Rainy Day and The Little Gourmet
Today is a dreary rainy day here in Chicagoland. My sweetheart worked this morning until he was completely soaked. He ran errands with me this afternoon. Well, to be honest, he ran the errands and had me stay in the car so I wouldn’t get wet and chilled making my cold worse.
Since we were out and about, he took me to lunch at one of the local spots that I have been wanting to visit. The Little Gourmet is one my favorite stops during the Taste of Roselle each year. The fruit kabobs they serve at the Taste are incredible! They are one of the items on their Catering Menu.
Glenn ordered the “Little Gourmet Special” sandwich, with turkey. He let me try a bite and it was delicious! I ate a three cheese (not Italian) grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, the special of the day. YUM!
I admit I am not a root beer fan. Glenn, however, loves it! He declared that this was the best root beer he’s ever had. I had a really good Black Cherry soft drink.
100 Things about Photography – My List
After reading Martin Gommel’s list and posting about it, I said I’d make my own “100 things about Photography I have learned” list and here it is in no particular order…
(I didn’t go back and check his list. I hope I don’t have a lot of repeats!)
1. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2. Develop your own style of photography.
3. Keep a scrapbook of ideas.
4. Scout new locations weekly.
5. Wear layers (don’t forget your sunscreen).
6. If you have a blog, use your blog.
7. Do what you say you’ll do. (Great customer service)
8. You don’t have to own everything today.
9. Learn about marketing.
10. Attend as many seminars as you can.
11. Learn construction, painting, sewing, and comedy you’ll need those skills.
12. Network with other photographers.
13. Share your knowledge with people starting out in the business.
14. Photograph, Photograph, Photograph – in one word, practice
15. You are in every image you take.
16. People like to work with people they like. Let people get to know you.
17. Enjoy what you are doing, or better yet, be passionate.
18. Wear comfortable, arch supporting shoes.
19. Try different perspectives, lay on the ground, climb a tree (or ladder).
20. There is nothing wrong with simple.
21. Learn Adobe Photoshop.
22. Have good phone skills and if you don’t, learn them.
23. Develop a brand.
24. It is not the equipment, it is the photographer.
25. Always be aware of your surroundings.
26. Check your equipment and keep it in good shape.
27. Make sure you have backup equipment. (Including batteries)
28. Be prepared for inclement weather, for yourself, your client and your equipment.
29. Provide maps for your clients if you expect them to be there on time.
30. Think outside the box (I hate that expression but, you know what I mean. I prefer conceptual thinking.).
31. The client is always right, even when they are wrong. (See #57)
32. Always carry a camera with you, even if it is a point and shoot.
33. Read, Study, Learn… not only about photography
34. Patience
35. If you wouldn’t put it on your wall, don’t think your client will.
36. Bring water and a snack with you on location.
37. If your family didn’t ask to be models, don’t treat them like they did.
38. Join the PPA, WPPI or NAPP (or any other organization that will teach you more!)
39. Go exploring. You never know what gem you will find.
40. Remember that the eye is drawn to the place of the highest contrast.
41. Have a website. (or blog-site)
42. Learn composition.
43. Keep your product line and pricing simple, yet effective.
44. Get over being embarrassed by things you need to do in order to be effective.
45. Find something that inspires you.
46. Back up your work, then back it up again.
47. When you hear a good idea, implement it.
48. Don’t price your business according to competition. Price your business according to your costs.
49. Take the best possible image IN CAMERA. Don’t rely on fixing it later.
50. Be adaptable.
51. Don’t give up.
52. Learn appealing posing techniques.
53. Community exposure, get your name out there.
54. Have a family portrait created. If you aren’t buying portraits, why should anyone else?
55. Don’t put off buying a new computer when you know you need one.
56. Trust your instincts.
57. You run your business. If you allow your clients to run it, you will not break even, and will never make a profit.
58. Photograph for yourself, to stay inspired. (Self assignments)
59. Calibration
60. Consistency
61. Network with professionals in other fields, you can complement each other.
62. ALWAYS carry business cards.
63. Get organized and Stay organized.
64. Study your market.
65. Your brand: Live it, Breathe it, Be it.
66. Find a good accountant.
67. Remember to take time for yourself and your family. (Work to live, not live to work.)
68. Like a writer should write what they know. Photograph what you know. Revisit the past.
69. Try something new.
70. If your clients like what you do, and you like what you do, does it matter if you win a competition?
71. Give back, when you can.
72. Listen
73. Develop an online presence. (Be professional)
74. Ask questions.
75. If you use a template for a site, change it so it doesn’t look like everyone else.
76. The little things matter.
77. Learn to see the light.
78. The photographic world is ever changing. If you don’t want to study forever, choose a different career.
79. Do your research before every session.
80. Everyone has bad days.
81. Learn to see the world through new eyes.
82. Find a work flow that works for you.
83. Find someone to give you an honest critique.
84. Use negative space.
85. Study what people have done before you. You don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
86. If you don’t have a light meter, please, buy one. Then, learn how to use it.
87. Get closer.
88. Find the emotion in any subject.
89. Use a tripod.
90. Read your manual.
91. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
92. Dress the part. Don’t wear a business suit if you are dealing with high school seniors. Don’t wear jeans to a wedding.
93. Break the rules
94. Be memorable.
95. Have good time management skills, or learn them.
96. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
97. Everyone had to start somewhere, you WILL improve.
98. Competition is good.
99. The only thing that can cause you to fail is you.
100. Give God the glory.
Now make your own list!
100 Things
Here is a list from Martin Gommel on photography. I’m going to make my list of 100 things, I just thought I’d share his in the mean time.
