February 16, 2007
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-Stephen Anthony
Photography- ?????Lingering Aurora
In regards to my previous post, I would like to thank everyone for commenting on my work, supporting and encouraging me along my journey as a photographer. I have been having a joyous time doing what I do and the ride has been sweet so far. I haven’t even begun to breach my potential as a photographer but I am very eager to learn more and as much as I possibly can. While the digital photography world grows competitive it is easy to lose people among a sea of photographers. I know I am still developing my style and consistency but I’m not sure if its exactly up to par. In fact, I am no where near where I want to be. My way to learning and expanding my photography comes through with learning from some of the best and inspiring artist on the market today. Scott Robert & Becker Photography has been among many other artist that inspire me to take my work to a higher level. There also many other fresh new artist on the market who inspire and encourage to follow dreams and do what you love. Junshien’s Photography and abilities to deliver powerful imagery go beyond just looking through the view finder and taking a photo; rather his ability to see and capture life as it comes. Many of these people I’ve connected with I have not yet met in person but they and especially YOU are my support group, my life line to success. However, ultimately my success is driven by the one who created all things, God. I may not become famous, I may not be even known for any of my work but I’m still going to snap away. Why? Because I LOVE IT!
On another exciting note, I will be given an opportunity to learn from one of the nations top premiere wedding photographer, Scott Robert. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to attend one of his workshops in the following month. Can’t wait!
While I am looking to jump start my career in photography, I am also interviewing for jobs around where I live to support myself, photography wont happen for me without a little investment (proper equipment) so I’ve been funding my photography accessories with my current job all while looking for another job/career while starting my photography career too! =) Many of you have encouraged me that its doable and I believe so too. If fact, I should know so since I know some people currently doing it now haha! Now the only thing I am not fully equipped with yet is wedding photography experience. I would easily want to jump on a opportunity to shoot a wedding but the idea of never shooting a wedding scares me a little. Never done it before, been in tons of weddings but never from a photographers stand point. I thought about shadowing before I ever jump into this area. I guess, what I’m really getting at here is how on earth do you get started? I know I’ll find more at Scott Roberts workshop but the question dangles over my head still. I mean, why would anyone want to hire me if I haven’t even shot a single wedding yet? Perhaps I’ll have a chance to shoot a family wedding or a close family friend, who knows. But having someone picking up my business card and asking about my photography is a bit intimidating, especially with no experience! =) Or maybe I should just adopt Nike’s motto, “Just Do It.” =)
Meanwhile, my priority right now is thinking of a name for my photography that is marketable. You’re all probably aware that I use a strange signature on all my photography work, “KUTSUJUH.” Now what on earth does Kutsujuh mean exactly? To tell you the truth, I have no idea myself, haha. I pretty much made up the name myself and thought it sounded awesome but it was never intended for my photography work. It actually first appeared as my AIM screen name and later I adopted it to my photography work. Some of you might like it but its definitely not marketable and no one would take me or my work seriously. So for starters you might notice that I have a new tag or signature on my photo above…“[SA] Photography“ aka – Stephen Anthony Photography. I have not fully decided if this is the name I want to use for sure yet but so far its my best lead(not very creative but it works). Some of you whom I’ve asked have felt that its a solid name some of you thought it sounded like a law firm or a financial institution or even something catholic, haha. Yes, catholic but whatever.
People are entitled to their own opinions and those were some honest responses. What do you think of the name? I’ve thought of names but all these patents were taken by other photographers. I know I don’t have to use my name but so far I don’t have anything creative enough, striking or that simply not taken yet. Comments warmly welcomed! 
On this journey of life, the most amazing part of what I’m doing in photography is that my parents fully support me along with the rest of my extended family. Beyond what I do or what careers I’ll pursue, they have been my backbone. There is something about my parents supporting me that powerfully moves me even more. I am truly blessed!
Oh, one more thing. How do you accurately calibrate your monitor to give your photographs their true color. How can I be sure what I see is what other see. I’ve had a comment or two on some of my work and sometimes I wonder if what I’m seeing or editing is what I really want people to see! I really need to take a look at my work on other peoples computers because I have no idea!
Live While You Live…because you only live once and it goes fast!
Thanks for reading, Steve
Comments (30)
stephen anthony!!!!
=)
love your work steve-o.
for calibrating, you can get a huey, or any other monitor calibrating tool for that matter. check here. it’s a pretty straight forward process. hey how did you check the patents on the photographer company names? ive been kinda doing the same thing youve been doing. trying to get my name out there, but i dont want to have the same name as somebody else does. oh and cool shot by the way
dont worry about how other people see your work.. chances are, its THEIR monitor that needs calibration and not yours… go huey…
:coolman:
Mega post! Good journaling.:heartbeat:
Have you read Scott’s story? He shot a bunch of friend’s weddings to learn.
There are so many people getting married- It seems you could find someone that can’t afford a photgrapher (like college students) and learn and build a portfolio by helping them.
