Ft. Lauderdale Studio

Hi all!  Sorry I've not posted in a great while.  Been stupid busy.

So...after 26 years in the same studio, I finally had to move.  The landlord decided to move some manufacturing tennants in and their chemical smells just drove us out of there.

So...seems that OMP has a studio.  They had originally intended to make it a rental place like the SoBe ones.  That didn't take off as much as intended, so when a friend and colleague from Birmingham mentioned the OMP studio, I called to take a look and see if I could make a deal there.  I met Brett and he took all four of us in their studio and allowed us to make some major changes in the studio layout.  I've attached a photo of the construction of the cyc wall, which they did not have.

So...gotta go back soon to finish painting and organizing.  I have a Swim & Sport shoot coming up do gotta get it ready for that.  This upcoming week, I have another trip to Green Bay Wisconsin to shoot for my hospital client there.  Always enjoy that.  Super people to work for. I will be at the Alabama Horse Association meet-up next week to shoot for them.  Should be fun as it's a fun group and there is another assignment for a yet as un-named new client in Tennessee.

I've attached a pic of the studio construction...stay tuned as when it's all finished, I'll do some proper pictures not from my iPhone

Bye fer now!

Learning

Hello all!

While constructing my ideas for workshops, I ran across some books I've collected over the past few years and, although many of the earlier ones refer to film based work, they sure have some good meaty information on them if you'd substitute the printed media for electronic media references.  Just goes to show you some methods have really stood the test of time.

I will be doing updates on these methods in my workshops.  How to get work...how to promote...to whom you need to promote... who REALLY has the money. Tranlsating what you do in to paychecks is the goal.

Keep checkin in as the workshop idea begins to take shape.

Chuck St. John 

"...if you're not flexible, you're not working."

Not your A-game

This week, there was a photographer from another state that came to my studio to shoot someone I was already working with.  I wanted someone else's viewpoint on this model so I invited him to shoot for free in my studio.

I genuinely like this guy.  He's been here before to workshops I've done and seems to get a lot out of them.  But . . . as he was working through what he wanted to shoot (stock), he seemed to just not have his heart in it.  He finished fairly quickly and, as he left to go home, admitted he wasn't on his "A-game" today.  That was why he finished early.

I find this situation very interesting and it begs the question, "When you really don't feel like shooting, should you?"

As a full time, this-is-my-only-job professional, that option is not available to me or anyone else that does what I do.  It's not like you work at the Post Office or an accounting office and can call in sick.  When you are a full time professional photographer, when you have a booking, YOU HAVE A BOOKING!  Clients do not want to hear you don't feel like it.  Not only do you not want to reveal that you're not on your A'game, but you sure as heck don't want them to know that!

In cases like this, you, as a self employed one man/woman ongoing concern, just need to suck it up and do the job to the very best of what you can do.  Work through the fog...engage the make up artist in what you're doing...ask the model how she sees what you are trying to do for a fresh viewpoint...

I find a lot of this can be avoided with some planning.  Don't just show up having no idea of what you're doing.  Exercise control over your shoots by detailing ahead of time, just what you want to shoot so you don't get distracted and you have some expectations.  Look through some publications that show similar concepts of what you are wanting to do.  You will get some inspiration and your "freak out " level will decrease.

Like my dad once told me..."People don't plan to fail.  They fail to plan."

Good advice.

Chuck StJohn

"...if your not flexible, you're not workin."

Light to dark

Hey everyone!

Daylight savings is fast coming and with it...more sleep and less daylight.  So, more studio shooting.  

The forum I post on (Supershoots.net) has had some lively exchanges on my slip-of-the lip comment about GWC's.  Henceforth, that term will never ever pass my lips in the context I used it.  In any case, there does seem to be a goodly amount of interest for teaching about how to be a professional so I am continuing on with this venture.

Some of what needs to be covered will be, How to get clients, how to market yourself, how to produce a commercial shoot (do you need a producer?),  permitting, liability issues, production assistance, invoicing, copyright issues, releases and just what does a good assistant do anyhow?  What is grip, will I need it, what does it cost, where do I get it?

I encourage you all to drop me a note and if you have any other questions that need to be addressed let me know.  Oh, and yes....we will shoot at this workshop.

"If you're not flexible, you're not working."

Chuck

First Post

Hello all!

Not to be left behind in the world of spewing what's on your mind, I thought I'd initiate this blog to support a new venture;  I am going to start an educational series of workshops designed to teach photographers how to make the leap from "wanna be making money  to working professional."

Stay tuned.  I will try my level best to add to this blog weekly.  I want your responses and if you have ideas, let me know that too.

Regards . . . Chuck St. John 

"...if you're not flexible, you're not workin."