Photo Boot Camp Week 1

The article I found the most interesting and influential to me at this time was “11 things photographers wish they learned in school” The things I found most interesting was that many people wish they had learned more about the ins and outs of running a photography business. I think the main focus when you are majoring in photography is to learn the correct ways to take photos, and then figuring out what your style is and creating. This article has opened my eyes a little bit to the fact that we really don’t learn everything we need to know about running our own business, and that the ideas that we have about the business may not be the reality of things. One thing I would really like to learn more about is how to grow my client base, and what to do when “you’re stuck in a rut” and having a hard time feeling inspired to take photos, I think this is something that happens often to photographers, and would like to know what they do to get out of a funk. 

SBA&GFI Tests

After taking the two tests I've realized that there is still a lot that I need to work on and learn before I start my own business. I don’t have really any experience with managing a business, and aside from budgeting for bills and other everyday things I don’t have much experience book keeping. I've taken a personal selling class which taught me more about how to put myself out there and how to present project ideas, and myself in general. I've also taken an intro to business class, and am currently taking into to small business. I think both of these classes will help me have a better understanding of how business run, and what is needed to make it successful. I scored very well in the wisdom and Judgment category; I am very understanding when it comes to people, sometimes too understanding though. I also understand that my business is another extension of who I am.  I am very passionate about what I want to do, and am very committed to making it happen. 

Kevin Kubota's Time Management Video

In Kevin Kubota's video he talks about different tips to help with time management. Some of the high points include what he calls the golden hour; which is the few hours span in which you feel most creative. During your golden hour time he says you should focus your time and energy on brainstorming, shooting, and over all just being creative. Some other tips he talks about include creating a bubble; your quiet space to work, and to "Batch Process" which is working in 2-3 hour batches.

The tips from the video that I feel will make me more successful are his W.I.N method which stands for write it now; Kevin suggests writing down everything you need to remember. I do well writing down and keeping track of my assignments and important appointments, but he suggests to take it a step further and write down absolutely everything you need to remember, such as someone suggesting a movie that you should see, or a reminder that you're supposed to call a good friend to catch up. The other tip that stood out to me was that it is important to reward yourself. I am guilty of not doing thing very often, and not giving myself something to look forward to when I've completed an important task. I will definitely be working on both of these things, I feel as if they will minimize some of the stress and overwhelming feelings I tend to have.

Behind the Lens

My name is Jessica Engelhardt. I'm 22 years old and majoring in commercial photography. I have a two year old son named Gavin who has changed my life in so many ways. He motivates me every day to try my very best, which is why I decided to start attending  college back in 2012. I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. I got my very first camera when I was about 10 years old. I took that little point and shoot camera with me everywhere I went; since then, I've always had a camera. I have always been the one in my family to take all the pictures from birthday celebrations and Christmas to our everyday moments to remember.  For me, photography is more than just taking pictures. It’s being able to capture what may seem like a tiny moment in someone’s life and turning it into something they can cherish for a lifetime.