FYI +PhotoShelter just published their free 2012 The Photographer’s Social Media Handbook today. The 2-part ebook features many great tips on all things social media – from facebook to linkedin to twitter and of course google+. In fact, +Shane Srogi and I both offer our own tips using G+ in the ebook.

Check it out for free here: http://www.photoshelter.com/mkt/research/social-media-for-photographers

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Social Media for Photographers | PhotoShelter
Learn how to improve your business by leveraging social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs and more. Free downloadable PDF.

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On assignment shooting video documenting a wedding in The Grenadines in 2001

I can be terrible with dates – just ask my family. I am usually late with birthday cards and have a hard time remembering anniversary dates. I even had my wedding date etched inside my wedding ring to help remember the date! I quit cigarettes over 10 years ago. Missed the anniversary date when it came up – I remember it was in October because I quit on my birthday – perhaps my wife Marci remembers the exact year.

So it should be no surprise that after reading about another photographer on twitter who is celebrating 25 years of self-employment that I just happened to realize that this month marks my own 10 year anniversary date of self-employment. Thank God for twitter – almost missed another anniversary.

It was 10 years ago this month that Marci and I moved from CT to Cape Cod, Mass. I had just left my full-time staff photographer position at the Connecticut Post Newspaper to once again jump into the freelance waters. My job at the Post was the last I held as a full-time (or even part-time) employee working for someone else.

While living on the Cape I freelanced for many organizations including the Cape Cod Times, Boston Herald, Cape Cod View Magazine, and USA Today to name a few. I did spot assignments on the Cape for a number of other newspapers around the country. Being a digital photographer allowed me to instantly transmit photos hundreds and thousands of miles away – this at a time when many newspapers were still shooting film. I sold my images to newspapers, books, magazines, etc.

I also did some corporate and advertising work. And of course, being a freelance photographer, I also shot a number of family portraits and photographed a limited number of weddings each year. Every day was different and I enjoyed and thrived working for myself.

At work photographing Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ in 2006

While still on the Cape, back in 2003, I began selling my own artwork at art festivals. And since moving to Phoenix, AZ in 2006 some 3 years ago (October marks the 3 year anniversary – hey I remember that one) I ended up leaving behind – for the most part – my freelance career and now sell my artwork full-time. While I do accept occasional advertising/corporate assignments I have done nothing in regards to editorial, portrait or wedding  photography since arriving in Phoenix. Creating and selling my artwork consumes most available time and it is something I enjoy tremendously.

Looking back on the past 10 years there are many things I remember fondly about my photojournalism days: getting the shot no one else got at a spot news event, the rush of trying to make deadline, the wonder of what will happen in the news day today, getting access to events the regular public is not able to get, etc. And the fact that I was able to experience it all, working for myself, makes it even more enjoyable.

I am now on the other side of the media, here being interviewed by a local newspaper in 2008

Working for oneself is not easy. It takes dedication, perseverance, commitment, knowledge, ability and desire. It takes marketing skills as you are constantly selling yourself and your work. But above all it takes love – if you love what you do you are heading in the right direction and are leaps and bounds ahead of others that don’t love what they do. If you love what you do your desire to succeed is greater than those that don’t. And if you love what you do you find yourself happier in all aspects of life.

Here’s looking forward to the next 10 years of self-employment as a photographer.

Out on a photographic hike in Colorado in 2009.

This past weekend I attended what was probably the smallest art show I have done since I started selling my artwork at art festivals 7 years ago. Nestled amongst pine trees in the cool mountains of Pinetop, AZ the show – run by a great promoter and artist himself by the way – has a wonderful layout and environment.

The show, in its 14th year, is held outside next to a working gallery called the Art Barn which houses about 10 artists. Artists like myself are juried into the show and setup our booths outside alongside the Art Barn. The application mentions that there is room for as many as 70 booths.

My booth setup at the Pinetop art show

Like many shows lately, artist attendance was way down this year. In fact there was just 7 booths outside! There were a number of last minute cancellations and a few no-shows. The economy has been reducing show attendance of both patrons and artists, and this show was no exception.

Yet even in these trying economic times there are those willing and able to make investments in art. Small art shows are a perfect place for the patron to really talk to the artist. Crowds are light, there are less distractions, and many art lovers themselves prefer the small quiet shows compared to the 400+ booth, 250,000+ attendance behemoths.

As an artist, doing these types of shows can be quite a joy. Setup is relaxing, being able to park directly next to my tent to unload and setup with no hurries. Free onsite RV parking just a short stroll through the pines with plenty of room for our dog to play just adds to the enjoyment.

A short daily "commute" through the pines from my RV to my booth.

Crowds were light this weekend, and Sunday’s thunderstorm at 3:00 killed the show that afternoon (the show ran Saturday – Monday). Yet patrons were there to buy. Among this weekend’s sales were two 60″ pieces to two new and excited collectors of mine. One piece is going above the new home buyers’ bed. The other piece the collector is not yet sure where she is going to display it just yet.

Packing up on Monday afternoon after the completion of the show was just as easy as setup. It is not often one can have a relaxing weekend working an art festival, but small shows often allow the opportunity to do just that and still connect with patrons and make sales. Not to mention the temperature was some 30 degrees cooler than my hometown Phoenix. What could be better?!?