For instance… My other nephew is getting married on Mother’s Day. They only have $5,000 to spend on the whole wedding, so I’ve been asked to photgraph their it, cause I’ll do it for free.:spinning: If you want to come down to Laguna Beach and take charge, I’ll be your assistant, and can put you up in our guest room! I’m serious.
ps…Stephen Anthony is easy to pronounce and remember (just like Scott Robert)
It sounds professional and even romantic
what is your last name? i’m assuming that anthony is your middle name. sometimes middle names can work, but if your last name is simple and easy to spell, that might be better.
am i starting a trend with first and middle name studios? hahaha. My class is going to give you soooo much advise and your gonna start it off right and not make a bunch of mistakes i did! so looking forward to meeting you!!!
Check out wiggleurbigtoe She just finished working as an assistant to another photographer and learnt so much
woot! great post. i’m proud of you bro!
awesome :wave: go for it and He will bless you lots!! knew you always had it in you!! :goodjob:
Stephen Anthony, I love it!!! Then name is very smooth. Remember, where God guides, He provides. He will guide you and provide you funds, opportunities, clients, and so forth.
great post, on the other hand, calibration systems cost a lot. if you are still in school ask if you could check one out to do it at home. we have at my school
if not I guess you could always rent one
hey dude.
i support you!
i know you’ll become a fantasic photoguy!
don’t let people tell you that you can’t do it.
believe in yourself.
I like Stephen Anthony Photography a lot! I have to say the [ ] brackets are Becker’s trademark. You want to be original. I would try and find someone you can barter services with that does Corporate Identity work. Maybe someone starting off where you can both benefit from each other. That person maybe a college student might need photos for their website. And this is a good way to get a nice, creative identity for your business. If you’re looking to break into wedding photography, check out Bella Pictures, they are a great company that helps you master your craft and build your portfolio. Your work is amazing!!! I was so happy to hear that you have supportive parents!!! You can do and be whatever it is you put your mind too. And it always helps when your surrounded by people who you and want to be supportive! ~ Dawn
Stephen Anthony sounds professional and its got a nice ring to it.. but I dont like it abbreviated to [SA] Photography…
I’ve been meaning to check out huey also because while I was working on my websites.. I kept wondering to myself if what I’m seeing on my monitor will reflect what others see too! I also found out that one of my friend was colorblind.. but its not the kind of colorblindness where you only see the world in black and white. Its different than that.. like have you ever taken one of those color tests where you try to look for a number in a circle? He seriously wouldn’t be able to find some of the numbers because he has some color deficiencies. When we look at colors together, I would see olive green but he’d see brown. And if you were to put yellow and lime green together, he’d say the lime green was yellow too! Its really trippy! He even bought a purple shirt one time because he thought it was brown or something. HAHA! Well its not nice to make fun of his handicap but we mess with him sometimes just so we can make him see what we see.
Long story short, I realized that you cant satisfy everyone when it comes to things like this. If your work is great work it’ll definately shine through whether they see the same picture or not.
Hey excellent post! I totally understand where your coming from, I feel that I’m at the same exact place in my own photography. I’m debating on going out and attending Scott’s mentor ship class myself. I really feel like I need a mentor in the field who’s going to help me and advice me along the way.
I pray that God shows you what path you are to take in this amazing world of photography!
Have a great weekend!
Christina
PS – I think the name Stephen Anthony sounds fantastic!
yo wasabio! I got the pics =P thanks hahaha yay for taking pics! following your dreams don’t always mean jumping in head first but taking your time balancing all important areas of your life :coolman:
Go with whatever name you feel like. If you are good enough, people will make an effort to remember your name.
Just depends on whether you want to have mercy on them by choosing a simpler name.
I’ve been going by my first and middle name since before I met anybody in the photography business, I picked “Matthew Saville” simply because it sounded a little more artistic than “Matt Baldon”…
I too am inspired by all the othe local wedding photogs like Becker and Scott Robert, but then sometimes I feel very daunted, or I get weary of putting every fleeting moment into it when the interest or “rave” in your work slows to a trickle or dries up altogether. Basically, what it boils down to is the fact that nobody else is going to start your career for you. If you don’t make it happen, it’s not going to happen.
In any case, you do great work and I wish you the best of luck, as a fellow photographer in the same exact boat as you. (and you’re my competition!)
PS- I just rented a calibration system from a local camera store, for $10 or $15 I beleive. That’s great for one-time calibration, but if you have an LCD you usually want to calibrate it once a month, at which point it becomes lucrative to go out and buy your own system. I’m definitely saving up for one!
-Matt-
I love the “depth” in the sky
wow, that’s amazing! proud of you too. :wave:
i like the name a lot!
Photos of clouds and the blue sky can be so dramatic – I really like this photo. Kudos on your effort to leap into photography as your main source of income.
thanks, glad you like them!
i’ve been around, and you know where! =) more than that, i feel like i just found out what you’ve been up to. LOOKING GOOD
:eprop: :eprop:
LOL
yah what you see in his face are “
candle wax
green tea whipped cream
seaweed
and well, you dont wanna know the rest, and to be honest I Dont really rememeber it kekekeke
thanks dude, best of luck with the career in photography …
wish i could attend one of those scott robert workshops but im located in australia –”
beautiful. beautiful.
actually, yes, if you could check the PSD and the JPG they look waaay different
and even with the same monitor, so I take that monitor calibration has nothing to do with it
RYC: yup, pertty gal