn't feeling it much, but I did get this:
It is a shot of the JFK Memorial. Imagine if you will a big square concrete box with two narrow entrances. How do you shoot that? This is what I did. I don't really like it. I now have a challenge. Get a creative, artistic shot of this concrete box!
From there I hit the farmers market, no photos, but plenty of veggies and fruit. Now anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I like to eat. And often it is not the best of things...I'm a southern boy after all. Fry it, cover it with gravy, and add potatoes please. However, I have made a commitment to change some things about my life. It is my life and I need to do better, be healthier, be happier. So I'm trying to do better on the eating front and exercise daily. Lucky for me I have an entire city to explore on my bike. I really enjoy it too.
I also want to talk about emotional and spiritual happiness. I'm not going all preacher on you so calm down! I have realized over the last few months that we do in fact make our own happiness or our own unhappiness. How do you handle things? Do you pursue your dreams? Are you honest about what motivates you? What irritates you? Where do you derive satisfaction and self worth from? Those are lots of questions that only you can answer. I don't know all of the answers for me yet. So I really can't help you! But seriously I am devoted to really thinking, meditating if you will on these questions. Almost every night I listen to an audio book called The Four Agreements . Very simple concepts, but darn near impossible to implement 100%. But I try, when I fail I try again. Now if you're still with me then you know I previously talked about my depression. It is real, it is clinical; most likely a lack of serotonin or said receptors. I'm not under the illusion that a book and some meditation can cure that, but it can help. Being mentally healthy is as, if not more important, than our physical health. I've neglected this for so long, and I know better I was a Boy Scout. What does that have to do with the price of peas in China you ask? OK (The Boy Scouts have all the answers by the way) the Scout Oath clearly covers this:
It is a shot of the JFK Memorial. Imagine if you will a big square concrete box with two narrow entrances. How do you shoot that? This is what I did. I don't really like it. I now have a challenge. Get a creative, artistic shot of this concrete box!
From there I hit the farmers market, no photos, but plenty of veggies and fruit. Now anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I like to eat. And often it is not the best of things...I'm a southern boy after all. Fry it, cover it with gravy, and add potatoes please. However, I have made a commitment to change some things about my life. It is my life and I need to do better, be healthier, be happier. So I'm trying to do better on the eating front and exercise daily. Lucky for me I have an entire city to explore on my bike. I really enjoy it too.
I also want to talk about emotional and spiritual happiness. I'm not going all preacher on you so calm down! I have realized over the last few months that we do in fact make our own happiness or our own unhappiness. How do you handle things? Do you pursue your dreams? Are you honest about what motivates you? What irritates you? Where do you derive satisfaction and self worth from? Those are lots of questions that only you can answer. I don't know all of the answers for me yet. So I really can't help you! But seriously I am devoted to really thinking, meditating if you will on these questions. Almost every night I listen to an audio book called The Four Agreements . Very simple concepts, but darn near impossible to implement 100%. But I try, when I fail I try again. Now if you're still with me then you know I previously talked about my depression. It is real, it is clinical; most likely a lack of serotonin or said receptors. I'm not under the illusion that a book and some meditation can cure that, but it can help. Being mentally healthy is as, if not more important, than our physical health. I've neglected this for so long, and I know better I was a Boy Scout. What does that have to do with the price of peas in China you ask? OK (The Boy Scouts have all the answers by the way) the Scout Oath clearly covers this:
"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
And before you ask, no I did not need to look it up. I was a Scout, still am at heart so :p
Seriously though mental health is right in there. i never understood it as a 10 year old, but boy do I now. So if you are going down this road of pursuing a dream my question is this: Are you mentally awake? You had better be because there will be trouble, doubts, hesitation, rejection, and worry. Can you tell the difference between the normal of those and when there is real trouble?
OK, onto more positives! I finally started my how-to videos today. Overall I am happy. Considering I am not a videographer, and I have a staff of one they are not bad. I made a big decision today though. I'm going to offer the content up for free. I'm just going to ask for donations, and if someone wants it on disk then I will sale them one. So what am I filming? My years of experience with the Nikon CLS system. I know there is a lot of off camera lighting videos, blogs, sites, etc. But this is a bit different. I'm talking to one system in pretty good detail. Taking the viewer from beginner on up through advanced uses of the system. I will obviously have to cover some lighting technique, but this whole thing centers on CLS.
