Everyone is a Photographer Today

Technology today seems to make everyone a photographer, with inkjet printers and digital cameras in cell phones everyone can now contribute the to the royalty-free market. Many blame the current economic state, while it should take some credit, the real dilemmas facing photography started before digital cameras in the late 1970’s when the first one-hour mini-labs entered the market, thus creating a slow, chain reaction as photographers and the photo industry today scramble for new ways to survive.

When the first mini-labs entered the market, from the Nortisu QSS systems to the smaller KIS systems, the face of photography changed. Some may argue it all started with the Canon AE-1 a few years before, but in realty, the AE-1 only forced camera manufacturers to spend more money on research and development for cameras that provided more than manual modes of operation.

These one-hour, photofinishing, assembly-line machines opened the door for a new market, initially mom and pop photofinishing labs that would evolve into photo studios (by offering passport photos and baby pictures), photo copying factories and even camera stores. The long-standing camera stores, which rarely made profits on actual camera bodies (low turn-over inventory items) and only on point of sale and peripherals products like filters and frames were either forced into photofinishing and adding their own photo studios, thus ultimately competing against their own customer—the professional photographer.

The camera stores that didn’t add photofinishing mainly went out of business. Even the larger camera store chains like Fox Foto, FotoMat and even Kodak felt the competition of mom and pop mini-labs popping up everywhere. Some of the larger camera store chains bought out the smaller stores and even Kodak purchased Fox Foto only later to sell the camera stores back to Fox Foto while keeping their main photo lab.

Soon the mom and pop mini-labs and studios faced their own attacker, the large retailers, drug stores and even grocery store chains. K-Mart, Walmart, Sears, JCPenney, Walgreens, Eckards and large grocery store chains added one-hour photofinishing in their stores. This influx of these big chains in the photofinishing industry was based on the business methodology, “if we add photofinishing and drop the prices, people will come to drop their roll of film and while they wait they’ll spend at least an hour in the store shopping and the money is made up in volume sales of all our products.”

This “cheaper” photofinishing by the same quality mini-lab machines led to the original mom and pop and camera stores not being able to compete, many went out of business while others added other services like photo studios and photo copy services.

Perhaps this was one of those milestones along with fast food burgers that sociologists will say fell into the turning of America into a “convenience based” society—we want it now!

This increased popularity of photography, fast and inexpensive photofinishing led large studios, government entities (including the military) and even large corporations and industries to invest in their own mini-labs. Some invested to save time, some to save money, but all to do it “in house” especially where privacy and control was important. Some consider this the predecessor to desktop publishing, the production of the product moving closer to the creator.

Eventually the drug stores and super markets opened their own mini-labs on location, including Walmart, Eckard Drugs, K-Mart, Walgreens, super market chains and so forth. Then as digital photography came on board, the more “pro labs” and one-hour mini-labs were forced to create “products” and provide services that would cater to digital photographers. Tons of money was invested and the return (ROI) was slow that was further hampered by better-quality and lower-priced inkjet printers that became archival—the printing began to shift to the “home-lab” or “home-studio.”

At the same time, digital cameras became like computers, the market penetration became saturated with owners and products, thus the photo industry began to hurt, combined with the fact cameras now become obsolete as fast as they are introduced, unlike film cameras known for low-turnover inventory rates.

In the midst of all this, the God’s of stock photography, the Getty’s and the Corbis’s, began to swallow up the little agencies and even larger ones like Tony Stone and the Image Bank. Then royalty-free was introduced thanks to the Internet and cheaper broadband conduits of digital traffic. As bandwidth expenses and computer costs fell, Adobe Photoshop became more popular outside of professional hands, thus photographers soon were asked by editors to provide final images with post-production, gone were the film retouchers and some photographers became image-makers instead of creators of photographs. Evan photo stock agencies require special formats and sizes of images, noise and blemish free. Long are gone the 20-slides on one page.

While many photographers are facing hardships today, many fail to realize it’s not all the cause of the economy, high gasoline prices or even the digital evolution, but a combination of many factors.

The fact is, long before the latter, many magazines, even [I]Zink[/I], have never paid their photographers as they know photographers want tearsheets in hopes of being noticed by those that do pay, like [I]Vogue[/I] and [I]Vanity Fair[/I]. The photographers who will survive are those that have known this has existed before and understand how the market is pyramid shaped–the leaders are at the top of the pyramid and it’s a tough climb.

It’s been that way even before the advent of digital, just like any corporate, military or even magazine staff structure. Some start their careers in the mailroom, very few if any start at the top, unless they’re born into family and the entity allows nepotism (think Playboy, Christy Hefner; Donald Trump and his four children; even Angelina Jolie, daughter of actor Jon Voight).

