Out With Outtakes!

I've taken "outtake" out of my vocabulary!

What is an outtake anyway? some kind of outcast image...the unwanted photos, the left behind sketches, the unapproved layouts, the extras, the unused but somehow not forgotten...and always desired as "free-bees".

You wouldn't sell unfinished paintings or give away your painting sketches without charging something for them! So why is it photographers always get asked for their outtakes? Are there really any unwanted photos? If they want 'em, charge for them!

If you wouldn't show them to the public, don't show them to your client.

Charge by the image, not by the hour.
The trick in any creative endeavor, is to value your time, which is ultimately money. But valuing your end product may be even more tricky. How can you really value how much or little time or inspiration you put into something. Time may be irrelevant compared to the life time of work you've put into learning a skill.

So in learning to bid on a project...ask them what their budget is. Show them what you can do for them with that budget. Then show them how much more you can offer with a slightly higher and a very much larger budget.

Do Over's

I've been thinking a lot about my own life, how quickly it goes by and how precious it really is.
I love this poem attributed to Erma Bombeck, one of the country's most popular newspaper columnists and a best-selling author.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.