It's a small world...

It's a small world, or at least it's a small city, here in Dallas.  I've been doing the professional photographer thing for over a decade, and did photo assisting and part-time shooting for several years before that.  I've been in this business long enough to meet a LOT of people.  

Tonight, I went to an industry networking event with the wife (who is also connected to the industry), and mingled with potential clients.  We planned to stay for an hour and then head to James Bland's art gallery opening.  

While mingling, I ran into a few people that I didn't know I knew, if that makes sense.  I started talking with a woman, and we both realized that we had crossed paths before.  Then I start talking with the woman sitting next to her, and we realize we had met before... somewhere.  We just couldn't definitively place where or when.

Well, I move on and run into a photographer named Danny.  He mentions something that struck me as familiar, so I ask him his last name.  He says Turner.  Danny Turner!!!  Of course!!!  Wow, it really is a small world...  

Back, maybe twelve years ago, I used to assist James Bland on many of his photo shoots.  He was/is an awesome photog, and that's why I was excited to go see his art opening.  He used this super-cool stylist a bunch, called Trixie.  Well, that was his nickname for her, so everyone around the set knew here as Trixie.  I was blown away by the stuff she could do during a shoot, and that's when I first realized the true power of a great stylist on set.  

Well, her husband was Danny Turner.  I never met him (until tonight), but they (Trixie and James) would always discuss all the interesting shoots he was doing, so I felt like I knew a LOT about a guy I'd never actually known.  

Anyway, I connected the dots and realized the woman I talked to a few minutes earlier was Trixie!  I didn't recognize her real first name when we talked a few minutes before, because I never really knew it.  And it's been over ten years since I've last seen her, so that's why we knew that we knew each other, but couldn't place where...  

So, Danny and Trixie asked if we were planning to attend James' show, and I said, "OF COURSE!"  I go back to mingling with other people at the event, and then the wife and I head out for our next stop.  The gallery show was downtown at the CADD space on main - a pretty nice space, if you ask me.  

We get to the gallery and look over the pieces.  They looked great and I enjoyed the way they were displayed - no frame or mat, just pinned to the walls with hand forged nails.  There were some great pics, by the way.  The wife and I each picked our favs, as we wandered from print to print.  

While at the show, we obviously ran into Danny and Trixie again.  However, I also ran into Lindsay Graham.  I just photographed him a couple weeks ago for Quick.  We talked for a minute and then I said hello to James and it was time to head home.  

Maybe I drew the story out way longer than it had to be.  I guess I could've just posted that I ran into Trixie after twelve years, but what would be the fun in that?!?  

Black Book, Dead Book...

This may come as no surprise to many of you, but it sounds like Black Book may be in its last run.  Before I go too far, I will make sure you all know what Black Book is.  Some of you new photogs may not have heard about Black Book or similar industry books, since they have become a "thing of the past".  

In the old days, you didn't have such a huge internet presence.  Art buyers, directors, and people in the industry that hired photogs received a sort of "phone book" or "Yellow Pages" to flip through.  They had big ads with your contact info and samples of your work.  They were expensive to advertise in, but could bring you huge jobs and huge returns.  

Black Book was one of a few big books that you wanted to be listed in.  Well, as the internet became more important and traditional books were relied on less, these expensive productions (Black Book looks expensive to make, and it was... nice paper, hard bound, beautiful reproduction) started looking like fossils.  

The 2009 issue of Black Book was delayed, most likely due to lack of ad pages being sold, but is finally coming out.  They trimmed a few months off the expected delay (though many advertisers are still furious that many months have been lost in reaching important new clients), and they sent this message to ASMP members:  

ASMP has received word directly from Black Book that AR 100 and Photography Volume 3 books, that were originally to be distributed in the fall, are now expected to be delivered by theend of May. Advance copies are in the possession of Black Book and we are told they “look great!”

We have also been informed that the future of The Black Book - in its current form - is uncertain. In any case, we are told that all books will be delivered and ads fulfilled. The website will remain up and running to the end of each and every contract, while next steps for The Black Book are determined.

For any questions, please call Black Book at 212.979.6700.

ASMP will continue to update on this issue as necessary.

Eugene Mopsik Executive Director, ASMP

So, no surprise...  But still sad.  This pretty much states that the last Black Book published will be this year's issue.  I remember flipping through books like Black Book when I was still just a photo assistant.  I dreamed of having a big two page spread, showing off my work.  I imagined all the New York art directors flipping through its pages, then stopping on my images.  Then I'd get a call from some prestigious ad agency with big news:  "We want you for the new Coca Cola campaign!"  

OK, so I was young and stupid.  But dreams like that fueled my efforts to push for bigger. better work and make a name for myself.  I won't ever see that spread in an industry book, but that's OK.  Spending several grand on one would be as silly as buying a big ad in the Yellow Pages today.  When is the last time you thumbed through a Yellow Pages after all?!?  No, not their helpful Yellow Pages website, but an actual, real, big, yellow, fat copy in your hands?  I thought so...

www.jasonjanik.com is up and running...

Yup, I had a new website built for my wedding and portrait clients.  Most of my work still comes from editorial or corporate shoots, but I've always taken an exclusive number of weddings, engagements, and bridal bookings.  I got tired of not having a web presence for these clients to review, so I remedied that problem.  Take a look:  www.jasonjanik.com  

Let me know what you think.  And it is brand new... freshly created and uploaded, so I'm still beta testing it.  If you spot a bug/problem with the site, let me know ASAP!  I'm trying to run through the website on as many different browsers and computers as possible to make sure it is as compatible/universal as possible, before I add any more images and call it a day.

Professional Photographer's Invoice...

I can see some very basic information regarding how people discover my blog.  If they arrived via a search engine, it tells me the key word(s) used.  Not so much info that it gets to be Big Brother, but still enough to let me know why people are reading my blog.  

I mention this because there were several searches for creating a professional invoice as a photographer.  I was linked, because I have talked about invoicing in past blog posts.  However, I've never discussed it in much detail.  Hopefully, this will help solve that issue...  

I'm including this real invoice to help you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.  You can always scroll up and reference it, if you get overwhelmed by my random and excessive rambling.

Creating an invoice to submit to a company is very easy.  There are several ways to create it - Excel, Word, Fotobiz, Quicken and others.  You choose the program, but the basic info will be the same on all of them.  You need these basic items on it:  

First, your information NEEDS to be listed.  Your name and/or company name, with address and phone number.  Preferably an email address, too.  Why?  Someone in the accounts payable department may have to contact you with a question about payment.  Plus, they need to know who to send the check to.  Often, companies will have one person who hires you for the shoot, and another who pays you.  The payment person may not know how to reach you for questions regarding your check.

Side note: One of my larger clients does all freelance/contract payments by wire transfer to your checking account.  no paper check is mailed anymore.  They REQUIRE your email address to notify you when the transfer has been made.  Try to put it on ALL invoices these days.

Second, many big companies want your social security number, or your employer identification number (the company's equivalent of a SSC).  I put this on all my B2B invoices.  The advantage of getting an EIN is that you aren't giving your personal SSC to everyone in the world, and it doesn't really complicate tax time having two numbers to report.

