October 5th, 2005:

I’m working out the details so I can begin offering Photography Sessions. More details will come soon but, the gist of it is that there will be three offerings: a Test Session, an Art Session, and a Portrait Session.

* Test Sessions will be entirely free, will offer prints in exchange for time, and will be restricted to those that I’ve worked with before. These sessions can be requested if there’s a new idea, outfit, hair style, or makeup style to be considered. Additionally, I may request participants for such a session for special projects and ideas.

* Art Sessions will involve a $30/hr sitting fee. With Art Sessions, I’ll need full control. It’s because of the model’s willingness to trust me and be pliable in my hands that I am able to learn something through them. It is because of their respect for me, my work, my art, and my vision, that I am able to push them past their boundaries and take myself there too. In this setting, I am able to get the most out of a model and produce some outstanding images. Because of the mutual gain involved here, I will work for a reduced fee (just enough to ensure the model shows up (which has been a *big* problem so far) and to help (though not entirely) cover some costs). Additionally, any prints from the session will be made available to the model at nearly cost. If I do not feel a particular model is willing to be trusting enough, or pliable enough, I will suggest my Portrait services.

* Portrait Sessions will run $60/hr and are basically the typical studio or location portraits with me as the photographer. I’ll shoot any way my subject prefers. Since I’m shooting only the portraits that the subject desires, issues involving nudity, sexuality, subject matter, mood, and appreciation do not come into play. While my vision certainly helps to shape these portraits into something unique and special, there’s nothing edgy to be done, and nothing that pushes the boundaries of me, my work, or my model. Since these don’t really do much for me as an artist, I charge regular rates for both the sitting fee and the prints.

The difference, basically, is this: In a Test Session, we’ve already established a relationship and there is a clear purpose behind the shoot the benefits both parties in some way. In an Art Session, I’m able to be creative and not worry too much about insecurities or a model that refuses to allow my vision to be carried out. In the Portrait Session, the patron gets whatever he or she wants.

Additional subjects can be included for $10/$20. All sessions can be held on location for double the sitting fee.

Even though I don’t have official copy up regarding these services yet, please feel free to contact me if you’re interested. I’ll get some proper information up soon. Also, if we’ve worked together before and you’d like to be open for Test Sessions, send me an email and I’ll put you on the list of people to contact for special projects.

I have already scheduled my first Art Session for Halloween weekend. I’m very excited.

To those of you who ordered “prints”:http://revjim.net/page/photosforsale last week, first of all, again, *Thank You*. Your support makes bigger and better things possible. Secondly, *the prints are in*! I spent quite a bit of time (and money) testing the workmanship of this particular lab and I’m glad I did. Their work is *beautiful*. Even I was excited to see my work so large and so detailed. I have all of the packaging supplies ready as of noon today so your prints should be in the mail tomorrow. Mike: I’ll hand deliver yours this evening.

I didn’t realize that packaging and shipping was going to be so expensive so, with the initial capital needed to get the ball rolling, I didn’t actually make any money on last weeks orders, but, with about “double the sales”:http://revjim.net/page/photosforsale I have currently, I should break even and then I can start recouping equipment costs and preparing to lead into newer and better things. I’m going to re-evaluate my print prices and probably increase them slightly at the end of the week to make up for my underestimation.

In the next month or so I’m hoping to have a few new formats available for my work. The most exciting, to me, is an inexpensive 4×6″ post card format that will not only make my art even more available, but also easier to share with friends. Is there any interest in some sort of notification of new items for sale? If so, perhaps I’ll set one up.

Also, one more thing. I don’t intend to sell the majority of my prints all of the time. That makes them too accessible and, seemingly, less important. Instead, most photographs available for sale will be replaced after a few weeks with newer work. Occasionally, a re-issue of old favorites will be offered for new supporters, however, if you’re interested in buying an inexpensive version of a particular print, “you may want to act”:http://revjim.net/page/photosforsale as soon as possible.

Limited editions will be offered when the demand is high enough. They are more difficult to produce, and more cost prohibitive until they are all sold. Prints produced for this purpose will be given the utmost care and a beautiful finish. Their owners will be given promotional materials and free gifts throughout the year. When offered they will be sold until the edition runs out. The size of the edition will always be stated up front and each photograph will be numbered and signed. If you’re interested in a limited edition print, please let me know so I can judge interest. I’m hoping to have my first limited edition release available within the next 2 months.

Again, thank you all for your support.

the canyon at sunrise

(Enlarge)

This shot took a lot of tie and planning. It was worth it.

From the floor of the canyon, the sunrise doesn’t look like much of anything since the more interesting colors are usually near the horizon, which can’t be seen. So, we opted to go for higher ground that looked out, Eastward, over the canyon. Believe it or not if we angled ourselves just right, the designated “Scenic Outlook” served that purpose perfectly, as you can see here.

When it comes to scenic outlooks and designated photo spots, my general rule of thumb is: use them. They are almost always boring, at first, not because of the view but because the picture has been taken by millions of tourists before me. However, I usually take the typical shot and then try to make it more interesting, like you see here. At least if you take the typical shot, if everything else you do doesn’t work out you can still say, “well, I got this one!”.

Your comments and suggestions are appreciated, as always.