Careers .... the next chapter begins

This is who I am, I am Boston.

Over time people change, I feel as though I am one of those people. 

I wrote a blog about myself not too long ago, telling everyone how I am from Boston, I think I even mentioned how everyone in Ohio calls me Boston. (they still do) 

I could sit here and tell you about those things again, I will to an extent, but I won't spend too much time telling you about who I was 5 months ago I will tell you about what I have become since then. 

I am currently a photography student at Owens Community College. I am the sports editor for the Owens Outlook. 

The Owens Outlook is my first real step towards the path I want to take in life, I want to be a photojournalist. It took awhile for me to figure this out, I taught for 10 years before I moved to Ohio and decided to turn my life around. I have always been a huge sports fan, especially hockey and even though we don't have a team for school we have a team in town that makes for a fun night out. 

I finished the intro to photojournalism class last semester, this was taught by my good friend and mentor Lori King. In this class we did everything you would do working for a newspaper or magazine. It was an interesting and informative class, we had a great time growing into a family. In that class I discovered another part of me. 

I am a family person, I always have been and I found it hard to stay out here so far away from everything I know, from all those that matter to me. I also found myself with a group of friends that I consider my family. These are the people that work hard, stay up late to get the job done and laugh with me when the times get tough. 

I have a plan now, though my plan may not be set in stone it feels like I have my feet on solid ground this time.

From a publication to a gallery

When it comes time to hit the real world there are always certain places that we imagine seeing out photos. I had to sit and really think about this one because the work a photojournalist does is totally different than what someone that wants to hold a showing for their work in a gallery.

I feel as though different parts of me wants to do different things with my life, each time I capture an image it is for a different reason. There are times that I take a picture that I think wow that would look good hanging in the living room. There are times when I shoot my niece or nephew and a memory is made.

In reality there is one thing I want and that is to see my images in print, the rush I feel from seeing my images in the paper is the one thing that I shoot for with reason. The reason is to share the news, to get people involved and let them see what is going on with Owens. The Owens Outlook has taught me to shoot for a reason, to look for that one moment that people are going to miss and want to see over and over again. Photojournalism has taught me patience. I feel confident in saying this because when I shoot in a gallery or at the beach I take way more photos than necessary because I know I have the time to take those pictures, I know that I will discard some, but this is ok because I got a few shots that I like. When I shoot a game though I have to be patient, no more taking 1000 pictures then picking the best out of those and then from there narrowing those down. I have learned to be patient, take good quality shots so when time comes to pick the best I know the best already.

I feel as though the next best thing to a paper would be a consumer publication, preferably a sports publication. I would love to be able to shoot for Sports Illustrated or ESPN. This I believe ties into photojournalism because in the end its quality over quantity, if you miss a shot it’s gone forever. There is no second chance at capturing the winning touchdown again.

Then there is a gallery, I know this is totally not what people expect from my style. I have another side of me that loves to take pictures that people can hang in their home. I have always wanted to showcase my own work for people to see. I know that having a gallery show is something you have to work up to because well you don’t just get famous and sell $1000 photos overnight. I believe that before I can get to this level I have to have something to make it worth it. So whether my sports photos are good enough for a gallery comes into play, what else do I shoot will also be a factor because who knows what people will be buying at this time. A gallery depends on what people are buying and where you are in relation to this. You have to know your market before you open a successful gallery.

Time management and how it works for you 

When it comes to weaknesses this is probably the area I need to focus on most; time management. I tend to sit down to do one thing and end up getting caught up in like 5 other things. In watching the video by Kevin Kubota I learned a few helpful hints at how to manage time better. 

There are a few things that I have nailed down such as writing everything down, if you’re like me you tend to get an idea every 5 minutes. I used to think I could remember them all no problem, well I was sadly mistaken I can only remember so much. This is where my post it addiction came from, writing it all down no matter how big or small it may be. If you want to get something done just write it down and put it at your work station.

 Identify the golden hour, for all the photographers out there I know you’re thinking ok check I already know this one. Well you’re thinking of the wrong one, the one I am talking about varies a bit   with each person. The golden hour is when you do your best work. For example I am not a morning person, sometimes I am a not before I have had coffee person. I work best late in the day into the early hours of morning. So my golden hours would be from 7 pm til 2 am.

