Quoted for truth…

Show your money maker!

Every visual artist with a portfolio has one piece that makes up a client’s mind as to whether or not to book them.

Their entire portfolio may be exceptional…but there will always be that one image, clip, or layout that strikes a cord with the audience.

But how do you know which pieces are “the ones”?
I can tell you that from experience… my most “successful” images have been the ones that I did because I felt them. I felt so strongly about the images, either while shooting or editing, that I just knew that I had made something I was proud of.

My portfolio is a collection of images that I like. Of course I’m careful about what I show, but ultimately if I don’t like it, I’m not going to show it.
But am I limiting my potential work?
Maybe…
However…what I’m showing is me.

I can spend hours shooting, editing, and retouching images, in hopes that a particular client or magazine will love them and want use them.
But what if they don’t?
If it wasn’t something I had my heart in…what is the value of that work now that no one else likes?

I used to worry about shooting for other people…I loved hearing feedback (still do), but that’s what I was shooting for…Validation.
At the end of the day when the ticker tape parade stopped, and the excitement over the latest greatest shoot was over… I was still stuck with images I didn’t truly think represented me as a photographer or as an artist.

The point is…we can tweek our ideas, concepts, and art towards clients…but ultimately the client hires an artist for their unique perspective. I doubt most clients want some cookie cutter remake of something they’ve done before.

Produce work for you… and FIND the clients that want your work.

Of course bills and rent don’t always allow for this mentality…but at the end of the day, when it’s time to be creative and have fun doing what you love…

Why do it for someone other than yourself?

Open your doors and light some candles!

For the most part I consider my self a very independent photographer.
I rarely ask for favors or even have an assistant (most days).
I’ve learned to make due with what I have, and If I don’t have something I need I go and get it.

I think most of the shooters here in Atlanta are like that. And proud of it.
But on some level I think there is a sense of paranoia when it comes to helping a fellow shooter out.
Most shooters here in Atlanta tend to keep to themselves for some fear opening up will allow someone to take what they have.
Not stealing equipment, or food, but techniques and possibly clients.

For me this paranoia is one of the reasons why Atlanta isn’t progressive as far as its photography goes.

When I worked in New York, there was a sense of generosity…there were various communities of artists that not only competed with each other, but supported each other. If you were in need of a great stylists…your buddies would suggest one to you. Or If you wanted to work with a particular agency, they’d hook you up with a contact. People would invite you on set, just to hang out, not expecting anything more than your company and occasional opinion.

Back in the late 80′s early 90′s, there was a cluster of up and coming photographers, stylists, and makeup artists in England that all knew each other via assisting and various connections in the business. Most were just doing their own thing, having fun, and shooting what ever motivated them.
They would run into each other in the photo labs while developing their boss’s film. They’d shoot the shit about what they were working on and critique each others work. They’d suggest their friends for shoots, and gladly open up their shooting spaces and locations to help out a fellow shooter.
This group made up of all different styles of visual artist, went on to influence one of the largest movements in fashion (that is still prevalent today).

With each other’s help they were able to break into the American market, and take the world by storm, even discovering who is arguably the greatest model ever. They pushed each other’s work, not only competitively, but gave support when it was needed. To them it was about the art…not the individual.

Who was in this group?
Nick Knight, Rankin, Edward Enninful, Corrinne Day, Pat McGrath, Craig McDean, Juergen Teller, and David Sims, just to name a few.

So next time a fellow shooter asks for a hand…remember that you may be in their situation on day.
If you feel jealousy towards another photographer for using your technique, shooting your Muse, or working with your favorite makeup artist just know that: “You can light many candles with one flame without shortening the life of your own.” -Buddha

We are all a part of the same community. If we keep cutting each others legs out just to get a buck, we (as a group of artists) can’t move past our own borders.

By the way…if you hadn’t guessed, the model was Kate Moss.

First shoot by Corinne Day

I’m fat…and happy…are you? [rant]

I make deprecating fat jokes all the time about myself. People invariably give me the same reaction…”Aww you’re not fat…your perfect the way you are”.

Thanks!… But I’m fat…

The statement, “no you are perfect” tells me that that person is being nice, and really does care about appearances.

But in my mind being “fat” has only one meaning… “I am medically overweight, and that carries some serious risks”.

I could give two shits about what people think, of me…Really. I used to…but was never motivated enough to “get in shape” to look better.

Now my choice to lose some weight is driven by the simple fact that I will live longer if I lose some of this extra poundage.
Not by Vanity.

I didn’t mean this to be some sappy personal statement, but getting back into the fashion “industry” is putting me in touch with people who are just so superficial it hurts me to even speak to them. Maybe I don’t have what it takes be in this industry.
Those of you who know me, know that I don’t pull many punches, and I speak my mind anytime I feel the need, and given the opportunity (Clearly).

