I have done a lot of aerials for clients the last several years. But as clients tightened their budgets the number of aerial assignments drastically decreased. As an alternative we invested in a DJI Phantom Vision + and are in the early stages of testing. They are several potential issue ranging from the paranoid uninformed public, insurance and future FAA regulations. The plus side is being able to achieve lower level views than from a $650 per hour helicopter, work within tighter budgets and product creative imagery. The times are changing but change can be fun.
I just spent a week and a half on vacation. While in New Orleans I spent some quality time with former co-worker and now fellow blogger Ray Laskowitz. He shared with us a lot of the history of New Orleans and his Katrina experience. If you like New Orleans or are interested in the devastation from Katrina check out his blog.
I have a phobia of losing clients by going on vacation. So I try and be the good communicator and notify my clients of upcoming trips and vacations so they don’t (hopefully) schedule or plan anything during that time frame. This way clients know and I have a few days to pack or relax before heading to the airport.
WRONG…. I don’t know if it’s the law of attraction but 90% of the time I end up shooting during the week and finishing the post production just before the early morning trip to the airport. I end up catching up on my sleep on the flight to our destination.
The last time I failed to send out my obligatory email was when my father died and I flew back to Kansas. My primary client at the time called me the day of the funeral and asked if I could do a major rebranding shoot in two days. No, I replied my father just passed away, can we reschedule the shoot for a week later. No they replied. That week I lost two very important parts of my life. One can’t be replaced.
btw, I’m going on vacation next Sat. and I sent “the email”. I’m shooting for four days, doing one day of post production and then off to New Orleans. I hope your thoughts of vacation are as productive.
“Get yourself in the picture. Nothing is worse than a vacation with no shots of the family photographer. Get in the picture by using a tripod (or a steady surface such as a wall or a car hood) and the camera’s self-timer to make sure you’re included in the family memories.”
I have been a member of ASMP ever since I opened my own photography business. It gave me a sense of community, I belonged. When you have your own business, it is you against the world. Whether you survive or prosper is up to you and only you. But does it need to be that way? When you belong to a group you immediately improve your chance to be successful. Groups like ASMP or APA have education, business and advocacy programs.
Meet people that share a common link. Network and you might find new opportunities at the least you will meet people you can talk ideas or point you in a right direction.
Asmp has over 7,000 members and growing. As our industry has evolved, so has Asmp. The local chapter has a wide range of programming. I know, I’m the new Program Chair along with Matt Janecek. Come take a look. Our next meeting is at San Diego City College and features internationally renown photographer Vincent Versace.
If you like what you see then join us, and “Belong”.
We have migrated the blog over to a new location. We will probably change the theme again to be more in line with our old one soon. The blogging will continue though. Thanks for visiting, tell your friends and please come back.
This portrait of “Monty” was one promotion he used to raise funds for the CAF. (We did a trade, the shoot was not a freebie.)
I used to have the contract for San Diego State Athletics. I provided all the photography for them including game coverage. Being a state university the contract was on a bid basis. Although I was awarded the contract I was told by the then SID (sports information director) it would be in my best interest to find a working relationship with the previous photographer. After a couple strenuous, stressful years in that arrangement I finally had my golden parachute. The San Diego Padres were looking for a change. My new partner, former SI photographer Andy Hayt and myself were chosen to run their new photo operation. For six years it was a well run operation. We were well paid, made strong imagery and operated with sound business principals. Our images had value to our client.
Often I’m told by younger, inexperienced photographers that they are working for free in exchange for the exposure. How is exposure going to pay your rent, to pay for your cameras and computers? Listen hard, this practice has been going on for a long time. Ask yourself if the people asking for free imagery are working for free? I don’t think so. Their skills have value and they get paid for it. If you have the skills, your work has value. Get paid. You can only work for free so long before your credit card payment for the camera you bought is due.
Btw, another talented photographer later temporarily got the SDSU contract. The other photographer I had worked with previously went back and offered to work for free as a volunteer. He didn’t offer to work with their current paid photographer, his approach was to replace him. They jumped at the free offer and my friend lost out. He lost income and State is accepting a lesser quality product. Don’t condone photographers that lowball, that work for free, even if they are “giving back to the university”. They diminish the value of our work and create one more potential client that views photography as a low priced commodity. These are not your friends.
