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While my updates on this site may be sporadic and not always on the topic of photography there is always more going on in the background. More reading, more studying, more list making, and more planning, all in the name of my future in photography. There is also a lot of frustration, confusion, worry, and me generally wondering “WTF!?”
I previously wrote about a great book called the Photographer’s Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business. I liked the book the first time I wrote about it and I like it even more now.
What I most definitely do NOT like is how the more I learn the longer this path feels. This isn’t a yellow brick road I’m walking down, this sucker is lined with cash. Cash that I do not have. Whereas so many people my age spent all their credit buying random electronics and clothes while not worrying about the consequences I spent mine on camera gear, paper, film, and tuition. Sounds pretty reasonable doesn’t it? Well, it wasn’t. “What’s this? More film for one class and memory cards for another? SURE! WHY NOT!? I don’t really need to print all 300 of these photos but I’m going to do it anyways because I want to see how pretty they are! YAY ME!!!” Little by little my wasteful spending built up, hidden behind the thin veil of necessity. And now here it is, biting me in the ass. To get this photo venture off the ground in a real way I need money. To get this money I need to be out of debt. A debt that I really dug myself into finishing the photo degree which I wanted so I could make money from my images. Hell of a circle isn’t it?
I’m not giving up; this post isn’t about that at all. I just want to look back on these words in the future and know that without a doubt this was when one of the big realities of what I’m trying to do hit me. Here, in debt, with the national economy falling apart, with everyone I know hurting for cash, I was spending hours researching, reading, planning for and working towards something which will never get where I want without funding. It sounds a bit stupid, I’ll admit. But where’s the joy in life if you don’t do something stupid every now and then? 
There were a lot of things I heard about in college, from students and professors, that does me no good at all. I took classes that were a waste of time, listened to advice that is pretty much worthless now, and even got a bit of a smug smile from thinking, “I’ll never need this, ever.” Some of these things I don’t care to even mention because, frankly, I was right. What does get to me are the things I was told and knew were important but didn’t give the necessary attention to. Right now, specifically, I’m talking about networking.
It makes perfect sense. Be nice, meet people, leave a good impression. You never know when people will talk about you and what may come of it. This is when you want people to talk about you behind your back. I’ve been a little amazed over the past two weeks at how many connections have come to light. Let’s break it down: Andri, an amazing networker, knew Adam. I knew Andri from college and somehow my name came up since Adam was looking for someone to shoot some photos for a VHCLE article. I went and did that last Saturday and while talking with Adam I found out that he is old friends with a guy named Robbie. The only reason this is interesting is that I know Robbie as a coworker at the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Adam even used to play with Robbie in a sweet Sacramento band, The New Humans.
And then, on Tuesday, I got a smaller dose of this same thing when I went to this amazing shop near my office called Le Petite Paris. I was speaking to Nicole, the owner, and she noticed that I had a lunch meeting with Adam on Monday (we were trying to get my photos to his hard drive, which was another issue all together). I knew that he really liked that place so it wouldn’t surprise me if they had met. I came to find out that Nicole’s daughter did some program at the YMCA, where Adam works, so there was an extra connection there as well.
One week, multiple connections, and so many good things that came from them. I should have listened more. I should have made more of an effort to get to know and keep in touch with so many of the great people I’ve met at various points in my life. I’ve been lucky enough to see first hand just how great knowing people can be. I’ll be keeping that in mind from now on.
I spent yesterday rolling around Sacramento with Adam Saake from VHCLE. They’re an online magazine covering design that will appeal to anyone who loves good writing, creativity, or art.
So where did I go? What did I shoot? What do the images look like? Well that’s the thing, I wish I could tell you. I’m not sure I can’t exactly, but I don’t want to chance it. Adam is doing a write-up on a Sacramento day trip and I shot photos for 5 locations around the downtown area. I’m still working on getting the images to him, which will hopefully be done tomorrow, but until the article goes up I don’t want to say too much. I just had a pretty good time getting it done and I will throw up some images from it this coming week!
I’ve had the technical school training. I’ve shot on my own. I’ve read books on photography. I’ve read blogs/websites/magazines about photography. With all this under my belt I’ve come to one conclusion: that the best way to learn is to study actual photographers. There is just something about seeing the work of others, reading their thoughts, and just trying my hardest to squeeze any information out of a wedding photographer’s website that makes my mind work in a very productive way. So in this post I want to share some of the best wedding photographers I’ve found out there. Check them out, and be amazed!
Jasmine Star
I’m sorry everyone else, but she’s easily my favorite. From how open and honest her blog is about her work and life to the amazing photographs, Jasmine does it all. She’s a constant source of inspiration.
Mike Colon
Finally, someone who isn’t afraid of grain! His style just caught my eye so fast I knew I wanted to follow his work and pick up a few things. So many of his images just have this classic quality that makes me feel like the wedding somehow fell through a time warp and really took place decades ago. I half expect to see Frank Sinatra in the background. But of course, it doesn’t happen, all I get is beautiful shot after beautiful shot. (oh no!)
Dane Sanders
Let me get this out of the way: his photographs are just beautiful. There, it’s said, it’s the truth, and it’s done. What Dane does better then anyone (for me anyways) is display an ability to anticipate, adapt, and fully explore new ways to do business as a photographer. His book, Fast Track Photographer, was one of the most eye opening books I’ve ever read. If anyone reading this wants to start any kind of photography business I highly recommend it. If you’re looking to start a wedding photography business it’s 100% essential!
The Becker
The Becker has an eye that can’t be denied. The vast majority of his images look like they belong in a magazine, like they were carefully crafted in the perfect studio setting. But they weren’t, this is just how good he is.
Ed Pingol
What can I say about Ed Pingol? Personally, he’s the model for what modern wedding photography can be. He is a master of creative angles and has had more “how the hell did he do that?!” shots then anyone else I have ever seen. Check him out!
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