Side note:  When I first started out as a pro, I had a registered business name, an EIN, and my camera.  I thought I was ready to go.  My invoices had the words "make check payable to Jason Janik".  It's funny how many people miss that and still sent a check made out to Janik Photography.  This was a problem, since I did not yet have a business banking account in the Janik Photography name, just my personal account.

This raises the question: Do you want to put your DBA on the invoice if you don't yet have a banking account with that name?  You might want to go to your bank and open a business account ASAP.  

The next thing you will want on your invoice is your client's info.  I put the business name, an attn: Joe Blow, company address, and company phone number.  The attn name is important, since many companies are huge and you'll need your main point of contact (like an editor or art director) listed.  

Next, you need a date.  This one is self-explanatory.  Put the date you create the invoice.  Sometimes, I have several days of shooting on one invoice, so a shoot date wouldn't really be best.  

Next, you need an invoice number.  I was taught this trick YEARS ago.  Use a date and a three digit code for your invoice numbers.  Always set your date as YYMMDD001, so all your invoices can be easily organized from year to year.  If you have three shoots to invoice in one day, let's say May first of this year, your invoices would be labeled 090501001, 090501002, and 090501003.  Get it?  I doubt you'll ever write more then 999 invoices in one day, so this system should be bulletproof.  

Next, list the product sold.  I put a quantity, which might be the number of hours shot at a corporate event... let's say four in this example.  Then a description, let's say it is labeled as "Standard Corporate/PR Photography Per Hour".  Then you have a space for the price.  My services start at $200 per hour, so a total of four hours for basic shooting might read as $800.  

Of course, you might have other charges or misc fees, like parking, shipping, rentals, or travel to add in.  All that would be listed the same way:  quantity of product, product description, and price per unit.  

Next, I have a spot where I can list misc details.  I might put information about the shoot there, or I might list an important order number that the client needs listed on the invoice for their internal tracking.  Either way, you have an extra space to add info, if needed.  

Next, you have a subtotal, so take that $800 for shooting, the $10 for parking, and the $20 for fedexing the images and add it all up.  That equals $830.  But you aren't done yet!  What about state sales tax?  

State sales tax is best described by your state's official website.  Every state is different, and I can't begin to discuss all the variations in percentage rates and rules.  Add to the fact that many business clients won't have to pay state sales tax, and it gets even more complicated.  If the business has a State sales tax and use permit, they may not be required to pay tax on your service.  Read more about the Texas laws here:  Sales Tax  

Side note:  Most of my clients are businesses with this permit, and are using my images to create a larger product for resale (like a newspaper with my images in it).  This is one way that sales tax would NOT be applied, but again, read your state's official rules to understand it better...  

OK, so, let's say you took photos for a client who is using the images in the packaging of their product for sale, and they provided you with their state sales tax permit number.  You won't add tax to your invoice, so you put a final Grand Total of $830.  Done!  Now email, fax, or mail it over and wait about 30 to 45 days for the check to arrive.

Texas Music Photographer shoots the Art World...

Be there, or be square:  

Texas Artists' Portraits, Part One by James Bland is opening at the CADD Gallery in downtown Dallas on Thursday, April 30. Opening party is between 6-9 p.m.  

I used to work with James as an assistant (a LOOONG time ago), and there are so many of his music images that I absolutely adored.  I can only imagine how great this show of the Texas art community will be!  Seriously, if you want to see some amazing images of Texas icons, you NEED to stop by and look at this show.

Karaoke Kings!!!

I'm pretty pleased with the way my karaoke pics turned out in the current issue of Quick.  Let me know what you think, too...  

  

These were shot on location at the Winedale Tavern on lower Greenville Ave.  I actually brought in my Profoto AcuteB light kit and a softbox to shoot the cover image.  The bar is pretty tiny, so it was cramped quarters, trying to shoot with my strobes/softbox taking up space.  

I put a bare bulb behind the subject and dragged my shutter to pick up some of that beautiful, rich, natural light and color coming from the neon signs.  I think it's a good balance of strobes and natural light.  It feels very "hole in the wall bar" to me...  and that's exactly what the Winedale is.

Shooting on a white seamless...

I was thinking about writing up a little tutorial on how to shoot on a white seamless background.  Then I found a link to someone who wrote it up about ten times better than I had planned.  His is so detailed, it has FIVE parts to it!  

Heck, I even picked up a tip or two, like the cheap Home Depot tile board as a shiny floor?!?  Great idea!  Anyway, take a look at this tutorial, and love it!  It has my seal of approval... 

www.zarias.com/?p=71  

What camera should I buy?!?

I get asked this question all the time:  What camera should I buy?  Sometimes it is a variation of that question, like: What brand camera is the best?  Either way, it's basically the same idea.  What camera will make me a better photographer?  

It doesn't really work that way...  at least not the way you think.  Certain cameras may have features that make them more appealing to specific shots.  Like a Nascar series photographer might ant the fastest frame rate available, and Canon has a nice EOS 1D mkIII that shoots ten frames per second.  But a portrait shooter might prefer Nikon's lenses or color rendering capability, over Canon's high speed.  Or, a street shooter might want something small and discrete, like a Leica rangefinder.   

The idea is that the camera is just a tool, like anything else.  Some brands are better quality than others.  Some brands are more expensive than others.  Some brands are more popular than others.  However, a good photographer can put almost any camera to good use.  

Here's an example...  

This photo was taken with a $50 Russian TLR.  I like the image and think it is very moving.  I didn't need a $3,000 camera to take this image.  As a matter of fact, the image would've lost some of its intimacy with a super-sharp lens and light leak-free body.  

The image below was shot with a plastic Holga camera that cost me about $15 (they were very cheap at one point in time, before all the college art students started buying them).  The Holga's shortcomings are actually what make this image stronger.  The fade to black around the edges and the softness give the image a dreamy quality.  Try to reproduce this on a Canon or Nikon without excessive photoshopping...

This final image was taken with a free camera.  I built a pinhole camera myself, using a throw-away antique film holder, scrap wood and a used piece of pie tin. Oh, and some glue and tape, too.

So, you can see the idea of "what camera should I get" can be taken to an extreme by building your own.  There are certain features or qualities that might make a certain model or brand seem better-suited to you, but it's really the person behind the camera that matters.

When to pull the trigger...

Now, I'm not the best sports photographer around, but I know a thing or two about the subject.  Even though I focus my efforts on music, performance, and lifestyle photography, I have shot more sporting events than I can remember.  It's just a fact of life that a photojournalist will wind up covering some sport for a newspaper or magazine from time to time.  

When considering sports photography, there are a few things to keep in mind.  One, where can you position yourself that will not interfere with the game, will keep you safe (a ball to the head is not a good thing), and will get the best pictures?  Often, there will be a designated spot for the media to stand, though the smaller events will be more flexible.  

Another thing to consider is when do you actually press the shutter button?  This may sound obvious, but you need to really think things through.  Today's cameras can take several images in the blink of an eye.  Many decent models will shoot five frames per second, and some models will double or triple that number.  Sound fast?  Well fast is never fast enough.  