So why give it away...................? Karma! I want to give back. I have learned so much from people who gave away content, and I mean content that I'm not qualified to write for another 20 years or so. Why not help out people with something I know pretty well. I'm hoping the pay it forward mindset will indeed have the universe pay it forward to me. It may take me a while to get these done. New town means I need new models, new assistants, etc. But that is OK because it forces me to get out there and meet people.
Until later.......later =)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What You Do When You Can't Sleep
You blog, or lay around and let your mind aimlessly drift through your to-do list. Since aimless drifting is no way to fall asleep I figure a blog post was in order. I finally finished up the last images from Kim and Kory's wedding. they are up on my site now for the world to see. Here are a few favorites of mine.
I don't know if it is me, but I'm really digging the black and white versus color at this wedding. It just seems to really add so much mood. But then I have been surfing the inter-web thingy for used large format gear. I don't' need it, but something about those huge negatives just draws me in especially in black and white. Could just be a phase, which usually means spending money in the photography world. I'll have to keep that in check.
Other updates...let's see. I start my mentorship next week. I'm really looking forward to that. I have some ideas, but maybe I should dismiss those until I see what my agenda is in regards to my mentor. But I'll fill you in on what I am thinking. I want to use my knowledge of wedding work to transition into commercial ad work which is geared to the wedding industry. I mean think about all of those wedding magazines, dress designers, lifestyle sections, etc. I see a lot, and I mean a lot of the same old thin model on grey seamless, standing next to a fluted column dress ads. Blah...I think I just tasted a bit of dinner in my throat. Seriously did the wedding industry not get the same message as every other market? Interesting photos get attention, get sales. I'm just saying. I think I can bring something new to the game. I hope.
So I want to reach out (meaning find at this point) some local boutiques. I'm not talking David Bridal. I mean real honest small businesses that are in the dress/ wedding business. I'm going to offer professionally produced images to them in exchange for the use of their merchandise. This is not shooting for free before you get off on a tangent. this is shooting for me, with the exact purpose of building a commercial portfolio worthy of hitting some AD with. Build a book. Inevitably this will involve me having to find some models and make-up folks too. I've had very little luck on Model Mayhem. Maybe the truth is always in the name....mayhem. Anyways I'll have to fish around on that front. But that is my loose plan for now.
Also on the agenda is my DVD. More precise it is a How-To DVD on a topic I am very familiar with. I don't want to give to much away, but I am very excited. It is not a "I know the best way, the only way, and know all" DVD it is simply me talking about a subject with which I have great experience. I'm looking for a launch price point of between $30-$50. We will just have to see how that plays out. I want to keep it cheap because I legitimately believe there is a group of people out there who really could benefit from some cheap good information.
So my agenda for this week:
I don't know if it is me, but I'm really digging the black and white versus color at this wedding. It just seems to really add so much mood. But then I have been surfing the inter-web thingy for used large format gear. I don't' need it, but something about those huge negatives just draws me in especially in black and white. Could just be a phase, which usually means spending money in the photography world. I'll have to keep that in check.
Other updates...let's see. I start my mentorship next week. I'm really looking forward to that. I have some ideas, but maybe I should dismiss those until I see what my agenda is in regards to my mentor. But I'll fill you in on what I am thinking. I want to use my knowledge of wedding work to transition into commercial ad work which is geared to the wedding industry. I mean think about all of those wedding magazines, dress designers, lifestyle sections, etc. I see a lot, and I mean a lot of the same old thin model on grey seamless, standing next to a fluted column dress ads. Blah...I think I just tasted a bit of dinner in my throat. Seriously did the wedding industry not get the same message as every other market? Interesting photos get attention, get sales. I'm just saying. I think I can bring something new to the game. I hope.
So I want to reach out (meaning find at this point) some local boutiques. I'm not talking David Bridal. I mean real honest small businesses that are in the dress/ wedding business. I'm going to offer professionally produced images to them in exchange for the use of their merchandise. This is not shooting for free before you get off on a tangent. this is shooting for me, with the exact purpose of building a commercial portfolio worthy of hitting some AD with. Build a book. Inevitably this will involve me having to find some models and make-up folks too. I've had very little luck on Model Mayhem. Maybe the truth is always in the name....mayhem. Anyways I'll have to fish around on that front. But that is my loose plan for now.
