Two books I’ve recently purchased have been incredibly helpful on the business aspects of assignment photography.
Pricing Photography is a well written resource on pricing in the industry. It helped provide some leverage as I was negotiating last week with Metropolitan Gallery. The gallery just signed a contract with me for usage of two images from the Luminary series–they’ll be creating 40″x 60″ installments for permanent display in Tempe, Arizona.
I’ve also been gleaning some business skills from John Harrington’s Best Business Practices for Photographers. It’s especially helpful with structuring estimates/contracts and licensing images. I’ve used estimate forms and examples twice already this week–just signed with IFEC for event photography and UT’s College of Natural Science magazine, Focus On Science for a full page portrait.
Now I just need to find an accountant, any suggestions?
The latest A Magazine hit the shelves today, featuring my portraits and photo illustrations of Austin Mayor Will Wynn, highlighting his green policies. My good friend Jean Kwon wrote the story on Wynn. Also, I’ll share last quarter’s cover with RunTex owner Paul Carrozza.
Also, you can now see my photojournalistic feature, Kitchen Confidential, in the latest Austin Monthly.
Neal and Dan tied the knot last week and I had the pleasure of documenting the weekend for them. Below are some of my initial favs.
And an update on Mexico: I made it! I’m currently in el aeropuerto of Mexico City waiting for my connection. I found out yesterday that when AeroMexico says they’re mailing paper tickets, it means they made it an eticket and won’t mail me anything. Whew, hopefully an update of the Mexican tales later this week.
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I am now a proud member of PPA, Editorial Photographers, and still a contributing member of WPJA.
I am also incorporating giving back into more of my business–specifically through Kiva, a great organization I’ve been working with since February. Kiva advances the principle of micro-lending in a very personal and trackable way. The idea is to loan to people in the developing world small amounts of money to create or further their businesses–in turn, they become independent, healthier, more productive, happier citizens. Before this concept, the world’s poor had little hope of improving their situation. Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his revolutionary work with micro-lending. I love working with Kiva because:
- it’s not charity, it’s a loan–which I believe is more empowering and more of a long-term solution to poverty
- I can choose who I loan to, see their profile, get updates on their business
- Since Kiva relies on donations and volunteers for management and works with microfinance institutions around the world, I know 100% of my loan goes directly to the individual
Throughout my world travels, I’ve met a variety of poverty-stricken people. The imbalance in this world is striking. Despite the great advancements of recent civilization, we have still left a billion of our neighbors in extreme poverty–not because they have nothing to offer, but because our global society has failed them. I’m now committing 40% of the proceeds from my fine art series as well as a portion of my wedding work to Kiva. Take a look at who I’ve loaned to already. Or check out this video on Kiva from the NY Times.
Last week I spent Friday and Saturday nights in two of Austin’s finest restaurants–Jeffrey’s and the Driskill Grill. I was shooting for a major feature in the November issue of Austin Monthly, exploring what happens behind the scenes in their kitchens. I’m thankful to the chefs and their crew as well as Austin Monthly’s Art Director who let me document the series in a photojournalistic approach.
It was an exciting, chaotic endeavor—the cramped spaces, the unchecked flames, the collisions, and the drama all made for some flavorful moments.
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Last night Jake Bryer and Joel Ganucheau of the Austin Art Garage hosted a hugely successful grand opening party at the Ann Kelso Salon. One of my Luminary series prints was the first item to sell last night! Here’s my first entry on the series.
And I just signed a contract with The Austonian—they’ll be displaying 3 of my Luminary prints in their new sales office.
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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shooting Kimrey & Justin’s wedding at The Plantation House. It went by quickly but was full of rich and colorful moments. I was happy to have my 2nd photog, Sharon Chin with me again. Enjoy some of my initial favorite images.
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I was recently selected to join the Wedding Photojournalist Association. For their latest quarterly global competition, I came away with one award for the following image. It received 8th place in a category of images exploring weather in a wedding–got to love the Texas heat.
And I just finalized an updated price-list for my wedding photography if anyone’s interested.
One highlight of my weekend was shooting with Kathy Dunn Hamrick and some of her talented dancers again.
Her dance company will be putting on a performance and fundraiser called “Well-Suited” in November. Enjoy the costumes and images. ACL images should be coming up in the next day or two.
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My newest series of limited fine art prints, “Luminary”, is now available exclusively at the new Austin Art Garage, in-store or online.
Ten percent of the proceeds from the series will go to loans at www.kiva.org, empowering entrepreneurs in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty.
Visit the online listing to see more, learn more, and purchase a fine art framed print.
Below are a few selections from the collection of 8 images.
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