Value, Perception and (Wedding) Photography Pricing

There's a very popular Craigslist ad that has been circling the web among wedding photographers. In the ad, a bride-to-be bashes wedding photographers, minimizes their craft, and questions wedding photography pricing. She demands an "amazing" photographer but obviously doesn't respect wedding photographers or their work. A wedding photographer wrote a rebuttal to the ad that appeared on the Petapixel blog, a popular blog for photographers of all levels. This photographer is a wedding photographer and explained the costs associated with being one and that photography is in fact a small business when operated as a wedding photography business. Her cost breakdown was good, though some photographers disagreed with some of the actual figures.

However, it's doubtful that the problem with the angry bride who wants amazing photography for cheap or devalues wedding photographers is because this bride doesn't comprehend that wedding photographers run businesses and have costs...or thinks they don't deserve to make a living. I share the real reason for this problem below. I posted this comment below on the article on Petapixel, which was subsequently deleted. (Luckily, I have my own blog where I cannot be silenced, and Disqus, the comment system used there saves any comment that any commenter posts on any blog. Awesome Disqus!)

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| Saturday, January 28, 2012 | 2 Comments

9 Things I Think About To Remain Positive About Photography

Staying positive in a complicated and troubled world is challenging. It doesn't mean being superficial or "performing happiness." (You know...those forced smiles, forced empty phrases/platitudes and demanding others smile as if their performance is = genuine happiness and positivity?) It doesn't mean ignoring negative or serious personal or societal issues that require deconstruction, discussion and change. It means realizing that joy has to exist (in order to live well) despite both negative and positive forces existing--being aware of problems and still finding and choosing something to feel deep internal happiness about. It's a consistent work in progress--almost a daily choice that on some days I choose easily and others, not so much. It is to be genuinely human.

The nature of the artist is one of ebbs and flows. I don't want all ebb or all flow. One correlates to depression and the other correlates to burnout. I don't like extremes. I DO like to reflect--but not as a sort of "jolt" to create like crazy, but in fact to add to the reserve of general positivity about photography over time, which then fosters my creativity, ideas, endurance and performance.

To remain positive about photography I like to reflect on:

1) My photographs. I don't do this to psychotically compare each photograph to the previous anymore because I know the term "good" is subjective. I do this to remember how I felt and what I was thinking while creating each photograph that I love and to reconnect to that creative energy.

2) My accomplishments. I look through my web and print shoutouts, mentions, captions, articles, interviews, and most recently publications to see how well my work has spread and how I did it in order to give me ideas and approaches for the present and future. (It's also really good to examine failures...)

3) My client experiences. I think about what worked and what didn't. I think about the sincere conversations and compliments that I received from past clients. Truthfully, some were amazing and quite humbling. I think about the bad experiences and try to see what the common denominators are in order to change them or avoid them in the future.

4) My peer experiences. I have had so many positive experiences with other photographers from the one-on-one chats that I've had at coffee shops and camera shops to the great conversations I've had via social media over the last few years. I've learned so much since I made my first social media profile made in 2006 that I astound myself. I have so much more to learn and I look forward to it.

5) My experiences with everyday people. I rarely photograph anyone famous and rarely engage with anyone famous. I like the everyday conversations I have online and offline. I love how not talking about photography teaches me so much about what I want to share through the use of photography.

6) My moments alone. Since last summer I've used social media much less than any time in my life since 2006. It doesn't feel addictive or forcefully necessary anymore. It's a choice now. I don't currently get a lot of alone time or silence because of some offline things, but the moments that I do have to reflect, think, ponder, problem solve and maybe even just hope...just a little...are positively beneficial to me as a creative person and a human being. (Plus, I am an introvert. Introverts can never have "enough" alone time.)

7) The unexpected kind words. I don't hunt for compliments (or what some Twitter users call creating "thirst traps") but when someone out of nowhere takes the time to view my work and provide me with positive feedback, I can't help but smile.

