Focus (the mental type)
During slow business periods keeping on task is paramount.
Time to get to it and stop complaining. Doing what you need to do, and getting over any anxiety.
Be naked and transparent and finally honest with yourself and your goals.
The absolute worse thing that can happen is hearing the word NO! Thats it!
Take a deep breath and realize that this is you finally not getting in your own way.
Back to School (Tango Class part 1)
Alexis and I have signed up for tango classes and are three weeks into the course. Still working on some of the beginning steps but we are getting much smoother. I know that we will dance beautifully, for now I look like I’m just learning to walk.
These classes give me access to the mindset I need to do this Tango project. But it also it makes for a great date night for Alexis and I. 
Yo Tango!
The start of a new project is always exhilarating. Falling in love with the music was the beginning of this current passion.
After a solid month of submerging myself in the music and soon the lessons of the dance it’s self, I have started the story board of the shots.
My hope is to make this series into a show at the end of this year. I mayshoot a bit of video to display for during the show.
Please contact me if you know any experienced tango dancers, I am looking for both instructors and models for the photos.
First ever RASPhoto real book shoot DONE!!!
First I would like to thank the academy for working with Nora all her hard work, research and long long nights of work. Alexis, her patience and support has been crucial to this success.
2110 Photos snapped!!! (plus a few production stills of behind the scenes).
It has been a marathon of shooting knitwear. Here is one of the many shots that will be in the book. The production layout is the next step in the process and Nora (the author and designer) is going to let me know when it’s in her hands. Publication still is not for another 10 months or so. Here is a sample of the work we did.
ok HDR revisited! Grand Canyon style…
I really love the HDR technique for the sunset pictures I did at the Grand Canyon on my recent trip. Totally worth hauling the extra baggage.
How do I promote my Business today?
New website check, finally check! (feel free to visit it, I need all the input I can get: www.sullyphoto.com). I’m working on new marketing material (business cards & marketing material). The other day I was talking to a friend,college and mentor about a targeted marketing idea of going to different vineyards in the VA/MD region. We are still working out the details.
While talking we discussed the relevance of email marketing promotions that people can sign up for, and I think that promo mailings are the one place that email has no business. Both he and I have tried at least one of the email marketing companies, with very little return on our investment, and with no success. We have both read the same articles about creative directors and art directors tossing out any emails promotions that just pour into their in-boxes (http://idology.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/how-evil-is-adbase/). I’m not saying that it does not work for some people, but for me now it is simply not effective. The question remains, how do I promote my business today? As it stands the most effective is being referred by a good friend to a new client. So it seems that the best online tools tool to reach out and touch some one may be Facebook and Linked-In.
High Key figure study
RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
I love just the atmosphere of high key lighting wrapping around like a blanket. For me it makes me feel warm and comforted. Even though this shoot was a figure study the lighting tells the story of waking up on a Saturday morning around 9 AM on a sunny summer day with the light streaming in, the smell of coffee in the air. There is something pure and serene with high key lighting.
I am still contemplating the “Refraction” story, and the lighting for it, I am still also looking for volunteers.
Product test tonight!
I have been craving to do a product test, and tonight is the night, you should see some pictures by day’s end (unless I get a rush job in soon).
The strangest and coolest boat I have seen!
It is called the plastiki: http://www.theplastiki.com/. I just hope they are safe on their 100 day 11,000 mile trip
I think that it’s a fantastic idea, I just have one question can I photograph the boat if you every make it to the East Coast!
Shots from my model shoot from Wednesday!
A few shots from Wednesday’s model shoot. Let me know which shot you love the most, cast your vote!
Thank you to Jody Rusnak (Hair & Make up), Sybil Street (Wardrobe & Styling) & Krisztina Scherer (Model with T.H.E. Artist Agency)
Shot 1 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
Shot 2 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
Shot 3 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
Shot 4 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
Shot 5 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
Shot 6 - RA.Sullivan Photography 2010
New Website sneak peek!
Sneak peek to my new website. tell me what you think!
http://sullyphoto.com/test/sullyphoto
Drink up!!!! Help Chile Drink up!!! Help Chile
from Gizmodo:
OK, so this isn’t our normal thing, but we felt that it was only right to fill you all in on this excellent opportunity to 1. drink a lot of wine and 2. contribute to a worthy cause. Tomorrow Wine.com is launching an initiative to raise $100,000 in relief for the victims of the recent Chilean earthquake. Their plan is simple (and generous): for every 12 bottles of Chilean wine purchased, they’ll donate $100 to a Chilean non-profit. There are 16 bottles to choose from and they all run under $25, so if you like wine or like helping out (and especially if you like both), definitely head to their site for more information. [Wine.com]
Media Blitz time.
