Seeking work

KillRamsey

Hall of Famer
Location
Hood River, OR
Name
Kyle
I've been a little possessed lately by the idea that I need to go farther, to get better, and do it as quickly as I can manage. I can't shake it... I think about little else, and it's been going on for over 3 years. I am reading everything I can find, I am shooting every single day, I am scraping together a portfolio (on flickr as an album for now, with the idea of hosting it somewhere on its own someday)... And I think part of this process is seeking out challenges and new work for myself. Looking through my best images, MOST of them have either my wife, my daughter, or one of 4 friends in it. It makes sense, I'm just a dude doing regular stuff with family and friends, albeit with a fuji in my hand 24/7. But I need MORE, I need different subjects, I need something approaching professional work.

And I've had friends offer to let me shoot things, but for one reason or another I've never felt like I was ready yet. Welllllll screw it, I'm diving in. First stop: a friend is a DJ on local college radio, and I've been invited to come shoot bands playing live in their studio. I wrote him back finally and arranged something for 2 weeks from now. Other things I've been offered and have meant to do: Another friend works at the ancient Harvard observatory right here in Cambridge, complete with antique telescope gear filling the dome room. So I can go shoot that, if I can figure out how. Third offer is a friend at work with a cherry 1975 Ducati 750 motorcycle he spent 20 years restoring, which wins shows left and right now. He deserves some GOOD pictures of it, and he has none. And he has a barn in his back yard... I need to get there before dawn but I want to do it.

So first up is the radio station. More on that as it develops. Suggestions welcomed. I don't know where all this effort winds up, but... I am utterly compelled to do this.
 
Good stuff, Kyle. You have the right idea and the projects you have planned are a nice start. How about sports? Are photo restrictions for minor-league but pro teams in your area easier than the major leagues? How about contacting the Globe and asking if you can tag along with one of their staff photographers one day? Ditto for a local fire company or snow plow operator - especially the big public works trucks. I'm just thinking aloud here.
 
Go for it, Kyle. There's nothing like a good project to keep you focused and get the creative juices flowing. Back in 2009 I volunteered my photography to an Independent running for NJ Gov. Got to ride the campaign bus and photograph on the campaign trail. On election night, when defeat was inevitable, I was let into the suite as they prepared the concession speech. Some of the most powerful photos I've ever taken because it was such a poignant moment.

Seek out those jobs, those moments, and see them through your lens.
 
Go for it, and good luck!

I've done something similar this year myself, and have started actively seeking out interesting subjects. In my case specficially I realized what I really want to do is environmental portraits of people with interesting jobs and hobbies, so I put the word out and have lined up a few shoots already just by throwing it out there.

A number of things led to me finally getting off the ground this year, not least of which was watching a Peter Hurley video where he pointed out if you want to get good at shooting people photos... shoot lots of people photos :D
 
Very encouraging to hear!

I'm headed to NYC for the weekend in a few hours, so I hope to get more work done (that doesn't include my family). Should be "wintry mix / nor'easter" weather tomorrow, so... interesting shots as we walk, I hope.
 
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