"Don't Hate The Photographer, Hate The Game"

     These past few weeks I have been shooting non-stop. In and out of the studio. I feel my photography is progressing on the business side and the my technical. No, I have not purchased the new body or lenses. Just finding my niche in the business and trying to perfect that side of it. Keeping the camera with me everywhere I go. Doing simple jobs and some free jobs. Getting the name of the business out there. ER Photography is starting to taxi toward the runway. Can't say that it is taking off yet. Man, I feel like I am still reading the how to fly manual as the plane is taking off sometimes. It is alot of work in a saturated market, but I am seeing it is about 15 percent knowing how to take a good picture and about 85 percent hustle. Just getting out there showing people that your business exist and that you offer a great product.

Actress Brianna Gould at the Old Goat Farm in Atlanta, GA

     I was talking to a photographer friend today, who went to a high school reunion awhile back. The photographer at the reunion had an old canvas backdrop, a flood light on the floor pointing up to ceiling, and a point and shoot, charging fifteen bucks for 8x10's. And we were wondering how did he get that job. Don't hate the photographer, hate the game. It's all about the hustle. Now don't get me wrong. I don't have the newest cameras out there. I have my Nikon D200's and still have my ED lenses, with my own studio (sharing with two other photographers). And I am begging people to let me take there picture everyday. Maybe I don't look like your typical photographer. I am passing out cards, working facebook and twitter. Trying to the ER Photography out there everyday, and been doing this for about four years now, as a legitimate business. And I am just now feeling like I am gaining momentum with ER Photography. 

Actor Michael Gladden head shot session at ER Photography Studio

     So what has changed? Why am I feeling so good about this photography business that is so hard to keep going? After four years barely making it. Just making rent for the studio every month. Four years of my wife telling me you're not spending enough time at home. Four years of always having to buy used equipment. Why? Because I am still in the game!!!!! My pictures are getting sharper!!!!!! And damn it, I like myself!!! LOL. But really even though I have some old equipment. I still have better stuff than most in this business. I am making money in a terrible economy. And still willing to learn about the biz. Still willing to learn how to take a better picture. When I first started I would take a lot of pictures and converse less with the client. Now I spend most of my sessions getting to know my client and taking less pictures.  Wow!!! What a concept, right? But, it is easier that way to get the shot the client wants. Instead of me thinking I know what the client needs.
     Just one thing I have learned in business in general. Not just photography, in any business. It is all about the client. Now I am starting to get some referrals and growing a clientele list. I just love taking pictures. I am not really a hustler or the business man of the year. I just like clicking that camera and looking at that viewfinder and saying, "That is a good shot". What a feeling!!!

Model Jasmine at ER Photography Studio Meetup

     Don't really know why I am writing this blog. It started out to be something else, but I got all of track as I usually do when I write. Just feeling good about myself and this is only way I can get it out. So I am going to keep doing what I do. Keep learning. Keep learning how to  hustle. And most importantly keep taking pictures. Can't win the game if you don't play. I put some of my recent pics of up. Check'em out. So keep clicking that camera yall. Don't let nobody discourage you from your dreams. Because photogs see the world different.