Everyday Inspiration

Kaci:

Just a few random examples of Everyday Inspiration:

1. Refreshing Perspective:
It's been a while since my last post (sorry!). The last one I did hinted on my text topic- find inspiration in everything. I think now more than ever that is a very useful mindset amidst all the "doom and gloom" about the economy that is heavily broadcast on the news. Honestly, I know we are experiencing some economic downturns (I have many close friends who have lost their jobs and are looking for work) but it is nowhere near as bad as it is portrayed to be. When I go out I do not see empty parking lots, stores or restaurants. I still have to stand in a line at the grocery store, etc... but what I do see is everyone being smarter with their money and really evaluating the product or service they are considering. And that is a good thing! I see more people being more responsible and becoming more "givers" than "takers" and not having the mindset of having the biggest and the best toys.

Through this, I have seen more families discovering more economic ways to spend family time; activities that do not always involve spending an arm and a leg at an amusement park, etc. Instead they are going to parks, picnics, local museums, zoo, etc.

2. Open Your Eyes:
This weekend was a whirlwind. Wedding Rehearsal on Friday, Wedding on Saturday and a sunrise Engagement Shoot on Sunday. I tend to stay focused on the specific event and people that I am shooting and do not always stop to appreciate the real serene beauty of my natural surroundings because I do not want to miss any action of the event. But this weekend, Ezra took some amazing shots of the sunset at the reception over the marsh that were just breathtaking. Inspired, I have began to open my eyes beyond just the subjects and events I am shooting and really take notice of the environment around...here's a couple shots at Fort Clinch that I may not have normally taken and I am so glad I took the time to notice and capture them!

3. Kid at Heart:
Just yesterday I took the boys outside to play. I usually take my notebook or computer to make notes, process pictures, check email, etc. But yesterday I decided to just enjoy the sunshine and watch the boys play. My face hurt from smiling and laughing so much! They had such a great imagination and were so carefree! It reminded me to slow down, my work is not going anywhere and these two little boys are actually the reason I work so hard, so my "work" should not take me away (all the time). I got more hugs and kisses yesterday afternoon than ever and I really, really enjoyed just watching the kids...I think I have a new habit now!

"My Hero" (Foo Fighters cover)

ezra:


I have this lens...17-50...3rd party lens...
Take note aspiring photographers...3rd party lenses are 3rd party lenses...purchase with caution...even fear.
I bought this lens b/c it received great reviews. The reviews said this lens was comparable the Nikons 17-55 2.8...the differences were hardly noticeable and not worth the $800 difference. So I decided to go with this 3rd party lens to save a buck and get awesome performance.


Instead, I think I got a lemon. Within a few months I had problems. I sent the lens to the company. They repaired it free of charge. And then a couple of weeks ago, the lens starting having problems - which is unacceptable for a wedding photographer.


So what do I do? My warranty is up...so sending this lens to be fixed is out of the question...especially when you consider the fact that the lens will start acting faulty sooner or later!
Buying the Nikon 17-55 for $1200 is not likely either...also, I think these all-purpose lenses are quite overrated!


So I figured I'd buy a prime lens (something I wanted to do b/c primes are the best!) So I start looking at the 20mm, 24mm, & 28mm lens...Nikon, of course. So I start doing some research and find out that none of these lenses comes in a 1.8 or lower aperture. (Take note aspiring photographer...you want the lowest number possible for your aperture...this permits a lot light it when you are shooting in low light...hence, you don't have to use your flash...hence, your fotos look better). I have a 50mm 1.8 and it is super awesome capturing light...significantly different than my 2.8 lenses...so I really want a 1.8 or lower!


Ok...so Nikon doesn't have a prime wide angle lens that is less than a 2.8 aperture. What do I do...I start looking at 3rd party lenses? Sigma sells a 30mm 1.4 lens...and a 24 1.8 lens. The 24mm gets pretty bad reviews...the 30mm gets respectable reviews...


So the 30mm looks good...sort of...but what's the difference between 30mm and 50mm...how many feet...is 30mm wide enough for me...not sure. So I plan to rent this lens for my next wedding. (Note aspiring photographer - rent a lens to test it out...especially if you are not sure how it will perform or if it is a lens you could really use.)


