So I had no idea that my original post about photographer camaraderie would be so popular and with some individuals cause such a firestorm.  I am very thankful to all that have supported this way of thinking.  To those who disagree I would like to give some background to the impetus of my post.

I posted the photo of Jerry Avenaim and myself because Jerry was the photographer who helped, mentored and still does help me with anything I need related to photography including any issues I may have in my personal life.  Jerry is a world famous fashion celebrity photographer and is very approachable.  In that photo in the original post we are riding in the back of a limo because we BOTH worked a job out in Vegas that he got for me. The job required two shooters and Jerry called me.   We were on our way to the shoot location. He is a friend as well as a colleague that I respect and value immensely.  We have been friends for many years, we’ve had our up’s and downs just like any good friends do and over those years he has taught me to respect everyone and to pay it forward and that when you give you also get back tenfold.

When you attend one of his lectures like I have, he shares his values and his voyage of self discovery.  His story is very moving and got me thinking even more.  The bottom line is that yes we are photographers and sometimes our job is glamorous and fun but at the end of the day we are all human. We all put our pants on one leg at a time.  We all make mistakes.  As much as we think we can do it all alone, the fact is we can’t.  We need help just like no matter how old we are we still need our parents.

As photographers we all have a heart and it is that very fact that having a heart is what makes us good photographers.  My point and Jerry’s point is don’t just use your heart to advance your photography career, use it to be a better person, a more caring person and in the end you will be helping others as well as yourself.  And that way of thinking my friends is what helps me get through each day and keeps me going to make great photography and  great friends.

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Photographers of all types listen up !  It is time to STOP hoarding all your “secret” information and START to share it !  I am very upset and disappointed in many photographers today because they think they are Gods gift to photography and that the technique and information they have is exclusive to them only.  They think that they are the ones who invented the god dam light bulb and I am TIRED AND FED UP with that kind of thinking.  There is nothing out there that hasn’t been done. The difference is how each photographer adds his or her twist on the concept.  I could light the shot, shoot 10 frames, then you shoot 10 frames and our images will be totally different.

I bring this up because I can’t tell you how many times guys call me or email me asking for advice and I can hear the apprehension in their voice as they must sit there quivering with fright whether or not I am going to be a total dick and bite their head off.   Then when I begin to speak and give them every ounce of energy and information I have they loosen up so much you would think we are best friends.  Then they tell me how many other shooters they have called and all they get are answers like “learn it yourself” or “I’m not your mother” or literally the photographer will just hang up on them !

So the other day a very nice gentleman named Kevin  emailed me with some questions about contracts and business essentials. I emailed him back & told him to call me because there is sooooo much information that I would be sitting at the computer for days.  So anyway he calls me the next day and talked about many things.  I told him how important it is to have a contract, deposit etc.  He asked if I would email him one of my contracts and you know what ? I emailed it to him right away.  He was so happy and thankful.  And I was happy as well  because hopefully it will bring his business standards up to par with mine and my colleagues and the next time I get a call for a project the client will know what to expect.

For example, usage rights, terms, day rates etc. I am embarrassed that MOST of the new guys don’t know to charge for usage and they don’t even bother to find out !!!!

When I started in this business the internet didn’t even exist and I found out all I needed to know WITHOUT even going to school.  Now  that we have the internet please give me ONE reason why ANYONE cannot find out what they need to know about photography or anything for that matter.

So now that Kevin has information about how to write up a contract and how to charge usage fees and day rates do you think that I will be put out of business ?  Hell no !

This bullshit of everyone being so closed minded and protective of  any info like locations, rates, technique etc. is THE reason there will never be a photographers union.  Think about it people.  In the movie industry there are unions and they are a good thing.  Christ there are location resource books and prop resource books and even technique books that DP’s share with each other and there has never been a problem.

So I am here to get tough with you all and say… grab your balls, DROP your egos, study, learn, research, share your talent and make friends.  In the long run you will be better off because you WILL make the rates you are supposed to make like I make and my colleagues make.  But if you keep this behavior up you are only f * * king it up for yourselves for the future because you will never know what it feels like to make VERY good money and be paid very well for what you are good at.

Now go ahead and hit me with all ya got !  I’m ready to take it on !  lol

jerry avenaim and jason christopher fashion photographers

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