Also on the agenda is my DVD. More precise it is a How-To DVD on a topic I am very familiar with. I don't want to give to much away, but I am very excited. It is not a "I know the best way, the only way, and know all" DVD it is simply me talking about a subject with which I have great experience. I'm looking for a launch price point of between $30-$50. We will just have to see how that plays out. I want to keep it cheap because I legitimately believe there is a group of people out there who really could benefit from some cheap good information.
So my agenda for this week:
- Exercise once a day (Most likely a bike ride). If I don't I'll have more nights like tonight..not good.
- Start filming the DVD, I should set an end date or I'll never push myself....Note made.
- Shoot some downtown Dallas urban landscapes (This should coincide with my bike rides nicely).
- Hit Ikea to return a table (Don't ask)
- Organize all of my gear on a new permanent shelving system (FINALLY!)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Details, Dealings, and Depression
No blog post yesterday. I did not get everything done I had wanted to. But that is OK. I really need to pace myself. I did manage to update my website with some new images, and changed the music. I think the whole thing fits a lot better now. Of course that could just be the mood I'm in today. that's a dangerous thing when contemplating website design.
Today has been filled with responding to some emails, checking leads from www.decidio.com , and checking on my Facebook ad performance. That is one thing new I did yesterday. I have actually booked one wedding from Facebook this year. I'm hoping for even better returns here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Facebook allows you to target specifically who (or what group) you want your ad to be displayed to. You really need to think about your demographics on this. I could just blanket everyone who is engaged, but that's not my target market. I'm looking for a more sophisticated client, who can afford my price point. Keep that in mind if you go the Facebook route.
So maybe the other thing I should talk about is depression. I was real hesitant to put this out there, but heck it's just me, you, and the internet that'll read this. I do suffer from depression. Not major, but I am on some medication for it. I bring this up because could I have possibly picked a worse vocation to take up then being a professional photographer? Heck take the normal self doubt and frustration any photographer feels and sprinkle in a mental illness...nice. Do you have self doubt, worry, are you scared? I watch this video repeatedly to tell myself I am not alone.
Anyways, I want to tell you about an experience that was completely unplanned, unrehearsed, and very profound that happened last week at the workshop I attended in Dobbs Ferry with Joe McNally (I promise a full write, I swear). Joe was showing us how to setup an environmental portrait in a really cool workshop of a bagpipe maker named Charlie Kron (You can see Joe's Blog post here ). So Joe was getting some gear in place, and the class was chatting with Charlie. Charlie was asked how he became one of the country's premier bagpipe makers. Charlie simply said, "I come to work everyday. I stay busy even when there was no work, and I do what I think a bagpipe maker does everyday and it just happened." WOW! Now here is a guy who as far as he knows is talking to a bunch of professional photographers. Joe had not prompted him to say that. Heck the workshop was about "going pro" or business or any of those topics. But Charlie hit the nail on the head. You see Charlie is a creative professional too. Charlie knows that you have to do the steps. Just do them that's all. One step, next step, next step,and before you know it you are at your destination. I want to be like Charlie, and with my depression kicking in today I have to think about Charlie, his bagpipes, his dream.
Oh, and when Joe said he almost cried while shooting Charlie.....he really did almost lose it. If you doubt the passion you must have to go down the road of being a photographer then spend some time with someone like Joe.
Today has been filled with responding to some emails, checking leads from www.decidio.com , and checking on my Facebook ad performance. That is one thing new I did yesterday. I have actually booked one wedding from Facebook this year. I'm hoping for even better returns here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Facebook allows you to target specifically who (or what group) you want your ad to be displayed to. You really need to think about your demographics on this. I could just blanket everyone who is engaged, but that's not my target market. I'm looking for a more sophisticated client, who can afford my price point. Keep that in mind if you go the Facebook route.
So maybe the other thing I should talk about is depression. I was real hesitant to put this out there, but heck it's just me, you, and the internet that'll read this. I do suffer from depression. Not major, but I am on some medication for it. I bring this up because could I have possibly picked a worse vocation to take up then being a professional photographer? Heck take the normal self doubt and frustration any photographer feels and sprinkle in a mental illness...nice. Do you have self doubt, worry, are you scared? I watch this video repeatedly to tell myself I am not alone.