On the glamour side of photography, it’s was once viewed as a negative genre, now it’s “in.” Even the use of the word “glamour” is in. While the markets are tough, one must pay their dues and often it’s “connections” but more often luck, like in all artistic career fields, being at the right place at the right time. The “breaks” often come due to nepotism, race, religion, sexual orientation (yes it’s true), political connections and again, just mere luck, being at the right place at the right time capturing the right moment (think of a few, though not many, Pulitzer prize winners.) Actors, directors and filmmakers know this concept above very well–way before digital ever arrived. It’s often said, “Many actors even change their names and religious preferences to move forward.”

Digital photography has affected everyone, from portrait shooters to established professionals, much like graphic software programs caused many corporate executives to fire their graphic arts departments (graphic artists, typesetters, writers) because suddenly they thought they could design newsletters and brochures. Desktop publishing has killed many careers. Oh, not to mention, those same executives purchase royalty-free images instead of hiring photographers for content.

In a nutshell, whether it’s glamour, fashion, editorial, commercial, weddings, etc., the digital world we all enjoy has killed many photographer’s incomes and the survivors are barely surviving as they are still doing the same or less work for cheaper prices. Part of selling images and getting those commercial contracts isn’t always talent either, though talent helps. (see above reference to politics, religion, race, connections, luck, sexual orientation, etc.)

In fact, many of the people that purchase photography products today are not professional photographers, but those that can afford the “toys” to run their in-home studio and in-home print lab. Some have these toys just for their own family use, which also has impacted professional studios and photo labs.

My best advice to photographers today, keep shooting, keep your portfolios updated, knock on doors, send mail-outs, have a beautiful website and do a lot of praying. Digital has changed the face of the world in many ways, in fact, even the watch industry is hurting because people no longer wear watches to check the time, those that do own them wear them for fashion, as we all have “watches” and even “alarm clocks” on our cell phones. Which leads to ask, “How many people have turned off their home phones and use the now cheaper cell phone for everything?”

And if you read all of this, this far, then you have passion and are truly interested in your photography, now that’s a step up from those that just want to take pretty pictures. Just my thoughts, all the best, rg sends!

Evolution of the photography related dollars:

*Camera Stores and photo studios (prior to 1979) made the money as did a few top photographers.
*Mini-labs arrive, Mom & Pop photofinishing opens up and gluts the market.
*Mom and Pops add cameras, lenses, photo studios (think just passport photos, baby pics) etc., thus becoming camera stores with photofinishing and studios that leads to the “original” camera store declines.
*Large retailers (Walmart, KMart, Walgreens, etc.) add one-hour labs (and some even photo studios and copy stations) to keep the customers in longer, drop photofinishing prices, thus killing Mom & Pop labs and studios.
*Digital cameras arrive (digital revolution)
*Pro-labs create new products for digital shooters and the pro labs invest heavily in new equipment for specialized digital output, ROI not what expected, begin to go out of business.
*Royalty free invades, thus hurting small stock agencies.
*Large stock agencies buyout smaller agencies.
*Large agencies begin to suffer because of digital photography do-it-yourself, stock agencies change contracts, take more, pay less.
*Photo studios suffer because of DIY, print at home.
*Everyone is now a photographer, their own stock agency and are driven to save money.
*The established photographer makes less and less work is requested the market dwindles for stock agencies, photographers, labs and studios.
*Today’s main buyer of top photography products are the “haves,” that can afford the toys, the majority are not professional photographers but want to shoot and feel like when when they click that shutter.

Airline Industry Overview

Over the past 30 years, I’ve traveled the world to almost 40 countries and have witnessed the airline industry evolve, from a passenger’s point of view, into an aging fleet suffering from employee morale, antiquated equipment and the master of creating new revenue streams from preexisting, passenger perks.

It’s these perks that passengers now pay extra for that are affecting employee morale and creating passenger pains that are effecting the airline travel industry in many forms, as pissed off passengers combined with employees with poor morale is like a ticking time-bomb, someone someday is going to explode with emotions and I hope it’s not on my flight.

Speaking of flights, my latest experience is what finally became the last straw that caused this post. It all started with my normal flight to the Virgin Islands, a flight I take six times a year, starting out be loading my own bags into the bed of my truck at 3:00 a.m., then heading down to the airport for my early morning flight. All went well as normal, until we were asked to deplane because of mechanical problems with the aircraft. I can live with that as who wants an unworthy airplane transporting them at 35,000 ft. altitude without a parachute?

