Where to go from here?

I haven’t done much this weekend besides clean and organize, but I have been thinking all weekend about making a business plan. It’s really been on my mind lately and I know I need to sit down and figure out what direction my photography is going. I can’t continue to throw money into a website and gear if I’m not going any further than I have been the last few years. I don’t have that kind of cash flow from my current job to justify it.

So the next step is to give myself a sort of category to pursue and determine how to “break in” to that market. Will I pursue editorial prospects? Will I start portrait and lifestyle photography? Will I stick to landscapes? What about stock photography? My first instinct says to go towards editorial, but I know these days it is very difficult to break into true journalism and even harder to keep a business running on that pay alone. So the question becomes what will I do to supplement that missing income? That is where I think a solid business plan will help me. I hope.

Reading: Collapse by Jared Diamon

“Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed” by Jared Diamond

This book focuses on what elements cause societies to fail or succeed with comparisons of strikingly similar societies with two completely different outcomes. So far I am very much enjoying the book!

Photowalk 2010 – Manhattan, KS

This past weekend I had the opportunity to join in on the annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk that took place in Manhattan, KS (and other cities worldwide). I had a good time and got the chance to meet photographers in the area that share my hobby. Here’s a couple shots from the 3 hour walk that took place around downtown Manhattan, KS.

Tweets that mention Photowalk 2010 – Manhattan, KS » MergeImagery.com — Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Mazza, Melissa Mazza. Melissa Mazza said: New photos posted for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk 2010! http://www.mergeimagery.com/blog/2010/07/photowalk-2010-manhattan-ks/ #wwpw [...]26 July 2010 – 9:11 pm

Reading: Neverwhere

“Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman

A look at what a mysterious “underground” world might be like if it were hidden from our eyes – just below our noses. A clever fantasy novel that takes a mini-stab at how society looks down their noses at the homeless population. In the end it’s just good mystery/fantasy/dark fairy tale type fiction. If you’ve ever been to a major city with a largely used underground system it’s easy to see how a whole world could exist without us even knowing it.

Manhattan, KS

I’m still sinking my toes into Manhattan, KS. The city jokingly calls itself “The Little Apple” but there’s nothing much here that resembles New York City in any way. Regardless, there’s some very scenic areas and rolling hills that go against the stereotypical “flat as a pancake” Kansas idea that springs to mind. Here’s some shots of some nearby farm land around the lake and some of the Konza Prairie area. I also scouted out some awesome valleys in the Blue River Hills area but I couldn’t find a good place to park and walk around before the sun set.




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