8) The re-realization that photography is limitless. The only limits are the ones that are my personal limits (i.e. I can't create a fish eye photo without a fish eye lens; I can't photograph Australia if I can't afford the plane ticket--personal limits, but ones that can change over time), not within photography itself. I can never learn it all, do it all, or know it all and this makes me glad. I've had many useless (well...besides a paycheck) corporate jobs in adulthood where I learned the entire job in 4-6 weeks and nothing interesting or intellectually challenging occurred after this. Do you know how annoying/depressing that is? I'm glad that I won't do it all or know it all about photography in even 40-60 years. I'll never label myself a master. I don't ever want to. Limitless means consistent room for exploration and excitement. (I already have 10,000K+ hours of photography work and study...that which people consider necessary to be an "expert." However, I still do not consider myself an expert. Not even close. I like this.)

9) Knowing that you have ebbs and flows too. Even if you aren't a photographer and are another kind of artist, you know that unless you're clinically depressed with all ebbs, or maniac (and probably annoying) with all flows, you have periods where you're consistently creating and conversely ones where you are only mildly creating and probably studying instead. Knowing that we're all human amidst quite complicated existences helps me remember that I'm not disconnected in the sense that if my finger isn't on the shutter right now I'm automatically "giving up" or "getting behind." (Behind...what?) I don't believe that at all. And, because I realize the complexity of this, I actually smile, about it, not frown.

Truthfully life itself, when the camera is back in the bag (a Lowepro or DIESEL one for me, hehe), can be complicated. For me, there are complexities that actually have nothing to do with photography that may in fact affect how much I shoot or write. But even so, the positive feelings and love for the craft continually exists, resides in a special place in my heart and persists especially when I think of the 9 things above. Love photography when I'm making images...love photography when I'm not making images. Because truthfully, I'm never not making photographs (even if I don't always blog/share them). I view the time when my camera is put away as simply the time before I make more photographs.

What keeps you positive about photography?

| Tuesday, January 24, 2012 | No comments

A New Twitter Profile for Tru Shots Photography (and photography, specifically)

I made a new Twitter profile specifically for Tru Shots Photography and photography tweets! The profile name is Tru Shots Photo and the handle is @trushots. Originally, I only wanted one Twitter account. (I started my original Twitter profile @thetrudz in April of 2009. This page originally had the profile name Tru Shots Photo, but I changed it to "Trudy" this month to indicate that it is the page of a full person, not only a company/brand etc.)

Since I have a portfolio, this blog, and a Facebook fan/biz page specifically for photography, I decided that I wanted a Twitter page specifically for photography as well. This account will have the following purposes:

• To share links to my professional and personal work in photography, which includes sharing photographs, photography scholarship (what I am reading/studying), and my writing about photography. I will also share my learning journey in filmmaking.

• To share anything specific to Tru Shots Photography (i.e.a local special in South Florida, sponsoring an event etc.)

• To share other photography links that include visual inspiration and education, as well as quotes/discussion points etc. These links may be from other peers or within art and cultural studies, but not specifically photography (i.e. music/painting or something that connects to art at large). (Note: I am not writing these tweets or even have this page to be anyone's sole source of photography knowledge/guru. I am not taking up that gauntlet nor should anyone try to corner me into using my page this way. Remember, follower count ≠ expert.)

• To feed all of this into Facebook. At first I did not want to do this (with the @thetrudz profile), but since this new page @trushots won't necessarily have heavy daily tweeting, and will specifically be about photography, I think it will be at an amount appropriate to share with Facebook. This way, I won't delete my Facebook fan page after all (which I have been debating for months) and remain connected with the 1000+ fans there. (Many of them are "Facebook only" users who never see my Twitter stream.)

I am still keeping my primary Twitter profile, @thetrudz, where I chat about photography, art, culture, gender, race, politics, history, technology, creativity, psychology and Apple. In fact, I will retweet some of the @trushots tweets on the original @thetrudz profile. I have over 3600 followers and I enjoy chatting with and learning from people. And since this page is more about me (which naturally includes my photography work) than "just" my work, nothing will change with the @thetrudz account. I like how I use it and I like Twitter overall.

One of my Twitter buddies was concerned that I may be creating this account due to some of the bullying that I have experienced on Twitter. Unfortunately, this bullying has come from some photographers who think how they define "brand" is the only definition, ones who feel that tweets and conversations about any aspect of culture that is not specific to making images shouldn't exist and even ones who have tried to silence me in regards to my personal experiences as a human being. (Yep, photographers are human...first.) I advised my Twitter buddy that NO, I don't succumb to the will of bullies. It was my choice to make this second Twitter profile.

