June 20, 2008

The perks of self-employment




I'm now three weeks into my new career as a freelance photographer, and I'm still adjusting to the idea that my job is fun. I keep thinking I have to spend all my time on serious businessy stuff ... like redesigning my website, marketing, and such. Although I actually enjoy those things, what I really love is going out to shoot, or looking at other photographs, books and magazines for inspiration, and of course, experimenting in Photoshop. I have to keep reminding myself that, yes, I get to do this as PART OF MY JOB. And that, in fact, the fun stuff is a very important part of my job in that I need to keep creating new work.

Today I went to Old Montreal, mostly to shoot a couple of rolls of film with my toy Holga camera (AS PART OF MY JOB!). I've had it for over a year, but this is the first time I've used it, and it was the first time I've used film in probably close to a decade. I've been positively hooked on the immediacy and convenience of digital photography, not to mention the total control.
Because it's 120 film and not that many places in Montreal process it, I have to wait a whole week before I can see the results. A whole week instead of the usual 2 seconds!

Today reminded me of why I love photography so much. When I'm shooting, I get completely absorbed by the process and get into that state the psychologist
Mihály Csíkszentmihályi calls flow. I'm almost sad it's the weekend.

3 comments:

Liz said...

being that I am 2 weeks into my career as a freelance designer, I am SO in tune with what you are writing about here. Pinch me, I think (or not), but I am having so much fun and making a living. I want to shout to everyone I see to work towards making their dreams come true, it can happen... Beautiful images too, love the dangly crystal bits on the light, gorgeous light.

Anonymous said...

Not to mention a sudden rise in the number of blog entries...

Unknown said...

Irene,

Mazoltov on leaving the world of technical writing behind for photography. I'm sure you are going to be very successful. Can't wait to see what else you come up with.