Anyways, I want to tell you about an experience that was completely unplanned, unrehearsed, and very profound that happened last week at the workshop I attended in Dobbs Ferry with Joe McNally (I promise a full write, I swear). Joe was showing us how to setup an environmental portrait in a really cool workshop of a bagpipe maker named Charlie Kron (You can see Joe's Blog post here ). So Joe was getting some gear in place, and the class was chatting with Charlie. Charlie was asked how he became one of the country's premier bagpipe makers. Charlie simply said, "I come to work everyday. I stay busy even when there was no work, and I do what I think a bagpipe maker does everyday and it just happened." WOW! Now here is a guy who as far as he knows is talking to a bunch of professional photographers. Joe had not prompted him to say that. Heck the workshop was about "going pro" or business or any of those topics. But Charlie hit the nail on the head. You see Charlie is a creative professional too. Charlie knows that you have to do the steps. Just do them that's all. One step, next step, next step,and before you know it you are at your destination. I want to be like Charlie, and with my depression kicking in today I have to think about Charlie, his bagpipes, his dream.
Oh, and when Joe said he almost cried while shooting Charlie.....he really did almost lose it. If you doubt the passion you must have to go down the road of being a photographer then spend some time with someone like Joe.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, Monday, Monday
Today was my "first" Monday as a self employed photographer. I'm proud of myself for actually getting up and putting in some work today. So what did I do:
One of the other things I have decided to try my hand at is selling "fine art" prints. I use quotes because I'm not sure what I shoot qualifies as fine art, but what the heck right? I really like some of the images I captured at the polo match yesterday. It was my first time shooting polo or even horses for that mater. Here are just a couple images:
I like them. Of course if you like them help support a photographer by purchasing a print at www.lightwalkerimages.com !
Alright tomorrow's agenda:
- Set-up my new iMac
- Followed up on an email with a potential wedding client.
- Started processing images from Kim and Kory's wedding that I had shot back in NC.
- Processed some of my shots from New York.
- Processed some shots from a charity polo match I attended yesterday.
- Updated my Craigslist ad
- Updated my Decidio ad
- Updated my PPA profile
- cleaned up my website and client proofing site a fair bit (killed the music; it even annoyed me)
- Briefly surfed the real estate for lease ads looking for a possible studio (no money for that as of now, but I like to keep a list of areas and options going)
One of the other things I have decided to try my hand at is selling "fine art" prints. I use quotes because I'm not sure what I shoot qualifies as fine art, but what the heck right? I really like some of the images I captured at the polo match yesterday. It was my first time shooting polo or even horses for that mater. Here are just a couple images:
I like them. Of course if you like them help support a photographer by purchasing a print at www.lightwalkerimages.com !
Alright tomorrow's agenda:
- Finish processing Kim and Kory's wedding
- Process more images from New York
- Blog on my workshop experience with Joe McNally
- Go grocery shopping
- Clean the house a bit, and do some laundry
- Develop a new Facebook ad
- Start story boarding my DVD idea!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Long Week
Like I said in my previous post, the posts have been slow this past week due to all of my traveling, and the next few days will be the same as I drive to Texas tomorrow, and spend Sunday with my wife. Monday you can expect to see a recap of my NYC trip as well as a rundown of a full day with Joe McNally. Until then here is a photograph from my iPhone the last night in the city as we were heading to catch our train back up to Dobbs Ferry.
I will give you a hint that when I get to Dallas I will be working on a project I've had on the back burner for almost a year. That is way to long for anything to go unaddressed!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Longest Journey
Starts with a single step. So the saying goes, but I'm not real sure that is a good way of even looking at the path I am on. I mean with a journey you usually know not just your destination, but how you are getting there as well. I'll start with a little background about me and the whole point of this blog. Oh, sorry, but this will be a length, wordy post!
Several years back (2006 to be exact) I decided I wanted to learn to use my camera (a Nikon N75 with a Quantaray 28-90 f/suck-o) better. I had taken a trip to Grandfather Mountain, NC with my wife for the weekend. I shot on auto mode, and when I got the pictures back I was thoroughly disappointed. Don't get me wrong the pictures were exposed properly, the film was developed correctly, and the prints were outstanding in quality. But I really felt that they 1) Did not convey the energy of our trip and 2) They sure as heck didn't match the visions I had floating around in my head. So I pondered for a few days, and I had an "adult moment". I'm not talking x-rated either! One of those moments where you say, "Hey, I'm an adult if I want to take photo lessons and buy camera gear then I can."
