Donald Trump and the Arts

***Although I am EXTREMELY opinionated politically, this post is not meant to be a political "beatdown" or lashing in any way.***

Donald Trump has released his budget.  In the budget, as expected, there are drastic cuts to entitlement programs and departments which many lower and middle class Americans depend on, not that this is much of a surprise to anyone.  I think we all kind of expected that, no?

We also shouldn't be surprised that he's proposing to completely eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for Humanities.  Again...we should have seen this coming.

Just because we knew it was coming doesn't mean it isn't worrisome.

If we look at the Arts, all through human civilization, funding from the government has almost always been a constant.  Virtually all of Michelangelo's works were made possible by financial support from the Church and the government.  Same thing for Shakespeare, and the Queen.  In fact, if you were to go through history, you would find that the majority of influential artist, at one point or another, benefited from governmental support.

The NEA total budget for the entire year amounts to $158 million.  While major museums or galleries may not see a major effect on their day to day, this change would mean that the majority of other galleries, museums, theaters, school funding programs, opera houses, dance centers, film festivals, art shows and festivals, will struggle to continue to find existence.

Any kind of school arts or humanities programs would be very close to depleted...unless your children are in private, well funded schools.  Our children would be receiving two different types of education.

This is all over $158 million dollars.  Sounds like a lot, right?  Sure, it does...here's the thing.  It represents 0.003% of our national budget.  Not 3%.  0.003%.  If you've got $100 in your pocket, pull out 30 cents.  That's what we are talking about here.

Want to see what kind of projects, individual and community projects, and events the NEA funds, in your own area?  Click here.

At the same time, Trump is proposing spending unprecedented amounts on a wall and increased military spending.

Odds are, when you finish reading my rant, and you hop in your car to get to work or lunch, or, quite frankly wherever you're going, you're going to pass at least 1 place that will no longer exist if the NEA is abolished.

I've written a great deal on this blog about how the arts are under siege by outside forces, but, never before in the history of our country have the arts, or we as artist, faced this kind of a threat.

It is so important that we let our elected officials know how important it is that we as a community of artist and art lovers continue to demand funding for the arts.  The future of our industries, AND our society, are at stake!

5 MUST DO'S for every Photography Business

After almost 20 years in the business, plenty of busy times, slow times, crazy and quiet times, I've learned a couple things.  While there's tons of MUST DO'S for every photographer, here are a few:

1.  Network, network, network.  You don't get away from this one.  As a matter of fact, for us artist, we must network even more.  We've got to be in front of people, constantly reminding them of our services.  Not just at networking meetings, but also with robust marketing campaigns, advertisements, social media, etc.  Remember, on average, you need to make 5+ impressions before a person remembers you, in today's overly graphic world.

2.  Put the camera down!  Sounds weird, I know...but...ask a successful attorney or businessperson how much time they actually spend in a courtroom, versus the time they spend working with paperwork, consultations, prep, and building their businesses.  It is so incredibly imperative that you spend a significant amount of time actually tending to ALL portions of your business...not just the camera in hand part.  Which leads me to...

3.  Then pick the camera up!  This is what makes it challenging to be a photographer.  We must be businesspeople, and artist.  All the time a shop owner, salesperson, doctor or attorney devote to building and maintaining their business, we must do as well; but it is important to remember to make some camera time for yourself.  You've got to keep the creative part of your brain moving.

4.  Don't be a slave!  Look, our industry has been taken over by manufacturers who have tried so hard to convince us that we need to have the latest, greatest, biggest, fattest camera and lenses, and the newest tech.  We try to convince ourselves that we need to have all these other things...we don't.  Get equipment that works for you, that satisfies your customers needs...by all means don't turn into a dinosaur, but don't get caught up in the consumerism.

5.  Invest.  Invest your money correctly(back to #4.)  Invest your time wisely.  Invest in educating yourself.  Take some business/finance courses.  Open a retirement account.  

There's no handbook, or instruction manual, but these basic points should keep you pretty much clear.  Do any of you have any other good suggestions?  I'd love to hear some!

My Favorite Photographers

I am often asked if I have a favorite photographer.  The answer is a very clear yes.  Me.  J

The reality is that I absolutely do.  There are quite a few photographers actually who’s work I thoroughly enjoy.   Here’s a few, in no particular order:

Javier Medina

Javi is actually a long time friend of mine; we went to college together.  He currently lives in New Zealand, and captures the most incredibly stunning landscape images of the beautiful countryside.