So coming off the plane was no problem, the problem was with all my Virgin Islands workshops I have assistants, make-up artist and models normally all flying in on the same day, so logistics is critical. First the gate attendant said, “You’ll have to try again tomorrow,” and of course my reaction was, “No I have to arrive today, find me a flight,” and of course the “gatekeeper” began researching for alternatives, which in turn irritated about 30 people behind me in line.

A little note here, by law, if it’s their mistake, they have to get you to your destination even if they put you on another airline at their additional costs. If it’s the passenger’s fault, showing up late at the gate, etc., then the passenger has to obey the airline’s solution, even if it means coming back the next day to try again. If it’s nature or weather related, they have no obligation other than to help you the best they can.

Fortunately, it was their mistake due to mechanical failure of the aircraft, something I’ve experienced more often than ever in my past thirty years of flying and I’m sure that statistic is because most aircraft fleets for the airlines are over 25-years old today. Sure, there are some new aircraft, but the chances of a passenger being on one of those planes is almost like bowling a perfect game when you consider the amount of airborne planes at any given hour. Airports like John F. Kennedy in New York and others are constantly making commercial, passenger jets fly in holding patterns because they are overloaded with traffic.

It’s not unusual today for a flight to land early due to a great captain with tail winds helping reduce drag, though in the old days, an early flight meant going straight to the gate and getting home early. Today, it’s the pilot coming across the intercom system stating, “We’ve arrived 15-minutes early, but they don’t have a gate ready for us, so please stay in your seats and keep your seatbelts on.”

In this case, I eventually I arrived at my destination, St. Thomas, about eight hours late, but what I realized in this adventure along with past experience is what I wanted to share so hopefully the word gets out and the more people getting the word out, hopefully will lead to improved legislation, rules, regulations, etc., that benefit everyone, from the passenger to the porter. Let’s look at what I observed in one day:

1. Porters are pissed because the airlines have enacted a policy where they charge for the curb-side baggage check-in perk, including at least three-dollars per bag for curbside check-in. What happens is that passengers automatically assume, I know, I have, that this new, mandatory fee is in fact the longstanding tip for Porters. Well it’s not, that fee the porters collect goes straight to the airlines not the porter’s pockets. The end result is killing the curbside check-in porters that rely on tips just like a waitress or bartender. Passengers’ believe the porter “has been” tipped by this mandatory fee when it fact, they have not, the result, low morale. If you’re reading this and are a frequent flier, please, please tip your porters in addition of the mandatory curb-side, check-in fee.

2. Speaking of porters helping passengers with bags, airlines are now charging for each bag checked in, something they never did before. Who travels without bags, after all, who doesn’t pack their toiletries, underwear and clothes? And I don’t mean extra bags, but all bags. Want the above essential items to accompany you, well then budget extra cash for all future trips as baggage today is considered like a passenger on the flight-you pay if you want luggage to get there with your owner. I don’t understand it, how can you fly somewhere without your shaving kit? Speaking as a man of course, but if I were a woman, how can you fly somewhere without your make-up kit and panties? And with today’s rules on liquids and gels, all make-up is practically part of your checked-in luggage.

3. Now that leads to “cost savings” passengers doing the wise and common sense thing, pack a legal, carryon sized bag, also know as a roller board, with all you can, besides liquids, so the passenger doesn’t have to pay the extra $50 for checking in a bag. The end result, especially in overbooked flights, is no overhead bin space for passenger’s carryon bags. The third-leg flight I was on from Miami to St. Thomas was only 50-percent full, but out of overhead space. The flight before, from Dallas to Miami, was sold-out and they ran out of overhead space that caused them to “jet-way check in” carryon bags, which in turn caused the flight to leave late, which almost caused me to miss my connection in Miami. I predict the future brings surcharges for any carryon bags.

4. With that much stress, where I’d be stuck between my departure location and my final location, while my crew waited for me, I was further appalled by the fact that airlines can show a movie, then collect several dollars from you to just listen to it. Every airline wants to sell you a headset for a few bucks. I don’t understand, it’s like a billionaire asking you to pay for your own drinks while visiting their home, ultimately this just spoils the movie for all passengers, besides, it’s a movie adapted for airlines. Yes it’s free in first-class, but does a three-dollar, free headset justify the double-in-fare difference for first-class, not at all. The airlines would probably save more money by turning up the volume and killing the headsets all together.

5. It’s all about creature comforts, speaking of the latest “point of purchase display add-on” for airlines, some are now charging for the standard free pillows and blankets. That’s like the doctor charging you for the plastic ear-piece cup when examining your ears, who knows, perhaps my doc does charge for that, but I haven’t had my ears examined in sometime because I hate going to the doctor and dentists like many people-is that where the airline industry is headed?

