I've been volunteering at a local non-profit store that specializes in fair trade products from developing countries. They're really cool people and I get a chance to help out. The product photography setup I've come up with is very DIY, but I'm very happy with it and it's results.
So. It's been a while. A long while. The SGA website went well. Due to internal politics and management changes, the website never really got to live it's life, but it was a fun project and I'm glad I did it. The Stutz gallery showing went incredibly well. I sold two pieces that night and somewhat monopolized the scene by inviting most everyone I knew. It was a lot of fun and there was a lot of great work there from the students of Ivy Tech.
There have actually been more live changing events since the last post than most any other part of my life, but in an attempt to keep things business related, I'll keep it to the basics. I left the billboard printing company and began work at a company who owns newspapers. I tone the images that go into newspapers while I continue my personal ventures and finish school. I'll be transferring to IUPUI in the fall for web design and shooting weddings when friends need a photographer. It pays well, but it's also a lot of work. My girlfriend began volunteering at a local fair-trade store in town, so I've started to volunteer product and in-store photography for their newsletters, advertisements, and publications. It's a lot of fun helping out a non-profit taking such an interesting angle on helping developing countries.
Other more personal changes would include moving downtown, beginning to ride my bike everywhere, slowly being converted to a vegan lifestyle by my girlfriend, flipping a car at 80mph on highway 74, hosting shows in our apartment, and enjoying a life without soda or television.
So, having finally updated, I bid you adieu.
Its a line from a song. Anyway, things are looking up. And by up, I mean busy. In addition to the regular projects, it was brought to my attention that the Ivy Tech Student Government Association needed a website and my design was chosen. While this provides little compensation besides a free class the semester after I graduate, they needed it, and they look so sad when no one volunteers. They wanted something simple, so I came up with something on Saturday.
So, I left the portraiture studio and now work second shift pre-press at a billboard/banner printing company called Indy Imaging. It offers quite a bit of insight into the world of production and what one should and should not send to a printer. The schedule is incredibly flexible and it offers a great place to get my own work printed.
Real late one night I decided to snap some pictures in the pre-press room and use Photoshop's Photomerge to put them all together. Of course, it doesn't do a perfect job, but its pretty dang good for not having to do anything but pick the files. The key is to take a lot of pictures so it has the most to work with when piecing it all together. The downside of that being that the more pictures you use, the harder on the computer it is. My 2.0GHz AMD and 2GB of RAM took a few minutes to get it done.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the new and pulling in a few freelance jobs here and there. Mostly web design, but this fall I've been asked to do some engagement photos, senior photos, and next year I've got at least one wedding. So, it's going to be an interesting year combining that with taking a semester off between schools to work as much as possible.
If I keep up at this rate I'll be able to get that Nikon D80 I've had my eye on pretty soon; which would be amazing.
I went out to a class-mate's gallery opening on Mass. Ave last night and talked with some gallery owners. One of which is apparently moving down the street and might have some room to show my work. I guess he doesn't take a cut of the sale, he just charges for the wall space per month. So, theres that and apparently Ivy Tech has struck up a deal with the Stutz Gallery to get the students a month of gallery space and a special event; which will be exciting.
Well, until next time.
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Things are well. The museum is moving along. Got some pictures from here and there to share. The studio is nice. No pictures from there though. I should have visitors tomorrow though! That'll help pass the time. So, museum. Making signs and whatnot for them. The people are all a lot of fun and I'm happy I'm not off getting people coffee and whatnot.
The Children's Museum is amazing. I've only had two days there so far, but I think it'll be a wonderful experience. The general employees are always really happy, the intern coordinator is happy, and my 'mentor' is happy. Everyone is extremely upbeat and helpful. More pictures to come once I upload them.
