When it rains it pours (in a good way!)

The last three weeks have been among the best highlights of my 2007.

On November 10 I returned from an awesome trip to the interior of Honduras, where for a week straight all I did was wake up, take photos for 12 hours, then drink local rum and go to bed. Awesome in the true sense, no surfer/west coast colloquialism. I've traveled a lot, I've lived in a lot of places and seen a lot of things, but never the poverty that I encountered in Honduras. But I'll tell you about my experiences there in a separate posting.

On November 17, I shot my first event for DC Magazine at the HomeAid Gala in Reston, VA.

Last night, I shot my second event for DC Magazine at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington DC.

This Sunday, I'll be shooting stills of a tango video that my dear friend, Marisa (www.marisaportfolio.com), is shooting as a personal project.

It feels really good to be behind the camera on a frequent basis.

Honduras

I'm going to Honduras tomorrow to help a local non-profit provide medical care in rural villages for a week. Pretty cool. Not sure what I'll encounter there, but from previous trips, the organization treats about 7000 villagers in a week. That's like, 1000 people a day. Crazy! Packing for this trip has been very low key: t-shirts, pants and my camera. This is the best kind of packing in my opinion!

Someone told me years ago to cover up camera logos and brands with black electrical tape. Prevents targeted thefts. Great advice.

My AHA realisation

I'm a professional photographer moonlighting as a consultant. I'm not sure how my life ended up like this. Actually, I do.

I graduated with a degree in Visual Media/Photography but had no idea what I was supposed to do once out of school. I never took the time to develop a portfolio, and I didn't have any business skills. I worked in luxury retail for a while, then ended up as a jr. graphic designer at the company I'm currently working at. But now I'm a communications consultant. Close, but still not photo.

I've spent the last 5 years stagnating, questioning my talent and drive as a photographer, and have really struggled to figure out what I want out of life. Do I go the safe route, 9-5 pencil pusher, or give that all up in the name of photography?

The answer right now, is neither. I have a great job, a safe and stable one, that isn't as demanding as some other jobs out there. It's perfect, because it gives me the time and flexibility to really pursue my photography. I might be a sellout for saying that, but you know what? I like money, I like spending money, and I need money to buy photo equipment.