... I was in a last minute decision to move from my beloved new studio. The roof leaked, the repairs were not being completed by the land lord, functionally nor esthetically. The Cafe downstairs had twice almost burned us out. All the people who had encouraged me to open a location so they could book, seemed to vanish into thin air so the money was not coming in as had been promised. I was continually having to transfer from other accounts to keep up. As much as I loved the studio idea, it was proving to be a bigger hassle in the long run. The fire threat was the most uncomfortable thing and it being an old building, it would have gone up in a flash.
I reluctantly had to give notice to my landlord. They were unsympathetic and cold. They were business owners. They did what they had to do to make their justifications and I ended up paying a bigger price tag than I ought to have, just to be free of the albatross. I called my commercial insurance provider and explained the issue, I had said my main concern was the fire hazard of an ill managed Cafe. My agent had scoffed at my concern. Shortly after all of my pricey gear was out of the loft, the Cafe below burnt to the ground. I called my agent to make sure my insurance had been switched to the new address. When she found out about the fire, she was silent and said she would never doubt my intuition again. To this day, I think there is only a shell on the lower floors.
I picked myself up by my bootstraps and forged ahead. Being a mobile photographer was where I started, so back to it I went. Recovering from the financial loss is still a burden I deal with daily. I learned to conservation picture frame from the very best of the best in that field to supplement my income, but the cost of getting to and from work everyday, wore on me, and my dreams of being the photographer I wanted to be were gradually slipping away.
Here we are today, with endless possibilities ahead. Press releases, articles to be published, events to attend and write about, world famous music producers that make extraordinary espresso, iconic authors with book launches, and photo sessions to edit and deliver. My life has been anything but ordinary to this point. In fact, I don't know that I'd be able to manage an ordinary lifestyle.
I have yet to turn down the fantastic offer of a job in Central America that I was heralded for earlier this year. I keep waiting for the City of Calgary, that I love so much, to yield the financial crop I had been hoping for. This abundance has eluded me thus far. The warm Caribbean breezes beckon me still, and every time I have to discount my work yet again, because someone does not value my skill, the call of the warm blue sea builds to a roar in my ears.
After trips to paradise and excursions abroad, I've learned that my skills are far more valuable everywhere but home. I can honestly say I know very few photographers who have said anything different. In fact, most of the musicians I know have the same conundrum. There is one blues artist here in town who had to fight for anyone to recognize him here, and no one paid him any mind until he was signed to a plum gig in the US. His voice is what I think soft butter would sound like if it could make a sound. He is smooth, yet powerful with his delivery. His band and their songs are clever and catchy, very tight musically. He had to be recognized by a foreign entity to be taken seriously here at home. Just for the record, I always knew he was gifted and made mention of it to him frequently enough.
I have possibly secured an assignment that is turning out to be everything I had hoped for. I am at present waiting for the final word of a start date. It will take 6 months to complete. I'll be in the air more than I'll be on the ground, and maybe even getting paid enough to pay my rent. It is not based out of Calgary, or even Canada. If this is the way, why shouldn't I move to the Caribbean. I can work in every other country just as easily from there... but I love my condo on the river. I love my friends here, my kids are here, my life is here, there is just no regular work here for what I do.
In the end, unfortunately, one can not live on love alone in this society. I could be Buddha-like all I want, but my landlord still wants his rent cheque, the grocery store still wants to be paid for all the food, the electric company does not love me back, and my internet provider does not take trades for photography. Here is my question then... why do people want me to work for free or below standard prices if they themselves don't work for free?
Hey! Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole
I reluctantly had to give notice to my landlord. They were unsympathetic and cold. They were business owners. They did what they had to do to make their justifications and I ended up paying a bigger price tag than I ought to have, just to be free of the albatross. I called my commercial insurance provider and explained the issue, I had said my main concern was the fire hazard of an ill managed Cafe. My agent had scoffed at my concern. Shortly after all of my pricey gear was out of the loft, the Cafe below burnt to the ground. I called my agent to make sure my insurance had been switched to the new address. When she found out about the fire, she was silent and said she would never doubt my intuition again. To this day, I think there is only a shell on the lower floors.
I picked myself up by my bootstraps and forged ahead. Being a mobile photographer was where I started, so back to it I went. Recovering from the financial loss is still a burden I deal with daily. I learned to conservation picture frame from the very best of the best in that field to supplement my income, but the cost of getting to and from work everyday, wore on me, and my dreams of being the photographer I wanted to be were gradually slipping away.
Here we are today, with endless possibilities ahead. Press releases, articles to be published, events to attend and write about, world famous music producers that make extraordinary espresso, iconic authors with book launches, and photo sessions to edit and deliver. My life has been anything but ordinary to this point. In fact, I don't know that I'd be able to manage an ordinary lifestyle.
I have yet to turn down the fantastic offer of a job in Central America that I was heralded for earlier this year. I keep waiting for the City of Calgary, that I love so much, to yield the financial crop I had been hoping for. This abundance has eluded me thus far. The warm Caribbean breezes beckon me still, and every time I have to discount my work yet again, because someone does not value my skill, the call of the warm blue sea builds to a roar in my ears.
After trips to paradise and excursions abroad, I've learned that my skills are far more valuable everywhere but home. I can honestly say I know very few photographers who have said anything different. In fact, most of the musicians I know have the same conundrum. There is one blues artist here in town who had to fight for anyone to recognize him here, and no one paid him any mind until he was signed to a plum gig in the US. His voice is what I think soft butter would sound like if it could make a sound. He is smooth, yet powerful with his delivery. His band and their songs are clever and catchy, very tight musically. He had to be recognized by a foreign entity to be taken seriously here at home. Just for the record, I always knew he was gifted and made mention of it to him frequently enough.
I have possibly secured an assignment that is turning out to be everything I had hoped for. I am at present waiting for the final word of a start date. It will take 6 months to complete. I'll be in the air more than I'll be on the ground, and maybe even getting paid enough to pay my rent. It is not based out of Calgary, or even Canada. If this is the way, why shouldn't I move to the Caribbean. I can work in every other country just as easily from there... but I love my condo on the river. I love my friends here, my kids are here, my life is here, there is just no regular work here for what I do.
In the end, unfortunately, one can not live on love alone in this society. I could be Buddha-like all I want, but my landlord still wants his rent cheque, the grocery store still wants to be paid for all the food, the electric company does not love me back, and my internet provider does not take trades for photography. Here is my question then... why do people want me to work for free or below standard prices if they themselves don't work for free?
Hey! Don't forget to check your Compass!
Cole
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