6. Well if it is, then I’m ready for a drink. Oh, that’s another story on airlines, drinks cost from $6 to $8 per drink, sometimes the same, sometimes more than what the local bar or club will charge. I have never two-stepped on an airplane and the dance floor is the perk when I go to a club, that’s why I pay so much for my drinks.

7. And it doesn’t stop with drinks, now the airlines are charging for “premium” coach seats, most about $25 and up. Basically the middle seats and seats in the back of the airplane are the cheap seats and the isle, window and exit row seats come with a premium. Delta recently reversed this for it’s top-tier frequent flier members after many complaints, but if you’re not in their top-tier, along with other airlines, you’ll pay premium for that coach seat. Airlines are becoming great at collecting a dollar here, a dollar there for any creature comfort, even in coach class.

8. Paying for premium seats, in coach or first-class and contributing to the extra baggage charges and curbside fees doesn’t guarantee your luggage will arrive with you either, as in my case on this travel experience to the Virgin Islands–I might add, I experienced this in my Moab trip experience when my bags arrived in Aurba while I arrived in Salt Lake City. This time, no one knew were my bags were, as they didn’t arrive with me, but since my original carrier was Delta and I was moved to American when the Delta airplane suffered mechanical malfunctions, every airline employee was pointing their fingers at each other. The most troubling statement that I heard over and over, from both sides, "Well someone didn’t do their job somewhere and if they had, your baggage claim tickets, all four of them, would be in the system." While I eventually received my bags almost 24-hours later, the moral of the story was that no seemed to care, even as a platinum, frequent flier member.

While those are some things I noticed on this flight adventure, there are others we sometimes take for granted. For example, most airlines charge at least $20 if you book your flight through the telephone or with a ticket agent at the airport. The fee is waived for Internet, on-line booking.

Additionally, since I was rebooked on another airline, I lost my frequent flier miles with the original carrier and while yes, I’m signed up in every frequent flier program, I fly certain carriers to maintain my premium level membership perks. I will admit, even with Platinum status with Delta, Delta no longer gives Platinum members a free Crown Room (private airport lounge) membership, another perk lost.

The booking on another airline when it was the original carrier’s fault opens you up to additional security screening. Basically the airlines automatically add “SSSSSS” to the bottom of your airline tickets to alert the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that you’ve been, get this, “randomly selected” for additional screening, think a pat down, feel around and reach around plus rummaging through your hand carried items. This random screening is mandatory for anyone that changes airline carriers on the same day because it’s considered the same as purchasing a ticket at the last minute. Purchase an airline ticket within 24-hours or less of your departure time, budget extra time for your extra security screening that is everything short of a strip search.

Now morale issues aren’t just with the airlines (carriers) and airline employees, much is faltering with the FAA and air traffic controllers and anyone involved with the airline industry in some form or fashion. Some of this deterioration of morale at various levels and professions trickles down from the fact that the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is also paid by the consumer, is being spent Congress on things that it wasn’t originally designed for, thus leaving many in the aviation professionals to work with antiquated equipment and the lack of improvements to things such as runways and traffic control computer systems.

The multi-billion dollar fund was originally set-up by Congress in 1970 to “provide a dedicated source for funding aviation programs.” Unfortunately the fund has been used for things it wasn’t intended for, such as to supplement “large portions of the FAA’s operating budget, the Essential Air Service
Program, and for one-time items such as security funding after the September 11th attacks.” This fund has shifted it’s original intent to fund the infrastructure and modernization needs of the National Airspace System, thus reducing or delaying something as simple as the upgrading of computers for traffic controllers. It’s really scary, considering as consumers we’ve paid into that fund with every airline ticket purchase in a form of an excise tax.

Now I can live with the fact that many flight attendants are aging with their tenure of employment, but I hope the computer guiding in the 757 I’m flying on isn’t controlled by an air traffic controller with low morale, operating an antiquated computerized system on a rainy day. I also hope the pissed off porter actually took my bags to the conveyor belt and that the flight attendant will give me the proper salutation of the day as it seems something as a simple common courtesy are becoming rare on the airplane. Soon they’re going to run out of common perks to charge for and you’ll be forced to ask the flight attendant for the bathroom key, of course, you’ll get it for a buck or too.

That’s my thoughts, please don’t forget your Armed Forces service members, their families and friends. God bless, rg sends!

Top Friends? Myspace, Facebook, etc…

I’ve often talked about therapeutic photography, or photographic therapy, the power of photography to help build or rebuild self-esteem, but here recently, I’ve also noticed another power, the social networking power.

