Inspiration - is all around you.

So there are lots of things happening at the moment.  Mostly still trying to figure stuff out.  A bit of paid work to complete, a couple of projects to push on, and stuff to do to make the business work.  This is my new life.  Family must come in there too, so my life is pretty full.

However you have to make time to let yourself remember what you love about photography and image making.  So I found a little project to do on the side, a quick one day - shoot and edit.  It turned in to two days but there you go.

ANZAC service 2015 from Chris Hillock on Vimeo.

I used the ANZAC service this weekend to express my creativity as well as remember the fallen family members from the various wars.  Every year I cover this service, and I use it to help drive that creative flow in my head.  It "shits" images as my old boss says.  It is something that I am passionate about, and love creating great pictures.

I also used it as a time to get to know and get better at using my gear.  I've had a new video camera for a couple of months, used it a handful of times and still learning more about it, sometimes on paying jobs which is not ideal.

So look around you, an event, protest, sunset/rise, anything something that lets you take the gloves off, learn something new, recharge your battery and remember why you love creating what it is that you love to create.  Even if it doesn't turn out perfectly, it's the process of creation that will help you in the paid jobs be better.

Good shooting.

Shoot every day .. or you'll regret it I promise you.

Creativity is like a muscle, the more you use it the better it gets.  Ask anyone that has tried to learn a new sport or activity.. practice makes perfect.

So what?  So it comes down to this.  In photography, you have to be "On" when you show up on the job.  That's what your client is paying for.  They don't pay you to have a day off.  In fact if you do have a bad day, it will effect you long run.  Word of mouth is a bitch.

What's more, you need to be having fun, so all the tech stuff is going on as smooth as silk in the background, you don't even have to think about it, so that you can focus on getting your subject to relax and get that perfect shot.

So how do you get into that zone?  Well, its getting in the rhythm, shooting as much as you can.  How do I know this?  Cause I'm feeling it now.

I did a full day shoot a couple of days ago, and felt the rust in my head as I started the shoot.  It didn't help that I was using new gear (that I hadn't had much practice with) , on a job for a new client, with a basic idea of what they wanted to achieve.  Still I did the job, and by the end of the day, I was back in the rhythm, and doing some good stuff. Not great stuff, but good stuff.  Get back to the office and download, look at what I've got, and I can squeak through.  Not a position I like to be in.  I like coming home and feeling like I kicked it out of the park.  

I've know this for a while, come back from a holiday, and it usually takes a day or so of solid shooting to get the feel for it back.  I don't know why I forget it.  

How to get there?  You might not have a job or three a day to keep things flowing, but you can assign yourself a few shoots.  Photography friends. family, anyone that you trust and will let you shoot them.  But here's the footnote, you must in your head treat it like a professional assignment.  Do all your prep, get your gear ready, shoot it like it like you mean it, and aim for that gold.

So I'm going to talk my own advice.  Shoot anything and everything, with the idea in mind that I can sell it for stock, art or other.  Wish me luck

Inspiration and where to find it.

Ok, heads up, I've had a very long day with a full day shoot, (day 1 of 3) with a lot of gear problems, and just making it through the day.  So needless to say that I'm feeling exhausted, and not thinking straight.  Need sleep in a big way as tomorrow and the day after are big days too.  Lots of content required and tight deadlines.  Just finished backing up the cards and should be in bed..

However, a good friend of mine, Mike Scott  is in Nepal at the moment on assignment with some kick arse photographers, reporters and drone flyers producing some epic and spectacular content.  I'm lying if I say I'm not jealous! - cause I deeply deeply jealous.  They're covering a year on from a deadly avalanche there.

But you've got to hand it too them.  They stepped up and organised it all.  Off their own recon, to do something they truly believe in.  So I turn around and look at myself and ask... what am I doing? It's time to step up my game is the answer.  So inspiration, and opportunity, is all around.  I've just got to open my eyes and find stories to tell.

I think telling stories is what I love most about my job.  It's a super power, without the suit and cape. (Thank goodness).  From the youth development program, to the aftermath (or duringmath) of a disaster, or a story about someone turning things around.  This kind of work is needed, no, required to be told more and more in our communities.  It gives you the edge in what you create.  From a simple pretty picture to something with drive, energy and purpose.  

So message to self.. pick up game.  Get out there and into my community.  It'll be good for you as a person, and as a photographer. 

EDIT - Please share some of your inspirational stuff / links (Please note it's a family show) in the comments.  Thanks. C

Arggh just get organised!! Please :)

So you've done all the hard work, made the cold call, talked your way in to the office, given your pitch, you've given the estimate/quote, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, .. ok you get the point.

So what is it?  Why do some clients leave you hanging?  I just don't get it, you're ready to go!

Well I do get it, cause I'm one that takes my time in doing things.  Sometimes its hard to figure out where you stand, and what's more, you can quickly make yourself from potential collaborator into whinny pain in the butt!  Thus quickly leading to never getting hired by them again.  Suck.

So your sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring.. hold on that sounds really sad.  So your doing your books, dreaming of all the future earnings your going to make, (that sounds better).  What can you do?  Well, you need to have some idea of what type of client you have and then you can act appropriately.


So lets break it down.

"The thinking client"
Yes they are still keen, but mulling things over, and over, and over.  You end up wanting to push them along, ringing them up and saying "Get on with it!!"


The "procrastinator"

The "too busy with too many things going on",

and the "I've changed my mind."

..

The right time, right place, the right price point, YES

So small baby steps, and be ready.

I saw a quote on the back of a truck the other day..

"Luck is preparation meets opportunity"

I have no idea who said it but it's true.  I've been a photographer for 20 + years now and its happened to me a lot, turned up early, brought an extra piece of gear that I didn't initially think I would need.  Arrive at the job, see an opportunity for something extra, and turn it into a picture or film.  Some times on a shoot, you know exactly what you want and how to get it.  But then you might step back and see something that your focus didn't allow you to see before, that patch of light in a tucked away corner.  You wedding and press photographers will know what I'm talking about.

So hears some rules of thumb... not hard and fast but worth keeping in mind.

1. Turn up early and leave late - this one is gold.  Often been on a job when I got the image that no one else did because they weren't there.
2. Even if you don't need it for a job, bring it, and leave it in the car (if it's too big), just in case.
   - Since Murphy was an optimist this is always a good one.  Lock stuff in the boot of course - out of sight is out of mind.
3. Have a game plan but keep your eyes open, for that patch of light or chance opportunity.  This open minded approach can turn things to gold for you, but you have to be able to see it for it to happen. 

So how does all that above relate to my title for this post; "The Right Time, Right Place, The Right Price Point, YES!"

I rang a potential client, an ad agency, and set up a meeting.  I was feeling very nervous, in fact a bit intimidated, a big firm here with great work.  Felt I wasn't going get any interest from them.  However I did my prep (don't under-estimate prep for every and each meeting with your client new or old), and manage to show them what they were looking for, and at a price point that had them sit up in their seat.  Now don't get me wrong, I didn't charge less than I normally would, I've calculated my charges so that I make a good liviing for the work I do, and the hours I put in.  So I feel very happy about that.  As a good friend said to me, don't undercharge to get a job, because as you do that job, you'll end up feeling bad about working for less than you know you're worth.  That will lead to poor results.  You must be happy in the charge and that flows through to the results.

So, I felt good walking away from the meeting, right time, right place, right presentation, and right price point.  No guarantees of anything but I broke the ice with this company in a very positive way.  Some times it pays to face up to your fears, try to turn it in to something.  Even if you failed, at least you've moved forward.

Good luck and good shooting.