Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler OT: May have to sell the Axioms.

As many of you know, I'm a freelance commercial photographer.
The years of 2003 and 2004 were very profitable years and I had more work offered to me than I could possibly do.
Since Jan. 2005, I've had very little work and my savings are all but gone, so now I'm going to have to start selling things or find a full time posistion somewhere.
Basically, I'm looking for work ANYWHERE, full time or freelance.
If any of your work places have need for photography or have a studio in place, please pass my name along.
I've been working in photography for 20 years now, and have shot everything from small product to fashion. I'm also well versed in all professional digital photograhy programs as well as traditional film photography.
If anyone has any leeds, I would very much appreciate them.
Heres a few samples of my work if you need to show anyone.











These are just a few things I have in my portfolio, I've also shot TONS of annual report type photography.

The Axioms are last on the list to go and hopefully it wont get to that point.
The last thing I want to do is take photographs of my Axioms to post on ebay.

Sorry if this isnt appropriate, but I'm at the end of my rope.

Bray those pics are flat out gorgeous. No question you have talent. Hopefully your situation improves and it doesn't come to you having to sell your Axiom gear. Good luck.

your work speaks for itself. hats off to you.
i sincerely hope that you can figure things out so as to not have to dispose of your assets. Speakers or no speakers...no one should have to give up life. I am hopeful that something positive is in the cards.

Good Luck.

You've got a lot of talent, don't give up on yourself. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. As a poor old pensioner I can't offer you anything except moral support.

check theese out----good luck.ron http://jobsearch.monster.com/jobsearch.asp?opt=go&sort=rv&vw=b&cy=US&re=14&brd=1%2C1862%2C1863&rad=50&q=photographer

Brady
Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Your talent is evident in the samples of your work that you posted. Unfortunately for our industry technology and poor economy as well as a general lack of appreciation for really good shooters is hurting all photographers. Large digital studios are opening up all over the place. They are like the Wal-Marts of the photo industry and they are hurting the small business guys. I note in your bio you are in Texas. Are you near Houston? I know there are some big studios there that use freelancers? I'm sure I don't have to tell you that but your post struck a chord with me. I am the Chief Product Photographer for Macy's Central. Our studio is based in Atlanta. Unfortunately we are feeling the pinch as well. This year I had my lead art director leave and one of my photographers also. I talked to my studio manager about the possible canadates to replace them and I was informed that we wouldn't be. Upper management informed her that we were lucky we lost the two of them because we would have been put in the situation of haveing to let two people go had those two not left. I was quite relieved that I did not have to make such a decision. Things in this city have changed so much in the last two years. My studio currently staffs 3 photographers. So before the other one left we were 4 and I was using from one to three freelancers on a regular basis. Now we three handle everything. I get calls all the time from photographers in this city and the stories are much the same. One of the biggest studios in the city just closed down.They used primarily freelance photographers as what I refer to as day shooters. As a matter of fact this past week all the equipment, props and furnishings we're auctioned off. Well I know this is not the kind of thing you need to hear right now. I try to remain optimistic. The business has gone through a few periods like this before. Studios have closed and in time others open to take their place. Keep the faith. You are very talented and with work like that you will find something. I will keep my ears open here. Through my years in the business and my responsibility for hiring staff and freelance personell I have quite a network. If I hear anything I will let you know. Hang in there.
oz

Bray - I ran a search on Hotjobs - Lifetouch portrait studios seems to have a lot of positions open in Texas.

I have no idea if they are a good company, or whether this is helpful. You sure take a beautiful picture, though.

It seems that when needed, a good photographer is hard to come by in Alaska. That would require some balls though. You'd have to start your own business and re-locate. But keep in mind, Alaskans are used to paying more for just about everything. If you do it right, you could most likely make a fairly good living.

I also had a lengthy conversation is Destine, Florida a year ago with a photographer when I was scouting for investment property. He said he was booked six months in advance. He and his wife were doing some…er…uh… unique shots and videos for couples in addition to the usual weddings and advertisement stuff. Told me it was the newest thing and these couples are always looking for a discrete shooter. Oh, and they drove an S600, so I doubt I was getting BS’ed.

At any rate, I’d sell the tunes last. Nothing better than swinging you out of a rotten mood than a little music.

Keep the chin up. Listen to good music. Take that odd job. Your obviously good at visual composition. If your good with a commputer. Try that visual design capability as a graphic artist.

Beautiful pictures.
How about writing a childrens' book with photos instead of illustrations? My kid loves looking at pictures of animals on the internet.

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys.
Things have been worse, just not much worse, and I always seem to manage one way or another.
I did make my regular Mon. A.M. calls to some of the local studios and things seem to be looking up as far as next month goes, but all I can do is wait and see.

Oz- Youve got a private message.

Sorry to hear that. I'll keep my ear out for ya.

Bray
I sent you a pm but I'm not sure it went. They number in my sent pm count didn't change. Let me know if you don't get it.
oz

Hey Oz
I got it.
It sure is a small world.
If you ever make it to Dallas, let me know.

Bray, I'm distressed by your difficulty, and hope that all works out well for you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I LOVE the new avatar. It's really beautiful.

Woo Hoooooooo!!!!!!
I just got a week booking. Its a mindless shoot, and they talked me down on my day rate, but what the hell, ITS WORK!!!
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Keep em coming.

Congrats Brady!

Oz made me think... Did you get my PM?

If I get out to Dallas I will definitely get in touch. It'll give me a chance to hear those M60's and see more of those great shots. There is nothing I like better than looking at great photographs and listening to great music on a great system. Well... almost nothing.
oz

Shoot Yea!
Look me up. I'll put together a slide show with some of my "fun stuff" from Costa Rica and various camping trips with some good bkg. music, and we could sit around drinking beers swapping war stories. and and.....yea thats the ticket.
I'll even invite Kiefer. After more than one, uh... I should say discussion with him about speakers, I would like him to hear the M60s.

