I was commenting on another blog the other night over at Strictly Business. The blog was mainly about professionalism, but the comments turned to clients looking for free photos. I ran some example numbers and came up with an example that if I were to follow through on giving away free photos at my job, at year end I'd have given away approximately $25,000 worth of photography. Then I factored in that there are three other full time photographers at my job. Between the four of us, we could potentially give away $100,000 of free photography.
I'm sure there are large companies like Coca-Cola who can afford to give away $100,000 worth of free product or services, but I'm pretty sure my bosses would be pretty mad at us if we started doing that. As for myself and my freelance photography, I wouldn't even be able to make a living giving away that much free photography.
As a side note, I've previously written three other blogs about free photos:
[Free Photos Pt. 3]
[Free Photos Pt. 2]
[Free Photos Pt. 1]
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Manhattan Bridge in the clouds
Here are a couple of quick photos from the end of 2009. I was driving back to the city one day from work and there were these amazing dark clouds. I tried to get a few different angles and crops. Thank god for auto focus! I basically just pointed and shot while keeping my eyes still on the road.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A philosphical look at the last decade
Since we are still in the very beginning of the new decade, now is the perfect time to reflect on the past decade and what it has meant to me, my photography and my career.
My real pursuit of life as a photographer probably didn't begin until about 2001 when I transfered into Boston University's College of Communication to study photojournalism. By the summer after my first year I was already out and looking for my first "job" as a photographer. I didn't want to do an internship. I wanted to be paid. After getting over the fear of showing off my still very amateur portfolio, I went out and spoke to my local newspaper as well as the local wedding photographer. Fortunately, I was able to get paid work from both of them. The newspaper hired me to write a couple of stories and take some pictures as well. The wedding photographer took me under his wing and showed me some of the business aspects of photography as well as lighting and posing techniques. It was a great summer!
Eventually, after many photography classes, I finally built up a much stronger portfolio. I still didn't really feel 100% prepared for the real world upon graduation, but it was time for me to start learning on my own!
After graduation - and a little procrastination - I started freelancing for Community Newspaper Company. A few months there after, I was offered a part time position. That was a huge accomplishment for me. Even better though was when a few months later that position turned into my first full time job!
I worked there for a few years, growing more and more dissatisfied with the quality of work and assignments that come with the territory in the world of community journalism. I knew it was time for me to start to branch out and grow. I started plotting a move to New York. As luck would have it, I was laid off six months prior to the date I had set in my head to make the move. That meant, I would be getting unemployment and would have some form of income (however measly it was) while I looked for work in the big city.
I consider myself to be extremely lucky to be a photographer and I was extremely lucky again when I landed my second full time photography job. I now work for one of the greatest companies I could imagine working for photographing a lot of architecture and construction around the five boroughs of New York.
I still try to supplement my income with some freelance photography jobs. Aside from the extra money, it also keeps my skills sharp because I never know what a client may want. It challenges me to continue pushing creatively. The other great thing is it is a diversion from the routine of daily work mode, because again, I never know what a client may want.
When I started in photography, everything was done on film. I've seen the industry change both for the better and for the worse as it has transitioned to digital. I have to admit, I do not miss shooting film. Digital for me is so much faster, easier, and more rewarding. It's more rewarding because it has helped me to learn much faster. If I were still shooting film, I may still be struggling to learn lighting and other techniques vital to survival as a photographer. Another great thing is that digital allows me to carry a mini portfolio in my pocket at all times! I've uploaded my portfolio to my BlackBerry Storm and can show it to anyone, anywhere, anytime!
This has been a decade of immense growth for me - as a photographer, as a professional, as a business owner, and more. My work has progressed so much over the past year alone. My lighting skills have grown exponentially. I can only hope to continue on this upward path over the next decade. But with my passion and desire to become the best photographer I can be, I have no doubt about that happening.
My real pursuit of life as a photographer probably didn't begin until about 2001 when I transfered into Boston University's College of Communication to study photojournalism. By the summer after my first year I was already out and looking for my first "job" as a photographer. I didn't want to do an internship. I wanted to be paid. After getting over the fear of showing off my still very amateur portfolio, I went out and spoke to my local newspaper as well as the local wedding photographer. Fortunately, I was able to get paid work from both of them. The newspaper hired me to write a couple of stories and take some pictures as well. The wedding photographer took me under his wing and showed me some of the business aspects of photography as well as lighting and posing techniques. It was a great summer!
