A Road Less Traveled

I feel that for many aspiring photographers, it is easy to get wrapped up in landing any paying gig, let along your first. I know I was no exception when I first started. But over the years, I learned the valuable tool of time management. Typically I find myself working in some of the most beautiful locations on the planet, often on another companies dime…which of course is the best way to travel When on assignment, assuming I have taken care of my responsibilities for the contract that I was hired for, I ALWAYS look for scenes that can help expand my own photography portfolio.

For example, I am currently wrapping up a contract with the Adams County Open Parks Department here in Denver, Colorado. They contacted me, asking me to capture 12 different locations around Denver that will be used in a free calendar for Adams County tax payers coming up in 2012. One of the locations I choose to shoot was Ken Mitchell Lake, located in North East Denver. This beautiful location was truly a pleasure to shoot. They built this beautiful fishing pier that faces the Rockies…pier, lake, mountains…certainly hard to not enjoy this scene.

However as the sun inched closer to the horizon for sunset, I was given a dazzling light show display and I couldn’t help myself. Since I always carry two tripods, so that I can have two different set ups ready to shoot at the same time, it was easy for me to pull out my Canon 70-200 2.8L IS II lens and grab this beautiful image of Longs Peak with great light dancing off the clouds above it (pictured below)

The LESSON OF THE DAY is to always be looking for creative ways to expand your profile and get images just for you, whether you are on contract, assignment or freelancing. It is easy to get wrapped up in the complexities of a shoot, but if you plan ahead for the possibility of capturing images for yourself, you won’t have to look back and shake your head at a missed opportunity.

* I should note that 9 times out of 10, I make sure that I always retain the copyright to not only the images I shoot on contract/assignment, but other images I shoot while on a paid job. This is not always possible, but certainly something I strive for.