See, the real problem here is Nikon. They are making a mistake...they are not providing a wide range of lenses for Nikon users to use. A lot of Nikon users use 3rd party lenses b/c Nikon lacks the diversity of lenses that Canon offers. Wake-up Nikon!


Next blog, I will post the pros of using Nikon!

They L.I.V.E

Rayshawn:

Being an 'adult' college student has been an amazing experience for me. I'm probably the same age or a few years younger than three out of my five professors. Most of my classmates can't even get into bars. Seriously. These kids are so fashionable! They all want to dress like Kanye West. I suppose I was similar to these kids (not in fashion sense) but in regards to being so preoccupied with everything but education. Like Lauren Hill said, "It's funny how money changes situations." Paying for college, out of your own pocket, you tend to take it pretty seriously.

I don't know why I waited so long to go to art school. Knowing thine self will save you a lot of time and money. Anyhow, I finished mid-terms last week. I chewed bubble gum and kicked ass.



You better act like you know.

Peace to my blog-mates. It's uplifting to be journaling/journeying with such brilliant people!

keep pushing people

R

Business Note: #4 - You never know...

Ok...this past weekend I hosted another shoot-out.  I booked 6 shoots.  I took my neighbor...18 year old who graduated from high school last year...played b-ball and averaged 12 points a game...3rd in the county in 3 point percentage...a 2.5 GPA...and a basketball coach who didn't help him go to a Division 2 school...???  So neighbor is looking for something to do and he's never had anyone to discuss his future with...so I decide to take him and pay him...and be his sounding board.

Back to the shoot: I did this shoot ridiculously inexpensively!   I did this in response to my Valentine's Day shoot which was similar, except for the V-Day shoot was solely for couples. Some missed out on the V-Day thing...or they didn't have a significant other...so I offered another shoot-out this past weekend for those who couldn't partake in the first one.  I also like these shoots b/c they open me up to new clientele. 

So that's the background info...now fast forward a bit...
On Friday, the day before the shoot, I had a cancellation. Now I have 5 shoots scheduled. While shooting on Saturday, I discovered I had another cancellation...now I have 4 shoots scheduled...but wait, my 3pm appointment no showed...so then all I have was 3 shoots...

So my shoots were at these times: 11am, 1pm, 6pm...
After I realized my 3pm wasn't going to show up, I decided to go back home and drop off my helper....I paid him a miserable amount - yet more than he would have made at Winn Dixie.

I hang-out at home...rest-up...and then I think of calling my 6pm and canceling...up to this point, I was totally bummed...and the money thing didn't even make any sense! Look at this...one of my clients paid me a week and half in advance...so that $ was gone to American Express...I paid my helper with the same $ my 2pm paid me...so literally I had nothing in my wallet to show for today's work...if anything, I was losing money on gas and food...

Regress...I think about calling my 6pm to cancel...b/c I'm totally bummed and not in the spirit of shooting...vibes were down...my self-esteem crushed.......but my conscience would not permit me to cancel...

So I drive back to the location...meet the couple and shoot some of these totally awesome photos:

You know what...they're getting married 9.5.09...and mom wants to talk to me about shooting their wedding...and the couple seemed excited about working with me too!

I conclude with - YOU NEVER KNOW!  

If, in fact, I shoot their wedding, Saturday's self-esteem crusher will have totally paid off...$$$...but more importantly, I had the opportunity to meet the sweetest most pure couple on the face of the earth...and it was an honor to work with them...they made my day, regardless if I shoot their wedding or not!

(Side note:  All my clients that canceled or no showed had good reasons...one was stuck in a lay over in Miami...another, her son had a track meet...and my 3pm that no showed, texted me to tell me she couldn't make it b/c her debit card was missing and someone was out spending her $$$...and by the way, don't text me...I block that feature on my cellular....).

10 Weekly Wonders (week of 3/9)

Ron

10. I wonder if Speaker of the House Nancy Pilosi can get me a good deal on a flight to Vegas?

9. Is it desperate when aging, former sex symbols still expose their breasts in public? (Ehmm, Pamela Anderson & Sharon Stone)


The question is "Who hasn't seen 'em?" Sheesh!