I don't have a Facebook personal profile (deleted it in 2010), a Model Mayhem (thank goodness I had the sense to delete this), a Google+ profile or a Google+ biz/fan page. I am in the process of deleting a lot of extraneous accounts that I don't use. Thus, I will have time for this photography-only Twitter account since my social media use is already so minimal. I think social media is about connecting with others through platforms that make sense for you, not forcing use and creating random profiles on every single network that comes into existence. Ultimately, every user has to decide how they will use social media, the frequency, the number of profiles/networks...everything. I am doing what works for me, and making/accepting changes as both social media changes and I evolve. I look forward to seeing you on the new photography Twitter profile or both profiles! :)

| Saturday, January 21, 2012 | 4 Comments

Cameras, Conversation, Culture and Censorship

When Kathryn Stockett* (a White woman) supposedly became a mouthpiece for Black women through a book, The Help, it was (and still is) applauded. When Tyler Perry* (a Black man) supposedly became mouthpiece for Black women through various plays and films, he became some sort of "documentarian of facts" not a fiction feature filmmaker? However, whenever I as Black woman, (and gladly by no means a celebrity) speak for myself (online or offline), the first response I receive is people seeking to silence me. It's their natural "go to" response. Black men and White women are often accepted as authorities on Black women's experiences...especially using forms of art (books, plays, films and more) to convey those experiences. However Black women ourselves seem to be the last possible accepted authority on our own experiences, emotions and insights whether we're using art to convey them...or even just...talking.

A Black woman comedian and artist named Chescaleigh made a hilarious video (based on her close friend who is a White woman) called Sh*t White Girls Say To Black Girls. With over 5 million views and counting, this viral video accounts some of the awkward conversations on race that occur specifically between women (not men) of these two races. What makes it funny is the humorous delivery, facial expressions and tone used by the talented Chescaleigh. However, unlike many of the other "Sh*t ______ Says" videos and blogs out there (many people are making them now) this one seemed to cause the most uproar and attention. Unfortunately, it isn't only because many people had a good laugh at the truthfulness of the video. Again, this is a Black woman voicing concerns of Black women. (Oh d...d...dear, how can she be an authority on her own life! Nuts!) Apparently, Black women having voices for ourselves and using them is still deemed socially problematic to some people. We're supposed to sit back and allow others to be our mouthpieces while other people have free reign to share their own experiences and views via art or conversation?

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| Saturday, January 14, 2012 | 7 Comments

So...We Didn't Get To Make The Wine

Roselle, a flowering plant with a deep red sepals are used to make the Jamaican Sorrel wine that is common during the holidays. Because my father's thumb is greener than any other living person I know, this along with so many other plants (roses, cabbage, scotch bonnet peppers, pineapple, sugar cane, collard greens, callaloo...and more) grows in his garden.

Last month around holiday time we were supposed to make the Sorrel wine, and even started the process as you can see below. However, I think my dad forgot about the final batch and by the time the rum was supposed to be added, it was too late and it spoiled. Better luck next holiday season I hope.

Here is the plant in his garden.


After the sepals are picked, my dad put them in a bowl.


Here it is boiling with an ample amount of ginger.


The final step would have been chilling and then adding rum but we didn't get there. Maybe next time!

| Friday, January 13, 2012 | 1 Comment

Start The Year With Pretty Things

This is my first blog post for 2012. Instead of some thought-provoking analysis within photography scholarship, or something about how much I love (or hate) social media at the moment, I thought, how about a few photographs of simple beauties that I saw while taking a walk?

| Tuesday, January 03, 2012 | 4 Comments

Photography. Scholarship. Writing. Filmmaking. (Welcome 2012)

2012 is almost here. As 2011 comes to a close, I decided to think about what felt good (not bad...well at least for this post) this year and what I am interested for next year. In the simplest terms, it came down to four affirmations. 1) I love making photographs. 2) I love to study photography for technical/practical knowledge and creative/historical/cultural knowledge. 3) I love writing about photography. 4) I like making videos/short films and studying filmmaking (though I am quite newt to it this year). These are the components of my love for photography and experience as a photographer. Photography. Scholarship. Writing. Filmmaking.

I think every "end of the year" post here on out will be more like this one and nothing like the previous 2009 and 2010 posts that were either too statistically-focused or incorporated too much about issues involving the overwhelming burden that social media can feel like at times. Instead, this post is as it should be--about my work, my art, my love. Below are some highlights...

