Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Hello again, it's been a while..
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Not a winner = Failure?
This time I applied for the WPPI Hy Sheanin Memorial Scholarship. The Wedding & Portraiture Photographer International holds probably the largest convention in Las Vegas every March with lectures, classes, thousands of people and a trade show. I first found out about the convention from a wedding photography book I checked out in the library then as I started to blog stalk and follow other photographers on twitter I noticed that anyone who's anyone in the WHOLE wedding industry is attending WPPI conference. The memorial scholarship is only open to beginning photographers giving them like a VIP pass to the entire trade show and classes (many of which have already filled up during early registration), hotel and airfare for the entire week of the convention!!! I am determined to go to this convention regardless of winning a scholarship or not, because as I learned from the Photo Plus Expo even if I do not get the opportunity to attend some of the wonderful classes taught by some of the worlds most leading photographers even spending a day at the trade show is incredibly valuable! This is where I met Mera Koh and finally got to look, feel all the other parts that come with being a professional photographer besides just taking pictures.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Webbles Wobble but THEY WON'T FALL DOWN!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
On the fast track
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Free $$$
I want to attend the making things happen 2010 because I am tired of putting my dreams on the back burner. I’ve known I wanted to be a photographer since high school but besides picking up a camera I haven’t known how to make my dreams come true. I’m driven and have a passionate love for photography and taking pictures of people that will make their hearts melt. I work 50 hours plus a week and that still isn’t enough for paying bills. So I’m left clueless on “how to make things happen” and don’t have the money to pay for a workshop that I desperately need. I want to be inspired, I want to get fired up, I want to be successful!!! I don’t want to be stuck at an unfulfilling job that kills my soul.
I don’t want to make lots of money with my photography, what is more important to me to make happen in 2010 is to live my dream, learn and even pay in forward to others. I believe there is so much to learn from such a successful-positive-inspiring person like you. TEACH ME! GIVE ME THE TOOLS! No matter the out come I am so excited for 2010 because scholarship to your workshop or not I am determined to finally take a stand to myself as a photographer. I have been inspired by everyone’s optimism for this year, this decade and beyond! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE IN ALL THAT YOU DO!
Perfectionist?
Monday, January 4, 2010
Humble Beginnings
Last summer was when I first took the plunge and took wedding photographs. I always had a dream of being a photographer and a obsession with weddings that goes far beyond day dreaming of just my own wedding some day. BUT I had ZERO experience. Now who wants to hire me? So having no money (ha ha ha still having no money) to spend on advertising or having a clue on what to charge for my inexperience I posted a few advertisements on Craigslist for an unbelievable price. The experience was priceless because the money I did charge did not profit my business but just helped pay for bills. :(
So today's task is to advertise again on craigslist. I meet some wonderful couples last year; couples who gave me a chance and allowed me to create wonderful photographs that I'm very proud of. Advertising on craigslist is just the beginning... Stay turned for future plans for advertising.
Now time for bed. Oh how I struggled to do anything tonight due to being so tired from babysitting the past two evenings. YAWN. But it was worth it to help a friend and see her cute little kiddos that I adore like family of my own.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Why?
Free will, there is a reason every one of us does what we do. But flashback to high school or college admissions applications where the question of why is often asked? Recently I was accepted to The Art Institute of Denver and I was asked why photography? Obviously someone willing to pay so much for a private education must have a want for that career, (the money is what stopped me from attending AI) so why do I want to be a photographer...
It was something I realized when I worked at the mall for a portrait studio, the way a photograph touches people. Anyone can take photographs but when you make a mother cry over the sigh of her newborn's first precious smile, that is why I am a photographer. When I can see the joy, love, excitement because of my photography it gives me goosebumps and I share in that joy. There is no greater feeling than to know you have given that to another person.
My task for today was to finally face head on how much a "real camera" cost. Currently I have a Canon Rebel which I've had for about three years. I thought it was just what I needed and that it was a professional camera, but after last year being turned down for jobs because my camera was not good enough (though being told my talent was) I decided it's time for an upgrade. What camera to buy? Stay with Canon? Nikon? What about Sony? What kind of lens, flashes? I started my search online because I always get intimidated talking to someone at a retail store. I don't want to make the mistake of buying a camera that will need to be updated in such a short time again. Although I still think that it is the talent that is most important, not a camera.. my camera is holding me back. Hopefully with my tax refund or money from going back to school I will have nothing holding me back.
Option 1:
Canon EOS 50D with 28-135mm lens - $1,199.99 refurbished/$1,418.73 new
28mm f1.8 wide angle lens - $489.99
Option 2:
Sony A550 with 18-55mm & 55-200mm lenses - $1,279.99/ SALE 1,049.99
28mm f/2.8 wide angle lens - $269.99
Flash - 299.99 or 499.99
Embrace!
One of my favorite words Embrace, it goes hand in hand with love and passion. Shouldn’t we all being applying that to what we do for our jobs, doing what we love and embracing it. Photography is my love and I want to completely embrace it by learning, creating and inspiring. Day two was about being inspired. I am such an art nerd; modern, renaissance, sculpture, there’s no discriminating all art is amazing. And as much as I love art I LOVE A FREE DAY at the DAM (Denver Art Museum).
There was an amazing new art exhibit at the DAM, 17 artists were able to freely express them selves as artist through out the museum. Many of the instillations were painted right smack on the walls of the museum! Nothing makes more of a statement than one that is either permanent or temporary, or in this case a little of both. It’s sad to think that something someone poured his or her heart into is going to be taken away, but that is where photography’s beautiful meaning comes shinning through. Photography is not only an art form that is creative but also a record of that moment making it last longer. It’s nice to be reminded of the beautiful meaning behind something you love to do.
The Embrace exhibit was defiantly modern art; think outside the box, touch and feel and “embrace” art. I spend a lot of time admiring other photographer’s blogs with their recent work; this can some times be a double-edged sword. Looking at other’s work can be inspiring to get going with my dream of photography but it can also lead to copying. Of course we all want to be creative and not everyone is going to have the best idea first and although copying is a form of flattery it’s not being an original creative artist. It was great to get out and be inspired by something unique, different, other than photographs of a bride and groom. Inspiration can be wherever you find it.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Est. 2010
HAPPY FIRKIN' NEW YEAR!!!!!!!