A friend of mine emailed me today and wanted to know what had happened to my PAD. I know it has been a while since I have worked on this project, much has happened to me in the last 7-8 weeks but it is all good.

I quit a full time job to focus on Photography (no pun intended) my goal is to make it my career. In the mean time I am going back to what I did to support myself in college…cleaning windows. It is actually a complementary business. As a Photographer you need to meet people right? Well folks that can afford to get their windows cleaned can afford a photographer or at least by some prints from me if they like them. I am getting the word out. Another thing I am doing is networking with Realtor’s. Many Realtor’s here have their listings photographed professionally, well I can come in and clean the windows, maybe power-wash the house and concrete and get the house looking good. Well, as long as I am there why not do the photography too? One appointment for the homeowner.

Ironically since I quit my job I haven’t had much time to photograph. Leslie, my better half had major back surgery in March and has been laid up since then. In fact she is still in a hospital bed in our living room. This means in addition to starting up a business (two of them really) I am doing everything else like maintaining the house and all that that entails. Busy to say the least! Being self-employed is real plus in our situation. I have the flexibility to do what needs to be done and there is so much work out there at least here in S. CA. that I just have to hustle a little bit to find work.

I purchased a set of alien bees (2 B800) and I am learning lighting hence today’s shot. I am now re-dedicating myself to this project and will post every day come hell or high water (in CA that could be possible on both fronts…HA). I have been following the PAD group though and there are some outstanding images out there.

So, I am back…..Tony

PS Tobin James is a great little winery in Paso Robles, CA. Tobin makes some of the best wine I have ever had. I highly recomend his wine. You can find him at tobinjames.com.