This is why you need to combine those fast frame speeds with a logical plan of action.  If you are shooting golf (like I was for this charitable tournament recently), there will be a VERY short window of opportunity to capture the action.  If you shoot too soon, you may miss the peak of energy/excitement/emotion in the swing, capturing a non-climactic shot.  If you shoot too late, well, you probably missed everything!  

Let's look at these samples of the most basic and fundamental golf shot, the first swing from the tee:  

The first two images show a golfer hitting the ball.  Even though I captured the ball launching off the tee in the above image, I prefer the second image.  The first image shows very little movement.  The ball is moving and a back leg has some twist to it.  The rest of the body and the club are all in line with each other.  The golfer could almost be standing still from what you see.  

The second image has that classic golf pose, with a nice arched back, leg kicked out, and the club behind his head.  You can tell he just swung hard and is tracking the ball's flight.

Again, look at the two shots below.  One is taken just before the ball was hit.  You get a sense of movement, but something feels lacking.  The ball is just sitting there.  In golf, you imagine a ball zipping through the air or rolling down a green.  The second image was shot just a hair too late to capture some of the tense muscles and grimaced face associated with the swing, but it does have a lot going for it.  The golfer and his partner are looking down the fairway, so your eye is led to an imagined ball down towards the green.  There is still a nice shape to the golfers body.  I would definitely choose the second shot over the first.

Here is an example of a golfer shot right at the moment he hits the ball (above) and a golfer finishing his swing (below).  Both have tense muscles and intense faces.  You can tell some force is being used to drive the ball.  

However, the top image only has that intensity going for it.  The ball has barely moved from the tee and the golfer is in a very boring position.  If he wasn't tensed up, you would've thought he was just lining up for a practice swing.  The club is sitting in a position normally associated with resting or aiming, not smacking a ball into next week.  

The bottom image has the tensed face, legs and arm muscles, but also has that same arched back, kicked out leg, and flying club.  You can tell the golfer just hit a long one, and it's screaming down the fairway.

And these last two shots show a variation on the classic golf shot.  They have the same wonderful body position as the other "good" shots, but they also have some extra details.  The top image has some grass and dirt flying up off the ground.  It helps to show that a mini-explosion just hit where the ball once sat.  The bottom image shows a tee floating in the air.  It is proof that a gigantic force just came barreling through, kicking up the tee as the ball takes off.

Don't think I'm suggesting that every golf shot should be taken in this exact pose.  There are an infinite number of ways to capture the action of the game.  Instead, I'm just taking one of the most basic positions for photographing the game and pointing out the minor details that can make a shot seem average vs. great.  This should be the first shot you learn and the first shot that you take.

Once you get this idea down, then you can start looking for creative spots behind sand traps, on greens, or even in between holes to capture the full game.  But, I wouldn't star playing around until you know you can capture this "golf 101" shot without fail.  If you can't get this fundamental image captured, you aren't ready for the next step...

Mosh pit, anyone?

It's been a while since I've been to the Curtain Club. It's a small hard/heavy rock music club in Deep Ellum. Last night, I went to take photos of Ugly Mus-tard - a Dallas industrial band (think Nine Inch Nails, but heavier). They were pretty popular in the late 1990's, with some decent airplay and successful tours of the US and Europe.  The band reunited this year, so now there's plenty of new opportunities to be pummeled by loud music and wild audience members!

Ugly Mus-tard's shows are usually pretty energetic, to put it lightly.  There's a lot of pushing, shoving, and moshing in front of the stage, so I was tossed around a bit.  However, I think I came out of the mess OK...    

I'll be writing a review and running one of my photos of the concert in a local music mag.  In the meantime, here are a few pics from the show:

  

Gallery shows this weekend...

I'll have a total of five images on display in two art shows, starting this Saturday.  One is the 1st Annual Oak Cliff Art Crawl.  The other is the Ear Candy show, which is part of the M2S2 event in Deep Ellum.

Wow... a Pulitzer!!!

A friend of mine just won a Pulitzer.  I've known Damon Winter since I first started shooting pictures for the Dallas Morning News, back in December 1999.  He is a great guy and deserved to win!  I'm so happy for him!!!  The story can be found here, with a link to his Pulitzer-winning images:  

www.pegasusnews.com/blogs/pegasusnewsblog/2009/apr/20/damon  

This is so cool...  If you knew Damon, you'd know there isn't a better photographer for the coveted award.

Contrails...

I was outside on a photo shoot the other day, when I looked up and saw an airplane flying overhead.  I decided to photograph it, as it crossed the sky.  I don't think I've ever bothered to photograph a contrail before, but I bet it would make for a fun photo project.  They are probably all so different, over a few years the body of work could be pretty interesting.  

There's not much about this one that makes it unique or special, but I still like the way it looks...

  

I'll say it again... edit!!!

I've mentioned it several times in the past, and I will say it again.  If you are going to show your work to the world, you MUST edit!  It sounds so simple, but many photographers just don't get it.  You will be judged by your worst image, so that one had better be good.  No, forget that...  it had better be great.  

You should not even consider leaving "good" images in your portfolio.  You should not assume that "good" images are worth seeing on the internet.  You are much better off showing ten great images, than showing ten great images and ten good images.  

So, get out your editor's hat and look at the images you are showing.  Now, choose half of them to cut.  You'll thank me for it.

I didn't shoot today...

I didn't have a shoot today, but that doesn't mean I didn't work.  You can estimate that you'll shoot about 100 assignments per year as a self-employed freelance photographer.  If you are a regular shooter for a daily newspaper, that number may be higher.  If you are strictly a wedding photographer, that number may be lower.  However, 100 days is a good average to start out with, until you can track and review your shooting schedule from year to year.  

Now, just because I didn't shoot today, it doesn't mean that I didn't work.  As a freelancer, you will probably work six or seven days a week, to some degree.  Today, I ran some images to Fedex, followed up with clients over email, will work on some images in Photoshop, and will prep my gear for tomorrow's shooting.  And I could've done more, if I didn't need to dig up a sprinkler pipe and repair it in the back yard...  

Realistically, you can wind up working about 364 of the 365 days in each year.  Some days will be slammed with things on your list.  Others may require thirty minutes of emailing and/or calling clients.  Hopefully, you are trying to be a professional photographer for the love of the image.  If you thought you'd get rich or thought it would be an easy job, you were mistaken.  You would've been better off in a cubicle, if that's the case.

Those wigs look itchy...

I had the chance to photograph a Dallas-area band called Chameleon Chamber group for the cover of Quick.  They do this classical meets outer space sort of thing.  Kind of like the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey performed by The Flaming Lips.  It's really interesting!  

The group dresses up and performs in these wild outfits, including Mozart-era powdered wigs.  I was pleased with the shoot, and I've received some pretty good feedback from viewers/readers that have seen the current issue.  

I love photographing bands.  There is so much room to just go crazy with the images.  If there's a hint of punk rock in the band's performance, I try to exploit that energy.  If there is a bit of goofiness, I crank it up to insanity.  

