photography's new model for business

Editorial photography with Victoria Will

I had a unique encounter last night with Victoria Will editorial photographer from New York City/Brooklyn.

Victoria spoke on April 19th at the San Francisco photographer’s association known as PPGBA or the Professional Photographers Association of the Greater Bay Area.

Victoria Will is relatively fresh to the editorial scene of photographers but is a powerhouse.She spoke frankly and gave an honest view of the culture and what really happens on most assignments, which are very quick ( most times 5-10 minutes), when working with celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Elijah Wood, Kevin Macy and the essential tools needed to gain their trust and unveil their real persona.

I must say Victoria is on her way to a successful career. She showed some great celebrity portrait photos of a project recently shot at the Sundance Film Festival. She is pleasant, sincere, thoughtful and genuine. Victoria spoke on one of her many favorites in photography such Bill Platon, Martin Schoeller and Terry Richardson just to name a few. Victoria seems to have modeled her lighting similar to Bill Platon’s technique and it works well when you’re on the spot and need to be prepared.

Check Victoria’s site at:www.victoriawill.com and have a look at her talent.

Paolo

PaoloPhoto:New Horizons-“Social Media,What’s the Point?”

Hi everyone,

Some serious thoughts on social media for the year and a big question,”What’s the Point?”

Thursday of last week I went to photographer’s association the San Francisco Chapter of APA meeting which was well done and well organized. They had a panel of an art buyer, art director, creative directors and design manager.

The topic of discussion was titled, ” Why we hire you”. Their input on what they look in a photographer for the evening was helpful and informative.

But one thing of many that I took away from their view point was about social media and does it their grab their attention and do they view your posts. Well for the most part the answer is no! Or, maybe if they’re already familiar with your website and they want to know more about you. Really, it’s not all that surprising. This makes me wonder, are we running around endlessly now, spouting stuff like a bunch of crazies for no good reason, but to show the rest of the world we’re quickly becoming a narcissistic culture. Telling everyone about ourselves. “So, what’s the point?”

Well, I hate to leave you hanging, but it’s very late and I need my beauty sleep so I’ll get back to this question next time which will be sooner than later.

Goodnight and Good morning,

Paolo

Don’t ya just love architecture!PaoloPhoto

APA “Something Personal” 2011 exhibit in SF

Hi,

Thursday night I went to the APA annual “Something Personal” exhibit and totally enjoyed myself. It’s always great to meet up with colleagues in my profession and see what new ideas in images they’ve chosen to exhibit at our end of year Christmas get together.

I find myself enjoying conversations with familiar friends and new friends at the gathering while we relish in delightfully good food and wine. But I can’t forget our main purpose in meeting is to view APA photographers’ latest photographic images on display at Fort Mason near the marina in San Francisco.

Each year many SF APA members including myself get the opportunity of having our prints juried by our peers from advertising agencies, producers, artists, industry reps and photographers, All competing for the top 100 spots in the exhibit. Even though many didn’t make it to the final 100 it’s a great time during the evening to celebrate and commend those who did.

Here’s one sample shot of mine that didn’t make the top 100.

All the best to those who made the 100 list and my best to everyone next year. Paolo

Paolo listening to Justin Seeley on Social Media

If you need info on social media then jump in on Creative Live now and listen to Justin Seeley. Paolo

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Travel safely. Paolo

Photography’s New Horizons:Pick up tips from food Photographers

Hi everyone,

Thursday night I went to the Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area meeting and enjoyed an evening with friend and former San Francisco Chronicle food and editorial photographer Craig Lee.

We should always remember that when a any photographer steps up to give some of their insights for our benefit we should consider attending the meeting not only for our own knowledge but to support our industry.

Craig Lee provided several helpful hints in photographing food but also insights that are helpful in product photography. So always be open to how a small technique just might be used in your style of work. In photography there’s always something to learn and use in a different way.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Paolo

Tune In. I love music-Paolo

More wedding fashions from PaoloPhoto.

Paolo loves the new wedding fashions for kids! Steven’s Cove in Carmel, Calif.

Jan. 18, 2011
PaoloPhoto blog:

Writing the future of professional photography for all to see from around the world with news and views on the "who's who"and what's new. I hopefully will provide a forum of useful information from thought leaders in the industry and around the world. Paolo will pick the brains of industry leaders to help those who may need a bit of direction on the "Yellow Brick Road " or Golden road to success within photography and film.

Now that we're on to a new millennium, new century and a new decade, things sure are changing fast,huh.

First, Bryan Franklin and Michael Costuros had a teleconference with a large number of pro photographers on Sunday afternoon while the NFL playoffs were on! Aurggh! But, that's Ok guys. So, just a tidbit for now on what they said and I’ll give more later.

They covered what most artists despised and detest with the words,"Marketing and Sales". Wooow! Now that I spewed that one out. Any-who, they led the conference with some good points on what's happening in other industries that went from analog to digital in a short period of time and what we might be able to expect in the near future with our current biz model. So, not to beat a dead horse for the next 30 years, as my friend Deanne might say, but we have to start looking forward and write our own future about the copyrights issue. And, from where I see it since the last century, things still haven’t change much with who’s going to run-up and over your back next to leap frog ahead.

So let's get started with copyrights and the watching of other industry's getting left in the dust and their history in the making.

Bryan and Mike pointed out the to look at the sound/audio and music industry which may sound familiar. Analog to digital brought about necessary changes to be more efficient, productive and created better distribution business models. Like it or not that’s what happens with changes and progress within a society (turn of the century or not). People who tried to hold on to the old way of doing business suddenly found themselves in the wake of a tidal wave with the masses. Remember the "Alamo" at the turn of the last century guys. There were lots of new technologies that masses of people gravitated towards and embraced while others fell by the wayside. I don't want to be one of them. I love photography and it's ability to communicate with simplicity and power of the single image or by film/video. It's all still photography done with a tool called a camera of some sorts!
This creative imaging profession is still intellectual property and can be used in commerce for a price. I feel people on the internet are asking for more images as I have read, so let's give it to them at a fair price with the quality that only the professional can create!

This "tug-of-war" on copyright is maxed-out. So go to your window and yell, I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore! And then it’s off your chest I hope.

Look people, there are companies right here in our own backyard, in San Francisco, in some of the biggest industries such science,biotech and pharmaceuticals that are working like crazy Tasmanian Devils to share intellectual property with other institutions and can barely agree with each other. But, there are also companies that are bringing them together soon in many ways and when it happens, there'll be no stopping the giant snowball coming our way once the political cronies get their paws on it.

Digital is here to stay until another innovation comes along and then, as OK-GO would sing,” here we go again”. Which as a side note, IBM announced recently that they’re working on new miniature holographic imaging system for all sorts of apps which maybe the internet or Iphone. Who knows what? Star Trek, baby!

There are powers at work, which bodes us as photographers to either unite as the writers, actors, and directors guild or we're toast! And let’s embrace the technology as it comes and make photographs with it. We need to work together and help each other.

I think Chase Jarvis is on to something. People are watching new ideas and innovations happening in real time over the internet and some will be left behind.

But, times are a changin’ and many will still think they’ll get “Something for Nothing”(Dire Straits) on the internet for free. Maybe those days will soon be over and it won’t be free.

So let's put our collective heads together to find and create a better model, so that photography goes on for another millennium. I'm open to your ideas and may have a few of my own.

Ciao,
Paolo

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