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography in 2011
• I linked some of my favorite photographs of 2011 (blog posts) and some favorite food photographs (on Flickr) that I created this year.
• I redesigned the look/feel of my website, blog and other web spaces.
• I designed 2 photography eBooks (which I write more about below). Photography eBooks involve more than writing. They involve actual graphic art/design creation as well as image creation/selection/placement.
• I continued creating/distributing my photography newsletter that speaks directly to clients/fans, not necessarily other photographers.
• I had fewer booked clients, but enjoyed the interactions much more. (In my first eBook, I explained why I took this approach).
• I designed 5 photography books for print. (This took about 3 months..and the books are displays of actual photographs versus heavy written content). They'll be custom printed next year.
• I worked on assorted personal projects. (How I list them and choose them for 2012 will reflect this photography, scholarship, writing, filmmaking framework versus being listed by date alone.)

Photography for 2012
I want to remain as subject-focused and project-focused as I am now. I have no interest in chronological decisions (i.e. make X number of photographs in X days) leading my work but the who/what and why leading my work. The intent (why I make a photograph) and message (what does that photograph mean/what is it trying to "say") can guide me. I just look forward to making more photographs whether for clients, projects or even haphazardly. I love photography. As far as social media integration, I still love Twitter and blogging but I feel a dissapating love for using other networks. Good ol' word of mouth and friend of a friend connections have been more interesting to me lately.

SCHOLARSHIP
Photographic Scholarship in 2011
• I went back to basics by studying some great photography books for the written content and to study the photographs (if applicable).
• I listened to and watched several great workshops on filmmaking, being a photographer, portraiture and food photography.
• I read many blog posts and articles on photography as well as explored art as a visceral experience including studying other visual art and enjoying performing art (i.e. the ballet).
• I created a learning page based on my study techniques for learning filmmaking, specifically. (I elaborate more below.)
• I engaged in conversations via Twitter and not only on photography but other topics that impact the people that I photograph. A part of what I photograph is cultural documentary so all facets of contemporary and historical culture (including race, gender, age, sexual orientation, education, socio-economics, politics, art, history) are all relevant topics to discuss. Many of my clients are minorities. That which affects the people that I photograph is critical to my photography...and to my existence as a human being. As the singer Erykah Badu would put it, "I stay woke."

Photographic Scholarship for 2012
I am tossing around the idea of pursuing my doctoral degree Fall 2013 (so the research/application process would occur in 2012). Though my AA/BS/MS degrees are within subjects under the behavioral sciences, I am interested in the intersection of psychology/sociology/culture with photography/film/media/communications, and exploring programs that lie at this intersection. In the past, I stated that I wouldn't pursue a PhD, but that was during the days where for some completely illogical reason, I thought that it just "had" to be in psychology. Now that I alleviated myself from a false box (we all create these, check your own life, you will see them there), I can explore deeper and further where my formal studies and informal art studies meet. I am interested in researching and teaching at the 4-year and graduate level (and possibly other levels) within this intellectual intersection that I mentioned. Again, this is not a "final" decision" but something I am thinking deeply about. Even so, the same level of study that I engaged in independently (as mentioned above) this year will continue for 2012 as well. I love learning.
WRITING
Writing in 2011
• As I alluded to above, I wrote my first 2 photography eBooks: On The Path: Journeys Through Darkness and Light and Photography Projects For Practice and Portfolios. I am proud of the work that I put into both of these. I call my writing projects Mind Perceptive • Image Perspective.
• I wrote my 400th post on this blog only a couple of months ago. I love writing about photography. (I also used to write a psychology blog [that I started in 2009 as well] and closed it this year with over 420 posts. Over 100 of these were written this year alone.)
• I did not write any guest articles as I thought I might since I wrote several in 2010. However, I was interviewed a couple of times and received a few web shout outs. However, as stated above, I still kept my pen or keyboard going.

Writing for 2012
I have already laid out the general foundation for my third eBook. Also, I am brainstorming several writing ideas that I now keep with me and revise as I think of new things. My goal is not to be famous or to receive excessive attention but to simply write about areas in photography that I am knowledgeable and passionate about, and make the eBooks available at a fair price. Though there are small amounts of written content in the photography books that I mentioned that I will print, I am tossing around the idea of an actual print photography book, rich in content like my eBooks but much longer (of course). We'll see.