You can really take a band and "turn it up to eleven" so to speak.  Any sort of characteristic they display can be boosted and amplified in the photos.  That sort of "push it over the edge" mentality is what makes the band photos work.  I think if you don't go all out with musicians and artists, they run the risk of looking very normal.  I think rock stars need to be idolized a bit, so normal should be the LAST thing you capture.

The business portrait...

There are millions of "business portraits" to be taken in this country, because there are millions of professionals.  This kind of photography can be a good boost to your income, so hopefully you know how to make a good, professional business portrait.  

I've shot my share of CEO's, managers, realtors, and anybody else that needs a quality headshot.  They end up on web pages, business cards, flyers, advertisements, PR and press kits...  just about anywhere and everywhere that a business person can put them.  

I'm not going to do a huge tutorial on my style/version of the business headshot, because there's a very good tutorial here:  

www.shootsmarter.com  

You'll have to log in to view the tutorial, so if you get lost while trying to log in or register, just search for the title:  A "No BS" Business Portrait  

Now, he uses three lights and a fill card in the linked tutorial.  I simply use two lights and no fill card.  The light is a bit more dramatic, but I like that look.  Besides, it's easier to set up on location, and that's where a lot of money can be made.  If you can set up shop in an extra room at a real estate office, you can knock out five or ten headshots in a row.  At two hundred dollars a pop, you can make up to two grand in a couple hours.  

Back to my version of the business portrait...  Here is an example of one I shot for a local company.  They had some new upper-level management come in, and they needed pictures for the website and press release.  These people were busy, busy, busy.  They asked me to come in to their offices and set up for the shoot.  This would save the new president a lot of time, since she wouldn't have to drive to my studio - and time is money with companies.  

So, I set up in an empty office, with my C-stand to hold a small grey paper backdrop.  I had my portable Profoto kit that contains two small stands, two heads, and two power packs.  I had a large softbox and my camera bag.  Everything can be carried in at once (with a little effort getting in and out of elevators).  

I set up in about five minutes, waited for the president to come in, and was done shooting after ten more minutes.  Five minutes to break down the gear, and I'm done.  This is what I shot...

  

Now, I'm not going to draw out a fancy diagram for you, but I will tell you this.  My picture is captured almost exactly like the tutorial link does it.  I eliminate the hair light and the fill card.  I use a 70-200 2.8L lens, instead of an 85mm lens.  That's it.

They Were Stars...

I was at The Cavern on a shoot this weekend.  I wasn't there to shoot the band, but I decided to snap a few shots of them anyway.  The band is called They Were Stars, and they were pretty darn good.  

The stage at The Cavern is more than just tiny.  It is almost nonexistent.  The lighting is pretty bad, what little lighting is available.  This may sound like a recipe for photo disaster, but sometimes these tiny, poorly-lit stages can make for some good shooting.  

You need to work harder at it, but you can use the weaknesses to your advantage.  One thing, the band is packed together tightly, so you can often get great pictures of them interacting with each other.  Often, band members will be far apart on a big stage.  A huge stage makes it hard to get more than one or two members in the same photo.  

Another way to make these stages work for you is to really drag your shutter and pop the band with some flash.  The little stage lighting available will create some cool ghosting and a tiny bit of blur, but your flash will freeze the important parts (like the face or musical instrument).  This technique can feel/look more energetic than your average concert image.  

Anyway, here are a few images from my efforts:  

 

Now I remember!!!

My memory is not the best.  I know that I should know something, but I can't remember why.  That was the case today, when I went to photograph Lindsay Graham for an upcoming issue of Quick (I can't leak any details about the shoot or share any pics... you just have to anxiously await the story to hit the stands and the website).  

Anyway, the name sounded very familiar, but I just couldn't place it.  He runs a local recording studio, so I figured it was from something band-related.  I asked why his name sounded so familiar and he said it was probably from the senator.  With Myspace, I get hit up by soooo many bands and the name sounded like a band I'd heard of before, but I knew I didn't recognize the music.  

Then he said, "No, not a band named The Senator, but the senator."  

Oooooohhhhhhh...  I felt dumb.  There is a band out of New Jersey named The Senator, and I was confused.  He was talking about senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.  However stupid I sounded for confusing an actual senator with a band name, that wasn't where I was recognizing the name from.  

We talked more about bands and photography.  He told me that he'd done a lot of photography, but that the music recording had taken over his life.  He told me about some of the really cool past and present projects that he'd recorded.  Then he mentioned the Observer right as we were wrapping up.  

Of Course!!!!!!!!!  That was where I recognized the name.  Lindsay Graham used to shoot some of the music stuff for the Observer.  Now I knew why I knew the name...  He always had decent photos, and I'm usually pretty good at remembering other local photographers' efforts.  

So, my memory sucks, but I did get to meet a pretty nice guy, and a fellow photog.  And that's how I spent my Sunday.  Oh, and I dropped off a couple art pieces for a gallery exhibit starting next weekend.  I'll get you more details on that in a few days...

Wedding bell blues...

It's real easy to get the wedding bell blues as a wedding photographer.  They are hard work.  They are physically and mentally exhausting (I feel like I ran a 5K and did the SAT's after shooting a wedding).  It's easy to get burned out on weddings.  However, if you balance things just right (don't book too many weddings that they become a chore, but don't book too few that you feel rusty or out-of-practice shooting them), they can be a blast!  

One thing that really helps a wedding assignment is the subject matter.  Simply put, the people you are shooting can make a wedding fun or make it a disaster.  Wedding couples may be shopping you, but you should also shop them.  What do I mean?  Well, they meet with you and other photogs, trying to get a feel for your personality - and it's often just as important as pricing and package value.  

Just as they are shopping me, I am studying them, making sure they are compatible with my style of shooting and my personality.  Why bother booking someone who will just be unhappy with your style, and who will just make you miserable for eight hours straight?  

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble...  I really just planned to post a few pics from this recent wedding.  I was really happy with things, partly because I was so happy at the wedding.  The couple and their guests were so nice and fun to shoot.  It made shooting them real easy, because we all just seemed to work well together.  

I skimmed through the images and a few caught my eye as interesting.  I didn't go through them to pick perfect album shots or classic wedding images.  The bride and groom can do that when they return from their honeymoon.  No, I just decided to post a few random, fun, engaging images from the day.  They are in no particular order:

The above image was interesting to me.  I know the dancing dip shot is caught all the time.  I've captured quite a few good dips over the years.  I just thought something was fun about this one.

I always love the hugging and kissing shots.  I don't know what it is, but there's this pure emotion that explodes onto the film when it's captured just right.  There's a very short window of time to capture a hugging or kissing shot JUST right, so you have to be fast!  If you are a micro-second too early or too late, you miss the pinnacle of the emotion.

Again, a kissing shot.  I told you they get me.  The bride and groom kiss at every wedding, so it's not a unique moment in that respect.  However, the fact that the bride might've been 5'2" and the groom was at least in the mid 6' range...  well, it made the image a little more interesting.  He squeezed her tight and lifted her up off the ground as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

The above shot was totally spur of the moment.  This gentleman was taking a break from all the excitement.  He was resting his head in his hand and gently smiling as he watched the bride and groom enjoy the reception.  I always try to glance around the room for special little moments like this.  He looked up towards me right as I got him in focus, and I snapped.

