Wednesday, March 21, 2012

My First Job As "Photographer"

Doesn't it happen eventually to all amateur photographers? Recently, I was asked to be the "photographer" at a local Tucson event.  There were many things I learned on this first outing.
  1. Find interesting shots.  It's difficult to do if you don't like whatever it is you have to photograph.  Luckily, I enjoyed this program which related to literacy among kids.  But imagine being forced to take pics of something you DISLIKE!  Could be painful.
  2. Deadlines.  Pictures take time to edit....and with my camera, it's mostly cropping!
  3. Being forced to cope with lighting conditions during the time of the event!!  My battle happened with intense sunlight.
Matters of the Human Kind
  1.  Bring pens and permission slips. Otherwise people's faces are off limits!
  2. Find out what events are going on so that you can be there for each of them.
  3. Get a list of things people may want taken.
  4. Investigate the event before the shoot and think of ways you'd like to capture the images.
  5. Bring your professional cards....you never know who you'll meet.  During that day, I gave away 3 of my cards.
  6. Talk to the crowd.  Let them know who you are so that they aren't scared of the mysterious man.

Physicality
  1. Watch where you're standing or you may get trampled.  In my case...runners!
  2. Bring a notepad to jot things down.
  3. Stuff as many lenses as you can physically carry into your pocket to switch around during the event.
  4. Take a break every once and awhile:)
  5. Credit your work!

There's probably more that I'm forgetting but please note that these are the only shots that I am able to show on today's post. Note the clever ways to avoid showing the person's face.  In a 4 hour time period, I snapped off around 1500 photos!!!  This was a fantastic event and I'm really glad I was given the opportunity to perform my first gig.  I love wildlife and flowers more, but I did enjoy the challenges that people present.   Here are some comments on the photos you see today.  Literacy for children is an important one so finding a shot with a kid reading was essential.  There are actually better shots out there but their faces were showing.  The little boy with the helmet was absolutely adorable.  He, like many of us, enjoy sitting and reading or writing while eating a donut or salad or whatever.  I think he captures the inner child in each of us.  The last photos make me laugh very very much.  A runner and his pooch.  They did the Laps for Literacy run and it was really fun watching this particular event.  However, after the race was done, the pooch needed to stretch.  I've NEVER seen anything like this so I shot pics.  I move up the hill a ways and there is a gaggle of women...older women.  And they say, "Did you get that shot of the dog?"  But while they were saying it, they were giggling like little girls which makes me think the dog wasn't the focus of their attention:)  That made me laugh even harder.  I enjoy photography but more for the art and discovery and it's not something I'd want to do on a regular basis for a job.  The idea of filming a car race would kill me.  But, I'll leave you with this thought and a question.  I love that photography takes you places or gives you permission to go places that we normally wouldn't explore on our own.  And that is the beauty of being a photographer....you never know what each day will bring.  If you could, would you do photography full time? 

19 comments:

  1. Oh Kreesh, i want to be like you, or if you are nearer, i will be an assistant, LOL. I am envious because at least you get extra payment for the things you will still do without. In my case, I do all the photographing and the travelling and hiking only for me, those lots of photos only ended up in my hard drive and memory cards. Oh i wish sometimes i will also get money from them. haha! You should give me some commission job!

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    1. Andrea that would be so much fun! Yesterday I took a friend out and showed her how to use her million dollar camera that she's had for 6 months. She had an issue with the focus....we had such a blast and it was so much fun hanging out with another photographer hiking and exploring. That was such a blast. We joked that there's always someone with a bigger telephoto lense out there....and there was:) One day I'll make it over to your area and then we'll get into trouble and go to places you may never have been or think are a must see:) Or you're always more than welcome to come to Tucson. Hope you're having a good week. Kreesh:)

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  2. Oh i immediately click the publish, forgetting to say your photos are really lovely, and i had a good laugh on those dog photos, but the more with your admission of laughter for the giggling old women. I laughed aloud here too.

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  3. Congrats on your first job as a photographer! What a great event to photograph! I just love the pic of the little one with the book.

    I would photograph full time if I could learn to use my new digital camera as well as I could use my 35mm!!

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  4. Congratulations on your first gig! Great pictures here. The little boy stole my heart.

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  5. Great photos there Chris - sounds as though you had a real fun day out! Your camera and lenses sound great by the way.

    I haven't had much practice at taking photographs of people - the family refuse to pose! I tend to prefer taking wildlife and garden photos. I don't think I would like to be a photographer full time as for me it would take the fun out of it. But I definitely agree with you that photography takes you to places that you wouldn't normally explore on your own.

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  6. 1500? Wow! And how many extra batteries did you have? That's something I would add to your list to always have on hand. Can you post or e-mail me the language on your permission slip?

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    1. Yeah that was pretty crazy. I don't have the permission slip on me as I gave them back to Altrusa BUT my friend has a copy of one of the forms. I'll send it you once I have it:) You never think about stuff like that until you are actually working as a camera person and realize that not all people want their picture taken. I've grown more sensitive to it, but it's still tricky stuff. I went around in the morning before the activities introducing myself speaking about forms etc.

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  7. I'd be a photographer for national geographic or some other wildlife magazine. I love being outdoors and snapping pictures of plants/animals!

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  8. good for you! great experience, i'm sure! i'd not handle the pressure well. :)

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  9. Congratulations! Very important post for photographers!

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  10. Interesting picutres! Photographing is hard work especially for the legs and for the back :-) then comes the sorting... so I tend to limit the shots... I was lucky enough to be able to shoot a few times which gave me the opportunity to buy a few lenses then I quit... but for a living why not...

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  11. To było stresujące zajęcie, ale z pewnością ciekawe i dające przyjemność. Zdjęcie chłopczyka jest słodkie. Pozdrawiam.*** It was a stressful job, but certainly interesting and giving pleasure. Zdjęcie boy is sweet. Yours.

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  12. it's generous of you to list all those photography gig tips for us! i really appreciate it. i dont comment much, but i really enjoy your blog. your personality always shines through and you have lots of good topics and photos. thx!

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  13. You did good and have some great advice. I can use some of that for our family gatherings where I can show faces!
    I don't think I could be a full time photographer. I love taking photos but have to be in the right mood.

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  14. I think you did a great job!
    Love the dog photos!

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  15. Arizona is full of treasures large and small. Seems you found several on this first shoot. I forget to take photos of people. Yet I take photos everyday just not for pay, yet.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be back.

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  16. Looks like you had a great time. I am always intimidated to photograph anything that has to be preserved for posterity. I would faint at the idea of photographing a wedding.

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  17. Who knows, this could lead to a new career for you. I have to really push myself to take people pictures, even with people I know.

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