According to the UT San Diego is ranked #2 in the nation for solar. We put solar on our home a few years ago and our electric bill for last year was $176. Protecting the environment, saving our budget.
San Diego County ranks No. 2 in the nation for solar trailing only Honolulu for installed solar power, per capita
Solar installations which add to job growth are a key part of the city of San Diego’s climate action plan that aims to achieve 100 percent renewable energy use citywide by 2035.
Details: Photos are from commissioned projects. Camera, Nikon D600 and D810 and a Phantom 4 drone.
I have been a member of ASMP ever since I opened my own photography business. It gave me a sense of community, I belonged. When you have your own business, it is you against the world. Whether you survive or prosper is up to you and only you. But does it need to be that way? When you belong to a group you immediately improve your chance to be successful. Groups like ASMP or APA have education, business and advocacy programs.
Meet people that share a common link. Network and you might find new opportunities at the least you will meet people you can talk ideas or point you in a right direction.
Asmp has over 7,000 members and growing. As our industry has evolved, so has Asmp. The local chapter has a wide range of programming. I know, I’m the new Program Chair along with Matt Janecek. Come take a look. Our next meeting is at San Diego City College and features internationally renown photographer Vincent Versace.
If you like what you see then join us, and “Belong”.
This portrait of “Monty” was one promotion he used to raise funds for the CAF. (We did a trade, the shoot was not a freebie.)
I used to have the contract for San Diego State Athletics. I provided all the photography for them including game coverage. Being a state university the contract was on a bid basis. Although I was awarded the contract I was told by the then SID (sports information director) it would be in my best interest to find a working relationship with the previous photographer. After a couple strenuous, stressful years in that arrangement I finally had my golden parachute. The San Diego Padres were looking for a change. My new partner, former SI photographer Andy Hayt and myself were chosen to run their new photo operation. For six years it was a well run operation. We were well paid, made strong imagery and operated with sound business principals. Our images had value to our client.
Often I’m told by younger, inexperienced photographers that they are working for free in exchange for the exposure. How is exposure going to pay your rent, to pay for your cameras and computers? Listen hard, this practice has been going on for a long time. Ask yourself if the people asking for free imagery are working for free? I don’t think so. Their skills have value and they get paid for it. If you have the skills, your work has value. Get paid. You can only work for free so long before your credit card payment for the camera you bought is due.
Btw, another talented photographer later temporarily got the SDSU contract. The other photographer I had worked with previously went back and offered to work for free as a volunteer. He didn’t offer to work with their current paid photographer, his approach was to replace him. They jumped at the free offer and my friend lost out. He lost income and State is accepting a lesser quality product. Don’t condone photographers that lowball, that work for free, even if they are “giving back to the university”. They diminish the value of our work and create one more potential client that views photography as a low priced commodity. These are not your friends.
“IF YOU LOSE A POTENTIAL JOB, HOPE IT’S BECAUSE THEY PREFERRED THEIR WORK OVER YOURS, NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE CHEAPER”
My work is featured at: www.zwink.com and www.bigstudioz.com
Portrait of Ken Caminiti. Concept was to show his toughness and grit.
I used to be a sports photographer. Then reality set in….. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I grew up in a small Kansas farm town, Macksville, and I loved sports. I don’t ever remember sports not being a part of my life. My two oldest brothers excelled in whatever they did. My next oldest brother Mark was a pretty good pitcher, my sister, Debbie, was just as talented as my older siblings and my youngest brother was probably the best of us all. The only problem was he was ten years younger than me. I only learned his exploits from Mark’s writings in the local newspaper. But what about me? I was short changed in the talent department. As hard as I worked and studied sports, the reality was I didn’t “have” it. But boy it sure took me a long time to accept it.
I played on the high school team and then was the backup place kicker on the Mesa College football team. Looking back I think it was only because Coach Smorin didn’t cut those that wanted to be there. I wanted it bad. So I stayed. During the offseason I was in the first car accident of my life and as a result had to quit playing. That was one of the best events that ever happened.
During the offseason I had gotten married and my sister-in-law, Carole had loaned me her 35mm Yashica to play with. I was quickly hooked and soon photographing sports for the school paper at Mesa College which allow me to stay in touch with my team mates. An obsession to learn followed and within four years I was working in the newspaper realm, covering news and the sports I loved.
After eight years as a staff photographer at the San Diego Union Tribune I started my own business and became immersed in the sports photography profession. I worked for the wire services, trading card companies, San Diego State University and then got my dream job. Along with a former Sports Illustrated photographer we started an in-house full service photography department for the owner of the San Diego Padres. It was a sports photographer’s ideal job. We were on the inside documenting the team and the franchise, the players and the owners. We were given access that few photographer ever are given.
During the six year stint we lived a great life. I photographed hundreds of games and saw a rare insight into what some people call the Greatest Game. The Padres had a good team and even better marketing. Their quest to expand their brand took us to Mexico several times, once to play the Mets, to Hawaii to play the St. Louis Cardinals and then the winning began. We went to the playoff and then the World Series. I saw Tony Gwynn at his prime, I saw him injured and I saw him retire. On his final game he personally gave me an autographed bat which I have to this day.
