Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Martin Howard wrote: >I am not a beleiver of the old saying: get paid for doing what you do anyway. >It doesn't happen. You'll get paid for doing, not what you are already doing, >but for doing other things.>>>>>>>> Hi Martin, Quite true, as 90% of the time unless you are very well off and can survive on a few well paying assignments (not many on the LUG I believe) as this gives the income to do 10% of your personal projects. And without those 10% "for my self shoots" it can become the same old thing like on the auto assemblyline. Boring! Being a professional photographer always appears to others as, "WOW that's I want to do, travel the world, meet people, go to interesting resturants!" I mean, "you can't shoot on an empty stomach!" said Napoleon!" :) The truth of is, 90% income earning assignments are very mundane and merely put funds in your pocket. The interesting and exciting stuff is the 10%, the assignments that pros like to talk about because that's where your'e always in fun time, albeit damn dangerous some times. There's always the excitment adrenilen rush to make you hully gully! :) And a happy camper shooter.:) >So, you pros, doesn't this bother you? How do you keep things fun and >interesting?>>>>> If you truly love photography with great passion, everything you shoot will be the best effort possible, as the final outcome is not the money, I can earn that cleaning stables, but the feeling of satisfaction of knowing you did a nice job and you feel very comfortable with it. That's fun! The warm feeling you get when you've turned some mundane shoot into something special and the client is so happy with the pictures they can't believe what you did. The pat on the back for a job well done is the best payment of all. Then you know it's all been fun one more time! If you don't maintain that feeling, then it's time to go clean the stables! It's feeling good about what you did/do and satisfying others with your efforts. Saying quietly to yourself, not with ego, but with comfort, "damn I'm good!" And to one more time enjoy screening the slides, knowing "isn't that nice!" Wonderful satisfaction you've done a damn good shoot making someone else feel good with your efforts. That's maintaining the fun.:) ted Ted Grant This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler. http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant