Quick Photos

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by sticking an American flag on mannequin head and setting on your front porch. Only in Rochelle.



After moving to Rochelle I have realized it's the Pekin, Ill., of northern Illinois. The only difference is less stores and more hispanics. I can't remember the last time I filled up with gas and didn't see someone buying a case of beer. This includes when I've filled up at 8:30 am.

Anyway, I threw up like 3 or 4 photos from the parade. I basically just took the camera out just to use it. I didn't get anything exciting. I'm going to start doing Steph's sister's senior portraits soon so hopefully those turn out nicely. I'm going to do her photos over a period of a couple of months so she has plenty and she can kind of be my first model for Cropreality. Speaking of which, I think it's time to find a new name. I don't think the Cropreality is working very well for two reasons. The first is that people can't seem to pronounce it properly. They keep saying Croprealty instead of reality. Also I don't think people really understand what it means. I had originally taken the name from a class I took with my advisor Brian Poulter and he said photographers are essentially "cropping reality." So I will be taking suggestions for new names as I don't feel my audience relates.

Be sure to check out this kid from the parade that I got a photo. He drove by in this electric batmobile so fast I couldn't get his name but I'm incredibly jealous.

Oh, I almost forgot to add links to the Terrapin photos I got up. I particularly like this b&w one of him and Steph. As soon as I get my light systems working I will try to get some photos of our new ferret Nalla. Well she's not necessarily new. We've had her for about a month. She looks like a racoon, but you'll see soon enough.

Finally Back

It's been so long since I updated this blog. Since June 6 actually. I have to admit it's been a combination of me being depressed, busy and lazy.

I've been depressed because I'm working in a cold storage faciltiy on an average of 50-55 hours a week. It's -10 in the freezer and 30 in the cooler. I work 12 hour days 4 days of the week one week and 5 days a week the next week. The job is running a fork lift all day and stacking boxes on pallets. It leaves me drained and exhausted by the end of the day and when the weekend comes all I want to do is lie around.

I'm almost depresed because it leaves me little time to do anything photographically. Which in turn leaves me even more depressed because I feel stagnant and incomplete.

I'm obviously busy because I just moved into an apartment, started a new job am trying to get a set schedule. Not to mention that I've also been running to the suburbs for job interviews that my friend Nick Kempen has hooked me up with.

After an unsuccessful search for journalism and photography jobs in the area I've decided I might have to go another direction just for now. That's why I applied as an "admissions advisor" for DeVry University Online. Basically I would be a salesman, but making a really good salary. The job woldn't be my dream job, but it would free up time for me and provide me with enough funds to purchase some more camera equipment.

Other good news as well. I might actually get some work with the local newspaper here in Rochelle. I'm going to do some freelance work for free for a bit just to keep working on my portfolio. Most importantly I'm going to start building a writing portfolio. There is a rumor that I could possibly create a spot on the staff if my work is quality enough. Only speculation though.

Lastly, the depression just makes me feel lazy. I don't know if you could consider everything I do lazy, but I at least feel that way.

One last thing to mention. Clark Brooks just told me last week that his business The Photo News will start hosting photos for other photographers for a percentage fee a month. I believe he said the split will be 80/20 with a $12/month fee that will be waived for every month a photographer makes over $300. Something I'm definitely planning on taking advantage of for a while until I can afford my own server and website.

I'm planning on a posting a few photos later today if I get around to it. Nothing that cool or interesting, but just something to get me in the mood.