 

The cake cutting shot...  They are having fun!  I think this image grabbed me, because I was fondly remembering those tasty cupcakes next to the groom (they were great).  The cake cutting shots are always filled with energy.  They can be the most exciting shots to take at a wedding.  They can also be the hardest.  When the bride and groom stand behind the average white wedding cake (this one happened to be green, instead), you basically have a large white object just waiting to throw off your flash and metering.  If you aren't careful, you'll end up with a blown out cake and a bride and groom that are under-exposed.  Not this time, though... they are just right!

As you can see, Aggies were everywhere.  This Texas A&M alumnus borrowed a few more rings from the other Aggie groomsmen to show his school spirit.  Sometimes these moments will pop up out of the blue, and you have to be ready for them.  On the technical side of things, I decided to play around with a little Photoshop post processing here.  I dulled the colors and adjusted the contrast to make the image seem more vintage.  I didn't want to go all out and start shifting the color, adding dust and scratches, and other techniques to make it seem retro.  I just wanted to add a touch of timelessness to the image with some minor tweaking.  I think too much post production nonsense can make an image feel fake and cheesy.  

Well, there you have it.  A few images that caught my eye while skimming through a recent wedding.  I wonder which images will wind up being the bride and groom's favorites?

Rainy day wedding...

I'm on my way out the door to shoot a wedding in Ft. Worth.  It's raining pretty good right now.  Hopefully the wet weather won't mess with the bride's big day...

Lifestyle...

I really enjoyed this blog post:  

http://photopol.us/2009/04/15/what-do-you-mean-lifestyle/ 

It is short, but it is to-the-point.  It also reminds us of something we often forget - you don't need a special environment to capture amazing photos.  A bunch of flowers aren't going to make a huge difference, if you can't capture your subject's essence/soul/character.  Sometimes the best shots will come from a place where your subject feels most comfortable and natural.

With a little help...

I've helped out photogs in need.  If I was down in the photo pit and someone needed extra batteries or ear plugs, I'd give them some.  I've let younger photogs test out my L series lenses.  I've loaned equipment to photogs in emergencies.  I don't see any reason why I shouldn't help others.  It's just the right thing to do.  

Well, Karma must be real, because I was paid back for some of my good deeds the other day.  I had a shoot at DFW airport for one of my news wire clients.  It was a total last-minute assignment, so I had to rush out there and rush back.  

Normally, the airline PR people will help get you access and escort you all over the place, but they were in the middle of some important work.  They gave me free reign in their ticketing area, but couldn't escort me to get close-up airplane shots.  It was suggested to use the public area, just outside of the airport.  I think it's called Founders Park?  

Anyway, I wasn't REALLY equipped to get great shots from a distant location - my biggest lens is a 70-200 2.8L and my extender sucks too much to really use (it is just too soft and blurry compared to simply cropping and upping the file size).  

So, I go out there anyway, because I have to shoot SOMETHING...  When I arrive, I see a guy with a massive lens.  I've used a lot of the big boys before - the 300 2.8L, the 400L, the 600L - and they are nice lenses, but massively expensive.  Well, this guy had the 800mm L series Canon lens, and it was nice!  

We get to talking, and it turns out that he makes a living off of aviation photography.  He's been doing it a long time and I'd have to say he is one of THE guys to go to for aviation pics.  His name is Jim Wilson, and you can see his website here:  

www.jimwilsonphotography.com

Anyway, long story short, he let me borrow his 800mm lens for a minute.  It really helped me get some better stuff.  I could only use it for a minute or two at most, because I had to run back to the studio on tight deadline, but it would've been nice to play with it a bit longer.  

Jim sent me a pic he took from the other day, and I must say it is nicer than what I got.  I could comfort myself by saying it's due to the fact that he had a while to sit and shoot and I had to snap and run.  However, I think he would've left with the winning shot, even if I had all day to sit and snap away...  Here's the image he sent me:  

Just for comparison, here is an out take from my images  (due to my contract with this specific news company, I can't share the best images I sent them, only my out takes... sorry):

As you can see, his shot is much nicer.  But you'd expect that from a guy who is one of the top aviation shooters in Texas.  I'd be more surprised if my stuff was better than his.  I only shoot aviation stuff a couple times a year for news stories - not every day like Jim.  

So, the point of this story is that Karma may just provide for you in your time of need, assuming you reciprocate.  I look at it like a bank account in a way.  Good luck and favors can only be withdrawn if you are making regular deposits.  I always try to help my fellow photogs, and I've been lucky they return the favors.

New Pocket Wizard goodies...

I'm totally liking the potential this new Pocket Wizard transmitter/receiver has:  

www.pocketwizard.com/products/transmitter_receiver  

I can definitely see some very cool potential in this little thing!  Plus, it will work with your current Pocket Wizard pieces, so its even that much more versatile!  Now, if they were only giving them away free...

Online workshop...

I'm not huge on doing these online workshops, but the print making one here sounds pretty tempting:  

http://vshow.on24.com/event/14/17/88/rt/   

Besides, it says it is free, so the only thing wasted is time.

Clouds...

I've always enjoyed shooting clouds.  They are so amazing, so unique.  Every time you look up, there's something new and different.  I was leaving a shoot this evening and looked up to see this:  

Since I was just finishing up a photo shoot, I had my camera gear at hand.  I'm glad I did, otherwise I would've missed this image...

Joyce Tenneson in Dallas...

Did you know that Joyce Tenneson was going to be in Dallas this week?  I just found out, thanks to www.Photopol.us and Pegasus News reporting it:  

Fannin Performance Hall (Richland College)
April 16, 7p.m.
Joyce Tenneson lecture, image presentation, and book signing

Joyce is a well-known photographer and author of thirteen books.  According to the Pegasus News blurb, she was voted as "one of the ten most influential women photographers in the history of photography".  I'd go if I didn't already have a shoot scheduled at that time.  If you aren't working, you should attend.

Got the fever?!?

I've done lots of DIY projects in the past, making camera parts out of all sorts of stuff.  I used to do it a lot during my college days, when I had more time and less money.  This guy has the same spirit of using trash and scraps to make something useful - a Pringles can was turned into a lens extension tube!  

http://photocritic.org/macro-photography-on-a-budget/  

I've been meaning to make a homemade tilt/shift lens for my slr's, but never got around to trying it.  Maybe I'll get around to the project soon.  That link has inspired me...

Easter egg hunt...

Those pictures I posted in a previous blog, showing me doing some video reporting at an easter egg hunt...  This is the story I was covering:  

http://lakewood-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/article/9641  

Since I am still pretty new to the whole video thing, I'd love to get some comments/feedback from you all.  I think I'm doing pretty good.  I could use a bit more training in Final Cut Pro and some more/better video equipment, but that all will come with time, practice, more assignments, more money... you know.

Yet another...

I found yet another photographer online (this one is based out of Atlanta) that has some nice work and an interesting blog:  

www.zarias.com  

He has several nice shots worth looking at and a pretty nice/informative blog.  He could stand to edit out a few blah pics, but overall, his portfolio looks very nice.  Check him out.

