inspiration

Slow time

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Well, it's almost Christmas, and that usually means things are slowing down in commercial photography for at least a little bit. I wanted to take a second to talk about some things that can help during the slow times and how to stay busy.

Most photographers go through ebbs and flows of work, and I would say it's more about how you handle the ebbs then the flow. Not only that, but it's important to remember that after a really busy period you will probably have at least a few days without work. Here are some thoughts on how to handle it and some things to remember.

1.  It's not a vacation. Yes you should take vacation sometimes, but it should be something you schedule not something that happens to you. My first thought is to treat photography just like any other job, you go every day no matter what. Most bosses would agree that there is ALWAYS something to do if you look, and you are your own boss, so you can figure it out.

2. Start making contacts. PICK UP THE PHONE. When was the last time you called someone and set up a meeting? Our industry is a very large one, full of really cool people that can help you in your journey.  Do some research, find some new people to meet, and get out there! A few good places to look would be Linked In and Agency Access. I am sure there are more, but that's what I use the most.

3. Take a creative day. This is very different from a vacation. My last creative day consisted of me sitting in a coffee shop looking at websites and re-writing my business plan and direction. I'll also walk around department stores and look at images to get inspiration or go walk around the city. Do what inspires you, and do something different than you do every day, this is a day to break the mold and step outside.

4. Personal Projects. I have so many personal project ideas that I can't actually keep up, which is great because that means we are really busy! But as soon as I see a lull in the schedule I book a personal project, this will help keep you sharp and growing as a photographer. Over the holidays my team and I are shooting over 10 personal projects and I am completely revamping the web page. We work on new lighting, find new subjects and make new contacts, all at the same time! If you are lacking inspiration then look at what other photographers are doing and try to copy it, I guarantee it won't look the same and you will learn something in the process.

5. LEARN! Photography is always evolving, and you should be too. There are incredible, not to mention free, resources out there now that can help you grow exponentially. Even just watching short videos that show behind the scenes lighting can be so helpful.

To finish this blog I am going to post some videos that I have found really helpful so you can watch them and maybe be inspired by them as well. As a side note, if you enjoy stuff like this I tend to post the videos I find on Twitter, so follow me there if you're interested :)

This is just a few to get your juices flowing...go out and find more, would love to see them! Until next time...be awesome!

Never. Stop. Creating.

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There is something that keeps coming up among the creatives that I have around me, and I thought it was worth sharing with the 3 people that read this blog (not counting my mom).

The idea is this: don't stop creating work and new imagery (video, illustration, etc), even if no one is paying you. I know what you're thinking, make stuff for free?! Blaspheme! But I think you'd be surprised how much free work top tier photographers do, both for themselves and in collaboration with other artists. But why? What's the logic? It's simple, when you aren't getting paid and there is no client you create things that you WANT to create. There is no one telling you to change the lighting, to move this person or that, it's just you and your vision. I have found that is when the most dynamic work comes out, when it's for you. 

Recently I did a personal project I call "Tired people drinking coffee". It was probably the most fun I have had in the studio for quite sometime. What was different from my normal routine? I didn't make them composites, I focused on grass roots lighting and fun photoshop techniques. What inspired me do it? Two things, we just had our second baby, so I am exhausted, and I love coffee...especially after the second baby :) It was designed to be fun and that is exactly what it was. Funniest part about it is that the series has received more recognition than most of the commercial work I have been doing...ironic isn't it?

I will leave you with this idea: How do you ever expect to get the clients you want if you only make work for other people? Create a portfolio you love, work with people that inspire you, and most importantly...be awesome.

Why Landscapes are important.

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I wanted to take a moment to talk about Landscape photography, which you will notice is not in my portfolio...sort of. I think one of the things you need in photography is an outlet, something you like to do that you may not end up making money off of, something that has no clients and no rules, that you do just for you. In my case that's Landscape Photography. When I go out to shoot landscapes I get to do whatever I want, and I don't have to think about what other people will want out of the photo I am taking. Sometimes people like them, and that's great, but that's not the point.

There is one more benefit to Landscape Photography that I wanted to mention for all of you photographers out there who want to do composite imagery...having landscapes in your library is VERY helpful! A lot of the time I don't actually need to go anywhere to shoot a background for an image, I already have it sitting on my computer.

Below are some examples of my landscapes...I highly recommend finding something you love to do that doesn't have anything to do with clients or work and implement it into your work flow. Until next time, be awesome!