In an industry that is all about image, and style, and hinges on what other people think…I stick out (Now) as someone who really doesn’t care about all of that. Not only because I’m overweight, I don’t own any “designer” pieces, I don’t go to Socialite parties, but because…
I’m here to be me, shoot what I want, how I want, and if people like it…Great!

If they don’t… Fuck’em

This city is full of followers, and people who just “do”, because someone else told them to.

Not me!
And that makes me happy!

Why I love Apple

Most of you are somewhat familiar with my recent computer problems, having vented about it on Facebook. However I feel the need to really share with the rest of the world so they may learn from my experience.

2 weeks ago:
I have a 2.33 Intel Core2 Duo Macbook Pro (15″). I’ve had it for 3 years, and its been a great machine! I’ve had a nagging problem with the Battery refusing to remain charged. It would drain completely in an hour while the computer was asleep. I’ve had it replaced before, to only fix the problem temporarily. So I take the computer to the Genius Bar at the local Apple Store (I check in with Foursquare). I tell them about the battery issue, and mention an annoying problem with a darkening spot on my screen (Hey, this will be my last chance to fix anything for free!).
Now…The AppleCare Plan I purchased with the computer runs out in 2 days (April 19th), but I am assured that since I got it in under the deadline that everything will be covered! Sweet.

A few days go by…Its now April 21st.
I get the call to come pick up my machine (Lily…named after the super hot Lily Cole). So I get to the Genius Bar (I check in with Foursquare) they hand me my computer and tell me all that they fixed.

1. Battery
2. Inverter (thing that regulates the power)
3. Logic Board  (motherboard for all you PC users)

Ahh but as I open the machine and start it up… I notice the darks spot on my screen, and point it out to the little asian guy in the blue shirt.  Him-”Well if it wasn’t on the original repair sheet…”  Me- *whips out repair request sheet* “whats it say???”
He backtracks and proceeds to apologize profusely.
They write-up another repair request, and voila. My computer is gone again.

2 days later, now April 23rd:
The part has arrived (New Screen) and my computer is done.
FINALLY!  They have replaced the entire top “Flap” of my laptop (sorry “notebook”).
So I pick up my computer (I check in with Foursquare, and get the “Jobs” Badge…3 visits to an Apple store in one week), and take her (Lily) home.

A couple of days pass… I have a shoot on that Sunday (the 25th)….
At the shoot I fire up my computer to dump my memory cards, and I get the dreaded “Blue Folder of Death”. Oh great… Now my hardrive has crashed…. I get it back home, and actually get it started up. I quickly dump my cards onto an external drive, and do a system check. Everything seems ok now.. but it’s getting really hot. Like scalding hot to the touch after only 5 minutes of running!
The next day I call AppleCare, and talk about possible solutions (they assume that it’s a typical hardrive failure, and as such isn’t covered by my expired AppleCare plan). Anticipating having to buy another hard drive, I run down to…guess where (I check in with Foursquare)?
I tell the guy the story, he doesn’t believe me, and gives me this whole spiel about how the computer will never get too hot to damage itself…blah, blah, blah…
He starts up the machine off an external drive, and the hard drive checks out ok, but lo and behold! Lily is hot to the touch after 5 minutes of being turned on!
If only all women in my life were that easy!
The “Genius” is now genuinely freaked out… I’ve never seen one of these blue shirted guru’s so worried…I feel a sense of pride!
He sends my computer to the repair facility in Houston. I go home alone once again.

4 Days have passed…
One more trip to the Apple store…I hope!
I check in with Foursquare (how am I not the Mayor of this place by now?)
I get Lily back and look at the laundry list of things replaced:

1. Logic Board (again)
2. Inverter (again)
3. both fans
4. 160gb Hard drive (original was only 120gb)
5. Various external connectors (USB, firewire, etc)
6. Keyboard and Trackpad

All FREE!

So the moral of the story…kids…Is BUY YOUR EXTENDED WARRANTIES!
The grand total of my repairs (with labor) was just under $2500!
The only thing original on my machine is the bottom case cover (had the Superdrive replaced 6 months ago).
I now have a brand new machine (tho 3 years behind technology), and she’s running like a dream! Had I not had the AppleCare plan, I would have been screwed!

That is why I love Apple.  

What I’m reading

For the last 3 weeks or so I have been stripped of my main connection to the outside world…my computer.
Without being able to be entertained constantly with Facebook and StumbleUpon, and being thoroughly tired of every pathetic excuse for T.V. show on the boob tube. I resorted to the archaic practice of reading books!

