Comments on: What to do

By: andie

andie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:19:31 +0000

Sorry for joining in so far after the fact, but I’m doing my post-holidays catch-up. I wanted to suggest a #11 – or #12 I guess since Martha got to 11 first.

Join someone you care about in something that interests him/her.

By recently taking some time away from my end-of-year web updates, biz plan revisions, marketing planning for the upcoming year, etc. and joining my husband in some of his business networking (he’s a fellow creative, a musician), I met some incredible people who have not only become friends but have also generated some business for me! Even if it hadn’t been a good boost for my business, it was valuable time spent with my better half showing interest in his interests which, at the very least, brought some interesting new people into our lives. And to think I almost stayed home staring at my computer all night!

By: links 12/2008 « BORUT PETERLIN, a Slovenian photographer in a rabbit hole of photography

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:45:41 +0000

[...] are really helpful in self education. Leslie Burns-dell-Acqua has some more very useful [...]

By: OG

OG — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:50:32 +0000

Volunteering (#10) is a great thing to do. As an added plus, one can also draw inspiration from giving back.

By: Giulio

Giulio — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:33:55 +0000

I’ve been taking as much time off lately as possible. I got one more job to do tomorrow then it’s all post and planing for 2009. Since 09 is probably gonna be like 08 I have some ideas for marketing that has proven well for me this year.

I have been watching many films as of late and have been doing personal tests to come up with a look inspired by the film. I’ll have some of these tests posted in 09 but the great thing is that through this personal work I’ve already landed jobs based on the visual style.

By: MarcW

MarcW — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:53:44 +0000

WRT #2, can I put in a plug for one of my personal favorites, “The Photographer?” Very much a movie about what it means to be a photographer and the pains and pitfalls of being “stuck” in life.

See: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240802/

By: Tony Blei

Tony Blei — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:26:52 +0000

I wish I had “nothing” to do. I am busy, even when I’m not working directly with a client.

Here is what I like to think: I’m a photographer who likes to shoot for myself. The reason I am a commercial photographer is so that clients will pay me to shoot for them, which subsidizes my personal life and personal projects.

I’ve learned that the most important thing to do during slow times is to keep forward motion. Be the photographer you are and do something you couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do during busier times. During my first slow time I learned how to photograph water drops. It was fun. The images are beautiful and hang on the walls of my studio and a local tea shop.

Because of my background, I like to challenge myself to go out and find pictures. In the days of the newspaper, we were often charged with finding a “Feature.” So now I go out, often at night, and shoot with only available light and no tripod. The pictures are beautiful and I’m certain that when I redo my portfolio, some of those images will be displayed there.

In all things, invest in yourself.

By: Martha Retallick

Martha Retallick — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:05:00 +0000

And, how about #11: Hustle up some business. I’m hearing the same bad economic news that everyone else is, but it’s not stopping me from picking up the phone and calling potential clients. Likewise, using e-mail to reach out to them.

The business is still out there. But you do have to go after it. Relentlessly.