I don't want to do this forever. That was stated in previous blogs (are they posted or just drafts?!)
The last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about what kind of photography I want to do. It's not that I don't like photography by all means, I would much rather do photography and edit photos than to go to a retail job anytime! - I am definitely looking into a lot of changes....big changes....such as not actively looking to get clients unless they come to me (and yes, that includes possible deletion of my facebook page.) I have a vision of how I want to do photography.
Why? This is because I simply want to practice - a lot - and get better at many things and learn things I don't know how to do and whatnot. Which obviously comes with experience but also, from learning and taking courses. I am definitely going to be actively looking into getting into some kind of training or ways of getting better and PRACTICING. So be prepared for a lot of free shoots?
I also think I need to specialize in something. Everyone who starts out, I find, takes all the clients they can get....there are so many photographers who specialize in everything (which is a good thing because everyone needs to find out what the prefer) but I really want to focus on one thing (eventually that will be just destination/travel/around the world) but for right now, I am thinking more on the couples/singles/boudoir and other adult shoots.
This is probably because I don't have kids so I am not really very good at "controlling" them, getting them to pose, relaxing them or making them feel comfortable. I have never really been around them in my life so that is understandable and its not that I don't want to learn, its that I find photography much more fun when it's a single or couple. I am sure former clients can tell my inexperience with kids (not in a bad way).
I will definitely be taking special requests and possibly be doing kids and families and newborns and whatnot upon hire....but again, I am going to be looking for a more model base right now....so let me know if you're interested!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Charity: Who is it really about & who should YOU donate to?
I don't know how to start a blog like this. Do I start off by introducing myself, what I do, what I have done in the past, why I started this business? I don't think any of that is relevant to anything I am going to say throughout this post.
This blog post is about charity. Those who know my business know I have always given to charities throughout the year (on a month to month basis) donating 25% of what I make at photography to charity. Its something that has always been important to me - through good and bad - if there is or is not a major event that happens in Japan or Haiti or anywhere around the world. Charity always has been and always will be important 24/7 365 because SOMEONE always needs help in some way. Even if you cannot help them personally you would be shocked at how much $1 can do for a life.
I am always amazed at how quick the world responds to natural disasters! People giving as much as they can, it makes me so proud to be part of the world. What I don't get is....why does it stop?
"How come when the media stops covering and there’s a little help from the government we forget about the people still struggling and assume that its really all love again, see we don’t have to wait for things to break apart if you weren’t involved before it’s never too late to start." -Young Artists' for Haiti
Why do we forget? Why do we stop giving? I work at a retail store and often have to ask people to donate to natural disaster relief and so often I get "I already did" like, honestly, there is a limit to how much you can donate. (Especially when someone spends $50 on something they don't really need, but can't donate even points, or even $1 to the cause but will get their Starbucks coffee the next day.)
Another thing I don't understand is why people donate. What is their motive? Are they doing it because "everyone else is" and they are followers? Are they doing it because they feel obligated to? Or are they doing it to get ahead themselves? Too often do I see people "playing god" when something happens so that they get more and more attention. But for the wrong reason. While everyone thinks they are giving attention to the cause, that person "in charge of it" becomes more and more popular and bringing more and more attention to one person instead of a community of people doing the same thing.
I STRONGLY encourage any reader of this blog to RESEARCH ANYONE you desire to give money or time to. Do their motives match yours? & Try to always donate to a bigger charity (such as a red cross or Salvation Army) with a great reputation with following through so you know that everything you donate (or a large portion) will go to relief efforts (or what you're donating to). Do not always trust people you think you know. If they seem to be trying to act like God, they probably are doing it for the wrong reason, let the big charities do that. I also encourage you to donate whenever you can, even if it's only $1! Also, do NOT get involved in charities that do not have complete understanding of what is happening. If they seem unorganized, and unsure, they probably are.
http://www.365act.com/
This blog post is about charity. Those who know my business know I have always given to charities throughout the year (on a month to month basis) donating 25% of what I make at photography to charity. Its something that has always been important to me - through good and bad - if there is or is not a major event that happens in Japan or Haiti or anywhere around the world. Charity always has been and always will be important 24/7 365 because SOMEONE always needs help in some way. Even if you cannot help them personally you would be shocked at how much $1 can do for a life.
I am always amazed at how quick the world responds to natural disasters! People giving as much as they can, it makes me so proud to be part of the world. What I don't get is....why does it stop?
"How come when the media stops covering and there’s a little help from the government we forget about the people still struggling and assume that its really all love again, see we don’t have to wait for things to break apart if you weren’t involved before it’s never too late to start." -Young Artists' for Haiti
Why do we forget? Why do we stop giving? I work at a retail store and often have to ask people to donate to natural disaster relief and so often I get "I already did" like, honestly, there is a limit to how much you can donate. (Especially when someone spends $50 on something they don't really need, but can't donate even points, or even $1 to the cause but will get their Starbucks coffee the next day.)
Another thing I don't understand is why people donate. What is their motive? Are they doing it because "everyone else is" and they are followers? Are they doing it because they feel obligated to? Or are they doing it to get ahead themselves? Too often do I see people "playing god" when something happens so that they get more and more attention. But for the wrong reason. While everyone thinks they are giving attention to the cause, that person "in charge of it" becomes more and more popular and bringing more and more attention to one person instead of a community of people doing the same thing.
I STRONGLY encourage any reader of this blog to RESEARCH ANYONE you desire to give money or time to. Do their motives match yours? & Try to always donate to a bigger charity (such as a red cross or Salvation Army) with a great reputation with following through so you know that everything you donate (or a large portion) will go to relief efforts (or what you're donating to). Do not always trust people you think you know. If they seem to be trying to act like God, they probably are doing it for the wrong reason, let the big charities do that. I also encourage you to donate whenever you can, even if it's only $1! Also, do NOT get involved in charities that do not have complete understanding of what is happening. If they seem unorganized, and unsure, they probably are.
WHAT $1 CAN DO:
- Feed a family living in the garbage dumps of Reynosa, Mexico a meal.
- Or, give an indigenous child living in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico a Christmas present.
- Or, print 4 studies that we give to Mexican pastors, or print and mail a study to a pastor who lives farther away.
- Or, copy a CD of a teaching, which will minister to a pastor.
- Or, print and mail a copy of "Life-Line for Pastors" to an American pastor who needs help and encouragement.
- Or, buy one minute of air time on Mexican radio.
- Or, allow us to visit a Mexican pastor to encourage him and pray for his family.
- Or, keep our web site, which is ministering to thousands of people per month, on the Internet for two days.
- Or, provide materials for Vacation Bible School for a Mexican child.
- Or, put 100 tracts in the hands of a Mexican pastor.
http://www.365act.com/
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