Today I did a shoot with this amazing girl. One I'm sure will become a great model and friend to me, and hopefully I a great friend to her. Concerns that came up were firstly regarding my model release. As though I could somehow Shanghai her into a secret underworld. Maybe I can... however I wouldn't go leaving evidence around of such.

Second concern seemed to be getting the photos in a timely manner. Well it's been about 5 hours and she has all the unedited images (in a smaller 1k x 1k pixel size) and the first edit has been posted to Facebook and here. So I think I've covered some form of speed.

Winter is truly the worst time to shoot on location. It's cold, the fountains are turned off, and cool grassy places have been cut back for new growth to rise.

I've been playing with film more these last few days. I keep trying to make this "hit" camera from Japan work. So far it's the second most difficult camera I've dealt with, but that's what I get I suppose. I've created a film cutting contraption from an old point and shoot 35mm film camera. I have one last correction to make to it before it is complete. I also have the tools needed to grind my own 120 spools to 620 spools. For use with my Kodak Duaflex.

I've also been thinking about Kimberly a lot lately. Why is it the prettiest model I had, and the girl I love, had to be the most complicated person I've met? lol


I will also be joining a couple photography groups soon, to work on enhancing my skills, as a recommendation from someone I asked for advice. To anyone who secretly thinks my work needs a lot of improvement or sucks, you can tell me this. I'd rather know how to improve than continue sucking, if that makes sense.

The future is coming

I've been shooting now for years. Always just for fun, as a hobby. I've never really had training, never taken a class. On occasion I've received advice about this or that, typically technical stuff.

So now the time has come. I'm going to start charging for my work, renting equipment to enhance my quality, and selling prints to clients. I'm going to expand past what I do well and into areas I'm unfamiliar with.

- There will be a PDF and Web Guide to modeling, as a collection of what I've learned and seen works. It will be the basics, nothing advanced.

- My starting charge will be a base $20 USD for a single shoot. Shoots of a nature I have not excelled at will still be free while I develop my skills in the area.

- I will begin expanding my portfolio first into the areas of "male modeling", "auto"/"cars", "couples", "product"

- Ads will be developed to promote my Facebook page, and future web page. Featuring these ads on your Facebook User Profile or Elsewhere will act as discounts/credits for photoshoots.


There's also a coming plan to rent out my old cool cameras. Though details for this idea are premature still. Film will come preloaded, operating instructions will be provided, and film development will be included. As this grows and develops I intend to partner with Blue Moon and Pro Photo Supply to increase my client base and reach.

Sparkles

I made this wish

On the days befor my birthday this year, I made a wish. I had lost a friend, and someone I cared about. I'd done nothing wrong, but that doesn't always mean we get what we want. My wish was simple... I wanted her back in my life. No matter in what form. She was just something I treasured and could have come in any number of forms.

The next day I got my wish. For as crazy as that sounds, just like that there she was... and I've not felt so happy since... I can't remember honestly.

What is she to me... ?
... she's a G6

Friends and needs...

We all have down days, where we feel like no one cares, like no one is there for us. What's important to remember in those times is that someone does care. Maybe no who we want to care, or be there, but someone...

Getting to know someone, is often much like developing an image. You get your first glimpse when the shot is taking... nothing more is known than what was just there. But then you get to mingle with them, run that image through the developer, share an experience or two, and hang that image up to dry. Sometimes, that first impression, that moment you thought you captured, turns out to be completely different from the final image, the person you really just met.

I took this picture, and let me tell you what, it looked a whole lot better the way I saw it that day.

I met you, and you seemed like a completely different person than the one I know today.