Comments on: Switching to “Pro” http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2008/05/switching-to-pro/ The Blog of Photographer David duChemin // Gear is Good. Vision is Better. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Eric Hamiltonhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2008/05/switching-to-pro/comment-page-1/#comment-1640 Eric Hamilton Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:38:13 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=623#comment-1640 You nailed it. Great advice for an aspiring pro! You nailed it. Great advice for an aspiring pro!

]]> By: aj cootshttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2008/05/switching-to-pro/comment-page-1/#comment-1285 aj coots Tue, 27 May 2008 08:37:36 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=623#comment-1285 Hi David, This post was right on; seriously great advice (not surprising, as you are THE guru in matters of 'the LEAP'! :*) ) I thought I'd pipe up as well in the conversation with my discovery that, you don't have to choose one or the other! The perfect gig for me has been seasonal contracting (writing/graphic design) for corporate gigs alternating with photography. Not jumping from one or the other: I luv em' both, together!Creative problem solving is a muscle I get to use in both realms, and the skill set that I use in each informs and strengthens the other.For example, working for my corporate clients sharpens my execution skills for my photo clients. Often photo clients say to me, "Wow. Thanks for getting back to me so fast.' I've called three photographers and they never returned my phonecall/email." Artistic tendencies to 'go dark' do not fly in corporate America ( or corporate Canada either, I would imagine!)On the other hand, my 'artistic' bent toward giving a piece of my heart and passion into each project I take on does not get turned on and off depending on whether I am taking pictures or working with a product team in a corporate cubical farm. Whatever context I work in, whether I am drawing a salary or charging a day rate, I never lose the perspective that I am working 'for myself'. I think that makes all the difference. :^) Hi David,
This post was right on; seriously great advice (not surprising, as you are THE guru in matters of ‘the LEAP’! :*) )
I thought I’d pipe up as well in the conversation with my discovery that, you don’t have to choose one or the other!
The perfect gig for me has been seasonal contracting (writing/graphic design) for corporate gigs alternating with photography. Not jumping from one or the other: I luv em’ both, together!

Creative problem solving is a muscle I get to use in both realms, and the skill set that I use in each informs and strengthens the other.

For example, working for my corporate clients sharpens my execution skills for my photo clients. Often photo clients say to me, “Wow. Thanks for getting back to me so fast.’ I’ve called three photographers and they never returned my phonecall/email.” Artistic tendencies to ‘go dark’ do not fly in corporate America ( or corporate Canada either, I would imagine!)

On the other hand, my ‘artistic’ bent toward giving a piece of my heart and passion into each project I take on does not get turned on and off depending on whether I am taking pictures or working with a product team in a corporate cubical farm. Whatever context I work in, whether I am drawing a salary or charging a day rate, I never lose the perspective that I am working ‘for myself’. I think that makes all the difference. :^)

]]> By: Rogerhttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2008/05/switching-to-pro/comment-page-1/#comment-1274 Roger Mon, 26 May 2008 14:07:37 +0000 http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/?p=623#comment-1274 I was compelled to reply to this post because it’s something I know a little about. Just for the record, I’m not a professional photographer. I’m a professional designer (I hate the term freelance because to me it sounds like I work part time which is far from the truth). I look at photography as a natural extension of design. OK, back to topic. All of the advice provided here is right on target and close to what I did over 6 years ago when I said goodbye to “the man”. I can’t agree strongly enough with these points. Everyone has merit and will make the difference between your new business working well and working at all. I also would suggest seeking out some good references for starting, running and marketing your business. I’m a big fan of John Jantsch and his Duct Tape Marketing approach. He has a blog and web site full of free information. Of course there are tons of other resources out there including this blog. Good luck to those who make the leap! I was compelled to reply to this post because it’s something I know a little about. Just for the record, I’m not a professional photographer. I’m a professional designer (I hate the term freelance because to me it sounds like I work part time which is far from the truth). I look at photography as a natural extension of design. OK, back to topic. All of the advice provided here is right on target and close to what I did over 6 years ago when I said goodbye to “the man”. I can’t agree strongly enough with these points. Everyone has merit and will make the difference between your new business working well and working at all. I also would suggest seeking out some good references for starting, running and marketing your business. I’m a big fan of John Jantsch and his Duct Tape Marketing approach. He has a blog and web site full of free information. Of course there are tons of other resources out there including this blog. Good luck to those who make the leap!

]]>