While that topic can encompass many areas, especially with Myspace, Youtube, Facebook and other powerful social network communities, one thing they have in common, is the ability to “tag” (comment) each member in your friends network. It’s not only addictive, but those members with marketing savvy use these peripheral options along with their blogs, bulletins, announcement, photos, tagging of photos, pets, walls, groups, etc. and more as great marketing tools within the network.

This marketing of oneself is not only the selling of one’s products and talents, but of themselves and often for their own ego and self-esteem. Often a popularity contest, I have more friends, comments and tags than you! In the Myspace “pets” application, the goal isn’t to be the owner of pets, but to increase your net worth, though this is often perceived as a popularity contest more than disposable income. Many members of these sites are not only concerned about how many friends they have, but if they are on, and in what order, their friends, “Top Friends” lists.

I’ve seen many models and photographers mad at each other because they take the ranking order of the top friends feature so personal, they actually believe the ranking judges their friendship relationship and their talent amongst their friends. Personally, I rank people in my top friends list on many variables, including loyalty, friendship, length of friendship, ethics, personality traits, integrity, reliability, etc., and rarely on their actual talent. Recently, I’ve removed my top friends lists from one model and photographer website, due to rumors, as some people even group members of your top friends with personal relationships and it’s often misconstrued.

Well that’s my rant for the day, please remember to keep our military service members and their families in your prayers. God Bless, rg sends!

Back to the Ranch, A Great Success!

Back to the Ranch was a great success! With a support staff of almost 30 people composed of models, assistants, make-up artists, VIP instructors and myself, it was one of the largest events I’ve ever handled and we’re going to do it again. Many thanks to everyone that made it such a great event. An event like no other ever held before that will leave memories burned in people’s minds, in addition to great friendships and photographs.

It began around 2 a.m., Thursday morning, as I drove out to Canton, Texas in my packed Suburban. About 45-minutes down the road on Interstate 35 North, I made a decision that almost sent BTTR into a whirlwind of uncertainty as I opened the sunroof directly above me for some fresh air. First there was that rushing air sound, as I was driving at 70 mph, then a sucking vacuum cleaner sound like something had just flown out the roof.

That something was not planned. After a few seconds, still traveling at a high-rate of speed down the inside lane, I realized, it was the cashier’s check to pay for our lodging for the entire group of photographer attendees, my models, make-up artists, assistants and VIP’s.

A check with a value of two-digits in front of three zeros, right out the window on the busiest Interstate in Texas, often know as the death trap between San Antonio and Austin. I immediately slowed down, panicked, and pulled over inside toward the concrete barrier. I began thinking, as I cautiously, but dangerously backed up looking in my mirror for that now lost check—what if a the check had floated down into another vehicle’s grill or bumper and was head down the Interstate on it’s own? What if it had floated to the other side of the expressway and was now headed back to San Antonio?

Short of a heart attack, my thoughts raced in my head, what do I tell the folks at the Mill Creek Resort, the dog ate the check? It never worked for my teachers with homework. Then after a coming to my senses, I crossed three lanes of traffic to the shoulder side of the road, at the same time noticing a car, backing up on the access road, not just any car, a Sheriff’s deputy car. As I exited my vehicle, I ran through the grassy area between the expressway shoulder and the access road and when the deputy rolled down his window, I said, “Officer, I need your help, I just lost a high-dollar cashiers check on the expressway, and without hesitation the deputy parked, took his flashlight and helped me with the frantic search.

About fifteen minutes later and a quarter-mile of the Interstate thoroughly searched, he crossed the expressway and found it next to the concrete divider. As he crossed back to the safer shoulder, I thanked deputy S. Masters of Comal County profoundly. He told me to put the check safely away and not to place it on the dash or the visor area. As he drove off, I was still in disbelief.

Fortunately, though there were a few very minor glitches, BTTR didn’t follow the early morning format of almost giving me a heart attack, instead, with the help of 14 great models, assistants, make-up artists, the VIP instructors and the attendees, we overcame some minor quirks and pulled it off with great success. Like VIP Shelly Katz stated at the closing ceremony, “Remember, this was the first Back to the Ranch and you’ll always remember it as there will be a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc., Back to the Ranch Event, but there will only be one first and you were here, that’s why I we took that group picture too.”

Harrison Funk added, “I had such a great time, I can’t wait to do it again.” I commented back Harrison with, “we will do it again.” While the attendees were in awe of the VIP’s and all the great talent, it ultimately took 30 support staff, plus the staff at Mill Creek, to pull it off. We all did it as a team, but more importantly, because of the passion. It wasn’t just another event. Like when American Idol Superstar Amy Davis sang to the group at both the opening and closing ceremonies, we felt her passion in her voice just like the passion in photography and modeling filling the air at the Mill Creek Resort in Canton.