Me, in action...

A friend sent these images to me.  She was sent them by a friend who was at an event I was assigned to do a video story on.  I forget the original photographer's name, but I'll try to find it and attach it to these images.  She deserves proper credit, even if the subject matter is something boring like me...  

 

Anyway, now you can see me in action - looking all goofy.

Invoicing...

Why is invoicing clients so horrible?  I try my best to put it off until I have to.  I procrastinate and look for ways to postpone it (like writing blogs, instead).  You'd think it would be the very first thing that I wanted to do.  

When you are billing clients hundreds or thousands (or occasionally for me, tens of thousands) of dollars, you'd think the invoice would be a celebrated and joyous event.  Well, there is a certain amount of pride that comes with seeing a large dollar amount attached to your hard work (it's much better than doing a lot of work and being unpaid and unappreciated), but it is still office work.  

Maybe because I'm an artist at heart, or maybe everyone hates this sort of clerical stuff...  I don't know.  Either way, I absolutely hate having to create and send invoices.  It is so boring.  That's the life of a freelance photographer, though.  25% fun art stuff and 75% boring business/office stuff.  Get used to it, if you want to be in the business.

Another blog...

It's interesting what all you find on the net for inspiration.  I spotted this blog and liked a few of the shots on it:  

www.perezblog.net  

Her style is much different than mine, but that doesn't mean I can't get inspired from some of her work.  Maybe you'll look over it and see a few things that catch your eye, too?  It's always good to look at other people's work and draw inspiration and ideas from it.  I wouldn't suggest trying to copy it, but you can take little tidbits from everywhere/anywhere in the world and incorporate it into your own personal style...

Photo Contest...

This contest is run by a chapter of the ASMP, so it is legit.  It also means you'll probably be up against some pretty stiff competition.  Only enter your best work:  

www.asmp.org/image09/

Pinhole photography...

There have been a lot of photographers attempt the art of pinhole photography.  I spent an entire semester in an independent studies photography class focused on pinhole photos during college.  It is a very challenging and very rewarding art form.  

It's been years and years since I pulled out any of my homemade pinhole cameras (I built them from old scraps of wood, tin cans, or any other light tight object I could find).  I was reading the Sunday edition (yes, it's Monday already...  I fell a day behind in the newspaper, because I was really busy yesterday) of the Dallas Morning News and noticed a fun story in the Guide Sunday section.  

The story was about one of the DMN photogs - G.J. McCarthy - titled "In Trash, Beauty".  In the ten years I've been contracted to shoot for them, I've seen a lot of the photographers up there try some pretty fun and creative photo essays.  I think this is the first pinhole essay, though.  

There is a video link on their website, if you missed the printed story.  It shows a few pinhole pictures and has an interview:  

www.dallasnews.com/video/  

Current issue...

I'm pretty happy with the current issue of Quick.  I think my photo of Denton, TX musician Robert Gomez looks pretty darn good.  A great cover is not just a great photo.  It takes the photo, the initial idea/plan, the layout and design, and a good editor to make sure the vision/idea actually translates well in the final product.  

I've seen plenty of publications get things "kind of right" or "not so right", because they messed up in the planning stage, photo, layout, or final edit stages.  It really takes a lot of effort to make something look effortless...

The current issue is filled with my photos, but I'm not going to copy and paste ten pages worth of my images.  You'll just need to pick up a copy around town or download it at www.quickdfw.com to see everything.  I will share this page, though:  

Why this one?  Well, I just think it's interesting when a photographer photographs another photographer.  I think I captured Scotty Mankoff's spirit pretty well.  His interview is a pretty fun read, as well.  The quantity of pictures that he's taken over the last couple years is mind-boggling, so I wanted to show him buried in his photos - literally!

Canon tutorials...

I was talking with the canon rep recently, and he suggested that I visit here for some cool videos and tutorials on the new gear:  

www.usa.canon.com/dlc/  

It looks like they have some fun info on their stuff and plenty of tips and tricks.  You should check it out, too.  It's funny, but I actually know a couple of the guys giving the tutorials.  I guess if you are in the business long enough, you get to know some pretty talented people...

I was in Paris, TX today and saw this:

In case you didn't already know, I've been working on a religious theme project for the last twelve to fourteen years now.  Most of it is religious graffiti or messages that a single person has created.  However, a few of the subjects are big murals, billboards, or other large pieces like this one.  

I eventually plan to show it in a gallery, though I'm still feeling like I'm a year or two away from doing that (besides, I just had that big show last fall).  I think I'll just "know" when the work is ready for a formal show, hopefully.  I'm not getting the feeling just yet.  Too bad, because I'm anxious to show it.  I've already got a ton of very interesting, moving pieces...  

Not everything should be judged by the paycheck...

I have a few clients that I don't bill my normal corporate rate for. There are a few non-profit groups that get a special rate, and a rare few charities that get my pro bono work. Why? Well, sometimes it is better to help a worthy cause. Sometimes you will gain more from helping them in the long run (like networking with bigger, better clients during your non-profit help). 

If they are making a buck, you should expect to make a buck. But groups that are on shoestring budgets, trying harder to help or educate the community rather than making a huge profit, well, they deserve some help.  And, I feel good helping them.  I know that I'm doing something positive with my talents.

And it's not like there aren't other ways to get a few perks. Some of the clients throw nice fundraising events with fancy food, and I get to join them. Some have services that I can use for free, in exchange for being part of their "family".   Some have given me access to cool rock stars or important people.  It doesn't always have to be just about money. Some clients can be judged by more than just the paycheck you bring home from them.

This was the case today... The oldest boy was away at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but the wife and two other boys were sitting at home. I had a shoot scheduled for a really cool and fun museum, and I can usually get them in to any of the exhibits for free. 

So, I loaded up the posse and let them enjoy the afternoon with me. After I was done working, I joined them and we toured all the dinosaur stuff, let our middle boy dig in the sand (you can "hunt" for fossils), and played with a bunch of really neat displays and projects. It was a good time.  We all loved it a lot!  

Heck, even if we had to pay, it still would have been worth it.  It was a fun place and a fun day.  But that's not the point of this blog.  Just remember to weigh all the factors when deciding if you're going to work with a client and whether they will receive any sort of special rate.  

I know one photographer that shoots for an airline in exchange for free tickets anywhere/anytime.  Not exactly a non-profit organization, but the point is that he actually gets a better deal than if he billed them for money and then purchased tickets like a regular customer.

Speaking of deals to make with clients, I have heard of a few other non-cash deals to go down here and there.  I have heard of some photogs that shoot for firearms manufacturers that have had the rifles/shotguns transfered to them instead of taking a check.  

Not a bad deal to get a $1200 shotgun instead of a $600 check (if you want/need that sort of thing).  Or, I've heard of people shooting for camera or lighting companies in exchange for free photo gear instead of money.  Again, you'd get more gear than if you'd bought it outright with the money you could've charged from the shoot.  

I bet these kind of deals go on all the time, though I have always limited them to charities and non-profits.  Maybe it's because the right client hasn't come along yet.  Heck, if I shot for Porsche or Ferrari, you know I'd try to work out a trade!!!

