This post on Seth Godin’s blog about honesty immediately reminded me of George’s famous pick up line from the classic Seinfeld episode, “The Opposite” 🙂

To ‘celebrate’ the fact that this is the first post in five months, I added an entry for blogfade to Urban Dictionary (it may take a while to appear while it is being reviewed by humans).

So what’s news?

Well, the main news is that we have moved to new World Headquarters (mwuahahahaha).

For just over three years we were located in a Business Incubator – which served us well – but thanks to our wonderful family of clients, suppliers, and friends (that’s you), we outgrew it.

The new place is just 4km from the CBD and has a purpose-built studio with all the good stuff.

Here’s our reception area and client lounge (with a proper espresso machine!):

And our 400 square metre studio:

How did we manage all of this? I’m glad you asked. We’ve joined forces with the lovely people at D&D Global Group, which also means we can now help you with your high quality offset printing, as well as digital print and design (want to know more? ask me!)

Well, I’d better get to it – got clients coming in for some corporate portraits!

Technorati Tags: photography studio, photographer melbourne

In an unfortunate bit of PR, HP have recalled their Photosmart R707 Digital Camera because of a fire hazard.

According to the recall document,

“The digital camera can cause certain non-rechargeable batteries… to overheat when the camera is connected to an AC adapter or docking station, posing a fire hazard.”

I’m pleased to announce that here at Steven Pam Photography we use only “non-incendiary” camera equipment. Oh, and in the extremely unlikely event that something does catch fire, we have insurance for that 🙂

(via geek.com)

Technorati Tags: Digital Photography, digital camera, product recall, HP, fire hazard

Just got my issue of Australian Anthill #16 in the mail today.

This is about my fifth (sixth?) cover for them and the novelty hasn’t worn off at all 🙂

Technorati Tags: Photography, Commercial Photography, Magazine Photographer, Cover shoot

Build muscles by osmosis? I wish.

On Saturday afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing fitness champs Monica Wright and Matt Thom, as well as Kerry, an instructor from their gym (Fitness Kick Flemington).

Competitive fitness is an interesting sport – and the effect on practitioners’ bodies is a lot more useful (and arguably a lot more attractive, too) than that of bodybuilding!

Just being in the room with these guys made me feel fitter… but unfortunately that was only in my mind 🙁

Technorati Tags: Commercial Photography, Photography, fitness, muscle

The Gulf Times reports that ten people were injured during an Israeli protest rally, including an AFP photographer who was shot in the hand with a rubber bullet.

Obvioulsy news/war photography would be extremely rewarding – or at least an incredible adrenalin rush at times, but I’ll stick to my corporate photography gig, thanks.

Photographing guys (and gals) in suits may sound boring, but it’s actually (surprisingly?) interesting. I get to meet people at all lelvels in all industries – and some of them even smile for the camera.

…And if I ever need an adrenalin rush I can always stand in front of a bus 🙂

Technorati Tags: corporate photography

Brunetti

One of the funnest things (yes, I know ‘funnest’ isn’t a word, I’m just writing the way I speak, OK?) about being a Melbourne photographer is, well, being a Melbourne Photographer.

What the?

No, really. I get to see a huge variety of bits of Melbourne – from abbatoirs to Collins Street offices – and the people that work there. And I get to photograph them!

Here I am in Brunetti’s ‘secret’ store high within the 101 Collins Street building. This particluar outlet is just for Macquarie Bank staff… the words ’employer of choice’ spring to mind 🙂

I’ve actually got quite a collection of photographs of myself grinning like this in different locations – testing my lighting before the real subjects turn up.

Technorati Tags: photography, photographer melbourne, corporate photography

I get a fair few e-mails from people asking about how to get into the photography business.

I got this one recently and thought that since I went to the trouble to
write a proper answer, I may as well share it with the world:

—-

I have recently become crazy about photography, I have just bought a Canon
EOS 30D, which is producing (in my opinion) awesome photos. I’m then finishing them off in Photoshop CS2 which adds to the touch as you already
know.

I’m currently working as a chef & am wanting to change to a career in photography. My interests are food photography & aviation photography, I
don’t mind a bit of nature as well.

I wonder if you can suggest any food photographers that exist in Melbourne.

Also how to get work as a photographer in this specific industry. I know I
will need to do a course on the principles, but I have found in life that you learn better & faster when you are thrown in the deep end, I guess you
either sink or swim (is it easy to get work experience in this industry, in other words work for free) I would prefer to do work experience rather that
learn out of a classroom

Any help would be great

Thankyou Kindly,

Stewart

—-

Hi Stewart,

Good choice with the 30D, I think you’ll find you’ll be very happy with
that. It’s quite capable of taking professional-quality pictures – you won’t need to upgrade for a while.

Sorry, I don’t know much about the food photography scene. Best way to find
food photographers to approach is to look through the food sections of the lifestyle mags, newspaper colour supplements, etc, and note their names from
the photo credit. Then get to work on Google! You’ll find that most of them are in Sydney but if you’re persistent you’ll find some here in Melbourne,
too.

In terms of approaching photographers you want to work with (or publications, for that matter), the key is polite persistence. I’ve got to
tell you, we get inundated with requests for work experience or assisting jobs. I reply to all of them (eventually) and my usual answer is ‘nothing at
the moment, but feel free to stay in touch’. 99% of them I never hear from again, which could mean one of two things: (1) Soon after contacting me they
landed a high-paying, full-time gig as a photographer or assistant, or (2) they were too lazy to stay in touch.

All it takes is to put the follow-up in your diary (a reasonable time might
be three months later). The 1% that did bother to do this, are the people I work with when the opportunity arises. There are a few reasons for this.
They are probably obvious, but for what it’s worth: (1) I’m busy, I’m forgetful! – People who contact me regularly are more likely to be at the
top of my mind. (2) It shows they are in the business for the long term. (3) It shows they are organised and professional enough to keep a diary and also
to keep their word.

If you follow this simple process (and are courteous and professional in your attitude), I GUARANTEE you’ll get a gig eventually.

Good luck, and of course – feel free to stay in touch and keep me posted on how it goes!

Cheers,
Steven

—-

By the way, I agree with Stewart about learning from experience. While it’s
definitely worth reading everything you can about photographic technique,
style and history, ultimately you’ve got to get out there and find out for
yourself. Of course if you want to go to uni for the social scene, that’s
fine too 🙂

Technorati Tags: photography jobs, photography business, work experience, photography training

I’m on the telly!

Well, not me, personally… but my friend and client James Tuckerman, founder and publisher of Australian Anthill magazine. So that’s almost as good.

There is a transcript on the ABC Inside Business page and the little video clip is at the bottom of the page.

Check it out!

Technorati Tags: Australian Anthill, James Tuckerman

BDO

A day in the life of a Melbourne photographer, part 2…

The Melbourne offices of ‘Big Five’ accountants/advisors BDO.

There’s only a small window of opportunity for shooting at dusk; too early, and the sky is too light, too late, and everything is too dark! So it’s important to plan your shot in advance.

Technorati Tags: photography, building photography, architectural photography, dusk photography, exterior photography, night photography, commercial photography, professional photography