What's On Tap For This Week

This is probably going to be a pretty slow week, so I'll just let you know what I've got planned. Really the only thing that I'm planning on doing is reading and setting goals. I'm still listening to Dan Miller's podcast but the Tweak podcast is really good also. I ran across it last night, and it's a little more photography oriented. One more thing, I'm about to start lining up some photo shoots so we can add to the portfolio. That way we can get the site up and running. We're going to try a couple of tactics, and we'll let you know what works. As of right now, we've only got one wedding lined up.

I'll try and get back at some point this week.

Here We Go

Ok, so now that I've decided to make this a reality it's time to start figuring out how to make this happen. Over the last year or so I've collect several books on photography, and I've really enjoyed learning this way. It's also a lot cheaper than actually taking class. It turns out that art schools are not very cheap. So I'll continue to use books to help guide me through the process.

The plan is to read 3 books a month in 3 specific areas. I'd like to find one book dealing with just photography (mostly portraiture), one that deals with business/marketing, and lastly a creative inspiration book. I have several books that I've picked out on Amazon.com that will keep me busy. If you are thinking about doing something similar, check your local library. I was able to take two of the books I was planning on reading off my list just by wandering through the stacks. If you are interested in starting any business or finding a new career path, I would seriously consider looking into a book called "48 Days To The Work You Love" by Dan Miller. It's given me tons of inspiration and information about how to get started. Since I'm currently in the IT industry, Ill also be using a Project Management book I've had laying around as a reference.

Websites and other blogs have been very helpful in learning how to take photos or just staying organized and motivated. Here are a few:

• strobist.blogspot.com


• zenhabits.net


• flickr.com


• photo.net


• dumblittleman.com

Podcasts have been another resource I've just gotten into. There are more than a few out there on the web, but Dan Miller's has been the most fun to listen to. There's another called "Up To the Top Floor" and "Tips From the Top Floor" where a guy talks about starting up a media production company. They tend to be pretty short but interesting to hear how he's gone about things. The great thing about these podcasts is than I can devote 8 hrs a day listening to great ideas while at work or driving home.

Another thing I've done the past week is carry around one of those old school composition books just to jot down ideas or things that I might want to look up when I have a chance. You wouldn't believe how much this has helped. In one week I've filled 5 pages with ideas about marketing the business, new photo techniques, and operational ideas. Today's fun little exercise will be creating a gantt chart to time out all the areas involved.

I still have a lot of research to do (such as whether or not to set up an LLC). I'll hopefully have that done by the end of this month or the beginning of next month. If anyone has questions or words of wisdom, just leave them in the comments. I'd love to hear them.

That's all for now. I'll keep you posted on what's going on...

My Quarter Life Crisis

I guess the next step would be to let you know a little about me so the most logical step would be to start at the beginning. I'm a 28 year old guy living in Tennessee and have spent the last 27 years wondering what I wanted to do with my life. Even as a kid, art always interested me. I liked to draw,but most of the time it was just pencil sketches on notebook paper.

As I got older I still enjoy to paint and sketch but never thought of having a career that was also something that could be passion. Most of the folks I knew seemed to hate there jobs. I just assumed that's the way it worked.

So when I was old enough I took on retail jobs that taught me how to interact with people, but the jobs themselves were often tedious and boring. That's just how jobs are I guess.

When it was time to head to college my only thought was to find a hot job and see if I could survive. I decided to go into the information technology field. It seemed that they were passing out good paying jobs at the door of the graduation ceremonies so this was obviously the way to go.

Well over those four years I did my best to struggle through my IT classes while maintaining stellar grades in anything unrelated to my major. Accounting classes didn't help the GPA much either, but I digress. I finally graduated with a BS in Business Management with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. During those 4 years the bubble burst in the Dot Com industry and companies started to outsource IT jobs and decrease the workforce.

After 8 long months I finally got a job that I felt I was way too good for, which was a Helpdesk "analyst." In this case, the term analyst means the guy I call when I want to scream at someone or when I've forgotten my computer's password for the 7 thousanth time. Rumors of outsourcing circulated and I almost prayed that it would happen. At the same time, I needed the paycheck and finding a new job was stepping out into the unknown. Scary!

Luckily I was promoted to a position supporting what is essentially a tax software. It came with a nice pay raise and a little less stress, but now I'm working in two areas that were probably the least intresting subjects to me in school. On top of that, I'm driving 33 miles each way to work which hasn't fostered much goodwill towards going there.

Thankfully, God put someone in my life that kept encouraging me and supporting me. We've been married for about a year and a half and I can't imagine surviving it all without her.

I guess I had to be hit over head before I'd seek out my calling. I mean seriously, could I have been any more off track.

So for the sake of not making a long story even longer, I"ll explain -- why photography? Well, I came to photography via photoshop. I had a nice little Point and shoot 4mp camera and I loved to edit the photos in PS. It was almost like painting again. I actually took pictures at a wedding using this little camera as a favor for a "Bride on a Budget." We were all pretty happy with the results, but I quickly learned what the limitations were with this camera. I missed several shots b/c of the shutter delay. After playing with that camera for a couple of years I bought my first DSLR right before our honeymoon. I was instantly blown away at what a difference it made. It wasn't long before I was thinking about composition, lighting, mood, etc. Since I bought the DSLR, I've been Sponge Bob photography pants. Soaking up everything I can with regards to making better captures. Right now I'm really getting into off camera lighting and trying to learn as much as I can to improve the light.

Well that's all for now. Stick around, this could get interesting.

Times, they are a changin' - Bob Dylan

Genesis

I had so many things that I'd planned on saying on the first entry, but I decided to just get this train rollin'. I guess I should just quickly mention what the game plan is for this blog, and then get into the nuts and bolts next time.

I plan to use this site to document my trasition from cubicle dweller to professional photographer. I've come to the realization that my dreams and talents are not really suited for my current job and I'm ready for a change. So for tonight, I'll just leave you with this...

"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose."

- Viktor Fankl