Rolando Gomez

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 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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

I’ll do my best to keep you posted on her success in case you miss the American Idol show, as I have a busy travel schedule, but I can assure you, Davis has beauty but more important the musical voice and talent to play musical instruments that will leave you speechless and in awe.  She deserves to win on American Idol and move on further with her singing career.  God bless Davis, her family and friends, thanks, rg sends!      (for more Amy Davis images please visit my album on her, under albums, here, www.shotcritic.com )

I’ve been running around lately, conducting photography workshops, shooting commercial, glamour, editorial, sports and other photography and even lecturing at photo centers and photo schools and even working with models and others professionals involved in my shoots and I’m finding out there is one common thread—some type of “I” technology. 

From I-Phones, I-Pods, I-Touch and everything else imaginable Apple Computers has put the “I” back in TEAM somehow—it’s there, you might not physically see it, but it’s there as the synergy of the Apple creatives must be keeping Steve Jobs real happy with all their creations.  One only wonders what else is next in store for us, the I-Car perhaps? 

I’m not real sure, but for those creatives in my field, the I-Phone, I-Pod and the I-Touch are fast becoming the new “portable portfolios” for many as it’s so easy to add images into these devices and even group the images into specific folders (genres) for viewing along with multimedia functionality.  

I spent an entire week at FotoFusion often going to private dinners, lunches, and other functions watching famous photographers like Vincent Versace, Douglas Dubler and others sharing their work on their I-Folios as I like to call them—Dubler has his I-Touch and Versace his I-Phone and the presentations of their work on these smaller than printed portfolio screens were powerful. 

Think about it, as photographers when we “chimp” while shooting we’re looking at LCD screens smaller than most of the I-AppleamKingofTheMultimediaDevices  so it only makes sense that portfolios have down-sized from Brewer-Cantelmo leather photography portfolios to hand-held digital devices protected in leather cases.  I’ve seen models, make-up artists, art directors and others in the visual fields carry their resume of images attached to their belt, biceps or purse as the new standard and if you’re not sporting this new look, well you’re out of fashion (style) as they say in this world and I’d suggest you get hot on this ditch your beeper. 

While I-Technology is hot, make sure you do research and make informed, educated purchasing decisions as technology changes every Monday when the Board of Directors meet.  Thanks and God Bless, rg sends!

It’s been a busy 2008 so this blog article is a bit long to catch-up. January isn’t even over yet and when my one-day workshop in San Antonio ended the week before last, I jumped on a plane to West Palm Beach and from there I’d rent a car and drive down to the Palm Beach Photographic Center in Delray Beach, the host of FotoFusion 2008.  FotoFusion is an annual event where photographers give back by not charging for spreading the gospel of photography while sacrificing their stay away from home. 

I often feel as though I need a small tank of oxygen strapped to my waist so I can breathe at a normal pace with my high-paced schedule as this past week was no different than the prior FotoFusio.  I was able to meet, mingle and teach with my old photographer friends and colleagues including Robert Farber, Vincent Versace, Douglas Dubler, Jeff Dunas, Rick Sammon, Rick Friedman, Shelly Katz, John Reuter, Harrison Funk, Nancy Brown and many others to name a few.  We missed Colin Finley, Eli Reed and a few others, but I’m sure I’ll see them again as we all go back for quite sometime. 

FotoFusion is a weeklong event where photographers meet each January for a week, without compensation, to give back to the community with the craft that has made them who they are, photography.  Their main goal is to spread the gospel of photography, passionately, while networking and encouraging others to follow their steps through workshops and lectures as well as computer labs. 

The week at Delray Beach, Florida includes over a hundred workshops, photography portfolio reviews, many hands-on sessions, some even with live models, along with other events such as the auction of photographs donated by the photographer instructors in the name of charity.   There is even a night out on the town where they close the streets for their annual “Jazz Festival” along with the annual farewell bash on the last night for those that still are there.

My week for this FotoFusion was not too much different than last year, though less “after hours” partying was done—we missed you Colin Finley—but ultimately it was great as not only did I spend time with my mentor Robert Farber, but I enjoyed making new friends and having dinner practically every night with a private instruction client of mine along with his girlfriend and top beauty photographer Douglas Dubler of New York. 

Dubler is an amazing photographer and for the second year in a row I sat with him on a Beauty Photography discussion panel along with Nancy Brown and our moderator (add her name here) Both Dubler and Brown not only make the panel interesting, but always provide me with some great inspiration. Farber normally sits on this panel, but he had to leave early to get back to New York so we really missed his insight on this genre of photography though I joined him for his hands-on, “Beauty on the Beach” workshop and provided him with some of my California Sunbounce reflectors for his students. 

When FotoFusion finally wrapped up this past Sunday I headed back to San Antonio, arriving home sometime after 8 p.m., there, after spending a few minutes with my three kiddos that still seemed to know I was there Daddy, I unpacked my dirty laundry and threw it in the washer.  Then I unpacked my photography gear to let it dry out as some of it had gotten wet from my outdoor, hands-on workshop I had conducted at FotoFusion.  Still tired from conducting four events, a seminar, lecture, hands-on and panel discussion at FotoFusion, I knew I had no time to rest as my next flight was in less than ten hours.  I also knew I’d have to repack pack my photography gear as I was leaving to photograph a national ad campaign for a major liquor company with full-page tearsheets in upcoming issues of Playboy, Sports Illustrated and Maxim and other publications. 

Because of the tight schedule and early morning flight to the airport, I never went to sleep as by the time I was done answering emails after finishing the laundry and repacking clothes and gear, it was time to hit the shower at 3 a.m. with no time to spare.  The only good thing going on at that time was the email from Delta that my coach seat was upgraded to first-class—it pays to be a member of the frequent, live-out-of-my-suitcase flier program and at platinum status upgrades are more frequent than sleep.

