If you’ve been following along at all you’ve probably noticed that I seem to be insanely busy for a few weeks, then dead, then insanely busy again and so forth. Well, I’m happy to say that hasn’t changed at all, it was a crazy week again. It’s bittersweet; my promo didn’t make any progress at all this week, but that was only because I’ve been so busy organizing shoots and shooting shoots.
A large chunk of my time has been working on the shopping guide stuff for Toronto Life as mentioned last week. It’s taking considerably more time than anticipated so I’m trying to figure out some ways to remedy that without rushing things.
I also did a somewhat strange shoot with the NFB. They were screening one of the presentations that I’d worked on previously for the residents of the building where most of the shooting took place. As a little bonus (hopefully) for those who came, ten people were selected via a raffle to have their portraits shot by the photographer who shot the show they just saw; me. Now, I can’t say I’ve ever been a prize before – I have a hard enough time winning contests, let alone being a prize in one – but it was a good experience nonetheless. Things were a tad hectic to say the least, as we had to set up a mini studio right in the front lobby of the building that was a little bit of a high traffic area. Of course then all ten people came flying in all at once instead of in groups as was originally planned. In the end things worked out quite well and we got every shot we needed. Here’s a couple plus a BTS:
© Jaime Hogge
© Jaime Hogge
© NFB
As far as my promo project is concerned, as I mentioned before, not much progress. I did get some great pointers and leads from a reader, which is much appreciated. Even with Heather on the disabled list, the power of the blog lives on.
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It’s true. I’m not getting any younger. With the advent of another birthday came a moment of reflection, but only a moment. It’s so easy to get caught up in questioning where I’m at in relation to everything and everyone- from my parents and brothers to friends and colleagues. My career is progressing and my vision maturing. And I’m ok with the recent handful of grey hairs that have shown up in my beard.
Right now I’m on route back from Lillooet and having a working lunch in the village of Pemberton, just outside of Whistler. Yesterday’s late afternoon portrait session for the Globe and Mail’s Your Business Magazine went well, with the weather cooperating and the subjects willing. This trip has been a solo venture with no assistant. I didn’t necessarily need an assistant for the job, but I could have used some company. I’m not adverse to alone time and usually enjoy these opportunities…but you know, sometimes you just don’t feel like eating dinner at a restaurant alone.
Besides the aforementioned job it has been a pretty quiet week. See last week’s post and repeat.
On the gear front my laptop no longer allows external hard drives to mount. A new laptop isn’t in the budget right now and so I’m not sure what I’m going to do about this. Backing files up to compact flash card isn’t really ideal when on location. That’s what I was forced to do yesterday. This PowerBook G4 has given me 7 good years, which is pretty much a miracle and I can’t expect any more out of it. I like to keep my personal gear down to the bare minimum and rent anything extra that I may need. I think a laptop falls into the bare minimum category (damn it).
The car is from my recent trip to Salt Spring Island.
© Grant Harder
The lake is from this morning’s commute back to Vancouver (ahhhh, BC!).
© Grant Harder
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The Year in the Life Project follows two junior shooters through their weekly adventures, trying to make a go of it, in the world of commercial photography.
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Congratulations, Jamie, on being a prize. I thought I misread the title, but nope. What a strange and wonderful opportunity.