Considering the Pace

I don't talk about my photography much anymore. More because when I am in photo taking mode, I am usually with my camera or on my computer doing editing, uploading, whatever. When I am in writing mode, I am usually trying not to think about my camera for a few moment. Possibly because what I think of when I think in terms of my camera is too big to get on paper in a week, much less in under and hour.

In truth, my camera consumes me. I spend dang near every moment thinking about my next shoot, or my last shoot, or the shot I missed. I look at everything in terms of, "If I were going to take a photo of this, how would I want to capture it?"

I spend little time trying to figure out how to make money from my photography. I am constantly berated by friends telling me I should do more, but I tend to be so centered on the photograph itself I forget to look at it as a way to make a living.

Fortunately for me, paying jobs often come my way despite my inaction. I get emails and phone calls on a fairly regular basis looking for a commercial photographer for magazine shoots, business applications, headshots, and for portraits of various types for families. I do well enough, but I know I could do better if I were to "pound the pavement" as my father calls it. I am not, however, much of a pavement pounder.

I am in fact, a fairly easy going personality and good friend. I like to socialize, and enjoy working others on a variety of projects. This has come back to me in a positive way in that most of my current work falls into the "found it through networking" category. I know someone who knows someone who needed a photographer kind of thing.

Lucky me, eh?

Still, I am getting the sense that I am missing out, that I could do more. So perhaps I will have to change my tactics and start reaching out. It is, after all, just another way to network, hm?