There are many memories and more that I’m sure will be talked about for the days and years to come. Great friendships and photographs were created and we all gained some type of experience we’ll never forget.

As I drove away from the “ranch,” I opened my sunroof, though this time I made sure there was nothing in my visor and the sound of the air rushing buy as I drove down the Interstate was like a breath of fresh air, I was satisfied and so were the attendees, models, assistants, make-up artists and the VIP photographers and I thought of Eli Reed’s closing remarks the night before, “This was like a vacation, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to it again.”

Drink, Don’t Drive, Beer and Milk are Cheaper

I just don’t understand it, beer and milk are cheaper than gas-but I don’t drink beer anymore since my active-duty days as a U.S. Army soldier spoiled me, when I was stationed in Germany, for the taste of Hefeweizen. Milk is no different, as a kid I drank it by the gallon, but with age, as with many people, I became lactose intolerant. So I’m stuck to driving usually with an occasional Red Bull or Vitamin Water in hand and like most Americans, I just don’t understand why gas is so expensive.

I’ve heard it all, from the fact that the dollar is weak against the Euro and other currencies to the government rules and regulations that impede drilling and refining here at home, thus making us more dependant on overseas oil–yet the petroleum companies are making record-breaking, billion-dollar profits. Sadly I’m starting to look at the whole U.S. way of life as a big conspiracy by the credit card companies, the petroleum industry, the pharmaceutical companies and the financial institutions to eliminate the middle-class.

A friend of mine in Atlanta, huge in commercial real estate, told me a month ago that the residential housing foreclosures are the worst he’s seen in 50-years and that commercial real estate is next and it scares him. That scares me too. I’ve been in contact with many friends in various industries and businesses, they all agree, we are in the beginning of a recession that is not getting any better–I feel it too like most Americans. Life gets tougher, but the best thing of it all, I don’t feel Americans have lost faith in the fact it will get better-though most realize the worst is yet to come.

One thing I’ve heard before, when things are down in the economy, people tend to watch more movies and read more-I’m proof of that, as this past Sunday was the first time I went to a movie theatre in probably ten years, I think it was the most inexpensive outing I’ve done this year, and it felt good. It took me away from the shrinking middle-class conspiracy for a couple of hours and it felt great. Thank goodness the theater was not too far and I didn’t eat up in gas the price of admission, though I think the buttered popcorn was cheaper than driving there.

I do my best to make my drive times shorter now, planning more than I ever would for less gas-consuming trips, especially since I drive a 4-wheel drive truck (in Texas you drive a truck or you’ll get hit by one). I used to drive slower and longer routes just so I could consume one of my favorite, non-alcoholic drinks and now I find myself exiting my Chevy Silverado Z-71 truck with a half can of Red Bull or half a bottle of Vitamin Water instead of trash that needs disposing. Maybe that’s the bright side, the floorboard of my truck stays cleaner now. That’s it, don’t forget our troops, their families and friends, God Bless, rg sends!

Still a Red Bull Drinker–Headed to Hangar-7!

Still exhausted from the Virgin Islands with only about 350 emails to answer and I’m headed to Houston for this weekend’s one-day workshop, home for a few days, then off to the Chicago Workshop next weekend. (Yes, the DVD’s are on the way, see below.) While my life is exhausting at times, it can also be exhilarating as last week I received permission, personally from Red Bull Billionaire and founder, Mr. Dietrich Mateschitz to utilize his famous Hanger-7 in Salzburg, Austria for a photo shoot.

This is rare permission that came direct from Austria.

One of the last model events held at Hangar-7 was Germany’s Next Top Model hosted by Heidi Klum, so I consider it an honor and we’re going to do it! Hangar-7 houses a restaurant, two bars, a lounge and Mateschitz’s historic Flying Bulls aircraft and more. Made almost completely of glass, the ambience is perfect for photographing models. You can see more about Hangar-7 here: http://www.hangar-7.com/#en/homepage/

While it’s generally open to the public, they do change the operating hours to accommodate private events and did I say I’m honored about this opportunity? We’re putting this together right now for early Sept., before Photokina, with some of my European sponsors.

It will be a long day today, another day without sleep and then a three-hour drive to Houston . I stayed up all night working on a proposal requested by an advertising firm for one of their top clients–can’t say much about it, but it involves a calendar, beautiful models photographed with products and the budget on this deal is amazing. The first meeting went well and I’m keeping my fingers crossed they will take my advice and sign the contracts. I might add, the client is not small, they are publicly traded on the stock exchange and they want to move forward with this just like Pirelli did in the 1960’s. I was recommended by name, and get this, by another photographer they first approached. I’ll publicly thank him later as the project is close-hold until contracts are signed–then look out!