Steve McCurry

Because who can talk about photography without mentioning this man’s contribution?  You name it…he’s shot it.  Probably twice.  He’s about as big a legend as a legend can be.

Greg Gorman

Another legend.  I saw Greg speak years ago, and I was struck by how down to Earth he was.  After he spoke, I went and had a conversation with him about his difficulties starting out, as my career was still in its infancy.  What he said to me was striking.  In a good, supportive way.  Maybe I’ll post it one day J

Clark Little

Stationed out of Hawaii, Clark has made some of the most amazing and iconic images in his particular niche.  Whether its of the surf or marine life, his work is truly inspiring.

Henry Dekuyper

Well known for his stunning work in the automotive photography realm, Dekuyper has a long standing reputation for quality work.  As an automotive photographer and fanatic of the entire scene, I couldn’t possibly make a list of my favorites and not add him on here.

Don’t fret…I have plenty more…these are just a few who’s work I truly love.  If you need some inspiration, and need to see some quality work…go look any one of these guys up…I promise…you won’t regret it.

Reminiscing

I remember my first paid Photography "job."  I was working as a photographer for the college newspaper, and loved what I did.  I got sent out on all types of journalism assignments, shot photographs of major and minor events, students, teachers, etc.

I was sitting at my desk, editing some images(we shot film back then, so the whole process of editing was significantly different than it is now) when I got a call.  It was an art director for a major magazine out of New York.

Phone rings
Hello, this is Ramon
Hi Ramon, are you the head photographer?
I am.  Who am I speaking with?
Ramon my name is xxx, I'm the Art Director for xxx Magazine.  I need your help.
Oh ok.  Great.  What can I do for you?


The AD went on to explain how his magazine set people up for blind dates, did before and after interviews, and needed a photographer to tail the couple throughout their time together.  It was to take place two hours from then, and he needed a last minute photographer to step in.

That was my first paid photography job.

I knew nothing of pricing, invoices, etc.  As a matter of fact, my invoice was handwritten on a sheet of paper on the counter of the post office when I sent off my rolls of film.

Since then, I've worked on projects both large and small.  National, International, and Local.  All over the Southeastern United States and Caribbean.

Yet I never forget that first job.  That excitement, nervousness, that pride.

If I could go back and do it all over again...would I?

Absolutely!

What advice would I give myself?

For that first job, charge more.  :)  For my career...gain a thorough understanding of business matters much earlier, and build your network.

I'll keep reminiscing, and keep pushing forward, but I take great pride in every job I shoot...that pride I felt my first job, I feel every job.  And I love it!

Why I stay away from photography "News sites"

I love photography.  I've been a professional photographer since taking my first assignment in the year 2000.  It was a small magazine assignment that basically had me follow a couple around photographing their first date.  I was so proud of my three photographs that appeared in this national magazine(which no longer exist), I put one of the tearsheets up as a trophy in my apartment.  Although the majority of my work has been for private clients, since then, you name it...I pretty much shot it.  Or some variation of, at least.  I'm fairly proud of the list of clients I'm able to say I have worked with.

Through my career development, something has always kind of irked me, however, and I noticed it again today, just like I did 20 years ago when I was dreaming of being a professional photographer.  Go to your local bookstore(or google) and look up any of the major photography magazines.  I did this little experiment just now.  The first 8-10 articles are all products we need to buy.  All new lenses, new software, new bodies, lights, this, that, or the other.  Pepper in an article on a technique, then back to products.

This is the problem.

And its our fault.

We've allowed the manufacturers of the products we use to convince a good portion of the public that quality cameras replace quality artist, to the point that even our periodicals and news sources have become nothing more than long advertisements.

Look, I get it...we work in an industry where our instruments are important, and as such, should be given a degree of priority in our professional discussions.  However, the technical aspects do not outweigh the business aspects.  In today's day and age, our industry is so much more about relationships than it is about a damn lens or piece of lighting equipment.  Yet none of that is given thought.

I'm curious to know how you all feel about this.  What would you like to see more of in our industry?

Fog

I've always loved the fog.  It was really foggy the other day...I took the camera out.  Enjoy!

My most important job ever

Of all the awesome things I've ever done, and I'll ever do, being a family man is the best.  I have an amazing wife, son, and a little boy coming up any second now and it is just bliss.

Isaiah makes everything worth working for...striving for...

He has a funny little personality, even with these quick snaps that took me five minutes...

Fatherhood is an amazing thing.