The year is 2012. We’re not dead yet. So carrying on.
It’s almost the culmination of 2 years of shooting weddings. And I am completely and utterly exhausted. Life really shouldn’t be like this, although you could call me greedy for holding on to a full-time pharmacist position and a part-time wedding photographer. I hate it so much yet I enjoy it so much.
But before you know it, a year has already passed. Here’s a summary of what I think I’ve matured/realised in over the past year shooting so many weddings:
1) My navigational skills are exceptional now – from Albany to Busselton to Joondalup to the Swan Valley. I’ve pretty much have been everywhere, man.
Lawrence Estate, Margaret River.
Nanarup Beach, Albany.
2) My time management skills have dramatically improved – a lot of my friends ask me “How do you manage a full time pharmacist position and then have time to shoot weddings on weekends?” Its not uncommon for me to work 80 to 100+ hour weeks during September to December (aka now). Uploading photos to Facebook while I type my blogpost, editing new photos while burning a DVD for my next client…the list goes on. My multitasking skills have boosted – I now do A LOT OF MULTITASKING TO SAVE ME TIME!
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3) I’ve strengthened my confidence to meet-and-greet strangers at the snap of fingers – talking to them comfortably, and make them feel comfortable talking to me (I used to be a very shy guy in 1st Year uni!)
Jeremy’s Toga 21st – 14 September 2008. A land before before the Black Label Series.
4) I’ve spent ridiculous amount of my time driving – clocking up twice the number of KMs on the car and quadrupling my fuel consumption – sorry Greenies out there. Good thing I own a 6L/100km car :)
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Good ol’ Colt.
5) Being hardworking and prepared to work long hours, carrying at least 8kg constantly, and work weekends, public holidays like Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Eve when everyones partying :( I come home with constant backache sometimes, my eyes suffocated via my contact lenses, bloodshot, hungry. My health has deteriorated significantly this year. Everyone reaction goes – “whoa Keegan you look tired”. No. Shit.
6) Dealing with photographer competitors – I’ve met some nice ones, I’ve met some ridiculous ones…
Some of the nicer ones!
7) My creativity is stagnant. I’ve read many top photographer blogs and they all tell me the same thing. Once passion becomes work, it becomes dull and you start to take it all for granted. I have to keep telling myself to realise my role right now and to do it to the best of my ability. I may need a 3 month break from shooting or something…
Many of my colleagues say I should start employing second photographers and editors now. Visioning the White Label Series as a team rather than a one-man-show. I used to think this was a silly idea, but I start to think now that it may be viable. I also plan to recruit a wedding videographer into my package. I’ll let you on a little secret though…I have plans for that in 2012, so stay tuned ;)
Lets tally a wrap-up of all Weddings and Events covered by KWP over this year:
– 22 full day weddings photojournalised, average 14 hour days coverage.
– 17814 wedding images clocked.
– 22 Black Label Series 21st, events and birthday photocoverage.
– 7513 BLS images clocked.
– Total KMs travelled for shoots last 2011 year: 5012kms
– Total financial reward this year: $35,026 gross
A friend once showed me a pie-chart which will stick with me forever:
Source: ispwp.com
Well, this is the reality of it:
Source: ispwp.com
Well, when someone calls themselves a photographer just because they own a dSLR, they don’t know what they’re talking about. After wielding my first dSLR 5 years ago and now starting to make money out of my hobby, I’ve learnt that your success as a photographer is determined by many dynamic attributes that you have in your ownself. Attributes like your creativity, technical knowledge, personality, marketing and sound business mind, but most importantly passion that follows what you do.
2012 will be a big year for the White Label Series. I’d hope to release something very special for you come March, the month where we turn 2 years old! Wow. Thank you for being part of it and ‘stalking’ my progression from a meagre 18-year-old kid with a camera to a 23-year-old tired kid with a camera. It would not be this far without you guys. I just cannot thank you all enough. <3
Sending the love to you all,
K.
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