But times change. Due to internal politics I was not renewed. And to add insult to injury I was replaced by the mailroom clerk…. the timing was terrible. They waited until ten days prior to spring training which precluded me from working with another company.
Losing that contract was the best event that happened. I’m now an architectural photographer. I miss sports but I love my new challenge. But that’s another story. Check out my website, www.zwink.com
About the photo: This was a portrait of Ken Caminiti done for the Padres Magazine. Camy was one of the most intense, dedicated hard working people I ever met. He loved baseball. Padre fans loved him.
I’m no expert but it appears the economy is improving. The first two months of 2014 were the busiest I’ve ever had. I know it’s a small sample to base the year on but other photographers have told me they’re off to a good start also. If photographers are working, businesses are marketing and looking to growth. That’s what we do, we help our client market, sell and grow their business.
I spent a lot of the month on the road. Several trips to Orange County surrounded a couple San Diego projects and then I went to the Bay Area for a couple shoots up there. After a quick respite back home and starting a new local project, I went to Alaska for a quick shoot. I know, why send a San Diego photographer there, it’s because my client trusts me to get what they need. Maybe an idea for a future blog.
Well I need to wrap this up. I have another couple projects in Orange County and LA this week. I hope everyone else is busy.
About my image gallery: All images shot with my iPhone while traveling. Post was in Snapseed.
I guess the real title should be why I don’t connect with other photographers.
I consider my self fairly successful, at least for the market I work in. That’s why I finally started marketing better a few years ago at the suggestion of a millionaire friend of mine. We talked and the reality was I needed to change, to expand my network.
First I revamped my portfolio www.zwink.com and then after doing some serious soul searching decided to focus my marketing on architectural photography even though I love to shoot it all (well almost). One of the marketing tools my friend Bob suggested was Linkedin, a professional networking site used primarily at that time for people looking for job opportunities and business connections. The basic idea is to network, to explore and gain new opportunities.
When I was new to Linkedin there were not a lot of photographers using the service. Now that has changed. I constantly get requests from other photographers wanting me “to add you to my professional network”. I don’t think so. A lot of my contacts are people I either work with or want to work with. Why tell others who my market is? Is it paranoia? No, I had someone I thought was a friend steal one of my clients. Approached them offering to do the work cheap and for trade. He is no longer working in this town…. His business model didn’t work and I learned my lesson.
So….. if you’re a photographer meet me on Facebook, @zphotog on Twitter, or better yet email or call me. I’ll still be your friend.
Which are you? I am a Image Maker. Even with my iPhone (yes I admit I have and use one) I think before I hit the shutter. I think that is the difference. Good Image Makers, aka photographers and videographers think and don’t just react to a scene, situation or event. Another good qualifier is to look at a body of images and see if they make sense. Yes, make sense, do they tell the story or stimulate a response? So…… even if you’re an amateur next time, look and compose before you take that picture. Happy shooting…
Techy stuff: All images shot at Sunset at Mission Beach, Ca. with a Nikon D3 and processed in LightRoom3.
(To my regular blog readers this post is directed at ASMP, an organization I’ve belonged to and believed in since 1992. If you don’t belong, think about it. Protect your rights as an Image Maker.)
2013 New Year Resolutions for ASMP
Here are some resolutions or answers I would like to see for the coming year.
1. Resolve the dreaded * asterisk. The election season is coming soon and I hope the National Board can solve this before it get blown up again. My take…… do away with it. Don’t do any thing to influence voters one way or another. Please do it sooner than later.
2. On the subject of the election I would like to see high profile photographers be more involved and run. Out of aprox. 7,000 members there has to be some fresh talent out there.
3. Experienced GM pros, pay back and get involved with the local chapters. Help strengthen the local chapters that helped when you were younger. And don’t give us the “I’m too busy excuse”. We’re all busy.
4. Look at #3. There is no reason for a non-GM to be President of a local chapter. And before you reply, talk to National, they quietly passed it to allow anyone in the chapter to be pres. now.
5. In 2013 I would like to see ASMP be more relevant to General Members. For several years a push has been made to sign up more non-GM members making GMs more of a minority in the organization. When I was joined I was given the goal to become a GM and often reminded that ASMP was founded to advance the cause of the GM in the industry. I would like ASMP to clarify their current mission statement. Are we (as a group) here to support the pros or here to support the new influx into the society who has no goal to be a GM?
6. These are some of my questions and possible resolutions for ASMP for the coming year. May you all grow in your business for 2013.
It’s not too early. Think about it. What would you like to see in ASMP for 2013?
I am an architectural photographer who also does corporate and commercial work. I used to shoot sports but due to personal reasons have stayed away from the genre. BUT……. the more things change…
My friend Stan Liu, an accomplished sports photog himself generously offer me a credential to go shoot the San Diego State v. UNLV football game. What a great time. The game was sloppy but being able to capture athletes in an intense competition was exhilarating and made me remember why I had chosen that lifestyle for so long. If only I could have figured out how to make money doing it. Thanks Stan.
Techy notes: Shot with a Nikon D700 with a booster for the motor, Nikkor 400 f2.8 lens and images processed in Adobe Lightroom 4.
