“I might have a new job.” I told the man who had hired me to Shoot and Show Church Directory Portraits. “It’s traveling around the country, taking portraits of college kids. The expenses alone are a few hundred dollars a week.” “That’s too much work.” He said and smiled. “I make around $50k a year …
“No one told us we would have to buy the pictures today.” The man said as he reached for his wallet. “That isn’t right.” I just smile at him. It’s a comment that is ever present, like I’m going to a Professional Photographer next week or I just got back from a cruise or My …
“You’re not just a photographer anymore.” The Boss says in a shape up or ship out tone. “You have to improve your sales average.” “I’ll do what I can.” I say with a nervous laugh. When I learned to take portraits, I was trained to run the Subjects through the Studio as quickly as possible …
“Well.” Bambi Cantrell says and throws her arms out. “With a negative attitude like that, no wonder he doesn’t have any work!” This was in response to someone who told Bambi it was great that her systems worked for her, but what about people who don’t have brand name recognition, don’t have a studio location, …
“If I’m still doing this in ten years.” I said in a deadpan serious voice. ” Feel free to shot me.” I felt old ten years ago when I said that, often tired and occasionally exhausted by the work. Long hours of driving around the country, setting up and tearing down the Studio, eating way …
To be on the wire is life. the rest is waiting. -Bob Fosse “This price is the Stretched Canvas Finish, this is with the Regular Canvas, and this is with the Smooth Matte finish.” I say as I lay out the prices for the portraits the Subject has decided to order. “It just depends on …
“You sell a lot of 16x20s.” The Manager says with a bit of surprise. “Get me a 20×24 sample to point at.” I say with a shrug. “And I’ll sell a lot of 20x24s, too.” This is a tad facetious on my part, as I don’t really think I have the inside track to selling larger …
“Why can’t this one be in the Book?” The Little Old Lady says and points to one of the approval shots. “I don’t really like that one.” “The one for the Book has to have the same background and the same cropping.” I say and show her a sample Book where all the portraits look …
“I don’t want a lot of pictures this time.” The woman says without even sitting down. “I just need four 5x7s of this one and an 8×10 of that one.” “Ok.” I say and crunch the numbers, I tell her the total and she gives me a credit card. By the end of the day …
“Alright.” I say with a smile in my voice. “Which one of these two do you like better?” “Ugh!” The white haired, overweight woman says and pushed the proofs away from her. “I hate all of them. I don’t even want to be in the book. I look terrible.” The woman gets up and walks …