8. So you’re saying a 200 pound chimpanzee DOESN’T make a good house pet?

7. If you double your debt, is that really being fiscally responsible Mr. President?

6. Have you found our music on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody or Amazon MP3 yet? (More shamelessness, I know)

5. Is it lame that my wife and I send each other Star Wars figures over Facebook?


As a kid, I had a great collection going til at some point,
they all got thrown out?!?!?!?


4. Really Rihanna? You what…? Really?

3. Maybe it’s me, but does a 150 year prison sentence seem a little "light" for Bernie Madoff?

2. Is the jury still out (at least it is for me) on the new U2 CD?

1. Really? People are STILL watching “The Bachelor”?


What's AMAZING is that this show is still on the air.

Friendship...

In this business world, it's super important to be professional...but it's also more important to be personable (unless you're a bill collector)...

Sometime ago...this past summer...I met with Melissa & Ron to discuss their wedding...we met at Starbucks?....in St. John's Town Center...we talked about 30-45 minutes about their wedding and my photography...and the other hour, we talked...joked...and mostly laughed...

Thankfully, they booked me for their wedding...which was a total blast!  By the time I shot their wedding, I had already did  2 shoots with Melissa and one for Ron...so I felt like we were pretty good friends...and the wedding was like that...I was like a groomsmen with a camera...taking pictures of everything...

Again...in this business world, it's important to be professional...and personable...

The greatest reward of booking Melissa and Ron's wedding is their friendship...here's a few pics from today's shoot with them in downtown...

Ron...I want a rematch in Madden!

YOU are your BRAND...

Kaci:
Last night Ezra and I shot Erin's wedding. It went like most weddings do...fast paced, creative ideas on the fly and always fun! I drove to save gas $$ and to brainstorm with Ezra about the game plan for the wedding. When I picked him up he was decked out from head to toe in his new "wedding clothes" and man, I was impressed! When we got into the truck I told him that I liked his new ensemble...a preppy look that only Ezra can still pull off as cool and relaxed. We talked a little bit about a few things and then he said something that really caught my attention...as we discussed the dreaded "all black" dress code mentality he said...as photographers "you are your own brand" not just the images you produce.

I agreed, I have never been able to separate business from personal and always preferred more of a relationship marketing approach (treat my clients like friends and family). I never try to sell myself or my services. I simply let my work speak for itself and let my clients get to know me- the true me at meetings, consultations and shoots. If I am what they are looking for in a photographer then great, if not...well, then that's ok too. I do not have a switch that goes into "professional photographer mode" all I can be is me.

But for some reason those words seemed to really hit home with me last night...it made me realize that it is not just my clients who watch or form an opinion of me, it is everyone that I come into contact with...future clients, friends, neighbors and the people next in line to me at the grocery store. My first thought was..."geeezzz, I have to always be 'on'!" ...But then I thought, I’m always on :)

One reason this hit home with me was that I had actually met Erin (the bride) in the shoe department at Target. Something that I had not thought about in a while and when Ezra said those words, it made me realize that no matter where you are at, who you meet, how you present and carry yourself (whether you speak a word or not) there is someone who forms an opinion about you and "judges" you (yes, it's true...just accept it, people do judge books by their cover). It all goes back to the 10 second first impression rule...you know the one, a person has already formed an opinion of you within the first 10 seconds of seeing you before you even speak a word...

So, what do your clothes, hair, car, accessories, etc. say about you...think about it, look in the mirror and step out of your own mind for a few minutes. Are you a walking GQ ad, approachable, high maintenance, intimidating, etc...? But go beyond looks, are you conducting yourself in a way that is positive for you personally and professionally... body language, opinions, outlook on life...Whatever it is, make sure it is the message that you want out there. You are a walking billboard that is always flashing "OPEN"...

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying be something besides yourself. Instead, find ways to be the best "you"! Everyone has to evaluate their "marketing strategy" (connecting with/gaining attention/creating demand for "your product"). Some people are looking for work, others for love, friendship, etc. No matter what you are looking for just be sure you have your best foot forward when you find it- or even better...when IT finds you!

...Thanks, Ez! You didn't know your one little comment would evoke this much philosophy...
but I'll save that for next time: "Find Inspiration in Everything"...to be continued.