Forget about being a photographer at the moment...

I have several friends who were all just laid off earlier this week from a major newspaper (one of the biggest in the country).  One of them was there for 34 years and was an amazing photographer.  

I hope you aren't expecting to grab a camera, walk right into this industry, and find a job right now.  It's a tough business and getting tougher.  The equipment costs are insane, the number of jobs are shrinking every day, and the number of people fighting for work is growing like mad.  But, if you continue to make it, the rewards are out of this world...

Art Crawl...

I will have two pieces displayed in the upcoming Oak Cliff Art Crawl.  You should try and attend the event:  

  

Go Tonight!!!

I'll be at the ASMP meeting tonight.  If you are a Dallas area professional photographer (or a current photography student/assistant planning to become a pro shooter at some point), you NEED to attend ASMP meetings (and hopefully join them).  For more info on tonight's event, look here:  

www.ASMPdallas.org  

See you there...

I am the law...

I shot more lawyers Tuesday.  It's getting to be quite a regular thing, between all my clients that need portraits of law professionals.  Add to the fact that I'm starting to court a few law trade magazines, and I could go from being the big name in Dallas music photography to being the big name in Dallas law photography.  That would be cool (no it wouldn't - unless it paid a lot more, then it would).  

A blog about Sarah writing a blog about me... confusing?!?

I stumbled across this today:  

http://sarahjanesemrad.blogspot.com/2009/01/site-visit.html  

It is a blog about me photographing local artist Sarah Jane Semrad.  I didn't even remember her snapping a shot of me that day.  It's odd what you find on the internet...

First look at the cover...

I've been sitting on this quietly, anxiously waiting for the first official press releases to come out.  They finally have...  

It wouldn't have be right for me to show the album artwork for Rhett Miller's upcoming solo album before he (and the label) were ready to start sharing images and sneak peeks.  Thankfully, I don't have to keep the cover under wraps any longer.  Rhett's official website just sent out an email to all his fans and put a copy up on his website for the world to see.  

I'd love to show you the rest, but I doubt that any other part of the upcoming album will be revealed until its release date in June.  It's not my place to start leaking any tidbits of the album that he (or his label) aren't prepared to share.  I wish I could, because there are several great shots used throughout the packaging... but, I won't.

I'm absolutely in love with the picture on the back, and think you will be, too.  There are also some nice detail shots used inside as background pics.  And, the PR/promo pics that are starting to hit blogs, websites, and print publications are pretty cool, too.  

Anyway, I have real work to get back to.  I just had to take a break to share this info.  When I saw they finally released an image of the cover, I got too excited to not tell the world!  I hope you like it - and buy it!!!

Saturday night...

OK, I'm about to turn off the computer and head out on some shoots.  One assignment will be another video assignment.  I'm anxious to build up a good video portfolio, so this will be fun.  Another is your basic bread-and-butter event shoot (go take some pics, get some quotes from guests for cutlines and a short story, and then get out of there).  The final is at a club downtown - where Shaquille O'Neal is supposed to be tonight (no, I'm not going as a Paparazzi, waiting behind the bushes to pounce on him.  It is a regular newspaper assignment).  

Anyway, that's it for now.  I'll have a ton of video, photos, and text to work through from this evening, so there probably won't be another post until Monday or Tuesday...

Promo...

This is one of the current promo/mailers that I've started sending out to potential advertising clients.  It focuses on my lifestyle photography.  You know, the ads where a family is running through a field, and the ad is selling some sort of allergy medication.  Or the young couple in bed on a sunny morning, with a laptop and coffee - the ad selling anything from online shopping, to travel options, to pajamas, to whatever.  The photos that don't necessarily have the actual product in the picture, but convey a certain feeling instead.  That's the type of photography I can do well.  

I can't do product and table top photography (the perfect pictures of a product in an ad or flyer or on the box of the item) well enough to compete with the big boys in town (and there's a TON of money in DFW for that type of work), so I have to focus on what I am good at.  Hopefully, my editorial style transfers over well enough to regular and consistent advertising "lifestyle" shooting.  That is what I actually CAN do, and have done somewhat in the past.  

These are pics from an major ad campaign I worked on for a large financial institution in 2007.  The client wanted a wholesome, family-friendly look to all their ads and literature for savings, retirement, and health benefit options.  My regular portfolio is a lot edgier, showing off much of my rock and roll portraits and other bold images, so hopefully this mailer will be a good balance to that.  

Figuring out what images to send out can be so hard sometimes.  Some people say to send images of the stuff you love to shoot or only send your most personal work.  That way the client can get a feel for what you have inside... for what you are truly capable of doing.  Others say to send out images from recent assignments, so clients can see how well you do in the real world - since, that's what really matters to them.  Some people mix the two together, and others say that a mixture will appear too scatter-shot and unfocused.  Ughhhh...  too many choices and way too many suggestions...  

Well, for now I am showing my edgy portfolio and following up with a more real world mailer.  We'll see if this plan works.  I love the occasional big advertising shoots I've done and am hoping this helps me get more.

No money from U2? Are you CRAZY?!?

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20090320a1.html  

I was shown this link and I'm not sure how to react.  Part of me respects the pure artist in this story, but part of me wonders just how smart of a business move this was?  

I have billed major labels up to $7500 for an album cover shoot in the past, and that wasn't even for a disc like this - one that will surely go multi-platinum.  So, we are talking about a cover shot worth a minimum of $20k, if not $50k or more...  I've heard of artists spending up to $100k on artwork before, so who knows what could've been negotiated here?!?  

Now, if he doesn't need the money... fine.  Or, if this is part of a bigger plan... fine.  But, this kind of pure art, not selling out thing is just too hard to do in the modern world.  I'm not saying you should completely sell your soul for a paycheck.  However, you do need to balance your artistic integrity with your need to feed and clothe yourself.

The Cowboy Preacher

I had a request to see some of my rodeo and cowboy shots, so I thought I'd post this story I did for American Profile Magazine.  It's about a cowboy preacher that travels with a professional bull riding association and provides religious services to the riders and crew.  

I thought it was something a little different from the "normal" cowboy story.  Something with a bit of heart and soul to it.  You can see that he spends his days guiding these men, praying for them, and helping them cope with the dangerous lifestyle they chose to live.  It was such an interesting story to shoot...

I'm tired...

I'm tired of reporting bad news in the newspaper industry, but here is more: 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090404/us_nm/us_media_newyorktimes_globe  

I skipped linking a couple recent stories on failing or failed papers across the country, just because I didn't want this blog to seem like a broken record.  However, The Globe would be a huge loss to the newspaper industry.  Losing it would be insane.  

I understand the whole idea of moving along with changing times and technology, but there is so much information I can find in the paper every day.  It would suck having to hunt it down on the internet, or at the very least, trying to nimbly navigate through a muddled newspaper website for good info.  

There's just something about skimming the headlines of each section that seems easier in print.  Maybe because I'm old?!?  I'm tech-savvy.  I know a thing or two about this whole internet thing.  I just think the printed version still has some use...

