Confidence

You know what's funny? I have come to realize that interviews are easy. Showing our portfolio, talking about the great work we do here at Snap, etc… easy. It wasn’t always like that, obviously, but with so many years under my belt and so many times that I’ve sat and talked about myself, it has simply become easy. I have complete confidence in my abilities, and can back anything up with my work and actions.

The funny part is – why now? Why not when I desperately needed the work – like when I was starting out and struggling. It’s not that I don’t need work now, of course I do, but I really needed it then. Why couldn’t I walk into a CD’s office back then and just chat about what I do with complete ease?

OK, as I’m typing about 15 different answers are coming to me, and they are all obvious, but still, I wish I had this kind of mojo 20 years ago. (I could have used it in situations other than business too!) Whoever said youth is wasted on the young was absolutely right.

Of course, sometimes things do fall a little flat, like last week when I was doing the rounds and showing the portfolio. I was rambling on about how I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it’s all second nature to me when I stopped and said to the CD: “Now’s the time when you interrupt me and tell me that I don’t look old enough, or ask a rhetorical question like “Wow, 20 years? Did you start when you were 9?”

She looked at me like I was from Mars.

Fortunately I was able to recover and continue on for the rest of the interview without another corny joke (although I was really tempted to toss out a pirate joke at the end)

I guess this kind of confidence comes from only one thing: experience. I have worked with enough people to know who is talented, and who is faking, and I am fortunate enough to work with a team of people here at Snap who are honestly the most talented and creative people I have ever met.

I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right – this is a little self-serving. But here’s the rub, I truly believe it. I am probably the least talented person on the team (that’s why I’m the one writing the blog) and I feel that I can photograph circles around anyone in the Bay Area. I’m certain that in truth, that is an exaggeration, but it is how I feel. And it’s that confidence that makes the interview process so easy. Kinda a viscous circle.

So, the moral of the story, if there is one – bring it on! Let’s sit down and talk about photography because even though you can’t tell from this blog, I love to talk about photography. Maybe next week I’ll write more about it.

Oh, and by the way... stay tuned in the coming weeks to find out the success stories of the latest round of interviews.

Rules

So, I just found out recently that there are people out there actually reading this blog. This truly puts the pressure to be witty, intelligent, and informative. Considering that in my first draft I spelled “intelligent” wrong, this may be more of a challenge than I initially considered. Nonetheless, I shall endeavor to make this blog as interesting as I can.

Ready, here it goes:

My rules for traveling:

Never eat in a restaurant that revolves. Philadelphia airport, believe it or not, is one of the best in the world. Rub soap on the hotel bathroom mirror before you shower and it won’t fog up. Always have your pockets full of change. The words “public” and “restroom” are two words that should have never been put together, and... never play cards against anyone whose first name is the same as a city.

My rules for photography:

Anything goes. When you hire me, you own me for as long as it takes, and whatever it takes. After all these years it's still fun, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Never speak to me when a song is on the radio with the words “summer” “sailing” “drifting” or “dreaming” anywhere in the lyrics.

My rules for driving:

See below posts

My rules for life:

When you’re thirsty, it’s too late

Shout outs

Greetings everyone, and happy October! Halloween is on its way, and you know what that means – it’s a bad time to go on a diet!

I have to say that I love this time of year – the weather changes (except in The Bay Area, where it’s pretty much the same all the time), leaves change color (except in The Bay Area, where we really don’t have very many deciduous trees), and everyone hunkers down and watches football on the weekends (except in The Bay Area where everyone is outside, and doesn’t pay much attention to football).

The other thing that happens is that the holiday craziness in the studio subsides to a dull roar, making way for fun projects like the gig we did for Cost Plus World Market PR last week. I love shoots that are collaborative, creative and fun. It’s as though the whole team can feel it too – and I must say that I work with one of the greatest teams in all of photography. It is truly enjoyable when everyone feels part of the process, and it makes my job very rewarding.

So, after a long holiday season, a big shout out to Sid, Bronwyn, Elena, Doug, James, Gillian, Caroline, Allen, Ching, and everyone else that comes in and out of our shoots. Thank you! You all are the best.

Also, a big shout out to another integral, but missing member of the team. Todd is off to Tokyo for the month, teaching Yoga. (Although he’ll never see this since I know he doesn’t have internet in his 8 tatami apartment, and is too afraid to go the internet café to check his emails). Good luck Todd, we miss you – and work on those biking skills while you’re gone!