Maybe that sounds silly to some of you, but it's the truth. You see way back when I was a kid, oh I guess maybe 10 or so. I was in Boy Scouts. I loved being outside, in the woods, camping, hiking, and generally all things boys do. I remember flipping through National Geographic and watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and thinking how great it'd be to make a living at shooting nature, and being in nature every day. So my parents, whom looking back spent a small fortune when they didn't have it, bought me a Minolta SLR and some lenses for Christmas one year. The day after Christmas my best friend broke into our house and stole it and a bunch of other stuff. Insert violin music, but he got his life straight and is doing OK now. Anyways, I knew they didn't have the money to replace it so I didn't ask. Life went on, and I put the dream of a ten year old on the shelf. That is until I went to class as an adult at the local community college.
What started as an honest foray into just being able to take some better pictures turned into a burning passion. I devoured everything I could read on the technical how-to of photography. I spent a small fortune every month on photo magazines (Funny I don't read them now). I even talked my wife into letting me buy a Nikon D80 at the absurd price of $999.00. Well it was absurd to her. And I managed a SB600 at the time too since I didn't need a lens. My learning curve really took off. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of the biggest reasons for my growth as a photographer is David Hobby. No, I've never met DH. But his blog at www.strobist.blogspot.com taught me so much about lighting, photography, and just thinking like a photographer.
So fast forward to 2007. I had a friend getting married, and you guessed it, they asked me to take the pictures. I was to dumb to know I shouldn't so I did. The pictures came out OK. I even managed to get some pretty good ones. I swore I'd never do that again. But fate intervened, I lost my job, and the camera looked like dollar signs. I booked some weddings from Craigslist. I was honest told them about my lack of experience, and charge only a fraction of what a pro does. It worked for them as they really had no money, and I needed what little they could pay. But it gave me experience, and that is valuable. I found another job, but kept on shooting weddings as a side gig. I got better, a lot better actually and raised my prices accordingly. I'm currently charging market rate as a matter of fact. I was pretty happy with this set-up except for one nagging little thing. I really want to shoot full time.
I had a good job, benefits, $40K + a year, making another $8-$12K on the side every year shooting some weddings and miscellaneous things. I could I justify leaving that set-up to starting a photography business that might make me that in 5 or so years? I just couldn't, I was too scared, I felt obligated to my wife while she was working and in school, and I was just lost on how to even start. I started reading books on not just photography, but the business of photography. Things like vision, and marketing, and accounting. You know the boring parts of business. I realized I didn't know bump about being pro, and working as a pro.
So this brings us to about two months ago. My wife and I are living in Greensboro, North Carolina. She finished her MBA (by the way I am so proud of her it is not funny!) and lo and behold she get's a promotion! Only thing is it is in Dallas, Texas. Whoa {Insert Flashing Lights} life change ahead. We talk, we discuss, we decide. We are moving. I turn in a two month notice at work, and start looking in Dallas. I send resume after resume. I even had a couple of interviews. Nothing, until I get offered a position that is commission only in an industry I had been in, but on the other side of the coin if you know what I mean. It is flexible, it could be lucrative, and I know the industry. So I accept, and I start in about a week now.
But, reality hits at the same time. My wife and I discuss how this is a real chance for me to start over, stretch my legs, and be a full time photographer. Awesome! Now what? I don't have a book other than weddings. Weddings are not what I want to do for the next thirty plus years of my life. I want to shoot commercial ad work, or landscapes, or editorial. Heck I'll even continue to shot the weddings as long as I need to, but I have to grow beyond where I am.
Why start blogging today? Easy, today is the first day of me working for myself. I said goodbye to my coworkers yesterday at 5:00PM. I will miss that place, but I am excited about my future.This brings us to today, right now. The purpose of this blog is two fold: 1) I want to share my journey with others who are on the same path, thinking about the path, or haven't thought of the path but will. 2) I need to be held accountable. I am the worlds worst procrastinator. As such I'm hoping a blog, and blog followers will push me to post something regularly. That means I need content. Which means I have to get off my butt everyday and do something to move forward. I do not know how long it will take me to reach "Professional Photographer" status (whatever that means). I'm not sure of the path right now. But I have some skill, a basic plan, and a lot of desire.
So what is my plan? I have arranged a mentor-ship with a working pro of over 30 years. This is not an internship, and I am not assisting. In fact I am paying for this. Maybe that seems crazy to some, but it is beyond fair. I am thrilled to have had this pro accept me as a mentoree if you will. Who you ask? I'm not sure I want to disclose that anytime in the near future. Why? Well if I stumble, fall, or fail miserably and never reach my goal it will be of my own doing. I do not want my short comings to reflect on this person. I have too much respect for what they do. Once I hit the big time I will gladly share who it is. Mentor-ship starts on August 15th, 2010. I am psyched and scarred. I think I'm going to have my butt kicked! But it is needed.
