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
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)