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01/04/2007 09:38:03 PM · #26 |
Jenny
A few shared thoughts:
1: Some people around here rent studio space. By studio I'm not talking about anything flash or expensive. Only $20 a week for a room somewhere close by with your gear (backdrops, lights etc) set up. Probably not a viable option due to kids etc.
2: Do you have a garage ? Not having a garage myself - I'v always thought it such a shame to use all that space for 4 wheels and a motor. Maybe you could use this space - leave the car outside, have your lights, backdrops etc permantly set up - close to the kids.
3: Regarding your slump. 2006 seems to have been the year of the tired, lacking motivation and depressing aspects of our personalities. I first noticed this in myself and my circle of friends. Ok - it must be something to do with our age- we have all reached that degree of cynicism and staleness at the same time. Then I noticed it in people around me regardless of age , occupation or interests. Judging from a number of threads on this web site - it is also effecting people Internationally. Greenhouse effect ? Who knows. Hopefully 2007 will be a more motivated year.
4: 2 Kids - husband away. I could repeat this bit 4 times over. Trying to do anything while raising kids, especially with your husband away, is just about impossible ! When was the last time you read a good book ? 5 years ago ? Yes ? Lucky your female - you can a least multi-task and possibly get a few things done. Us males are cursed to only one activity at a time (at least I'v been told thats an excuse I can use LOL)
I haven't any answers but share a few thoughts. |
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01/04/2007 09:40:39 PM · #27 |
i personally havent had any desire to shoot lately... especially for the page... and i hate it... but i just dont... i think a lot of it, for me, is being discouraged due to low scores... but mostly i want a new camera and think i can take much better shots with something better!!!! so although i cant relate to the work aspect... i think sometimes we just need a break from it... if it starts to feel like a chore, its time to take a breather!!
good luck!! |
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01/04/2007 09:47:35 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by JRalston:
I think that is the thing. I like making some money from my photography, but I don't like being so busy that I have to say NO to people. I start feeling really pressured to work more. My focus right now is being a stay-at-home-mom. Most people want to schedule their sessions on weekends or in the evenings and that takes away from family time. I think back in November I was working 4 straight weekends.
It would be easier if everyone did their sessions in the morning, while the boys are in preschool. I don't think that would fly, though.
Move to Guam- Photographers are needed.....LOL |
I think that I have to agree with some of the others on here. You need to just stop with the pleasing of other people for a bit and go do the photography that you want to do. In addition to that, I recommend getting out of the house to do it. I started taking pictures again so that I would have a reason to get out of the house, and my son and I have been all over the Charleston area doing just that. We've also made trips to North Carolina, and my family was more than happy to drive me all over the Dayton area while I was on vacation to show me some really nice places to shoot.
I guess that I've rambled a bit, but to sum it all up. . .
Take those times that the the boys are in preschool and get out there to take the shots you want. Worry about making money at it again after you enjoy it again. . . because you will enjoy it again. :)
As for moving to Guam. . . I've been avoiding it for almost 17 years in the submarine service, and if you think I'm going to change my mind about it now, think again. :) |
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01/04/2007 09:49:37 PM · #29 |
I feel your pain. I work with a Marine unit on Quantico and I when I first started getting into photography a couple of years ago I would jump at the chance to take pictures of formations and ceremonies. Then, I was expected to be at all formations and it even got to the point where I would almost get scolded for not being at a formation to take pictures... even if I was on vacation or at an appointment. Last June and I pretty much just stopped taking pictures... except at formations and ceremonies... talk about sucking the passion right out of me. I jumped into another hobby for a couple of months (I have an addictive personality, so I have to be "doing" something) and then at Christmas the desire just came back to me. It might have been that my dad was here and he wanted to take pictures with my girls, so I pulled out all my stuff and took a few shots. It was just kind of nice to be doing it again...
My advice to you would be to step away from it for a little bit. Focus on something else that you enjoy doing. Also, DPC is a great place, but it can bring you down a bit because you are always putting your stuff out there to be judged by everyone. It's hard when you feel you have something great and nobody else seems to get its greatness. I am going through that right now in the Centered challenge. I have a good picture out there, but I think it's great because it is personal to me. I've learned to deal with it, so I just put them out there, don't really worry about the score, and enjoy the comments... if they are good!
This is actually the picture that brought me back...
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01/04/2007 10:13:45 PM · #30 |
There is a lot of good advice in all the previous posts and I cannot really add anything helpful.
Just wanted to say, when my kids were that age, also close together, I experienced that same feeling of running out of energy for all kinds of activities. At that point it looked like that same situation would go on and on forever, but it is not true; the children grow so fast and in no time they will be away at school and become more independant and you will have more time and energy to devote towards photography again!
Message edited by author 2007-01-04 22:14:06. |
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01/04/2007 10:29:24 PM · #31 |
I agree with all the advice here. A break can go really far! But, for the prevention in the future, remember that you don't ALWAYS have to do everything alone. Maybe you have friends on the base that can help out either with the kids, the cleaning, or the set up. Maybe you want to charge more for your pictures and have a cleaning service for the spit and polish on your space? Or maybe you want to charge less and shoot ina location of their choosing with your home not available.
