Just Graduated. New gallery. - DPChallenge Forums

09/12/2005 07:43:28 PM · #1

I think I have just graduated from the realm of part time hobbyist to full time professional. I have been toying with the idea of opening a gallery in downtown Mobile for several years. Dauphin Street is probably the closest thing to the French Quarter in New Orleans this side of the Mississippi and with the influx of people from Mississippi and Louisianna into the city in the last week or so it's either do it now or never.

Anyway I found a 1100 sq ft building with high ceilings three doors from the intersection of Dauphin and Jackson today. It's perfect. Unless something falls through I go down and sign a three year lease Wednesday.

maxj

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/12/2005 07:49:32 PM · #2

cool. congrats. and good luck!

bpcardona

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

09/12/2005 07:50:29 PM · #3

Congrats, good luck.

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

09/12/2005 07:50:50 PM · #4

Wow, that is just awsome.

I wish you the very best !

Travis99

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/12/2005 07:55:15 PM · #5

Go for it, thats so cool. I hope you sell a million prints. I always love to see people succeed. I would love to be able to do somthing like that but I don't think I'm good enough yet. I wish you the best of luck.

Travis

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/12/2005 08:09:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by Travis99:

I always love to see people succeed.

Well I haven't quite suceeded yet. This is scary and it's going to be a lot of long drives, late hours and hard work. I'll let you know if it actually suceeded in about two years. In the mean time this is going to be soooo fun.

Travis99

Canon EOS-5D

09/12/2005 08:19:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by Travis99:
I always love to see people succeed.

Well I haven't quite suceeded yet. This is scary and it's going to be a lot of long drives, late hours and hard work. I'll let you know if it actually suceeded in about two years. In the mean time this is going to be soooo fun.

Yes please keep us all updated. I'm sure it will be tough, but keep your hopes high. By looking at your photos I'm sure you will succeed.

Travis

09/12/2005 08:26:09 PM · #8

Thank you all for the vote of confidence.

bledford

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/12/2005 08:33:31 PM · #9

Pictures of your studio/gallery?

Message edited by author 2005-09-12 20:33:52.

09/12/2005 08:37:26 PM · #10

Originally posted by bledford:

Pictures of your studio/gallery?

That's getting a little ahead of the game. I haven't even dropped off the security check yet. Hopefully I can have all the work completed and have it up and running by December 1st, in time for the holidays. That's the plan anyway.

marmalade1121

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/12/2005 08:47:01 PM · #11

I think congrats are in order. THis is a huge leap of faith--I am sure you will succeed.

Congrats on taking the big step. Remind me to congrat you again in a couple of years when you've established your success.

mcmurma

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

09/12/2005 09:03:33 PM · #12

nsb, I'm pretty sure you have the photo end of the deal covered. My only advice would be to keep focused (no pun intended) on the business side of things.

It seems the most successful photographers are often not the most talented with a camera, but those who are able to manage the business end well. And if you can manage both, then you should be in mighty tall cotton.

Also, FWIW, I'm a bit jealous of anyone making this move. I have toyed with the idea for a couple of years but am trying to work my way into it slowly, safely, and without a substantial loss of income. Perhaps this is not the best way to get there, but as the primary support for my family its the only way I can proceed.

colyla

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

09/12/2005 09:09:13 PM · #13

Wow! That is so exciting! Taking that first step is a big step....and I have no doubts in your ability to succeed!

Congratulations!!!

petrakka

09/12/2005 09:14:18 PM · #14

that's awesome, it's something I toy with the idea of doing 10-20 years down the road. What kind of stuff will you display? I've seen some great landscape and portrait work of yours, so I'm assuming that kind of stuff?

You're obviously plenty proficient with the photography side. I would just like to know how stressful it can be and your thoughts on the process of the business side?

Good luck man but you shouldn't need it.

09/12/2005 09:15:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by mcmurma:

nsb, I'm pretty sure you have the photo end of the deal covered. My only advice would be to keep focused (no pun intended) on the business side of things.

I've always been very good at making money. I'm not very organized as far as paperwork goes though. That end I will gladly (I will have to) hire out.

Originally posted by mcmurma:

I have toyed with the idea for a couple of years but am trying to work my way into it slowly, safely, and without a substantial loss of income.

I'm not quitting my day job, so to speak, at least not for a while. I have quite a few artist friends in Mobile who can take care of things for a few days during the week, and I plan on being there Thursday through Sunday. The biggest problem for me right now is of a logistical nature. My land, my cabin and my dogs are about 95 miles from Mobile. That is the biggest thing that that has held me back up until this point.

I just have to go for it.

Skip

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/12/2005 09:25:34 PM · #16

good luck, martin! i'm sure it will all come together nicely, and hope i'm able to stop in for a visit.

Originally posted by nsbca7:

The biggest problem for me right now is of a logistical nature. My land, my cabin and my dogs are about 95 miles from Mobile. That is the biggest thing that that has held me back up until this point.

what about the beaver? and is the beer going to be on ice, or are ya gonna spring for a fridge?

jenesis

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/12/2005 09:36:40 PM · #17

Wow, big congrats to you! That's a big deal. :-) I'm even close enough that I might be able to make a trip over there someday. ;-) Cool stuff. Keep us posted on your progress please.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

09/12/2005 09:41:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by skiprow:

what about the beaver? and is the beer going to be on ice, or are ya gonna spring for a fridge?

The beaver died of some unknown (to me) ailment very suddenly a few months ago and the Yuengling has a dedicated refridgerator. The wine goes in the rack and anyone who takes exception to it can.. well, you know what they can do. People live by a different set of rules in Mobile, so I don't forsee any problems of that nature.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

09/12/2005 09:51:43 PM · #19

Congratulations Martin. I have always admired your work so I think there will be no problem there. Good luck in your new venture and I hope to get to see the studio one of these days.

Message edited by author 2005-09-12 21:52:43.

jmlelii

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

09/12/2005 10:08:09 PM · #20

awesome! need some work to hang? ^_^

Skip

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/12/2005 10:39:01 PM · #21

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by skiprow:
what about the beaver? and is the beer going to be on ice, or are ya gonna spring for a fridge?

The beaver died of some unknown (to me) ailment very suddenly a few months ago and the Yuengling has a dedicated refridgerator. The wine goes in the rack and anyone who takes exception to it can.. well, you know what they can do. People live by a different set of rules in Mobile, so I don't forsee any problems of that nature.

that's too bad about the beaver; he certainly contributed to the history ;-)

are you partial to any particular flavors of yuengling?

09/12/2005 10:43:00 PM · #22

Originally posted by skiprow:

are you partial to any particular flavors of yuengling?

Lager. And if I can't find that, Dos Eques or Rolling Rock will work just fine.

Skip