The 12 Steps of Photographic Rehab

Joey, a writer and friend of mine and I, were talking in regards to our business and vision for the future.  I mentioned that my photography (and business plan) were in a state of "rehab."  Before the lyrics of Amy Winehouse could get stuck in anyone's head, Joey blurted out Step 1 of The 12-Step Program:  "Step 1, admit that you have a problem."

My "problem" isn't a physical problem or addiction.  My issue is the same one that's plagued every photographer during this Great Recession.  I've just come to the realization that it's time to stop complaining, and start working! 

Rehab is my best option.

Time marches on and technology waits for no one.  Canon has created a camera that rivals medium-format photography AND it shoots video.  It's got other problem-solving bells and whistles too.

I have a list of projects that I want to work on.  It's time to get crackin' so that my portfolio can be updated.

Expect to see my work in various sourcebooks.  And just wait until you see my 2011 promos!

I've got a lot of work to do.  It's all good.  It's an investment into myself and my work.  While you are waiting for me to work through my program, I leave you with my tongue-in-cheek 12-Steps.

1.  I admit I am powerless without doing good photography—that without it, my life had become unmanageable.
2. I came to believe that there is no Power greater than Photography that could restore my sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of Photography as I understand It.
4. Made a searching and fearless inventory of my camera bag and cleaned all camera sensors.
5. Admitted to God, to myself, and to other art directors, the exact vision of my photography.
6. I am entirely ready to have God remove all distractions and from my Photographs.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove digital noise and keep images sharp.
8. Made a list of all persons that I could market to, and then began sending promos to them all.
9. Made direct friendship with such people wherever possible, except when to do so would piss them off.
   
10. Continued to take personal inventory of marketing materials and kept them fresh.
11. Sought workshops and consultations to improve my conscious contact with Photography as we understood It, praying only for knowledge of Its will for me and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a photographic awakening as the result of these steps, I tried to carry this message to art buyers, and to practice these principles in all my affairs.

No Pictures (yet)!

If you know me, you know that I'm a fan of Photo Consultant Leslie Burns.  She's a guru.  She's written a few books, has a blog and continually gives out great advice.  In a couple of her books, she mentions something she calls a "Sparkie Folder."  You can name it whatever you like but this is the drill.  Find images that match your style.  Tear these prizes out of whatever magazine you find them in and put them in the "Sparkie Folder."

You're not done yet.

Create a plan to shoot stylized images such as these.  Now when I say that, I don't mean to copy them.  (That would be copyright infringement.)  Create your own works.  Do this so that you have personal projects that get you going.  The point is to get you (me) shooting (and shooting a lot of work that is relevant).

Later we'll revisit the folder so that we can contact the appropriate art directors.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the bookstore.

Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit

Some really good things have started happening since I started the "Working Hard To Save Others" campaign. People as far away as Maryland, Chicago, and Texas have written to encourage me. Leslie Burns-Dell'Acqua featured me on her blog.

Right now I'm prepping for a shoot that I have from an agency in Canada. My client says she's "freaked out by the slowdown" and is glad to be helping. You probably don't realize that for 1 in 7 Americans, hunger is a reality. This means that millions of hard-working adults, children and Seniors are struggling with hunger. In a land of plenty, this is unacceptable.

312,966 Arizona children under age 18 live in poverty,
representing 1 in 5 of Arizona’s children.

Bev Damore at the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance says they need: peanut butter, tuna, canned soups and stews, cereals and juices, rice, beans. I'm thinking that because of our neighbor to the north, we can buy a lot of soup, rice and beans.

In case you are wondering why I'm doing this, you need to know that for two decades I was a photojournalist and I realized that my photography had the power to change people's lives. The days of the newspaper are behind me, but my power has never waned. Even if you aren't in a position to hire me, you can go shopping and make your own donation.

You and my photography can make the World a better place. Now let's get busy!

Experience should be valued

Mr. Happy President's Day

I'm dedicating this Presidents' Day to Bill Clinton.

I just returned from Las Vegas business trip. I wasn't there to gamble or party (I did, however, put a buck into a machine, double my money only to lose it all). Before heading back to Phoenix, I read a newspaper story about Natalie Dylan, a woman who is auctioning off her virginity. I find it amazing that she has world-wide interest, hundreds of bids, and the top bid is around $3.8 million dollars.

What I find interesting is how people are willing to form a line and pay millions of dollars to someone who has absolutely no experience! This to me is crazy — especially in this economy. People should consider spending and investing their money wisely. Experience should be valued.

I've worked consistently as a professional photographer since 1984. I've photographed celebrities, criminals and US Presidents. I have years of award-winning experience and I don't cost near as much as Natalie. And as an added bonus, my photography has the potential to be an investment. When Natalie's highest bidder is done, he'll only get a nap and a story that he won't be able to tell his wife or girlfriend. You can tell everyone about me.

As it turns out, Natalie Dylan isn't even her real name. has fake breasts and a Brazilian wax (like all good virgins). She says she is raising the money to pay off school loans (Oh please).

Am I the only one that sees her BS in Women's Studies for what it really is?