Whatever it is, you're a busy and important lady - you gotta look out for yourself!
Good luck out there, and it's okay to take a breather!
- C, ES |
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01/04/2007 10:53:29 PM · #32 |
Gee Whiz....I think you're onto something!
Originally posted by Tajhad:
Jenny
A few shared thoughts:
3: Regarding your slump. 2006 seems to have been the year of the tired, lacking motivation and depressing aspects of our personalities. I first noticed this in myself and my circle of friends. Ok - it must be something to do with our age- we have all reached that degree of cynicism and staleness at the same time. Then I noticed it in people around me regardless of age , occupation or interests. Judging from a number of threads on this web site - it is also effecting people Internationally. Greenhouse effect ? Who knows. Hopefully 2007 will be a more motivated year.
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01/04/2007 10:54:41 PM · #33 |
If you are ever getting burnt out on photography, you aren't spending enough money :)
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01/04/2007 10:56:25 PM · #34 |
i am in a funk too. looking for a spark.
i have not entered since november and have received no comments since earlier last month, but that's my own fault for not participating.
meh.
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01/04/2007 10:56:33 PM · #35 |
| I have motivation, but no models. I can't even coax people on myspace.com to take me up on a free shoot....pathetic. |
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01/04/2007 10:58:55 PM · #36 |
this happens. sounds like you need to recharge. i took a break fromphotography in the middle of my photgraphy degree. try explaining that to the profs! but, i came back recharged, and raring to go.
why not give yourself say two months, and don't do any at all. tell a few white lies - you're booked solid, can only squeeze you in, say, in march, blah blah blah, and take a mental health break. you can't make good art if it's a chore. sure, some of it always a chore, but if you're dreading it, it ain't gonna happen.
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01/04/2007 11:01:54 PM · #37 |
thanks for the comments guys.
maybe i need a GTG or a shooting buddy to get me going.
or a sweet new camera. lol
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01/04/2007 11:49:26 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by jfriesen:
If you are ever getting burnt out on photography, you aren't spending enough money :) |
Weird thing is, I don't even feel like spending money on photography stuff. Yes, I am that 'sick'...LOL Actually, what it is is I see no point in spending more money on it right now when I am not motivated to use such purchases.
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01/05/2007 12:09:23 AM · #39 |
I think BeeCee's post set off a light bulb in my head. I don't think I have gone out to shoot for fun since July or so. Everything I have done since then has been tied to a newspaper assignment or a portrait session. I only have so much time I can dedicate to photography and 'work' has taken up all of it.
It really is sounding like I need to do photo sessions when IIIIIIII want to do them. When someone calls and wants an evening or weekend photo session, I almost feel resentful. How dare people want their pics taken at night or on weekends!!!...LOL I only get a few hours a night with my husband and then the weekends. I love spending time together as a family and hate when something cuts into that. Things are different when my husband is gone.
AHHHH-HA!!!!!! That is when it started. My portrait sessions started picking up when my husband was gone for the better part of 3.5 months. When he returned, that is when I started wanting my evenings and weekends for family time. That is when I started getting burned out. I was getting burned out because I DIDN'T WANT TO BE DOING PORTRAITS WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS HOME! You guys are genius. ;o)
I think when I start up again, I am going to do Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. I've gotta learn to say no. I am HORRIBLE at it. Right now, I am supposed to be doing this for FUN and to make money to support my photography toys. That's it. I don't do it to pay any bills or for any other reason. I guess if I am not having fun and don't want to spend money on equipment, I need to change some things.
You guys have helped me out. You really have gotten my mind thinking about WHY I am so out of it.
Thank you.
I am having ACL reconstruction in a few weeks. That means I won't be able to squat for quite a while, right? Good excuse. LOL
Jenn
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01/05/2007 12:10:49 AM · #40 |
Feel free to send me [Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM} Since you aren't using it ;-)
Just kidding... well sorta.. LOL
Anyway, perhaps it's time to start shooting other things for a while?
Edit: Just read your response before mine... sounds like you need to have "work hours" to me too.
Message edited by author 2007-01-05 00:13:03.
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01/05/2007 12:16:32 AM · #41 |
Jenn --
Sounds like a really workable plan! Congrats on the light bulb! Let us know how it goes, huh? I bet you feel really relieved now.
-- C, ES |
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01/05/2007 12:20:01 AM · #42 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Feel free to send me [Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM} Since you aren't using it ;-)
Just kidding... well sorta.. LOL
Anyway, perhaps it's time to start shooting other things for a while?
Edit: Just read your response before mine... sounds like you need to have "work hours" to me too. |
LOL, no.....I use it as a pillow when not shooting ;o)
Work hours seems to make sense to me. The newspaper is sporadic, but it's the portrait sessions that are bothering me the most because of the time involved with each shoot.
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01/05/2007 12:20:47 AM · #43 |
Originally posted by EducatedSavage:
Jenn --
Sounds like a really workable plan! Congrats on the light bulb! Let us know how it goes, huh? I bet you feel really relieved now.