I feel good about this...

I'm doing a pro bono shoot for The Human Rights Institute at the University of Connecticut.  I'll tell you more about it, once I get the shots done.  If anyone is interested in assisting me on the shoot, I'm trying to set it up for next Tuesday.  Wanna do a little charity/volunteer work to help make the world a better place?!?

Are you employed?

I started flipping through the new issue of PDN while feeding the boys their lunch (I work from home most days, so I watch the three babies on the non-nanny days), and I noticed a little news note about unemployment.  On page ten, in the bottom corner, they mention that unemployment for photographers has grown to six percent, bringing it more inline with national unemployment figures.  

Of course, this doesn't really take into account all the self-employed photogs that have taken a huge hit in business.  I bet many of us freelancers are having trouble making enough to pay bills at the moment (I've lucky worked on turning this sinking ship around and am now on the financial upswing - keep your fingers crossed that it continues).  When a couple publications close down or scale back their budgets, the freelancer losses probably aren't tallied by the Bureau for Labor Statistics.  They weren't technically fired, since they were never an employee.  

I bet the industry is hurting just a little more than those numbers can convey.  All the lost business for the self-employed equals a lot more people with trouble paying mortgages and car payments.

A different kind of photo shoot...

So, this week's issue of Quick features my cover photo of Jesse Jane.  She is an adult movie actress, apparently a very well-known adult movie actress.  It's the first time I've ever photographed anyone like her before.  The shoot was very wholesome and fully clothed, so don't go thinking I did something naughty here.  Anyway, it just goes to show that you can shoot some pretty interesting subjects from time to time...  

Life...

I have a friend who is working at the new Life website.  It's based off the old Life magazine that generations of Americans were used to reading.  Right now they have a great set of never-before-seen pictures from the day MLK was assassinated.  You should check it out.

go to Life Online

Great kid pics!!!

I ran across this article, originally from Professional Photographer Magazine, while I was cruising through the Mamiya blog:  

http://blog.mamiya.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/0309_KLAASMEYER_WEB.pdf 

There are some pretty nice portraits in there, well worth checking out... especially if you photograph children.  Speaking of kid photos, I should have the re-launch of my family and wedding website done soon.  Though I don't plan to do portraits and weddings full-time (rock and roll is still number one!), I will be taking limited engagements.  I have too many people ask me about it, so I thought an official website would be a good way to go.  I'll keep you posted.

Sharing some recent work...

I thought I'd give you a peek at a recent photo shoot I did.  I'm starting to do a lot more corporate work.  I'm still doing a ton of bands, but the corporate world gives me a chance to diversify a bit.  In case it isn't clear from the photos, he's a lawyer (and a real nice guy).  It's strange, because I've photographed more lawyers this year than I probably have my entire career... 

PDN, where are you?!?

It is a couple days into April, and I was starting to wonder if my current issue of PDN - the professional photographer's trade magazine - was on its way.  It normally arrives by the first of the month, and every extra day seems like an eternity.  

This month is the Wedding and Portrait issue.  It can be a nice read, and there's always some good wedding images to look through.  This year, they have a story on same-sex wedding ceremonies.  I haven't read it yet, but the tag line suggests that it is a growing market for photographers.

Blog publicity?!?

Is anyone familiar with different ways to get your blog noticed?  I've been tipped off to a few different things, including something at http://technorati.com 

Technorati Profile  

I'm not really sure how it is supposed to increase blog awareness, but I'm trying it out.  I suppose it can't hurt, right?!?

Pay for your news...

OK, so most of you are not photojournalists, like me.  So, this story may not be as important to your photography business.  If you shoot weddings or fine art, you might not care too much about the newspaper industry.  Well, I do, and this story is intriguing:  

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_cableshow_murdoch  

I feel fine paying for a printed copy of a newspaper, but I'm not so sure I'd pay for it online.  And that comes from someone who gets the majority of his income from newspaper and magazine shoots.  Also, this talk about a portable, electronic newspaper device sounds a little outdated to me.  

I'm just wondering how many people will want to carry yet another device with them?  I wish more options would exist for people to see my photos, but I'm just not feeling this one.  I'm no billionaire businessman like Rupert Murdoch, so maybe I'm wrong on this.  He seems to know a thing or two about success...

Professional help?

I'm not sure how helpful a company like this would be, but it sure is tempting to find out:  

http://agencyaccess.com  

They claim to help you connect with agency creatives and art buyers worldwide.  For a professional photographer looking to do more advertising, corporate and lifestyle shooting, this would be a big bonus.  However, a lot of companies can "claim" to boost business.  Often, they do deliver for a small percentage of their clients, but most are just throwing away their money.  

But, in a down economy, it becomes even more vital to get your name in front of everyone you can.  So, take the risk on throwing away your hard-earned money, or get ready for the art buyers to start knocking on your door?

Accessories...

There is an old saying that goes "the clothes make the man."  Well, if that's the case, the accessories make the woman.  Look at the two pictures and notice there are only two things obviously different.  

If you notice, for one, the subject has a more pleasing three quarter angle for her face.  The more straight-on face shot is not usually the best way to photograph someone for a portrait.  Now, I'm sure some people will point out this is a main reason why the second photograph looks more pleasing.  Well, this is one reason, but not the ONLY reason.  

Without the other main difference - accessories - the second image would still feel a little flat.  Thanks to a headband, bracelet and necklace, the second shot feels a bit more lively and fun.  As you can see, it doesn't take much effort to make a difference.  

So, consider accessorizing on your next shoot.  It may help give that little extra energy you were looking for.  And if you are terrible at accessorizing, consider hiring a professional stylist.  Junior stylists or stylists in training can be found for a reasonable price and are much better than no stylist at all.  They will handle any wardrobe issues, accessories, and minor hair/make-up adjustments.  

I was asked to participate in a mortgage and real estate blog by a friend.  Why, you may ask?  Does Jason know anything about real estate??  Does Jason even have a clue about the mortgage industry???  Well, click the link and you'll understand...

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1001736/

Judging by the comments that real estate agents and mortgage industry people are leaving, they found the info pretty useful.  My guess is that most of them never put any thought into photography as a major selling tool.  

Speaking of the mortgage industry, if you ever have any home ownership questions, you should hit up John Jones.  And check out his website on consumer credit, too.  He knows a thing or two about that subject...

Fake Contests...

In case you didn't know, there are a LOT more photo-related contests out there that aren't 100% legit.  I'm not saying they are a real, illegal scam.  I am saying there are several contests that are worried more about making lots of money than actually holding a contest.  If the photos are ever second or third on the list of priorities, that is NOT a good sign.  A photo competition should be about photos, first and foremost!  

One contest that I've felt was not on the up and up is the Photographer's Forum contest.  They also have/had a College level contest and I think a couple others.  Here's a link to it:  

http://pfmagazine.com/IPA/Contest.aspx 

Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't attempt to enter.  I'm just saying that in my past experience with them, I've never seen anything that I felt comfortable with.  You can be your own judge and jury if you'd like.  

DSVC...

I think I'll be attending this event on Friday:  

Link to www.dsvc.org/events/  

Maybe you should, too?