Eventually, after many photography classes, I finally built up a much stronger portfolio. I still didn't really feel 100% prepared for the real world upon graduation, but it was time for me to start learning on my own!
After graduation - and a little procrastination - I started freelancing for Community Newspaper Company. A few months there after, I was offered a part time position. That was a huge accomplishment for me. Even better though was when a few months later that position turned into my first full time job!
I worked there for a few years, growing more and more dissatisfied with the quality of work and assignments that come with the territory in the world of community journalism. I knew it was time for me to start to branch out and grow. I started plotting a move to New York. As luck would have it, I was laid off six months prior to the date I had set in my head to make the move. That meant, I would be getting unemployment and would have some form of income (however measly it was) while I looked for work in the big city.
I consider myself to be extremely lucky to be a photographer and I was extremely lucky again when I landed my second full time photography job. I now work for one of the greatest companies I could imagine working for photographing a lot of architecture and construction around the five boroughs of New York.
I still try to supplement my income with some freelance photography jobs. Aside from the extra money, it also keeps my skills sharp because I never know what a client may want. It challenges me to continue pushing creatively. The other great thing is it is a diversion from the routine of daily work mode, because again, I never know what a client may want.
When I started in photography, everything was done on film. I've seen the industry change both for the better and for the worse as it has transitioned to digital. I have to admit, I do not miss shooting film. Digital for me is so much faster, easier, and more rewarding. It's more rewarding because it has helped me to learn much faster. If I were still shooting film, I may still be struggling to learn lighting and other techniques vital to survival as a photographer. Another great thing is that digital allows me to carry a mini portfolio in my pocket at all times! I've uploaded my portfolio to my BlackBerry Storm and can show it to anyone, anywhere, anytime!
This has been a decade of immense growth for me - as a photographer, as a professional, as a business owner, and more. My work has progressed so much over the past year alone. My lighting skills have grown exponentially. I can only hope to continue on this upward path over the next decade. But with my passion and desire to become the best photographer I can be, I have no doubt about that happening.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A good start to a new decade!
So 2010 just started barely over a week ago and I'm hoping that these first few days will be indicative of the rest of the year (or better yet - decade, but that may be asking for too much).
So what has happened so far. Well, first I've gotten quite a few e-mails lately about some of my work. Many of them with kind words of appreciation. Here's a short on
"Hi Shawn,
The pictures just arrived. They are fantastic!
Thanks so very much"
And a portion of another one from a friend whose cat recently had to go to the vet because he was really sick:
"I have to tell you - i just love that pic you took of [our cat] in [my girlfriend's] arms that she has as her profile pic. He has been such a needy little thing since he's been home but it really makes you appreciate what you have when it's almost gone."
I removed the names to keep their privacy.
I've also had some print sales recently, which is great! Those orders can really add up and help me to grow my business.
Then another e-mail came through from a friend asking me to do some head shots. We have yet to set up the date for that, but I'm excited to do something a little different from my usual.
Finally there's one project hanging over from last year. I was on the subway and ran into a former supermodel who is starting a line of hand bags. She's been in touch with me to photograph the bags so they can be sold online as well as shooting an advertising campaign. Hopefully I'll have something to show from that soon!
And to go with the new year, finally we have some new gear! I ordered a MacBook Pro 15" with the anti glare screen (better for photo editing). I can't wait for the increased productivity and time saved from the faster machine. My old computer is about 6 1/2 years at this point and has served me well, but it was definitely time for an upgrade! With all these new projects and print sales, the computer will certainly have paid for itself.
So what has happened so far. Well, first I've gotten quite a few e-mails lately about some of my work. Many of them with kind words of appreciation. Here's a short on
"Hi Shawn,
The pictures just arrived. They are fantastic!
Thanks so very much"
And a portion of another one from a friend whose cat recently had to go to the vet because he was really sick:
"I have to tell you - i just love that pic you took of [our cat] in [my girlfriend's] arms that she has as her profile pic. He has been such a needy little thing since he's been home but it really makes you appreciate what you have when it's almost gone."
I removed the names to keep their privacy.
I've also had some print sales recently, which is great! Those orders can really add up and help me to grow my business.
Then another e-mail came through from a friend asking me to do some head shots. We have yet to set up the date for that, but I'm excited to do something a little different from my usual.
