Some inspiration

I am heading out of town for a few days and will be taking a break from the blog. With all the carry on in the comments over at APE the last couple of days I thought I would try and leave a little inspiration in my wake.

If you get a chance to down tools go see Glass a portrait of Philip in 12 parts a magical documentary made to celebrate the famed composers 70th birthday. I saw it this past weekend and I have to say it offered a most compellingly revealing view into the inner workings of this most prolific of people. His daily accomplishments alone put most of us to shame; what this man gets done and what he has achieved is truly mind boggling. It's inspirational and yet totally overwhelming; makes you wonder about your own contribution to your art, to humanity and what sacrifices may have to be made along the road.

And if this documentary isn't playing at a theater near you and you have never witnessed any of the Qatsi trilogy (which Philip scored) Koyannisqatsi: Life out of balance, Powaqqatsi: Life in transformation and Naqoyqatsi: Life as war treat your self to Netflix you may never view your own work the same again. I am forever grateful to my father, I have a lasting memory of him making us watch Koyaanisqatsi as kids, my initial reluctance quickly sudsided and I remember being in total awe of its visual power. Thanks Dad I will always be indebted, the experience has had a lasting effect.

Business as usual

Well here we are again, the start of another calender year, a time for both reflection and for future gazing. This is the time I come up with 'the Plan' for the year ahead in Andrew Hetherington Photography. It has been a really useful exercise something I encourage everyone to do, if you don't do so already. Its nothing revolutionary just laying out goals and ideas; personally, professionally and of course financially, taking stock and setting an agenda of sorts for the upcoming year. Most of it is pretty basic but its good to put it down on paper too not just to have a mindful of scrambled unfocused thoughts. A good dose of the healthy helpy-selfy. I have found it to be most useful both looking forward and looking back at the previous years objectives. Of course its nothing rigid; I am flexible and open to ever changing patterns as is evident in recent happenings but if you are honest with yourself and what may and may not be attainable it can help manage and achieve the dreams and realities.

This years plan is yet to be written; maybe because I have spent so much time at the keyboard over the last 9 months working on the blog and needed to take a break from the typing to see where all this has led and where it may be going. I have to say to those of you who haven't yet jumped in and got your own up and going it requires a lot of time and work especially if you are a daily contributor. To be honest a lot of time that should perhaps be spent on getting real work. After all I am a photographer first.

Right before Christmas I was caught off guard when a job opening with a real company in a real office editing their photo blog came my way. Yes I was surprised and extremely flattered to be in the mix but that lasted for a second or two. Hang on amn't I a photographer ? Is my perception with in the business shifting ? My passion for my own art and photography has never been stronger, the blog is all part of my own ever evolving footprint. How about it though ? A proper job with a proper wage, proper hours, proper benefits. Intriguing yes but I didn't even have to think twice after all I have a job already with no regular wages, no regular hours, no security, no boss. Maybe the chair and desk is in my future, hey we never know what hand fate will deal. Of course I didn't even think to ask how much cash money might be in the pot much to my wifes chagrin.

That's the thing isn't it we are never done, constantly getting started, forever evolving. The new year just provides us with that physical period where we can regroup and recharge and start dealing with the things we should be doing all the time as photographers but may be neglecting. My main goal this year amongst all the regular clutter is quite simple; to produce better pictures ! Not that I have been doing a bad job to date but I feel I have so much more to offer. Take an honest look at yourself and your work over the last year. How many great pictures have you taken ? I think if you are truly honest there wont be many. Lots of good ones yes but how many great ones ?

I could also perhaps use the blog as an excuse for neglecting some of my business obligations but I won't. It has been a rewarding challenge and as evidenced has led to opportunities; so while there may have been thoughts of doing an 'Alec' I am not going anywhere but will have to manage my time spent here more wisely. The main thing that has been bothering me lately is how to better handle my time in general. To make it as productive and meaningful as possible, something that can become difficult for all us solo operators as we juggle and try and make progress on multiple fronts. I cannot help but wonder how much more could be achieved here at Andrew Hetherington Photography HQ aka AHPHQNYC (in honour of JLPFL) if I had a full time studio manager. Would I get more work done and therefore ultimately get more work ? It is not a viable option for me at the moment but if there is anyone out there looking for an internship drop me a line. That's the thing when I am shooting I am not working on work or book keeping or updating the site or all that other good stuff that needs to get done. But then again its going to take a lot more work to get to that point, certainly wont come from a steady editorial diet, maybe there is a big advertising gig in my future, don't worry that will get written into 'the Plan'. Ah yes its ok to dream now and again but hey no time to sit around and wait.

So here we are back to rambling, time to work on some more of my own specifics for the year ahead. Don't worry I won't be sharing all the hopes, dreams and indeed realities but we are back and open for business so hang on here's hoping its a wild and exciting ride !

Want to stand out in a crowd

Its not about being pink or furry or metallic or camouflage or big (well maybe nothing over 16x20) or small or heavy or light (well maybe heavy) its not about being square or round or vertical or horizontal. It is about loving what you do, enjoying life, being honest and realistic but yet not afraid to dream. Maybe do yourself and your messenger a favor take a risk now and again and think outside the box, be you but be different. Or if you just want to fit in and be accepted get yourself a nice black portfolio bag. Guess which ones are mine ? No not the cute stripy one.

The above is the portfolio shelf at my reps Redux Pictures, as you can imagine it can be a similar scene in any photo editors or art buyers office/cubicle, I know I have been on the inside the pile can be daunting, whats going to get you seen and noticed, what smart choices are you going to make for you to stand out in a crowded pack, something to ponder perhaps over the weekend.

Oh and remember I am being all deep and metaphoric in this posting its not all about the color of your bag, hell I got a Livebooks site like half the world ! And while you are at it leave the orange alone thats taken I am at that from the very beginning.