My third book is off to the printer for proofing, soon it hits the press then the book shelves. You can read more at this link and workshops too–go here!

On those patiently waiting for the DVD, my apologies on the delays—I will be in Chicago next making sure they go out the door personally. They are coming and I hope you enjoy it is much as I did. Thanks again for your patience. While in Chicago next week we also have a two-day workshop in St. Charles, so if you want in, sign-up now, some great models and a great workshop!

On another note, look for a complete revamping of this entire website from one of the top website producing companies in the world–more on that soon!

That’s it for now, have to run to the airport to pick-up a model then off to Houston! Thanks, rg sends!

Postive Energy–The Natural Drink

Between travels, family and personal issues, I’m far behind and neglected this blog. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to keep up with it more. I also plan on revamping the website for an easier flow for the image galleries. Seems the move to a new server has caused issues with the gallery program. I haven’t been able to upload any new images and I also want it easier to navigate while showing you some technical data. I also want to start making it a habit to add an image on every post, so some reprogramming/html is required. Look for it soon!

Now, back to the ranch. The topic today is something I’ve covered somewhat before—friends. During these trying times these past few months I’m figuring out who my true friends are and finding out, the hard way, who isn’t. I’m not going to name them, learned a long time ago that’s a good way to make someone mad, usually because you honestly missed adding their name. I guess we all go through life figuring this out at one point or another, so I’ll focus on my true friends—and before I forget, thanks! You know who you are!

I think one my biggest milestones during these trying times is figuring out, thanks to one of those dear friends, how to focus my energy positively and how not to rob myself of precious energy. Just typing this blog provides for the rejuvenation and stress relief that I need to sustain my energy levels in a proactive and positive state.

Time to get back to work and focus positively on the future, I need to shoot (you know who you are), as that always provides positive energy and rejuvenation. Time to move forward, thanks to everyone that is truly my friend and for your advice, even when not solicited. God bless to our troops too! Thanks, rg sends!

After Every Storm is A Rainbow

I’ve neglected this site and other responsibilities for over a month while dealing with travels, workshops, moving, book deadlines, but more important, love, the love of close ones. 

My parents have been ill, my daughter’s house burned down in Atlanta and my best friend’s issues, all of them like a bad storm that never stops.  None of it easy, in fact, everyone including my mother are telling me I’ve lost weight, but when I look in the mirror I never saw it coming until this morning when I grabbed an old pair of jeans by mistake that fitted loosely—after examining the tag on the back thinking I grabbed a size too large, I noticed they were one waist-size-inch smaller than my normal jeans.  I guess I’ve lost weight due to mental and physical exhaustion.  No wonder my belt fastens a notch closer to the end.

Often I tell my older, private glamour clients that the extra weight they’ve gained over the years is the result of the “good life,” well what happens when you lose weight without trying?  I dunno when it comes to men, but for women, they seem to look at it as proper diet combined with exercise and welcome it like lottery winnings.  I’m looking at it as the result of life’s challenges.

Obviously there is a reason for everything and I pray that God blesses those that have affected my weight for betterment.  I pray positive results for them will follow including winning the lottery of the good life.  I pray for them.  They say after every storm is a rainbow and recently small rays of the sun seem to peer through the dark clouds, so hopefully this is a signal the rainbow is on it’s way.  My thoughts for the day, thanks, rg sends!

Back From Chicago

Well we had another wonderful workshop in Chicago, this time at a new location in the Saint Charles area and though like most workshops a few glitches can arise when dealing with weather and other elements, this workshop was one of the best ever. Many thanks to the talent and the attendees for making a smooth operation along with Stereo and Ken and the staff at Studio 3 Productions for their help and support! As always they are great hosts.

We’re already looking at new dates for the next workshop in Chicago and soon we’ll add Dallas and a new Philadelphia date, as Philly is already sold-out. Other locations were you can still sign-up if you missed out are the Virgin Islands, Maui, McAllen (TX) and Atlanta. We’re exploring Miami, Portland, Los Angeles and more, so keep coming back to our workshop pages for dates and the ability to sign-up.

During all my travels to these workshop locations I do my best to take my laptop and keep up with emails and various websites, especially the my latest venture, ShotCritic.com, and I must say, I’m enthused with all the new registrations, almost 400 members as I write this blog article on the airplane from Chicago to Atlanta. I encourage everyone to sign-up, it’s free and the first 1,000 registered photographers get a few perks others won’t, including additional “credit points,” a point system that will entitle you to cash in on prizes, awards and more!