“IF YOU LOSE A POTENTIAL JOB, HOPE IT’S BECAUSE THEY PREFERRED THEIR WORK OVER YOURS, NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE CHEAPER”
My work is featured at: www.zwink.com and www.bigstudioz.com
Portrait of Ken Caminiti. Concept was to show his toughness and grit.
I used to be a sports photographer. Then reality set in….. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I grew up in a small Kansas farm town, Macksville, and I loved sports. I don’t ever remember sports not being a part of my life. My two oldest brothers excelled in whatever they did. My next oldest brother Mark was a pretty good pitcher, my sister, Debbie, was just as talented as my older siblings and my youngest brother was probably the best of us all. The only problem was he was ten years younger than me. I only learned his exploits from Mark’s writings in the local newspaper. But what about me? I was short changed in the talent department. As hard as I worked and studied sports, the reality was I didn’t “have” it. But boy it sure took me a long time to accept it.
I played on the high school team and then was the backup place kicker on the Mesa College football team. Looking back I think it was only because Coach Smorin didn’t cut those that wanted to be there. I wanted it bad. So I stayed. During the offseason I was in the first car accident of my life and as a result had to quit playing. That was one of the best events that ever happened.
During the offseason I had gotten married and my sister-in-law, Carole had loaned me her 35mm Yashica to play with. I was quickly hooked and soon photographing sports for the school paper at Mesa College which allow me to stay in touch with my team mates. An obsession to learn followed and within four years I was working in the newspaper realm, covering news and the sports I loved.
After eight years as a staff photographer at the San Diego Union Tribune I started my own business and became immersed in the sports photography profession. I worked for the wire services, trading card companies, San Diego State University and then got my dream job. Along with a former Sports Illustrated photographer we started an in-house full service photography department for the owner of the San Diego Padres. It was a sports photographer’s ideal job. We were on the inside documenting the team and the franchise, the players and the owners. We were given access that few photographer ever are given.
During the six year stint we lived a great life. I photographed hundreds of games and saw a rare insight into what some people call the Greatest Game. The Padres had a good team and even better marketing. Their quest to expand their brand took us to Mexico several times, once to play the Mets, to Hawaii to play the St. Louis Cardinals and then the winning began. We went to the playoff and then the World Series. I saw Tony Gwynn at his prime, I saw him injured and I saw him retire. On his final game he personally gave me an autographed bat which I have to this day.
But times change. Due to internal politics I was not renewed. And to add insult to injury I was replaced by the mailroom clerk…. the timing was terrible. They waited until ten days prior to spring training which precluded me from working with another company.
Losing that contract was the best event that happened. I’m now an architectural photographer. I miss sports but I love my new challenge. But that’s another story. Check out my website, www.zwink.com
About the photo: This was a portrait of Ken Caminiti done for the Padres Magazine. Camy was one of the most intense, dedicated hard working people I ever met. He loved baseball. Padre fans loved him.
This past year was a big one for me. I’ve made a concerted effort to improve my work and to understand the market and potential competition. What I’ve learned are there are some extremely talented artists in this speciality. I’ve been very fortunate to talk with several photographers and as a result have expanded myknowledge and passion for my photography. Jeffrey Jacobs, http://www.jeffreyjacobsphoto.com, has become a mentor to me, tirelessly talking sharing his views about the profession, art and business we share.
Recently at a workshop he looked at my work and was very honest. All he said
was “slow down, shoot less and shoot better.” I have, and I am improving. May
you all either have or find the right person that can tell you to slow down.
I’m no expert but it appears the economy is improving. The first two months of 2014 were the busiest I’ve ever had. I know it’s a small sample to base the year on but other photographers have told me they’re off to a good start also. If photographers are working, businesses are marketing and looking to growth. That’s what we do, we help our client market, sell and grow their business.
I spent a lot of the month on the road. Several trips to Orange County surrounded a couple San Diego projects and then I went to the Bay Area for a couple shoots up there. After a quick respite back home and starting a new local project, I went to Alaska for a quick shoot. I know, why send a San Diego photographer there, it’s because my client trusts me to get what they need. Maybe an idea for a future blog.
Well I need to wrap this up. I have another couple projects in Orange County and LA this week. I hope everyone else is busy.
About my image gallery: All images shot with my iPhone while traveling. Post was in Snapseed.