I typically have a couple books in rotation at all time, just to keep my wits sharp (or dull them with mindless fiction). But these last few weeks my arsenal has grown to a whopping !

…I have become a bookworm.

The first book (one I’ve just finished) is World War Z by Max Brooks.
This book is a great read! Its told from the point of view of a researcher interviewing the survivors of World War Z (the zombie war). Each “chapter” is broken down into little stories from each survivor, elaborating on his/her accounts of the war.
Brooks does a fantastic job of giving each “Survivor” their own voice and personality, and in doing so makes for a truly interesting, inspiring, funny, and sad piece of reading. Definitely pick this one up!

This next book is by the same author (actually published before the aforementioned WWZ book). The Zombie Survival Guide Is just that…
A survival guide.
It reads like an instruction manual, complete with rudimentary illustrations, and “Dick and Jane” examples. Having read WWZ before this one, I had a heads up on most some of the things he covers. Like which gun is best? You’d think a machine gun right?…Wrong! I’m only around 60 pages in, but this book is funny! It takes a very serious tone to protecting oneself agains the “eventual” rising of the dead. Later on in the book he gives “real” accounts and stories (which I can only assume was the inspiration for writing WWZ), which should be just as fascinating as the rest of this one! If you have a fear of zombies, or are into books that take themselves too seriously (on purpose) this is a must have. I’d read WWZ first, It’ll help add some humor to the instructional part of the book.

To keep with the end of the world theme I also picked up The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
I’m only about 30 pages in on this one as well, but so far the characters are incredible. This story is about a man and his son in a post-apocalyptic world. They are travelling south to avoid the harsh winter, and along the way come across many challenges and choices that really make this book worth reading. This is the same author who wrote No Country for Old Men so if you’ve read that one… you’ll be familiar with McCarthy’s writing style. If not… the best way to describe it is disjointed. McCarthy has a knack for great characters and descriptions of scenes, but it can be tough to follow sometimes without the typical format of: “The man said ‘….’” McCarthy ‘s character dialog floats between the father and son, and occasionally requires a re-read of a paragraph to cure confusion. Flash backs are rampant and unannounced, which often blend in to the story you thought you were following.
Don’t get me wrong… I love McCarthy’s writing style, but for those not used to it… It can be a shock. Nonetheless this is a must read, just for the simple fact it won the Pulitzer Prize. (No I haven’t seen the movie)

On the lighter side of things I’m reading Russel Brand’s Autobiography, My Booky Wook.
Brand is an English stand up comedian most popular for his role as the eccentric rocker Aldus Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I picked this book up because I think this man is hilarious. His attitude, and delivery are classic, and believe it or not can be found in his writing. This guy writes just like he talks…with all the “innit’s”, “mum’s”, and “wanka’s” Brand’s accent is readily prevalent while reading. So far its just ok… but again… I’m only a few pages in, and I’m sure once I get to the good stuff… the good times will roll!

Last but not least is a book I have read before. I’m re-reading it because it was one of the greatest reads of all my life.

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

This book is by far the funniest book I have ever read in my 31 years on this earth. Never have I laughed so hard at the written word, nor have I had to put a book down for fear of having an aneurism from laughing so much.
Tucker Max (The main character and author) is the stereotypical college douchebag. He’s rude, he’s obnoxious, he’s disrespectful to anyone and everyone, and he has the most crazy adventures in the world.
Have you seen The Hangover? Ok… take that movie, and multiply it by 100 (or how ever many Tucker Max stories there are). My favorite “friend” that joins Tucker on virtually every adventure is called Slingblade…(gonna leave that for you to find out). He’s introduced in the chapter “Everyone has THAT friend”. From that point on…you’ll never look at going out to bars and chatting to people the same again! Of all the books I’m reading…This is by far the one you MUST read. On a side note, I have the original paperback version which has since been discontinued and replaced with a “movie Tie in” version which supposedly concentrates on stories associated with the movie. (No I have not seen the movie…I don’t want to ruin the incredible awe this book has provided)

So that’s it… for right now… These should keep me busy for a while.

Are you guys reading anything awesome?

Looking over your shoulder…[EXPLICIT]

A photographer once told me…”if you spend time looking over your shoulder, how can you concentrate on moving forward” -Liz Von Hoene

Those of you who are familiar with Chase Jarvis, know that he is a progressive guy. He loves to share knowledge, he truly gets excited by the opportunity to help someone by giving away what he knows. Just yesterday, Chase announced a collaborative effort to offer free LIVE classes via a new website called Creative Live. Here you will be able to enroll in FREE class taught by some of the top WORKING professionals in the industry. Like Zack Arias and David Duchemin. It’s not limited to just photography either, Vincent LaForet will be teaching Video classes, the first being based on HDDSLRs.
Here is the intro video to the project, it does a better job explaining what is going on than I can.