FILMMAKING
Filmmaking in 2011
• I started dabbling in HD dSLR filmmaking through education (as mentioned above--the filmmaking education page and workshops) and blogging. From reading filmmaking books, to creating practice videos and short films to learning from workshops by the talented people such as Vincent Laforet, Gail Mooney and Gale Tattersall, learning a lot as beginner was important this year.
• I made 2 new photograph-based videos including Jamrock and Vinyl (I actually started in 2010 with Art by Ideity, Shoe Addict and Tantalizing Taste).
• I made 2 event videos with motion: Jamrock Caribbean Festival and X102.3 Custom Car and Bike Show.
• I made a few short films: Sulfur, Hoops at Dusk, Simmer, Pretty and Peace (a test video), and one just for fun one (using an iPod Touch 4G as opposed to a HD dSLR) called No Ice Cream For Picky Sisters.
• I watched a large amount of films on DVD this year (averaging between 3-10 each week since April), and over 100 HD dLSR shorts online not just to be passively entertained but to look for specific things in the filmmaking process. I also watched a lot of the "behind the scenes/special features" material that many film DVDs include as a learning source.

Filmmaking in 2012
I want to continue to work on technical skills and learn more complex video editing (once I decide on software---I know about what's on the market [I disclaimer this so I don't get 45 million tweets about software]). I want to produce documentary-style stories of specific populations and people that I will elaborate on as the projects themselves unfold. Also, as I mentioned under the SCHOLARSHIP section, I may learn more about film theory (and possibly practice) if I pursue a doctoral program in the intellectual intersection that I mentioned above. Even so, I will still continue to learn and practice independently as I have this year.

Knowing what I enjoy creating and studying makes the craft of photography exciting yet calm for me. My professional work is portraiture, lifestyle and cultural documentary photography. I describe my work as interpretations of beauty and reflections of life. I photograph a variety of subjects for my personal work...whatever makes me smile or think. I like studying photography for technical, practical, creative, historical and cultural knowledge. I like writing about photography for both reflective and educational purposes. And, though I am new to film (or returning to it since I spent 3 years in high school in the mid-90s making videos and short films in a media productions class) and simply learning and testing now, I want the knowledge obtained through my image-making, writing and studying to be revealed in the film work I do, mostly from a documentary angle.

I feel more artistically and intellectually focused than I did at the end of 2009 and 2010, and I think that is evidenced by how different this post is than the others. (It does not mean that life outside of photography or emotionally I am "perfect" or better. In fact, I face many struggles that I have for years even as I write this. I simply mean that my focus on what I want to learn/create and what I enjoy is rather sharp.) I am not worrying about the next "photography persona/micro-celebrity" drama or the next social media this, that, or the other that I have to run to to make a profile. (I lost count of how many accounts I have deleted since 2009, and some may be deleted in 2012). I am not worried about chasing and counting blog hits or SEO. (I don't even check blog statistics anymore and I have not since the fall). I am a professional photographer, student of art and life, a writer and now a filmmaking newbie. I am not overly optimistic in that annoying way people are at a New Year (which dies off by March 31st), or pessimistic. I just want to create and live a simple life with more smiles than tears. Welcome, 2012. I hope you'll treat me alright.

| Thursday, December 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

A New Cupcake Place?

When I was in California last year, people became aware of my cupcake addiction. If you have to have a habit, why not it be something delicious? Anyway, since being back in Florida, I pretty much gave up on trying to find a cupcake place that is nearby. The only time I have had any baked goods since April is when my sister (of dAWN's dELIGHTS) made them.

Recently, I stopped by a place in South Florida called Sweet Surrender with my best friend. Of the four flavors that I tried (vanilla, red velvet, chocolate chip, and banana) the chocolate chip one was far superior. The vanilla was good but I wasn't crazy about the Banana or Red Velvet. Next time I visit, I will get a 1/2 dozen chocolate chip ones only and be good to go. Plus, the design of the place is gorgeous (very Bauhaus feeling inside) and the customer service was great.

Though the place in California, Loves Cupcakes is much better, this place is still pretty good. Luckily it is not in walking distance from me so that I keep my cupcake desires in check. (Chuckles...)

| Tuesday, December 27, 2011 | No comments