2025 05 27
If you’re like me (a US-based commercial photographer with decades of experience in the industry), chances are you’re experiencing the same issues I’m struggling to navigate: less projects to bid on; unrealistic-to-impossible expectations for many of the bids that do come in; projects mysteriously fading away. To be blunt, things are kind of shit these days. What keeps me going, in part, is that these challenges are not new and downturns are standard in this business. What worries me beyond the norm, however, is that this time things feel different — like the downturn may never pick back up again.
2025 05 13
One month is not a trend, but I will be interested in seeing if I can get the daily revenue number to at least double. Realistically, that’s the only way to make the setup start to make financial sense. This entire project is very much a time-consuming personal side project. Sure, a bit of extra money is nice, but in a way it’s likely doing more harm than good, considering I make my living as a commercial photographer with a perceived (and real!) value that is welllllll beyond “guy doing $150 headshots”.
2025 05 08
There was a day recently, amidst my commercial photography career slump — no money coming in but steady bills to be paid — walking back from the hot dog stand down the street with a sack of cheap food and less weight on my shoulders. I felt free. “Less money, less problems,” I thought. This is, perhaps, self-soothing spin, but it was a distinct feeling of belonging that made everything alright.
2025 04 08
If we want a future world that values facts, reason, stability, opportunity, openness, we’re going to have to build it ourselves. I know that there are a lot of us out there, living quietly and patiently, hoping our time will again come, but without effort, our new reality will be one ruled by few and governed through ruthless efficiency — the same tools which have rendered vast industries, and now entire government agencies, no longer relevant — in order to accomplish the desires of few.
2025 03 24
Becoming a studio portrait photographer has been a humbling process and far more challenging than I anticipated. While, yes, I’ve been a professional photographer for two decades now, I’ve actively avoided pursuing portrait or headshot clients.
2025 03 13
I continually get the feeling while out exploring that I am in a place forgotten by the rest of the world, its time long passed. It’s wanting to document that feeling and emotion for a future audience that drives me to push through and continue exploring this approach to the work, while knowing full-well the strength of the images might suffer and the fine art galleries of New York City may never call.
2025 02 18
To get an audience, you need a voice. A unique angle. Consistency. You need to be interesting and authentic. Say wild things, be provocative. Grab them by the pussy and be put in charge of the nation.
2025 02 17
Many photographers I know have too much time on their hands these days.There are two ways to combat this: productively and unproductively.
2025 01 31
We’re a month in and I woke up inspired to write a post going through my various focuses for this year to check in and see if there’s been noticeable progress.
2025 01 14
This is perhaps my strongest conviction this year — in order to make my dreams become a reality, I will need to partner with, trust, and lean on others.
2025 01 06
People are shooting film again and there’s an unmistakable feel of nostalgia in the air. At the same time, however, cameras are a constant way of life for everyone and no moment is innocent anymore. The vision of street photography that I yearn for is physically impossible in this day and time, replaced with a fear of exploitation and social media instant gratification.
2025 01 01
Let’s be honest, I probably don’t need to be sharing any old thought I have on the internet anymore. That said, I’ve made it clear from day one that the entire point of this here blog is for me, myself, and I. I’m doing this to improve my own writing skills…