So, about the camera...

... I haven't picked it up to take a photo in quite a while.  I mean, I did photograph the local theatre's production of Cabaret, and did the head shots for the front of house... and I also did some photos of a lovely friend for a pageant.  But for myself?  Haven't really had the time to just create.  Or document.  Or... anything.

See?  Cabaret:








And glamour shots!




My insomnia is in overdrive and my personal life is a little emotional at the moment.  My marriage is awesome, and Bear is my rock; he's the one I go to whenever I need support or a shoulder to lean on or just an ear to listen.  However, there are some tensions between myself and people in my life that just seem impossible to resolve right now, and it gets me down.  And worst of all, as the situation draws out longer, I can feel resentment begin to grow.  That's never good.  I don't want to resent anyone, no matter how much I disagree with their point of view or how they may handle situations.  All I know is that I am lucky to have Bear by my side.  He helps calm the storm that rises up in me.  And trust me, I can have quite the mouth when the mood strikes!

Professionally, though, things are going pretty well.  I was promoted to PR person for the art centre, and now write all the press releases and run the centre's Facebook.  I am on the ball at the library and finished my end of 2011 periodicals clean out.  I am also working on an art photography project that I want to try and snag a 2013 exhibit with.

Additionally, I received an invitation to speak at a local middle school about my career.  It was a little vague to me exactly what they want me to speak about, since I work two jobs and run my little business (which has been practically inactive for a few months now).  I am assuming they want me to discuss my own business.  But they want me to discuss the training required, salary range, and to present an argument that my field is a good career choice for some of the students in the room.

Well, first of all, I am only in my third year of trying to make this photography business work.  It hasn't really left the ground.  I took some courses on photography in college, but insofar as commercial portraiture, I am almost entirely self-taught (not counting the one year I worked at a commercial studio chain).  I have no salary; I am only paid if I am hired.  Of that money, a majority of it goes back to taxes, into supplies, or is put into other basic upkeep (web hosting, promotion, business cards, etc).  At the end of the year, I typically have lost a few thousand dollars.  Do you think any of the kids would want to go down the path of small business ownership now?

So I am trying to organize the kind of presentation I would even give to see if it would work.  If I can't figure out a way to present myself in a satisfactory manner, I may decline.  I don't want a bunch of kids going home feeling defeated or losing respect for small business owners.  Anyone have any advice?!?!

xo