Finally there's one project hanging over from last year. I was on the subway and ran into a former supermodel who is starting a line of hand bags. She's been in touch with me to photograph the bags so they can be sold online as well as shooting an advertising campaign. Hopefully I'll have something to show from that soon!
And to go with the new year, finally we have some new gear! I ordered a MacBook Pro 15" with the anti glare screen (better for photo editing). I can't wait for the increased productivity and time saved from the faster machine. My old computer is about 6 1/2 years at this point and has served me well, but it was definitely time for an upgrade! With all these new projects and print sales, the computer will certainly have paid for itself.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Story of Mr. Rigsby
As you can imagine the run up to Christmas has been pretty busy, but I finally had some time to sit down and go through the photos of our new dog, Rigsby. So here's a little bit more about him to go with the photos.
My girlfriend and I went out to finish our Christmas shopping two weekends ago. She had been begging that we get a dog for about 2 years now. She would browse the online adoption sites and send me multiple e-mails with links to the dogs she was in love with that day. Also, our local Petco does an adoption day every Sunday, so I got dragged over there quite a few times to see if there were any dogs that might be a good fit for us. It's probably my fault because I brought it up to her, saying, "Hey, do you want to go see the dogs at Petco?"
As luck would have it, this guy was there.
When we first met him, we were told his name was Orlando. Aside from the fact that we didn't really like that name, it seemed like such a big name for such a little dog. We asked about him, what his back story was, how he seemed to be at home, etc.
Rigsby had been found tied to the door at Baystreet Animal Hospital. Someone just abandoned him there. There was no note. We're not positive of who even gave him the name Orlando. It could have been found on a dog tag, or the vets could have named him that. They told us that they believe Rigsby is about a year old.
You may wonder what type of dog he is. He is mainly a papillon. We also believe he is part chihuahhua. We're not sure what else he may be. If you've never heard of a papillon, it means "butterfly" in French. This is because if you look at the back of their head, the ears and the fur below them look like the wings of a butterfly. A lot of people comment on how he looks like a fox. My girlfriend was even walking him by a school the other day and she said the kids started saying "Look a fox!"
He is quite cute, but don't be deceived. He can be a bit aggressive, defensive and possesive of his toys. He's bit both Honor and I a few times. Sometimes it was our fault, other times he just gets nippy. We are working to get those issues solved. Hopefully with a lot of love and a little training, we can work through his issues. Tomorrow a trainer is stopping by for a bit before we go away for the holidays to monitor his behavior and make some recommendations.
So here are some of my favorite photos from the other night when I did a quick photo shoot with him. Enjoy!
My girlfriend and I went out to finish our Christmas shopping two weekends ago. She had been begging that we get a dog for about 2 years now. She would browse the online adoption sites and send me multiple e-mails with links to the dogs she was in love with that day. Also, our local Petco does an adoption day every Sunday, so I got dragged over there quite a few times to see if there were any dogs that might be a good fit for us. It's probably my fault because I brought it up to her, saying, "Hey, do you want to go see the dogs at Petco?"
As luck would have it, this guy was there.
When we first met him, we were told his name was Orlando. Aside from the fact that we didn't really like that name, it seemed like such a big name for such a little dog. We asked about him, what his back story was, how he seemed to be at home, etc.
Rigsby had been found tied to the door at Baystreet Animal Hospital. Someone just abandoned him there. There was no note. We're not positive of who even gave him the name Orlando. It could have been found on a dog tag, or the vets could have named him that. They told us that they believe Rigsby is about a year old.
You may wonder what type of dog he is. He is mainly a papillon. We also believe he is part chihuahhua. We're not sure what else he may be. If you've never heard of a papillon, it means "butterfly" in French. This is because if you look at the back of their head, the ears and the fur below them look like the wings of a butterfly. A lot of people comment on how he looks like a fox. My girlfriend was even walking him by a school the other day and she said the kids started saying "Look a fox!"
He is quite cute, but don't be deceived. He can be a bit aggressive, defensive and possesive of his toys. He's bit both Honor and I a few times. Sometimes it was our fault, other times he just gets nippy. We are working to get those issues solved. Hopefully with a lot of love and a little training, we can work through his issues. Tomorrow a trainer is stopping by for a bit before we go away for the holidays to monitor his behavior and make some recommendations.
So here are some of my favorite photos from the other night when I did a quick photo shoot with him. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
