Photography Makes me Happy
This picture makes me happy. I’ve come to realize that photography makes me really happy. I wonder if I could get a paying gig ever for taking photographs? Casual headshots. Conference photography. Band photos. Hmmm….something really. Hell I think I’d do it at a conference if I got free admission and transportation costs. Just for the experience and because I’d have a blast doing it.
Something to think about. I seem to be thinking about a lot of things lately.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pm |
Please let me add you are awfully good at it too. As much as I adore my new headshot, the picture above is my absolute favorite from that night. And yes, I would pay for prints of both.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:52 pm |
hmmm… sounds like that creative muse won’t let you go! Pay attention to it!!! It will give you wings. You will live longer. You will be happier!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:26 pm |
You took some great photos at the tweet up..I was in awe to be sure!
July 26th, 2007 at 3:18 pm |
Hey, did you shoot this in b/w mode or did you take it in color and strip it down in photoshop?
July 26th, 2007 at 4:58 pm |
I’ll be the voice of caution.
Think long and hard about taking something you enjoy as a hobby and making it how you earn a living. It’s a lot, lot harder than it seems, especially in the cut-throat world of photography.
Whilst it seems tempting to do stuff for ‘expenses and experience’, it’s a very slippery slope. You do it once and people will expect it. All to often you hear “but you did if for free last time” usually followed by “that’s okay, the caterer’s son has said he’ll do them for us for free”. Digital cameras have brought a lot more people into photography, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially for the working photographer.
My advice? Keep doing what your doing, continue to enjoy taking photographs and use it as a release from the stress of your work life and if someone wants to buy one of your pictures, take them to the cleaners
But I’m guessing I’m not saying anything you don’t already know.
And yes, you are a damn fine photographer!
- Neil.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:57 pm |
Neil - VERY good points. I’m not ever thinking of doing photography full time. No way. I love it as a hobby but it would be cool to get paid for it once or twice I think. I think that would be a rush.
Thanks for all the compliments. John, I did strip out the color in photoshop. I hated the lighting of the night and wanted a consistent look so I went black and white.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:56 am |
One thing to consider is putting some images forward to a stock library or two. Also stick something on your Flickr profile that says you are happy to sell prints and make images available for commercial purposes.
Only thing then to consider is how releasing you photos under Creative Commons affects things.
This is a regular topic of conversation in the Ford house as my wife, Natalie, is looking at selling greetings cards of some of her images, as well as looking in to stock libraries.
- Neil.
July 29th, 2007 at 8:08 pm |
I use to do photography all the time (got a degree in it and everything) and because I used to do it all the time as a wedding photographer, I never wanted to shoot for the art of it. But, because of you, others and this thing called social media, I’ve sold my old wedding camera equipment and bought a brand new Nikon D40 for shooting for art sake.
Your photography has been an inspiration and the reason I wanted to shoot for ME again. So keep up the great work. I look forward to it.