Well my battery is running low, have to recharge in Atlanta and then start working on the caption information of my third book that’s due out later this year on glamour posing. Stay-tuned for pre-order information, in the meantime, you can pre-order my newest 2-disc DVD, First Steps in Glamour Photography with Rolando Gomez, available later this month. Save $20 now and order here. Thanks and don’t forget our military service members, their families and friends in your prayers-God Bless! rg sends!

What is a Make-up Artist Worth?

I just returned from a wonderful Glamour, Beauty and the Nude workshop in Atlanta where we had some great photographer and model attendees–not to mention one of the all-time, best, make-up artists any photographer could ask for, and like all workshops, we go for the best.

Prior to the fun and exhausting workshop, I had traveled to Palm Beach for an annual, private instruction with one of my best clients of that area. After arriving there and spending the night at a beautiful Palm Beach hotel, we did our first shoot that morning in a Palm Beach courtyard, before heading off to a wonderful resort on Captiva Island. While in Captiva, we moved locations each night before I headed out to Atlanta.

While both the Atlanta workshop and the Florida private instruction were fun and educational, photography based, they both differed in many things, from location to make-up artist budget, to obviously the group size of the photographer(s) involved. My client obviously had a larger budget, hence his decision for the one-on-one training and for flying in one of the top make-up artists from New York at a day-rate some photographers dream of achieving.

For the privacy of my client, I’ll keep the MUA’s (make-up artist) and the client’s name private, but I can assure you, the New York-based make-up artist had more tearsheets and experience than most photographers achieve in a lifetime. She came highly recommended from one of the top beauty and commercial photographers of New York, a photographer who I had introduced to my client back at the annual FotoFusion event held near Palm Beach.

Often people ask, what makes a great make-up artists and why do some, like those from New York and Los Angeles command thousands of dollars per day while others only hundreds or less per day? Well obviously the first answer is credibility, just like photography, the more credits (tearsheets, bonafide assignments, accolades, etc.) the more a creative can charge—New York and Los Angeles provide the breeding grounds for such success in credibility faster than other locations. In addition, this make-up artist from New York had paid her dues, just like the photographer of her caliber that recommended her, she had plenty of experience, she started from the bottom up too, but now she’s on top in New York.

She had gained the experience of directing, styling, and hair-styling through her career with very established publications and photographers, all an added bonus to those that hire her. Though some assignments call for separate creatives to do all the latter things, this private instruction was only limited by the passenger van we were utilizing for our driving and of course the extended-passenger golf cart on Captiva Island we rented.

Make-up artists day-rates very, depending on their base location, obviously the more expensive markets of New York and Los Angeles command greater rates than someone from hick town, USA. My client had the ability to afford the best and so he sought the best, an attitude he developed from a prior, poor experience.

While my client is no beginner, as he’s got tearsheets in other genres of photography, I have nothing against beginners working with beginners, though I highly recommend that when you can afford to move up the chain in anything photography releated, do so, it will make you better too as you can feed off someone with more experience too.

As far as the day-rate goes for a make-up artist, it all depends on the client and what that client expects the make-up artist to accomplish. I look at my A-list of MUA’s, their actual location, talent, experience and determine who is best qualified for my client while being able to meet the budget requirements.

I look at a the make-up artist’s can-do attitude and avoid those with an attitude. I look for nothing less and like my client, my decisions on who to hire come from my own previous experiences along with the goal(s) I’m trying to achieve. The make-up artist for our Atlanta workshop was as high-caliber as any photographer could ask for and she’s certainly on my A-list and she would’ve made my client proud just like the New York-based MUA, but obviously day-rates varied between the two.

Those variances were based on traditional working location of the MUA’s, their experience, their tearsheets, and their longevity of their established names. I can assure you, both have the talent my client and I would utilize for our needs—though like a patient looking for a heart-transplant would seek a surgeon with more years of experience and a bigger name, my client decided to go that course because of his own previous experience.

Much like photographers and models, make-up artists have to wait for that lucky break too, as the larger clients can afford to go with those at the top of their game, however, on occasion a chance is taken and a talent gets a lucky opportunity. It’s on these opportunities that those at the top of the A-list begin looking over their shoulders and others take notice and the evolution of rising to the top begins along with the ability to demand higher day-rates.

Passion and commitment will help bring that to life along with being at the right place at the right time and some elbow grease, but not everyone gets the luck and like a commodity, that’s why those at the top can afford to charge more—seems like a vicious circle doesn’t it? Well it can be for most creatives and that’s why some endure and others don’t.

Well I’m off to Chicago and we’re at a new location for our next Glamour, Beauty and the Nude workshop, so I hope to see you there, we have only one spot left! Thanks and God Bless, and remember to keep our military service members, their families and friends in your hearts and prayers, thanks, rg sends!

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