Puzzles are Here!

My second line of jigsaw puzzles are here! They actually arrived three weeks earlier than expected.  That's great for all the folks who pre-ordered, because those are out in the mail already!

For everyone else, you can order your puzzle (or puzzles) right now by visiting my STORE and going through the regular process. 

These are 1,000 pieces, and measure 20x28 when you put them together. That's a pretty big size! They are factory boxed and sealed, ready to go.

I expect to ship every two to three days (because really who wants to go to the Post Office every day) unless I'm out of town, and I'll get to those orders as soon as I return. 

Four styles to choose from!

I picked these four images because I thought they would make puzzles that were somewhat challenging, and would look awesome if you glued them together and hung them up on your wall.  Each of these for sure meets those criteria. 

Quantities are limited, with less than 10 of each style remaining after the pre-orders went out. Act fast to get yours before they're gone!

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric

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Relying on the Help of Others

As a creative person, whether you’re an artist, a musician, or a photographer, it’s hard to give up control. Even though we might avoid asking others for help, it can certainly be necessary, and ultimately beneficial.

Case in point: I have three photo shoots scheduled out of state next week, and at this moment, I don’t know where any of them are taking place.

For me, this is terrifying on a couple levels.
First, for a quality vehicle photo shoot, location can be EVERYTHING. The wrong background, and a great car can appear mediocre. I like to say ‘The car is the star’, but a questionable location can neutralize an otherwise killer shot.
Second, since I’m not in the area, I must enlist the car owners to do the location scouting, something I normally do myself.  I need their help in finding just the right spot.

I try to give a few suggestions of what would look good for their particular car, and send them out into their world to scout potential shoot spots. What happens next is usually a back and forth exchange of emails and photos, narrowing down what they found to what we both think works the best.

When shoot day arrives, 95% of the time it works out great. The other 5% we need to call an audible and find a new location in a hurry. I’ve been kicked out of places, had a location just be too small to shoot in, and of course there’s that time the Cops shut us down (at least we were done when they arrived).

Looking back through my 20 (so far) magazine cover pieces, eight of them were taken at locations where I had to ask the owner for help.

This set of circumstances is just one example of relying on the help of others. As much as we may not like having to do it, since it can be uncomfortable or intimidating, asking for help can absolutely be advantageous. So open up, don’t be frightened to say ‘Hey, I could use your help’.

I’m sure the three shoots I mentioned above are going to be awesome, I just need help in getting them there, so I asked.

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric

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I Hate All of My Photos

That's not a typo. Even the shots I love, I hate. Let me explain, or at least try to.

In today's landscape of instant gratification, social media, likes & loves, it's too easy to get a false sense of security in your art.
Comments, Likes, Loves...these are all great things. They show folks are engaged enough with my photos to interact, and I love interacting with all of you.  I must be posting good stuff, right? 

This is how it goes from my side. By the time a photo makes its way to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or my website, I've already seen it at least four times (likely more). I have analyzed it, edited it, perhaps edited it a second or third time, placed a watermark on it, and made it into a web-friendly size. 
All I see by this point is what's wrong with it.  'Oh, I could have done this to make it better' or 'I wish I had done this' or 'I missed this opportunity' or 'If my shutter speed was X instead of Y this would have happened'.

Allow me to present one of my most popular photos: David R's Patina Oval.

                     The FIRST EVER Patina car to be featured in Hot VWs Magazine

This shot was a big deal. It was the FIRST EVER Patina car to get a feature in Hot VWs Magazine. The first, EVER.   

I spent over three hours editing this shot.  I've sold quite a few prints of this photo, I have it framed and hanging in my home, and it was a two-page spread in the magazine. 
All I see is the shadow across the old screen door to the left of the bug's hood. I could have killed that shadow with a fourth flash inside the barn, but I completely missed it at the time.  It's still an awesome shot, and I love it, but at the same time I hate it. 
Does that make sense? I don't know, but that's how it is in my head.

I'm like this with Every. Single. Photo. It's never good enough. I love it, and I hate it. 
Maybe it's a case of being a perfectionist, or my own worst critic, but that's a job somebody has to do. Right? 

I try to take it as an opportunity to learn, and plan for future photo shoots and events. Gathering up all that introspection and self criticism, and turning it into a positive during the next shoot, and the next shoot, and the next event, and the next event... Remember what I learned from this shot, and that shot, and apply it here. 

Always evaluating, always learning, always humble, always grateful for your attention.

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric

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How To Catch Up When You're Behind

Right now, I'm behind...by a lot, and I mean a LOT!
I have photos from weeks ago which I haven't had time to touch yet. They're saved, and they're backed up, but they're just sitting there, patiently waiting to be tended to.
To top it off, I'm headed directly into another three day event, and that's going to back me up even more. 