I think it will be important to keep you all posted of my upcoming plans (Remember that accountability thing?). So here goes my itenerary for the next week or so. Upfront note, posts will be slow to come this week due to traveling.
Itinerary
Short term plans:
Several years back (2006 to be exact) I decided I wanted to learn to use my camera (a Nikon N75 with a Quantaray 28-90 f/suck-o) better. I had taken a trip to Grandfather Mountain, NC with my wife for the weekend. I shot on auto mode, and when I got the pictures back I was thoroughly disappointed. Don't get me wrong the pictures were exposed properly, the film was developed correctly, and the prints were outstanding in quality. But I really felt that they 1) Did not convey the energy of our trip and 2) They sure as heck didn't match the visions I had floating around in my head. So I pondered for a few days, and I had an "adult moment". I'm not talking x-rated either! One of those moments where you say, "Hey, I'm an adult if I want to take photo lessons and buy camera gear then I can."
Maybe that sounds silly to some of you, but it's the truth. You see way back when I was a kid, oh I guess maybe 10 or so. I was in Boy Scouts. I loved being outside, in the woods, camping, hiking, and generally all things boys do. I remember flipping through National Geographic and watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and thinking how great it'd be to make a living at shooting nature, and being in nature every day. So my parents, whom looking back spent a small fortune when they didn't have it, bought me a Minolta SLR and some lenses for Christmas one year. The day after Christmas my best friend broke into our house and stole it and a bunch of other stuff. Insert violin music, but he got his life straight and is doing OK now. Anyways, I knew they didn't have the money to replace it so I didn't ask. Life went on, and I put the dream of a ten year old on the shelf. That is until I went to class as an adult at the local community college.
What started as an honest foray into just being able to take some better pictures turned into a burning passion. I devoured everything I could read on the technical how-to of photography. I spent a small fortune every month on photo magazines (Funny I don't read them now). I even talked my wife into letting me buy a Nikon D80 at the absurd price of $999.00. Well it was absurd to her. And I managed a SB600 at the time too since I didn't need a lens. My learning curve really took off. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention one of the biggest reasons for my growth as a photographer is David Hobby. No, I've never met DH. But his blog at www.strobist.blogspot.com taught me so much about lighting, photography, and just thinking like a photographer.
So fast forward to 2007. I had a friend getting married, and you guessed it, they asked me to take the pictures. I was to dumb to know I shouldn't so I did. The pictures came out OK. I even managed to get some pretty good ones. I swore I'd never do that again. But fate intervened, I lost my job, and the camera looked like dollar signs. I booked some weddings from Craigslist. I was honest told them about my lack of experience, and charge only a fraction of what a pro does. It worked for them as they really had no money, and I needed what little they could pay. But it gave me experience, and that is valuable. I found another job, but kept on shooting weddings as a side gig. I got better, a lot better actually and raised my prices accordingly. I'm currently charging market rate as a matter of fact. I was pretty happy with this set-up except for one nagging little thing. I really want to shoot full time.
I had a good job, benefits, $40K + a year, making another $8-$12K on the side every year shooting some weddings and miscellaneous things. I could I justify leaving that set-up to starting a photography business that might make me that in 5 or so years? I just couldn't, I was too scared, I felt obligated to my wife while she was working and in school, and I was just lost on how to even start. I started reading books on not just photography, but the business of photography. Things like vision, and marketing, and accounting. You know the boring parts of business. I realized I didn't know bump about being pro, and working as a pro.
So this brings us to about two months ago. My wife and I are living in Greensboro, North Carolina. She finished her MBA (by the way I am so proud of her it is not funny!) and lo and behold she get's a promotion! Only thing is it is in Dallas, Texas. Whoa {Insert Flashing Lights} life change ahead. We talk, we discuss, we decide. We are moving. I turn in a two month notice at work, and start looking in Dallas. I send resume after resume. I even had a couple of interviews. Nothing, until I get offered a position that is commission only in an industry I had been in, but on the other side of the coin if you know what I mean. It is flexible, it could be lucrative, and I know the industry. So I accept, and I start in about a week now.