Hey Mark
Yes, I got your PM. Did you get mine?

Why is it only sometimes when you send a PM, you get a notice that "your message was sent" ? I know in more than one instance, I've sent a message multiple times because I couldnt tell if it went through or not.

Yes, I did.... and I've had the same thing happen!

Kinda defeats the purpose when you have to keep posting something on the boards to let someone know that you sent them a message OFF the boards, huh?

Let me guess. He told you all about the Klipsch Voice of Theatre he used to have 20 years ago. 8>)

No never heard about those, but he has newer Klipsh towers now and thinks .................maybe I should take these comments off line.
Anyway.....I think you know him as well as myself, and could probably fill in the blanks.

I've read this thread a couple of times, and I am going to toss an idea out there...
We can't let one of our Axiom brothers part with his beloved speakers just because he has hit a dry spell!
I say we divy up whatever Bray might get for his speakers, and send him a no-interest loan until the market turns around.
No Charity, when things get better he sends it back.
Enough folks sign on we're proabaly talking about what, a cable bill? Maybe less!
I'm in for whatever the division comes to.
I'm betting he's good for it.
I'd sell a kidney before I sold my Axioms. I do not want to see this happen!
TjB

PS; Besides, he has the coolest avatar on the site! That has to count for something!

And on the flip side of the coin -- I was actually considering something similar to what Seabear is proposing, so don't take this the wrong way, all -- what it comes down to is that speakers are easily replaceable. Things are great, but they're just things.

Well guys, if things continue as yesterday, (cross your fingers) it looks like the dry spell may have ended.
There is an old saying in freelance photography "feast or famine".
While working yesterday, I got THREE calls for MORE work. It now looks like I'm booked for the next three weeks, which is more than enough to dig myself out of the hole I'm in.
Also while working yesterday I got wind of several big jobs that are supposed to start at some of the studios I usually work at. Its like someone opened the flood gates for work.
Off to work now.

That's great news! Even in a bad economy or perhaps especially in a bad economy they can't stop advertising. They may look for cheaper ways around it but they have to market their products. I guess I won't complain about long days and how hard I work. At least for a while I won't.
Bray keep your eyes open for a pm
oz

Really good news, Bray! We have several excellent photographers here, and there are several excellent ones over at av123 as well. Is there some correlation between photography and audio?

Good for you, Brady!
Yes,....SOMEONE DID open the "flood gates" for you.

Larry

Congrats, bray! Now you can afford to go to the Axiom BBQ!

Oz
No you dont want to complain about a steady income when it comes to photography and I told at least one person that already today.
Got your P.M.
I wrote you a novel in reply.


Jack
I guess there must be. It seems like most of the photographers I know either love music or have a good HT or both. Beautiful photograph, did you do that?

Larry
INDEED!


Peter
I dont want to count my chickens before they hatch, but I hope so.

It's good to hear things are looking up for you Bray.I hope it continues in the future.Good luck.

Thanks.

In reply to:

---

Beautiful photograph, did you do that?

---

I wish! No, I posted that to show that one of the guys over at av123, a nice fellow with the screen name ballzak79, like you, is a professional photographer, and can indeed take some nice photos. He seems to specialize in close up photography

I suppose there is a correlation among all the arts. And I, for one, consider photography, an art.

Karma Man, Karma!
Great news!
I guess it might be because my Dad was a Professional photographer for 30 years, and I saw all of his ups and downs that your dry spell hit such a chord.
Glad it was a short one.
And Jack...
"Is there some correlation between photography and audio?"
It's all Art to me!
TjB

Sometimes it's just work, sometimes it's art, sometimes it's both.
I'm happy to have any of them.

With an attitude like that, you will ALWAYS get through life, and do it well ! ...

Bray,

I'm also glad to hear that you have found work. I just learned today that my place of employment is for sale. So, who knows, maybe I'll be selling my Axioms soon?

Holy Cow!!!!!!
Ya know that phrase, "Be careful what you ask for."
I have been non-stop busy since 2 or 3 days after I started this thread.
I just got back (about 1.00 AM) from Fredricksburg Tx where I had a GREAT job shooting a jewelry catalog for some really neat people.
Check em out.
http://www.jeepcollins.com/
I've shot this catalog 3 or 4 times, but it was always shot through a larger studio (as a middle man). This time there was no middle man, which translates into more $$$$ in MY pocket.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers guys.
Keep em coming.
Now I gotta catch up on the HUGE # of posts I've missed since Wed. A.M.

Great news!

Glad to hear it Bray!

That's awesome. Great news.

If you were in Fredericksburg, you should have stopped off in Austin on your trip back and given me a call...be great to have you drop by...

Being busy is a good thing...congrats.

WhatFurrer

Good news indeed,Congrats.

WhatFurrer
Yea I thought about getting in touch with you before I left, but because of time concerns, I didnt think I would be able to swing it.
As it turns out I took the scenic route anyway. In Waco I cut across on 84 and then took 16 all the way to Fredricksburg.
Beautiful Drive!

Yup, just have to add one more heart felt "Good News, and congrats" to the growing list!!

Bray, it really is good news. Congrats.

In junior college I took a ton of photo classes. My dad had an old Pentax Asahi Spotmatic that I absolutley loved. Thing was heavy and built like a tank. Long live SLRs!

bray
It's always feast or famine in our biz. That looks like a nice account. Wishing you all the best.
oz

Bray - Wait to hang in there. I would LOVE to have you attend and shoot our GTG this November. Travelling from Texas to Pennsylvania might be asking a bit much, though ...

We are all pretty proud of you for hanging in there and turning things around.