Yesterday, I received a phone call from a friend of mine. Haven't heard from him in a while. I'll call him "H" for the purpose of this update. He's a guy who, for the 10 (plus) years I've known him, has been a salesman, a PR guy, an agent, and more. He's also a hardcore poker player."What have you been doing lately?" I asked.
"Mostly playing poker," H told me.
"You make your living playing poker?" I asked, rather incredulously.
"Not a great one," H admitted. "But I survive with it."
H went on to tell me he plays, almost daily, at various, local casinos and that he ekes out something of a living, enough to get by on, from doing so. There are a number of poker casinos in the Los Angeles area. Larry Flynt, for instance, owns the Hustler Casino in L.A. (Besides being involved in all kinds of hardcore enterprises, Flynt, himself, is a hardcore, long-time, poker player.)
H told me he also makes some money as a photographer.
"A photographer?" I asked. "When did you become a photographer?"
"That high school photography class finally came in handy," H laughed. (H is about 50 years old.) "A big European poker magazine just wired me a nice chunk of change today for a spread I shot for them that's already been published. I even got the cover."
"Wow. That's, uhh... great, H." I said.
"Another poker magazine, here in the States, has also hired me to shoot regularly for them." H informed me.
"Do you even own a camera?" I asked.
"No," H admitted. "I borrowed one from a friend. But I might buy one if I keep getting the work."
"What's a photographer without a camera?" I rhetorically asked.
"Hey! I've got a good eye!" H responded, rather defensively. "And these cameras are no-brainer anyway."
So there you have it. Anyone who took a high school photography class ten or twenty or thirty or more years ago and who has a friend with a "no-brainer" camera (who might be willing to loan it out) might have the skills and background and ability to work in the exciting and rewarding fields of editorial, news, or sports photography. Of course, you'll also need a "good eye," self-proclaimed or otherwise.
Another shot of Tera Patrick at the top today. One from this set became a full-page in 944 magazine. I didn't borrow a camera to shoot it although I'll admit I did take a photography class (or two) in high school.
10 comments:
Unbelievable.
I guess there's hope for me yet!
*Rushes off to borrow a camera...*
I guess there's hope for me yet!
Only if you took a photography class in high school... I mean secondary school, are adept at using no-brainer technologies, and have a "good eye," self-proclaimed, imaginary, or otherwise.
I hear you on this, but look at the bright side - at least he didn't shoot it for free...
...it's WHO you know...and apparently I don't know the right people...
I have never met Tera, but if I ever do I couldn't even give her a friendly hug because of her breast size!
Give her a hug for me Jimmy!
Thanks! :D
I've been dealing with this in the video world for years. Just smile and nod. The cream always rises to the top...
So that's my problem, I "own" a "brainer" camera..........
My you have a "good eye"....
Luck, as in having a lucky contact, can only carry you so far. Skills will always pay off. OK, almost always...
I'd much prefer to have the respect of other professional shooters I respect than anything else. A mag cover only lasts thirty days at most!
@Bob-- Yeah, but sometimes it's even more fun spending the paycheck for that cover... moreso when the paycheck is a big cha-ching! (Not that that's what it was for the cover in question.)
Well they get what they pay for :P.. if they wanted good photography they would pay for it :P not hire someone who doesn't know about this stuff in a poker game ;), look at your clients I doubt they would risk their business with someone that doesn't even has a portfolio... let alone a camera :P
There are real clients and there are "clients", real clients are the ones giving you money and work, "clients" are those that say they will give you "exposure", that will "pay you the next time", the ones that don't mind the quality of a good shoot and finally the dumb client who is happy with whatever crap they get -sorry but they exist and they are dumb-.
But there is something here that's food for the brain, if HE can get a photoshoot for a poker magazine, what would you do with a little more networking be doing? you are a skilled photographer that has much to offer and with the right networking you could be doing more stuff :) so no need to worry about the 50's dude with a borrowed camera :D although I don't encourage anyone to find gigs at a poker game :/.
My best wishes Jimmy
Eduar
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