The rest of the stuff all kind of just work hand in hand with each other, get rid of distractions which means stay off facebook and other sites that are not relevant to the work you are doing. Have a work space just for work, meaning when you go to this particular place it is to work and that is it. Since you wrote down what you needed to do remember you don’t have to do it all at once. This is where preference comes into play, some people can do a bit of everything and take a break, other people like to knock things off the list one by one. Do what you feel comfortable doing but make sure to take baby steps and don’t be afraid to outsource. Part of working for a team is asking for help, part of being on a team is knowing sometimes you may need to help.

Time is of the essence, don’t waste it working on the same thing that has been driving your crazy for 3 hours. Step away from the project and you will get a whole new perspective on it. If there isn’t a strict deadline don’t stress out because that is going to make it harder for you.

Time management really depends on the person, I am still learning how to manage my time better and when I do my best work. I realize that there are times where I will be overwhelmed but that is ok because I know that I can walk away for a few minutes and clear my head. I also know that in some areas help is a phone call away and at other times just a desk away, don’t be afraid to ask for help because one day someone may be asking you for help. It’s called team work and your friend, family and coworkers are all part of your team.

Before I Start A Business

Before I start my photography business there is alot I need to do. I need to decide where I want to go in my career, meaning do I want to stick to one genre? Do I want to be a photographer or a photojournalist or both ?

I know that to be both most of my time will be spend behind the camera, this I am perfectly ok with. I do want to have an idea of what I want to shoot before I start a business and end up all over the place. The more I shoot the more I realize I am on the right path. I am not afraid to think outside the box, experiment, or even break a few rules on the way.

I have a few things that I would like to learn, but at least I know I am on the right path.




Mistakes, Costs and Negotiations

What I have realized like with any other business in life photography is just the same. You will make mistakes, you will have costs and there may be a point you have to negotiate whether it be with a client, a partner or even a competitor.

The mistakes seem to be the easiest to make and/or avoid depending how you look at them. I feel the most common mistakes is underselling yourself. If you price yourself too low people are going to see that as a reflection of you work, why else would your prices be so low?

The other mistakes are the most avoidable because when we start out we don't think too much about is our memory card ok, it's been ok for months why wouldn't it be? Well check it and bring an extra better to be safe than sorry. The rest of the equipment needs to be checked before the shoot because you don't want to get to one and instantly realize you won't be able to shoot, make sure you're set at least a day in advance that way if you're not you have time to be.

The negotiations are up to you, should you willing to be lower a price, add more, switch around a package whatever the case when it is brought to your attention know that yes the final choice is yours, but you also want to keep the client and keep them happy. Bending isn't as hard as breaking.




Case Study: Matt Eich 

I felt this study was the most interesting because he was a regular person with a family trying to make his way, he used the sources he had, his friends.

I read this study and I was inspired, he did everything he could to make it. I feel that the way his friends formed together and created this group that helped each other like Eich recounts, “When we originally formed, I think our hope was primarily to combine forces to find or create a place in what is a struggling industry, with no set path for young photographers just starting their careers. The support aspect of it was paramount, but that quickly evolved to become a more organized business entity, because after all, you have to eat to make pictures.”

There are few things I wouldn't do to make it, I wouldn't give up who I am or my style conforming to what someone else wants me to. I believe photography cannot be taught or told, it can be guided and inspired.


Ask A Sports Photographer 

If I were to have to chose just one area to shoot for the rest of my career it would be sports. In the beginning I would like to work with someone or for someone meaning a paper or magazine but in the future I would like the chance to freelance and be able to have a business on the side.

• I figure since sports is my strength I know what I need to have equipment wise, but asking never hurts.  
• That and is there a specific thing as a professional you would recommend having? 
• Is there anything you would want to see before hiring me? portfolio ? required equipment

I feel confident in my images, I have a few lenses as well as a monopod and a tripod. I believe that I could be an asset to a team or just a success as a freelance shooter.


Freelancing