NBMS Career Day 2009

I only got choked up 6 times....maybe 7.

Not sure why, but perhaps my desires deep within are bring ignited. Maybe I have figured out how to set myself on fire....or I am just an emotional sap.

Career day 2009 was today at the middle school. I got 6th grade again this year (by request). Next year, will be 8th grade.

I wish I could show you the images that the students took, but being a professional photographer, I have to have their permission. Hopefully, their parents will read this and give me the opportunity to share the work of their kids. :)

Our sessions are 20 minutes each for 6 classes. I talk WAAAYYY too much for only 20 minutes. I was cut short 5 times I think. Once I was only 1/2 way through because of a lot of questions. Which is fine, but I wasn't able to get out all what I wanted to say for the job of being a photographer. I think I will start on next years presentation this week. I need to cull it down a bit and really focus on the business part of the business. Sure, making WOW! images is the goal, but how do you do it? What does it take to know you have made a great image? How do you market, sell and collect the money. I didn't get to cover those items in my bullet points.

I did however cover copyright and infringement. I asked if anyone created anything and what they would fee like if someone used it to make money and they not get paid? I think more than a few students got it.

All in all, I think MY performance was lacking, but hopefully the students were able to get through my gibberish to realize I am a lucky person following my dream and being able to share it with them.

Thank you NBMS staff! Thank you!

Weekend (to come) update

Well, it finally stopped raining. It's been more of a mist, but water from the sky nonetheless. The sun is now out (drying my grass so I can mow it) and the season's first football game is slated for this Sunday. Soccer is still a week away. Photographically I am still trying to get last weeks scrimmage game edited and posted to the sales site. But alas, we have company coming and the Clean House crew hasn't arrived so I have been picking up the slack. LOL Another item on the football front is a raffle item. I will be donating a sports poster to every home game of Potter & Raccoon Football/Cheer. I have the mock ups on paper and need to scratch one together before the game on Sunday. I suppose I have about 6 hours of work for that.......need more hours in the day and days in the week.

I booked a wedding for early October. It's a small one so not a lot of stress as normally associated with the huge production weddings.

This week I had talked to a dog groomer about doing a little referral work. Still need to work out details, but hopefully she can send some of her clients my way. I will be getting some prints for her to put in her salon in the upcoming few weeks.

Wednesday and Thursday I worked at the studio above Head to Toes Salon. I am hoping to get the key to the building next week. I put up insulation and hung some drop ceiling then I swept and vacuumed. Once I am in, I can start high school senior marketing. The poster is almost done and I had Lori D look it over and she gave me the "not bad for a non-graphic artist" comment. I took it as a compliment. :) I also pushed a logo design job to her this week. Can't wait to see that too.

The invitations for the Fe Gallery have been proofed. I will pick up printed versions next week and electronic versions will be forthcoming. The exhibition opening is Sept 12th. The pre-orders for the printed catalog are available, if anyone wants to order one, they are just under $40. I can send you an order form if you send me an email. Remember, this catalog is almost 300 pages, glossy FULL COLOR paper. It is a top notch production. The artists are from the 13 counties surrounding Pittsburgh PA, but more than that, they may be the next best artist to be. Given the limited print run, it's a $40 well worth it.

I also contacted the middle schools counselor's to begin work on this school years Career Day. Last year was so fun for me, I want to bring it to "the Next Level".....if you will. I proposed two presentations. Depending on which one is selected, will depend on how much work I have to do over the next 4-5 months. I hope they pick Idea#2.......when they do come back with the acceptance I will let everyone know what's in store.