But, reality hits at the same time. My wife and I discuss how this is a real chance for me to start over, stretch my legs, and be a full time photographer. Awesome! Now what? I don't have a book other than weddings. Weddings are not what I want to do for the next thirty plus years of my life. I want to shoot commercial ad work, or landscapes, or editorial. Heck I'll even continue to shot the weddings as long as I need to, but I have to grow beyond where I am.
Why start blogging today? Easy, today is the first day of me working for myself. I said goodbye to my coworkers yesterday at 5:00PM. I will miss that place, but I am excited about my future.This brings us to today, right now. The purpose of this blog is two fold: 1) I want to share my journey with others who are on the same path, thinking about the path, or haven't thought of the path but will. 2) I need to be held accountable. I am the worlds worst procrastinator. As such I'm hoping a blog, and blog followers will push me to post something regularly. That means I need content. Which means I have to get off my butt everyday and do something to move forward. I do not know how long it will take me to reach "Professional Photographer" status (whatever that means). I'm not sure of the path right now. But I have some skill, a basic plan, and a lot of desire.
So what is my plan? I have arranged a mentor-ship with a working pro of over 30 years. This is not an internship, and I am not assisting. In fact I am paying for this. Maybe that seems crazy to some, but it is beyond fair. I am thrilled to have had this pro accept me as a mentoree if you will. Who you ask? I'm not sure I want to disclose that anytime in the near future. Why? Well if I stumble, fall, or fail miserably and never reach my goal it will be of my own doing. I do not want my short comings to reflect on this person. I have too much respect for what they do. Once I hit the big time I will gladly share who it is. Mentor-ship starts on August 15th, 2010. I am psyched and scarred. I think I'm going to have my butt kicked! But it is needed.
I think it will be important to keep you all posted of my upcoming plans (Remember that accountability thing?). So here goes my itenerary for the next week or so. Upfront note, posts will be slow to come this week due to traveling.
Itinerary
- Sunday - Me and a friend, Kevin, are driving to New York.
- Monday - We are walking NYC with pretty much the sole purpose being to take photos. I need some art to hang on the walls at my loft in Dallas.
- Tuesday - More walking NYC, and more photographs.
- Wednesday - This is the real purpose of the trip to NY. Kevin and I will be attending the all day advanced lighting workshop with Joe McNally (My photographic hero) in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
- Thursday - Driving back from NY
- Friday - Saying goodbye to mom and dad. It'll be late September before I see them again.
- Saturday - Driving to Dallas from NC...long 'ol drive!
- Sunday - Spending the day with my wife whom I have not seen in over three weeks. The phone will be off the hook, no need to call.
- I am advertising on Craigslist for wedding work again. Don't worry I'm charging market rates.
Short term plans:
- Scout out locations in Dallas for shoots
- Check out and meet some local shooters
- Start story boarding shoot concepts
- Start story boarding an idea I have for some videos
Gear Doesn't Make The Photographer
But it sure helps! I was real hesitant to even make such a list because gear is not my focus on this blog. But then I thought back to why I am even blogging in the first place. I want to show that if I can make it you can too. Part of that is the natural question or rather excuse of "I don't have x,y, or z piece of equipment. How can I make professional images or be taken serious if I don't have {BLANK}?" So what I am going to do is list what gear I have. I'm not saying you should have this, or more, or less. It is just what I have, that's all. I will update this post as I add or subtract gear. But I will make it linear so you can see where I started and where I end up.
July 24th, 2010:
July 24th, 2010:
- Nikon D300s
- Nikon MB-D10
- 2x Nikon D90
- 2x Nikon MB-D80
- Nikon 50mm f/1.8
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4
- 2x Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
- Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
- Nikon 85mm f/1.4
- Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6
- Sigma 2x Teleconverter
- Lensbaby Composer
- Slik Pro700 w/panhead
- Manfroto Monopod
- 2x Nikon SB800
- 2x Nikon SB600 (One of which has a busted flash tube currently)
- Nikon SB900
- Nikon SU800
- Nikon SC-29 TTL Cable
- 2x Lastolite TriGrip 8in1 reflectors
- Quantaray 5in1 reflector
- 2x Alien Bees B800 Monolights
- Alien Bees ABR800 Ringlight
- Alien Bees Large Softbox
- Alien Bees MoonUnit
- Alien Bees Beauty Dish
- Alien Bees Heavy Duty Lightstand
- 4x Impact 8' Lightstands
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