Still, hope is not lost. 

How do I work through a situation like this? Let me break it down.

1. Step back, take a breath. Meditate if that's your thing. At least take some deep breaths. Clear your head.
2. Make a list. When I'm behind, I HAVE to write down what needs to be done. Write it all down. It doesn't have to be in any particular order, just make sure you get it all. Every item, every step.
3. Put that list in an order that makes sense. Have a deadline on a project? That becomes number one. If chronological makes sense, there is your order. Will it be easier to do 'Project Y' before 'Project X'? Maybe that's your sequence. Figure out what will work best for your flow, and create your order of operations. 
4. Make time. Set aside the time you need to start working. Everything will get done eventually, but it go more quickly if you actively have blocks of time scheduled.
5. Work. To borrow a phrase: 'Just Do It'  It's not going to get done if you don't hunker down and get cranking. 

I had to go through these steps when I returned from the Blackstar Campout/El Prado VW Weekend.  
My list looks something like this:
1. Prado - Edit, upload to website & Facebook
2. Blackstar Campout - Edit, upload to website & Facebook
3. OCTO - Edit, upload to website & Facebook
4. Things West - Edit, upload to website & Facebook, deliver to Magazine
5. Thing photo shoot - Edit, deliver to car owner
6. Kenworth photo shoot - Edit, delver to Magazine
7. Wheel Jam Event - Edit, deliver to Magazine
8. Las Vegas Car Stars Event (all 3 days) - Shoot, Edit, deliver to Promoter

We are talking about THOUSANDS of photos here. 

Step 1 (Prado) is happening tonight (June 13). Step 2 I'm hoping will be completed Friday morning. 
Step by step, it will be completed.

The moral of this post is don't freak out, don't get discouraged. Get organized and get motivated. 

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric

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What's In My Bag?

So you want to know what's in my camera bag? Well, there's a camera body and some lenses, naturally, but what else do I take along on a shoot or to an event? 

Here's a quick run-down of those miscellaneous items I carry, because you just never know.

Memory Cards - The last thing you want to do while traveling, is run out of memory.
Circular Polarizing Filter - Helps get rid of unwanted reflections on shiny cars.
Camera rain cover - Hey, it rains. When it does, I'm ready.
Cleaning cloth - Dust on a lens is bad.
Spare Eyepiece - I seem to lose these a lot.
Notepad & Pen - Mostly for getting owner contact info at shows, also for quick notes.
Clif Bars - My go-to for on the go eating. Easy to carry and pretty filling. 
Business Cards & Photo Shoot Cards - Always ready with my most requested info.
Small Tripod - For those times my big tripod is too much.

I'm sure there is more inside the bag I'm forgetting, some loose change, maybe some Excedrin & Claritin, a couple stickers, and a few odd-ball things, but you get the gist! 

What I really know...it's HEAVY! 

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric

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What's Involved with Booking a Shoot for your Vehicle?

So you decide it's time to get some quality photos of your ride. Great! But what is the process? How does it work? What do you need to do? Well, let's go through it!

Step 1: Check out my available Packages. The detail page show what's included in each available package. NOTE: The detail page talks a lot about the Las Vegas area. If you are not in Vegas, that's fine! Just know that if you're somewhere that involves traveling, that changes the cost. Most out of town folks try to schedule around a time I'll already be in their area for an event, or they get a few friends to also book shoots, so that helps keep the extra costs down.

Step 2: Contact me. It's easy...just send me an email at EricArnoldPhotography@gmail.com and let me know you're ready to book! Tell me where you're located, what kind of vehicle you have, and which package you're interested in.  

Step 3: Pick the date. We will do this together, since we need a day/time that works for both of us. If you have an idea of when you would like to shoot before you email me in Step 2, please include it with your info. 

Step 4: Pay your deposit. All personal vehicle shoots require a deposit to secure the date/time. This protects us both. Details will be included in our email correspondence. 

Step 5: Pick a location. For a lot of folks, this is the hardest part. Don't worry though, I can assist! Here are a few guidelines which might help you pick the right spot. You can always send me your ideas and I can weigh in on if I think it would be a good fit for your car.

1. Somewhere meaningful to you. Do you have a location that means something special to you? Maybe where you had a special occasion, or the first place you drove your significant other after you bought the car, or the shop who helped you with the car, you get the idea.

2. Some place interesting. Are there buildings with awesome architecture in your area which could make a great backdrop for your car? Maybe there's a lake, or a scenic overlook that would be cool. 