New logo, new website, business cards! All in the works, stay tuned.
Simply Sole is open in Georgetown DC
I’m at the Simply Soles store opening in Georgetown in DC. All I have to say is WOW!!! Kassie has not only the best team working with her but the chicest boutiqe in the Georgetown mall. She and the Simply Soles crew have done an amazing job with the new store.
I have been working with her for several years now and can’t express how excited I am for her new store opening! Way to go Kassie & all of Simply Soles!
For the guys out there it even has a place for us!
Great blog posting of rip offs
http://www.billshrink.com/blog/7636/the-12-biggest-ripoffs-in-america/
Up there I would also include medical billing. How does a company bill me for $800 for a simple blood HDL/LDL test and then my insurance company steps in and suddenly it goes down to $85. I know that there are lots of moving parts but come on!
Things to do when your business is slow.
For me when my business is slow, I GO CRAZY!!! As do most people who work for themselves the first reaction is to get scared. Much better than almost getting into a wreck on the highway. Having little to no business coming in the door while all the same bills still do wakes up in the middle of the night with an energy that needs to be capitalized on.
GET YOU HEAD IN ORDER FIRST, you can’t get much done when you can’t concentrate on what needs to be done.
Getting inspired when down is flat out hard to do, here is where I start getting my head in order.
1. You choose your attitude no one else can do it for you.
2. Keep in mind some one some where is making money at what you are doing, so the work is out there, you just need to find it.
3. The bottom line is important but you would not be working for your self if that is what mattered the most to you.
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!
Staying at home in your PJs or bath robe is therapeutic when sick or coming off of a really big job but it does not do anything good for your mental state when business is slow. A simple bike ride or shooting something for just fun can get your creative juices going. I am currently trying to get my first art exhibit together since college, all in my down time. After you have your head together and are really ready only then move on.
MAKE TO DO LISTS to keep on task.
I have A-D-D pretty bad when business is slow, I make use of paper and pen to make myself a task list for every day of the week. I also try to alternate my tasks from active and computer based to keep my energy level up through out the day. I also try to make some sort of contact with a potential client at least 3 times a week. I admit it is not my favorite part of the week but when it pays off it feels great. Here are two other sites I look to to fill up my to do list:
http://www.sigmanow.com/newsletters/october-2007-making-the-most-of-business-downtime/
http://www.allfreelance.com/freelancing_blog/2008/01/19/list-of-things-to-do-when-business-is-slow/
Just landed in NYC supper pumped!
Just lanes in NYC @JFK and I am pumped up. I hev been reading #Crush it! On the plane and can’t stop bouncing from energy. 9 hour flight and I’m energized (still sick with a cold). Every time I pick up this book I have to put it down to take notes of what I’m going to do when I get back to DC. I have a list of things I want to do that will keep me busy for the next 2 weeks. #Gary Vaynerchuck if you are listening to thus crazy blog, thank you!
Honey (мед) festival
Here are some shots from the festival. And when you see it, wow, all those booths are selling different kinds of honey. Over 200 booths! To give you an idea this roomis about 100 yards whose by 300 yards long.
Honey Festival tomorrow! or Фестиваль меда
Going to the Honey Festival tomorrow, very excited! Hope to have some shots to share even if it just from iPhone cam. Last few days in Moscow and I have been trapped inside because of a cold. I am going out tomorrow come hell or high snow.
If you need a great laugh try this…
I think I found my new favorite stress reliever.
try http://failblog.org/
it is not for everyone and the humor is a bit off color sometimes but after looking at it I feel better about the stupid things I have done. It is nothing more than things that go wrong or extremely wrong. It’s kind of like one of my favorite show, “Dirty Jobs” on Discovery. Mike takes a very fresh approach to understanding the different aspects of people’s jobs. Just Fantastic!
As promised Engagement photo!
As I promised and big thanks to Julia Shcheblyko a sample of our engagement photo from in front of the St. Basil's Cathedral.
Up early in Moscow!!!
As some of you might know, I am recently engaged. We are taking engagement photos today around Moscow, Russia. Very excited. It is very rare that I am in front of the camera. Need to work on my “Blue Steel”. Will post later today from my iPhone cam
Starting a new blog and not sleeping.
In hopes of driving more traffic (lets be honest here) to my website and ultimately getting to work with new and wonderful clients, I am starting a new blog.
