Boss DJ

I'm starting my own business!

Mommy and Auntie Luc had mentioned it before. I created a portfolio for a photography job I wanted (which I got, and hated - it was a door to door photo job where I took pics of peoples' babies and tried to make it look like they were happy instead of fussy and crying like they always were. Awful job. I quit it and a few weeks later my resume and that same portfolio got me a job as producer for "Undocumented," the indy documentary.) Mommy and Auntie liked the folio and suggested I start my own business. I played around with the idea but didn't like it too much - I was just starting out in film and this would be digressing from it. Plus I didn't have any equipment besides my D40... it was too much & I was too inexperienced.

So I put the thought behind me. Then 3 things happened.

1. A while back Hazel mentioned her friend was getting married and couldn't afford a photographer so she was looking for an amateur for cheap. I said no. Weddings are "forever memories" and a bad photographer can ruin those memories - Hazel's photographer was awful and she still regrets hiring him. I don't feel right getting paid for something I have no experience in while knowing that any action I make determines someone's wedding memories. So I put it behind me. A few weeks later during Brandi's wedding I inadvertently spent most of my time watching the photographer - checking out his equipment and movements and such. It didn't seem so bad. Then another friend - Louie - proposed to his girlfriend and they requested I be the photographer for their wedding in August. And even though I tried my hardest to convince them that that would be a huge mistake, they still want me.

2. Before I left for my last trip I took pics of Hazel and her family for their Christmas Card. I had taken pics for birthday invites for both Cammie & Tay's birthday parties, so this was natural. Well, while I was away Hazel picked her favorites and sent them out as cards and gifts - and she got replies back from multiple families asking who the photographer was and how much do they cost? I was out of town until after the holidays, so it didn't pan out.

3. All during principal photography of the documentary (we traveled to 24 cities in the U.S in 4 months late last year) while Justin had his camera rolling mine would be rolling as well. And the photos I developed received great acclaim - so much so that Justin will be using them throughout the final film as a way to tell the story.

So I sat down. Looked at my depleted bank account. Looked at my inflated student loans. Looked at the fact that both Justin (director - 24yrs old) and Robert (executive producer - 40's ish) started their own businesses when they were young, and were both very successful at it.

And I said no. Again. And put it behind me.

Do you like watching realty shows? I do - not all, just a few, and I hate, Hate, HATE to admit it, but I do. There's something delicious about a reality show. Kinda like eating ice cream on the couch all day without the fatty substance.

Well, I'm a huge fan of America's Next Top Model & Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency. Of course I adore the travel shows (love Samantha Brown) and food shows (Ace of Cakes), but they aren't on as often as the above mentioned, so I can't veg as much on them. I was sick a couple days last week and stayed home - and MAN did I veg. I even threw in a few episodes of Kimora Lee's Baby Phat show, just for good measure. I started to think how admirable all 3 of these women were. Personally they have their faults, but professionally they were at the top of their game - and they were WOMEN. And they were doing it ON THEIR OWN. THEY CALLED THE SHOTS.

How awesome, I thought.

I went to the car shop while thinking this. I needed some fresh air and my car needed an oil change. The wait was an hour but I was sick and not working so what's an hour? I sat and picked up the first magazine I could find.

Country Living. March Issue, 2008. The "Female Entrepreneur Issue". Profiling 17 women who started they own businesses and became successful at it.

And I decided to start my own business.

My mind started racing. A photography business! Done - for now - on weekends until the film is released, then done full time from home. In one weekend a good photographer can make tens of thousands of dollars... I'm not there yet but when I get like that it would be enough to pay for bills & pay for loans, on my own time, with my own skills. And I can be my own boss.

So there you have it. I called Mommy, raced home, wrote up a rough business plan, and for the last few days have been doing all the research I can. This week my goal is to start the copyright process for all my photos (shoulda been done years ago), finish up my business card design and figure out a website design.

Oh - and figure out a name.

:)