I guess my last posting here was pretty depressing. I have been talking to many friends about their experiences as freelance photographers and at least I now know I'm not alone. I have seen huge changes in my career already. I started shooting and hand processing b&w, graduated to color slide film, then went on to neg. color (yuck), and then learned to transmit with a $16,000, 40 lb. metal briefcase (double yuck). After that it was Photoshop 2.0 which I was certain I'd never learn..., until I tried it...
Then suddenly digital came about. At first I only used it for fast turnaround on bad PR assignments.
And then came the 1D, which changed everything...
Now I'm shooting more video than stills and spending more on LED's and HMI's than strobes. I no longer own a flash-meter or Polaroid back... in fact, Polaroid is out of business and Minolta sold off their meters to some other outfit even though they still look the same.
Maybe the most ironic thing is that after such a longstanding, exciting, and storied career, I'm now preparing to make my next leap into studio portrait photography, which is what I swore I'd never do when I started. LOL!
So, for those of you that were worried about me from my last post, worry not. I'm just fine. I just need new clients that pay for what I produce and I need to dump the ones that take advantage of me and my unique and unusual skill set. 2011 is a new dawn and I still LOVE to make images that are beautiful and matter to people. I'm not done yet, in fact, this was just the mid-term. While I may not have a lot of money in my pocket, I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams in the currency of the love of family & friends, and I have the sure satisfaction of knowing that I'm mostly operating within God's will for my life.
This economy won't last forever, and people can tell the difference between my work and posers who only want to live my life without paying the dues so many of us have. My gift is longevity, consistency, and the most hardcore work ethic. I'm a really fine photographer, and I'm looking for some new clients that will collaborate with me and produce projects that we can all be proud of, lacking in nothing.
Though a little overweight and with occasional back pain, I am Spartacus! Hear me ROAR!!!
1 comments:
Well said Pat! Times are tough all around but you are one old dog that can learn the new tricks better than all those young pups! As one of my mentors, I have always looked to you for inspiration, guidance, and criticism. Believe me, there are clients who can see the difference between the quality work that you produce day in and day out and that of all the "wanna be's" playing with levels. Show them the light and keep up the good work!
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