I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good network with other professionals. Some photographers think they can go it alone and don’t need anyone else……until something happens.
Today I had lunch with a rockin local photographer - Doug Miranda. The area is lucky to have him, and I enjoyed getting to know him better!
Check out his site and blog when you get a chance!
Best Wishes,
Michael
I’ve been tagged! There is game of e-tag going on with loads of photographers all over the world - my good buddy Kevin Jairaj just got me!
So here’s how it works; I have to list 8 things about myself that my blog-stalkers probably don’t know. After that, I nominate 8 other photographers to share their hidden-secrets as well.
On to the scoop!
Thing 1: I was born in England, near the city of Oxford.
Thing 2: I speak German (and lived in Germany for almost 2 years). Okay, my grammar is horrible and I understand a whole lot more than I speak now, but I used to speak, read, and write the language pretty well!
Thing 3: I was voted “Most likely to be taking rehearsal notes” in high school choir because I never brought my music folder.
Thing 4: I would LOVE to own an Infiniti FX. Really. I would love that.
Thing 5: I absolutely love Italian food!
Thing 6. I have a nursing background, and worked on CRMH 5-West (Med. Surg.) when we first moved to Roanoke.
Thing 7. I am the youngest of six kids. Yup…6!
Thing 8. I love Apple products. I love iTunes and have an iMac G5, an iBook G4, Leah and I both have iPod’s, and I would like an iPhone, and an Apple TV.
So who’s next? Let’s see, how about
Dave Tak
Alicia Williams
Adam Barnes
Casey Templeton
Kevin Hurley
David Lee Michaels
Justin & Marie
CJ & Carissa
HAVE FUN!
P.S.
I haven’t forgotten about all of my loyal readers and kept you in suspense unnecessarily…something new is coming! Promise.
I can’t even begin to tell you how important it is to network with other professionals. Having a great network can help to make or break your business. Together, you can collectively raise the bar for your area.
Recently, a few of us photographers got together at Shakers for a little lunch and hang out time. In my opinion, those of us who got together are the region’s best!
We had Justin & Marie (D’Artisti), Kevin Hurley, Debra Woods (Inspiration and Design), David Lee Michaels, and yours truly.
When you have a great network that you can trust and rely on, it makes enjoying what you do that much sweeter. We had an awesome time!
Enjoy the images…
Tuesday afternoon, Kevin Hurley and his assistant Jeff, David Lee Michaels and myself all got into Kevin’s suburban and headed down to Charlotte, North Carolina for a photography seminar feauturing Joe Buissink and Marcus Bell.
We had a great time hanging out together, and as you’ll see from the images - a couple other local photographers came down as well! So to other photographers reading this who weren’t there…if at all possible, never miss an educational AND networking opportunity!
Here’s a VERY small sampling of the trip!
We had some tasty morsals here Tuesday night and some fun just hanging out
David & I roomed together on this trip - this was the view from our room Wednesday morning
The infamous Kevin Hurley. Just remember guys - the chair was my idea first!
David Lee chowin down on the awesome DoubleTree cookies that were brought over to the Hilton
Debra Woods having fun with her bounce card while Jeff lets the latest round of iced tea settle
My buddy Adam Barnes came down from Lynchburg
Me with two of my photography heros - Parker Pfister & Joe Buissink
Okay, this post is going to be a little controversial for some of you photographers out there, but here goes.
I used Nikon equiptment for 8 years. I used them when I shot film, and I stayed with them when making the switch to an all digital studio two years ago. Right about here I’ve already lost a few of you.
Yes, every image you see here and on my website is digital. I’m not here to argue which is better, so whatever works for you - go for it! As for me, digital is incredible and I would never return to shooting film.
Oh, and for the very few people out there still wondering if digital is good enough…..I bet you never would have known I’m completely digital if I hadn’t said anything.
So for those still reading, here’s where a few more might drop out. I made the switch to Canon equipment earlier this year. After doing some research and hearing how incredible Canon was supposed to be, I decided to see for myself. I checked out a 5D and put it head to head against my D200. Same lens equivalent, same ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The results were amazing!
That wasn’t enough to convince me, so I headed out shooting downtown Roanoke with a buddy of mine, Sam Dean. For three hours in the evening and into the night, we shot everything in as identical settings as we could.
The results were more than what I thought were possible. I had a few questions, so I thought I would give Canon a call and an amazing thing happened - A HUMAN answered! No recordings, no waiting line, and…..I could understand them. Several questions and another phone call later I still got the same incredible client service.
So after converting everything over to Canon gear I write them a letter telling them how happy I am with the great equipment and client service. What did they do? Wrote me a letter back thanking me and invited me to join Canon Professional Services.
To every photographer still reading this and wondering if I’m sponsored by Canon….I’m not. They’re just THAT good. They have given me several things that Nikon could not, and did not.
Before I sign off, I must say one final thought. When I spoke at the Virginia Professional Photographer Association meeting back in September I told everyone that the camera behind your eyes matters the most (your brain). That is true and I really do believe that.
A “better” camera won’t make you a better photographer.
Do good tools help?
ABSOLUTELY!