 I arrived on location Monday around noon, ready to light the set, as the contract promised the set would be built, all I had to do was light it for the shoot.  Well the folks that hired me were a bit behind, so I pitched in and we spent the rest of the day building, lighting, un-building, lighting and rebuilding and lighting, using a wonderful stand-in model.  Finally finishing near 10 p.m., we had dinner then I hit the bed shortly thereafter only to wake-up up at 5:45 a.m. as the “call” was at seven for make-up and light checks.

This was an important shoot as knew I’d have to overcome the over-the-shoulder onlookers as soon the studio would be filled with the make-up artist, assistants, producer, creative director, art director, brand manager, the account executive and anyone that could peek in.  I just wanted to meet the model as we’d only spoken over the phone before though we’d never met and on an important shoot like this, with only one day to get it done, rapport needs to be established and accelerated to ensure the model will give you the look that the art director wants along with the poses needed to fit the story-boards and comps the client has approved. 

Upon arriving at the studio we found out our model, Playboy Playmate Monica Leigh arrived earlier in the morning, with barely any sleep, due to flight delays and we’d be at least 45-minutes behind.  Like all things, once you’re running late, it runs over so we started shooting closer to 11:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m., but Leigh was a real trooper and never showed signs of fatigue and we wrapped it up by 5:00 p.m. so she could make her flight back to Los Angeles—then Murphy hit again and Leigh’s flight was canceled. 

She found herself having to stay an extra night and when it was said and done, after getting up at 4:00 a.m. to run by the studio to pick up my lighting gear in freezing weather, the account manager and myself swung by the hotel to pick-up Leigh and her suitcases as we had similar flight times, 6:00 a.m., though I headed to Texas and her to California. 

As I write this tale, I’ll be arriving in San Antonio just before lunch, but I’ll have not time to take a break as I have a private shoot at 2:30 p.m. of a client that first started out as a private glamour shoot that transitioned into following her first pregnancy in a glamour fashion.  Hopefully I’ll be done and home by supper time as I still have to repack as my next flight is less than 24-hours away as I head to Los Angeles with a departure time from home at 4:15 a.m. to make it time for my early flight. 

Yep, it looks like I’ll be up all night unpacking, laundry, repacking, and answering emails again.  Some might think I’m crazy, but that’s the life of a photographer with clients, workshops and book deadlines—or what I like to call, someone who enjoys spreading the gospel of photography in his own way, mine is just sometimes crazier than others.  I think it’s time to refill that oxygen bottle and I thank my Lord for refilling that bottle just when I’m running on empty.   God Bless everyone, rg sends!

“Merry Christmas, Festive and creative Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah (just past), Pleasant Diwali, Happy Ramadan and Eid Ul Adha, May Buddhist Bodhi Day find You peaceful, Happy Dong Zhi to all Chinese and Happy Yule Ya’all and Happy Yalda to all Zoroastrian. Happy Saturnalia, Happy Boxing Day and Three Kings Day too and may you all find Peace and Happiness in this festive season,” is what a dear friend of mine wrote to me last night and I figured I’d pass it along since it is that time of year.

A time of year where the photo industry hopes to rack up on sales just like all the retail outlets too. And in this “commercialization” of the holiday spirits, we often forget what it’s all about—celebrating the joy of life itself.

When I wake-up every morning I thank my God I actually woke up then I do a self-examination to make sure it all works—who else can I thank? Well not the alarm clock, besides, my kids are more reliable than the alarm clock, they always wake me up way too early, especially after a long, hard night working on post-production.

Here lately I’ve been hammering away trying to meet my latest book deadline, ok, I won’t lie to you, it was extended a bit cause of the holidays and I was running late, but I’m almost done and that often means long-nights into the early morning.

Then there are times where you throw the towel and just say I’m too tired and I’m going to be lazy tonight—especially after a homemade margarita.

There are also days, sans margaritas, where you just don’t have the motivation—writing and illustrating a book is not like writing a 30-page college research paper, it’s worse and takes tons of self-discipline.Even though the U.S. Army taught me tons of self-discipline and my old boss, Gen. George A. Joulwan always defined discipline to his troops as, “Doing what you’re supposed to be doing when no one is watching,” sometimes after you get older and leave the military, especially when life’s pressures get harder, you just say screw-it.

Often when I reach that stage, I flash back to my Army days and say, “wait a minute” and I wake up out of my nonsense and think about our Armed Forces out there battle focused in Iraq and other hostile environments—they don’t have the luxury to say “screw-it,” much less a margarita, they rely on their tough discipline and training to keep them alive.

During the festive times of the year it’s even more difficult for our military veterans and even those that do it right on top of relying on their core values and METL (mission essential task list), just don’t make it–as their God says, “It’s time to come home.”

So while you sit in your warm home, opening presents with family and friends, stop and say a prayer, to your God, for our service members all over the world and their friends and families too, as many of them will never see another holiday season again and many of their friends and families will always cherish the song by Tim McGraw (click video play button above), If You’re Reading This. If you haven’t heard it, break out the tissue, as often when I hear this song my eyes water and sometimes the tears fall as I think of fallen and injured comrades, some, close friends of mine.

And in those thoughts I also thank my God I survived almost nine-years in the U.S. Army with missions in the Gulf War, Haiti, Rwanda, the Latin American Drug War and many other deployments. If you’re reading this, especially if you’re a Veteran, I know you thank your God everyday too.

Life is short, enjoy the holidays in whatever fashion you choose, that’s called freedom and please don’t forget those that fight and fought to give you that choice. My fellow Veterans, I salute you! God Bless and come home safe, rg sends! (Former Army Staff Sergeant, E-6 for your Air Force types)