There are a LOT of people out there who completely HATE that this is happening. Complaining that these people are just “giving away” their careers, making what may have taken them decades to learn, and giving it away to someone like me to learn it in a weekend.
To me those people are Scared. Scared that they don’t have the skills or the drive to push them selves further as the business changes and evolves. They are content with their life, and don’t want some snot nosed kid to have the ability to snatch their job away.

You know what I say to that? Grow a fucking pair!
People seem to forget that we all started from the same spot. Maybe it was hard work that got you to where you are, or maybe just plain ole luck. But just like technology changes, skill sets change, and the demand for both grows exponentially every day.
If you can’t keep up… you need to get out-of-the-way! Those nay sayers should consider this…
What Chase and his friends are doing is making it easier for people to “keep up”. They are providing the proverbial “fishing class” instead of being the haters saying, “there are some trees, you might consider making yourself a fishing rod… that’s what I had to do.”

I’ve always been the kind of guy that likes sharing what he knows. In school I would leave the studio doors open during shoots, I constantly help friends, and other photographers with techniques and Photoshop. But is that what has kept me from being successful? Are these people taking the knowledge I’m giving them and using it to take what is “rightfully mine”. NO. I am failure for a multitude of other reasons, none of which even remotely relates to “paying it forward”. If my position in life and the industry is to be a stepping stone for others, so be it. Thats not what I want, but by god if I’m not going to be the best step I can be, while climbing my own set of stairs.

Keep an open mind, move forward, or your ass is going to get left behind.

Now lets see how many followers and friends I lose after this one lol

Lets kick the tires, and light the fires!

The time has come…

After a 6 month sabbatical from shooting, I am finally getting my shit together.
To be honest, the “shit” is coming together on its own, I just happen to be in the middle of it.

• I have re-built my website, totally new design (should be live later this week). Some new work, but mostly a re-organization of older work.
• Opportunities for awesome projects are popping up left and right, too many to ignore, and probably too many to complete (but thats very good).
• Support from agencies, models, and friends is coming from all directions, motivating me to start working again.
• Connections via Twitter/Facebook have introduced me to some great channels, and opportunities that I’d be a fool to let pass me by.

I am no longer taking the passive approach I have grown accustomed to over the years. Its full throttle now!

The time has come…to kick some ASS!

to dance, or not to dance?

Thanks to Chase Jarvis for inspiring this post!

Of all my shortcomings in life I think the biggest one I have found is that I’m a wimp.
I’ve always been one to take the safe road, and made sure I knew what is in store along the way. Always worrying about what others thought, I became just another…copy.

But I’ve come to realize that with anything in life, the greatest rewards, come with the greatest risks. At some point fear has to be sign to move forward, not back. Where would we be if people didn’t take a risk, didn’t say “who cares what they think”?
Taking a leap, not caring where you land or what may happen on the way, means that you are absolutely free to be who you are.

Unique.

How many times in your life can you say, “That was me…I did that”? Or even better, “I was the first!”?

Podcasts…why didn’t someone tell me about these!?!?

In yesterday’s post I mentioned podcasts as a potential way that I could keep the flow of knowledge coming in while working on
something else…In particular my love handles.

I downloaded a couple “episodes” to give them a shot, and was pleasantly surprised at how much faster the workout time seemed to go.
“Great! What else will this work for?”
Facing a daunting load of retouching, or as its come to be called “editing”, I opted to listen to a podcast that I wasn’t quite sure about.
The Nerdist podcast. Hosted by Chris Hardwick (ya know this guy, he used to host the show Remote Control on MTV), anyway, Chris and his comedian buddies just basically shoot the shit for an hour, and occasionally have guests.

I’m delving into my work, and I have my headphones on, and 2 minutes in I am laughing my ass off. The Nerdist guys are hysterical! It’s an uncensored show, so there are obscenities flying left and right, they are dogging celebrities, movies, whatever their mind comes across. Before I know it, I have reached the end of the hour-long broadcast, and I have gotten through my quota* of images (*when retouching I set an hourly goal for the amount of shots I want to get done). Not only was I productive, but I was entertained at the same time, so much so that I downloaded another 2 episodes to listen while I finished the remainder of my work for the evening.

Some of you have no doubt discovered podcasts a very long time ago, so this nothing new, and I apologize for wasting your time. Not really, you do have a “back” button. But for those of you… like me… that haven’t really discovered the awesomeness that are podcasts you should really give them a shot.