Ordering Prints

Recently, I took some prints that I had ordered from my site to a some of the bands that I shoot. For KC/DC it was part of my rate/offer/whatever to go down to Ft. Scott to shoot their performance last month; six 8" x 10" copies (they were actually 8x12). And then later I ran into the singer for 90 Minutes and showed him some other prints of his band that I had also ordered with the intent of promoting prints from my site. A week earlier I gave a 12" x 18" print to Zach from Shots Fired.

They were thrilled with the prints, which is great. It basically confirmed my feeling that to see a photo in print -- and a great quality print at that -- has a more profound impact than seeing the same photo on a computer screen. Something makes it more "real". Especially when it's printed at a larger size, like the 8x12s and especially the 12x18 print of KC/DC that I made (I think they're all arm wrestling over it to see who gets that one).

But I also realized people aren't fully aware -- or are only aware of it in the abstract -- that they can order prints and that I myself don't actually print them on my inkjet. When the order is placed a professional print shop in Georgia processes the order and mails them directly to the customer. I myself never see the credit card numbers or whatever. It's a totally secure billing system. In other words, they can order as many prints as they want.

And like I said, the quality is great. I have to option of featuring matte prints and glossy prints, but I don't use them because lustre prints are the best and that's the only type I feature.

I've pretty much decided on including an 8x10 or 8x12 print (one per band member if it's a band; probably five or so if it's a individual/couple portrait) as part of my rate/services, in addition to a CD of the pics. And they can order copies of extra prints from my site, although they could (kinda/sorta) save the money and make the prints at home with the CD or take it to Walgreens. On the face of it those are cheaper options, I guess, but the cost of ink and paper (and even Walgreens) means it's not exactly free...and the prints from my site are far far better.

But essentially this is a shout at that you can order prints from my site. So do it! :)

Jimmy Jam, Part 2

It's been a while since the last post. I had meant to do a follow up on Jimmy Jam, but over the course of time did not get around to it. It was a great experience and seeing so many great bands who are all my friends jam together at the same time was fantastic. Everyone involved loved it so much that all the bands signed on to do it again later this summer at another venue (although not necessarily as a benefit for Jim per se, but as another All Star Band Show).

(Above: David, background; Bill, kneeling; Jim--the man of the hour--one being knelt to.)

So I shot the entire event and the photos were great. The gallery can be viewed here. Originally the idea was that I was going to donate all the proceeds from print orders from this event to Jim. And I was going to push--hard--to motivate and get people to order said prints. But then in emailing Jim on the subject he insisted that I did not need to donate any profits to him but instead to consider it in trade for a proper photo shoot of the band. Which put me in something of a bind because it wasn't an empty gesture I was making to donate the profits and make myself look good.

It also took the steam out of the campaign I was planning to promote print orders; saying the profits would go in trade for a photo shoot of the band isn't nearly as compelling as donating the money to Jim and his family. So the whole thing kind of stalled.

But I'm not complaining or in any way intending to express any negative vibes. I'm simply laying out a conundrum I've encountered as a quasi-hobbyist-freelancer-wannabe-pro-in-training. I want to make a sincere gesture and legitimately contribute to helping Jim out, but he has a good solution to dealing with it, and one that plays precisely into my efforts to hone my studio lighting/posed photography pretentions/ambitions. (And considering I hadn't pushed the print sales, there is very little on the money side at this point, anyway.)

But anyway, all that aside, it was truly a great night for everyone involved and Jim was extraordinarily touched by everyone's support. I felt great to be a part of it and capture the event.