Who I Am is How I Work

Don't get me wrong.  I'm OK with making me some money but money is not a motivator for me.
In the least.

Not that it was official, in fact I actively made it not official but I often engaged in long conversations with a young photographer friend of mine who was just getting into the business.  He was looking for a mentor.
I can't be a mentor.

He was always talking about crafting contracts and money and feeling abused because of the contracts and pushing back because he had a contract and how to change that contract so he wouldn't be in that loop of aggressor vs victim.

I tried to explain my philosophy over the years we've hung out.

Ten days ago? I get an email from a wine client.
They did a redesign of a label and would I want to shoot some stuff for them?
No direction
I said sure, send me the bottles and after Golden State Overnight dropped them off I emailed back and said I had gotten them what do you want.

This is what came back.

Yes, the following shots: 

- bottle shot for production outline (all) 

-beauty with different angles, lay downs 

- feel is upscale without being unapproachable

And that was it.  There has been and there will be no talk of money until the end. You want me to photograph your stuff and I want to photograph your stuff.  Let's figure out the money afterwards.  I will be ok with the figure.  And I'm figuring if I'm not ok with the figure then karma is going to catch up with those types next time around the wheel and they'll be wishing they paid me what I was worth.

A contract? That's repulsive.  Well, alright that was a bit harsh.  Maybe it's more of a rankle albeit a big rankle.  I always deliver more than a contract would stipulate.  And the amount is never an issue so what's the point?

I have, with new clients, say I'll come and shoot for free.  If you don't like it, we shake hands and no hard feelings.  If you like the stuff, then we'll work something out and you give me some random amount of money.

Yesterday the big French Winery/Company I shoot for sometimes emailed about a job.  She wants to talk money right away.  Gave very little information about the shoot but wants to talk money.  I get it, there's budgets and constraints and meetings...lots of meeting and that's what big business is all about. Money is big on the list.

I'll give them a number that I pull out of my ass.  They want a number, they get a number.

Some what recently I started to know somebody, it was soon into the relationship, and he asked if my liquor cabinet was for sale and if it wasn't could I make him one.
Thank you Jon.

I was coming off a commission of a piece of furniture that warped me up pretty good.  I came to some conclusions about that process of building something so intimate for someone else and after a bit of time I told Jon I would do it but we needed to talk some.   I went up to his place in Napa... for some Mezcal and talk...sitting outside under the California Valley Oaks.
I took some photographs of his home
I looked at his books.
Getting to know Jon.

I had him come down to my place the next time and laid it out for him.

"I don't want to build something for somebody, it really fucks up the process.  Always thinking about that the piece is not for me but somebody else who has different values and thoughts and aesthetics.  Always filtering what I do through that idea that it's not for me but for somebody else who I really, in the final analysis, don't know.
I'm not going to do it if I'm building it for you.
I have to build it for me.  How I want.  My taste, what I like, how I think it should look or with what wood or which hinges to use.

I'll spend six months pouring myself into it....for me.  And if you don't like it, then that's cool.
I'll build another one for myself. "

Jon said he wouldn't want any other way.  You have free reign.
He did say the words....."You can put the liquor cabinet up in one of the Oaks if you want."  That blew my mind.
A treehouse liquor cabinet...now that would be cool.

I continued.
"And there can be not mention of money.  It can not be part of this in any manner.  No invoice at the end,  no back and forth discussion, no nothing.  Not one word."

How can we talk about money when I'm building something for me?


Jon said he understood.
Thank you again Jon.
and I would be fine with however the amount came out to be.
To be.

That's my philosophy.  Who I am is How I Work.

I'm slowly bending my not student.  He's abandoned his quest for writing the perfect contract before lifting camera to eye.

Friday I was over at Tony's to talk about an upcoming job.
The right hand page is the entire job discussed.

Elevation/Change
Rugged

Edit.
Thought I'd throw some more images in here. Some are source material used during the first mentioned wine shoot.

Pulled out the 8x10 and thought I would use that a prop.

Didn't though this time.  Maybe next time in a more suitable job.


The new labels were for their "Vineyard" series.  Thought a stylized background of Random Orbit Polishes on copper suggested rolling vineyards.  That was a nice exercise in learning to work a new medium.

And of course Garden Buddha and Screaming Wine Aerator were used as source.