-- C, ES |
I do feel like I have an answer now. Heck, I feel better already and am the first entry into Best of 2006 ;o)
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01/05/2007 01:39:56 AM · #44 |
It helps me to take off a day or a few hours to go shoot pics of my grandson. It's even more fun if I give him my P&S to take pics. It's amazing how they see the world, even though a lot of what they shoot is quite blurry.
The little ones grow up too fast, even though you don't notice it while they are with you daily. I am so very happy to have photos of my grand-children when they were younger. The oldest is 6 now.
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01/05/2007 02:08:11 AM · #45 |
I know where you're coming from. I've entered 2 challenges since about the 1st part of November and I didn't really care if I entered those. I think I've only uploaded 2 pics to my profile in the same time frame. I just don't really care to take any pictures of anything. Winter is a boring time for me. Everything is ugly and grey and brown and yuk. The one thing I was looking forward to was the eagles on the river. But the weather has been to warm, we have no snow so they don't need to fish for food. I put up 3 more bird feeders in my back yard hoping to catch some shots of different birds from my window. Haven't even done that. January 12th I have to go and shoot a bull riding event. I can't even get excited about that. I told the lady I would do it so I will. As of right now the only other thing I'm remotely interested in taking pictures of will be our vacation to the Badlands, Yellowstone and everything in between.
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01/05/2007 07:27:02 AM · #46 |
Good that you have made some decisions. Wow, after reading this thread I have made a few decisions. You were not the only one helped here, Jen.Originally posted by JRalston:
I think BeeCee's post set off a light bulb in my head. I don't think I have gone out to shoot for fun since July or so. Everything I have done since then has been tied to a newspaper assignment or a portrait session. I only have so much time I can dedicate to photography and 'work' has taken up all of it.
It really is sounding like I need to do photo sessions when IIIIIIII want to do them. When someone calls and wants an evening or weekend photo session, I almost feel resentful. How dare people want their pics taken at night or on weekends!!!...LOL I only get a few hours a night with my husband and then the weekends. I love spending time together as a family and hate when something cuts into that. Things are different when my husband is gone.
AHHHH-HA!!!!!! That is when it started. My portrait sessions started picking up when my husband was gone for the better part of 3.5 months. When he returned, that is when I started wanting my evenings and weekends for family time. That is when I started getting burned out. I was getting burned out because I DIDN'T WANT TO BE DOING PORTRAITS WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS HOME! You guys are genius. ;o)
I think when I start up again, I am going to do Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. I've gotta learn to say no. I am HORRIBLE at it. Right now, I am supposed to be doing this for FUN and to make money to support my photography toys. That's it. I don't do it to pay any bills or for any other reason. I guess if I am not having fun and don't want to spend money on equipment, I need to change some things.
You guys have helped me out. You really have gotten my mind thinking about WHY I am so out of it.
Thank you.
I am having ACL reconstruction in a few weeks. That means I won't be able to squat for quite a while, right? Good excuse. LOL
Jenn |
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01/05/2007 09:17:41 AM · #47 |
I just went through a stage of being burnt out on photography. At least a DPC burnout. I took a couple of weeks off now I am starting to get the update blues. So I am going to enter a couple of challenges so I can have my update button back.
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01/05/2007 10:06:47 AM · #48 |
Originally posted by jeannybeany:
i personally haven't had any desire to shoot lately... especially for the page... and i hate it... but i just don't... i think a lot of it, for me, is being discouraged due to low scores... but mostly i want a new camera and think i can take much better shots with something better!!!! so although i cant relate to the work aspect... i think sometimes we just need a break from it... if it starts to feel like a chore, its time to take a breather!!
good luck!! |
Heyyyy don't let this site kill your love for your art! Remember to do this for yourself first and foremost...
If you feel like you need a break, then take it... put down your camera and don't pick it up again for 3 WHOLE weeks... lock it away if you have to...
I'd be willing to bet that when you went to get it, you would be excited and have a million ideas!
You are right, if it starts to feel like a chore, take a gosh darn break!
To  JRalston: My husband is also in the military... I know what you are going through... just tending to the kids by yourself is quite a chore! However, your plan seems like a solid one and sounds like you will make plenty of quality family time that way! Congrats on the epiphany!
Jojo |
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01/05/2007 10:43:07 AM · #49 |
If you are only doing this on the side I would think you should have some flexibility about 'only shooting for other people'. What I mean by this is that you should be able to pull your vision into the image which is where you will get your satisfaction. Shoot some of the standard shots that people ask for and then you tell them what you want to do. Look for more character through poses and lighting. Photography gets painful when you feel like every image has to be perfect or meets somebody's expectations.
One other thought for you situation is to think more and shoot less. I'm not suggesting that you don't think now. But, if you spend some of your time thinking through poses and lighting to bring out the character in your subject, and then really push yourself on the shoot, you may be able to shoot less often and feel better about every minute you do shoot. Don't hesitate to tell people you have shoots lined up, including thinking time, and that they will have to wait.
Best of luck to you....
P.S. Your work is too good to just walk away from it!
Message edited by author 2007-01-05 10:44:34.
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