Days 3 and 4

Day 3, we got the Joyce Tenneson marketing lesson. She is brilliant and super detailed oriented. I feel like the possibilities of opening myself to assignment work and books started to materialize through her lecture. She sent us the PDF of her lecture, so there's lots of stuff for me to wade through about how to market myself to magazines, galleries, etc. (when my work gets to that level). But I can begin to see the light of that world and I think it's where I'd like to go. I also could begin to understand truly how much work marketing yourself is.

That afternoon, we headed to the MPW director's home for a shoot. Somewhat controversially, I changed groups. Joanie who was with a bigger group of 4 was willing to work with me wednesday, and we had enough models for 6 groups. The people I was working with monday and tuesday are lovely people, but as photographers, their energy is too chaotic for me. There was a lot of jumping from location to location, whereas I prefer a more methodical progression. When I'm doing my best work, I'm very focused and zen, and it was difficult to get in that space with their energy. I think maybe from now on when I shoot alone I should start with a meditation session to get myself into that quiet focused space. I think I'm better able to complete a photographic idea in that space. So, while I didn't want to hurt their feelings, I also had to do what I needed to make sure I could get what I needed out of the workshop (and yes, I suppose there's a challenge to learning to work with that energy...but I had a done that for two days).

This morning was critique of our work again, and I think I got a great picture of feet in this fabulous southern belle tulle skirt. We also chose the photos for the slideshow tomorrow night. I'm really happy with my photos that are going in. I think they show some serious growth and new directions to explore. This afternoon I was back with my group as the others who hadn't been in the studio were able to be in the studio---and while I really wanted to work in the studio again (I had some great ideas about pictures of impermanence and exploring the edges, entrances and exits to photos)....but I was also feeling a little spent. We were over by an old barn and weathered house. I decided to just do what I needed to do and be quiet, focused and directed when I was shooting---group be damned! I did call out the woman when she was shooting while I was working with and shooting the model. It's just not a polite thing to do....so i just kindly asked her if she would prefer to shoot now and I would wait----she got the message.

We were supposed to be working on a series of pictures. However all week I've been working in series. It turns out to be a very natural way for me to see. So, while I wasn't able to completely explore what I was hoping to, I have some stuff though it's not as strong as my earlier work this week. We had one model there who brought a great creative energy and I realized that I really don't like photographing classically beautiful people. They're not that interesting to me.

In any case, I've got to start developing a model network for me to start with. I plan on doing what Joyce did---offering a free print to any model that sits for me.

Tonight, I need to think about my goals for my meeting with Joyce tomorrow. I'm also hoping for a strong critique from her (not just the blowing sunshine up my ass which is sort of what I'm getting in class---I'll explain more later when I have time.)... as well as some thoughts on where I could realistically develop this in the long term.