3. A spot where there aren't a lot of people. Do you want a bunch of random folks in the background? Probably not.

4. Light. Think about the time of day we'll be shooting, and where the sun will be at that time. If your car looks its best in the sun, we'll want that sun exposure. 

5. Interesting, but not distracting. Your car is the star. Location is important, but you likely don't want the location to be dominating. 

Step 6: Get ready. If you have any final details to get done on your ride, now is the time! Unless dirt is your thing, tidy up your car for shoot day. Outside and inside.
The interior of your car is going to photograph better if it's not cluttered with your registration paperwork, random water bottles, parking stubs, etc. If you have a theme, theme it up! 
For the exterior, if you have a shiny paint job, you might want to wax & polish it. If you roll patina, at least knock the dust off. Either way, clean the glass so it's as streak free as possible. Stickers are awesome, streaks are bad. 

Step 7: Shoot Day. Be early. I recommend showing up at the shoot location 10-15 minutes early so you can dial in any last minute details. Bring glass cleaner, your favorite detail spray, and some rags. You never know what you're going to drive through to get to the shoot spot, and you want to be able to clean up if needed. 
Also be ready to have YOUR photo taken with the car. Wear something you would want in the pics. In a club? Wear your club shirt. Are flip-flops your go-to? Bring 'em. Jacket covered in patches? Love it. You get the idea.
One more thing, bring a camp chair or something to sit on while the shoot is going on, just in case you get tired of standing around.

Step 8: Be involved with the shoot. It's cool to ask questions, point out special features, and request specific shots be taken. Or, you can just hang out and let me do my thing. I'm totally cool either way. I want you to be comfortable and happy. It's all good. 

Step 9: After the shoot, all you have to do is give me time to edit your photos and select the best of the best to be part of your package. Digital photo delivery generally happens pretty quickly, if there's anything that could cause a delay I will certainly let you know up front.
Each package includes a photo print, so you will pick one of the shots to have printed. Any additional prints you order will be at a discounted price. Those details are on the package page. 

That's about it! Seems like a lot, but I wanted to be thorough so you really know what to expect when you decide it's time to book a shot.  If you have any questions at all, just contact me or leave a comment below and I'll answer as quickly as I can. 
If you would like to see what my photo shoot clients are saying about their experiences, check out my Reviews page.

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric
 

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May & June 2018 Travel Plans

Let's face it, summers in Las Vegas are HOT. Like, if the sun is out you stay inside hot. We had record breaking heat already this year...and it's only going to get hotter.  Due to the heat, there isn't much happening photo-wise, unless it's early in the morning or after the sun goes down. 

It's a good time to hit the road. 

I seem to be making the trek to Salt Lake City, Utah each May for the last couple years, and this year it's happening again. I head there Friday, May 25th, I shoot on Saturday the 26th, and drive right back home. Out and back.

Just four DAYS later, I hop on a plane for South Dakota. I'll be covering the Wheel Jam (Semi Truck) Event again this year for LargeCar Magazine. I hop off the plane, drive one hour to a local farm where I'm doing a truck feature shoot, then drive another couple hours to the event site. It's a three day event, with a TON going on. I had a lot of fun last year, and am happy to be returning. 

I fly home that Sunday (Jun 3rd), and start packing to do some VW Camping at Blackstar in Southern California. Thursday the 7th I'll be driving my 1977 VW camper to Prado Regional Park in Chino to spend four days photographing the largest gathering of VWs in the country. There are a lot of things happening during these four days (Blackstar Campout, OCTO, Things West, Prado and more), so it will be non-stop go go go! Back home late that Sunday night.

While I'll be back home in Las Vegas, the same week I go right into Las Vegas Car Stars; an annual gathering of movie & TV vehicles at the Fremont Street Experience (and some other locations too). Another three days of events! 

I expect things to slow down a bit after that, because like I mentioned, it's just too darn hot! Still, you never know who is going to call, or where I'll be headed next!

Are you ready? I'm ready.
Eric
 

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Why a Blog?

It's Wednesday, May 9, 2018, and this is my first blog post. 
You may ask "Why start a blog after so many YEARS in the photography business?"  I say...Why not?!  I have things to say which could be helpful to some, thought provoking to others, annoying to a few, or awesome for everyone.

My goal for this space is to elaborate on my photo business experiences, the Ups and the Downs, so you can get an eye into what life is like for a photographer in the world today.  Sure, parts of it is glamorous, but other parts of it are much less so.  Stay tuned, you will see both sides.

Another thing you will see is recaps of events and feature shoots. It's tough to go into a lot of detail on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, so that will live here.

Think of this blog as a stream of consciousness, with just a little bit of filtering. I'm going to write, and post, without too much content editing. I tend to obsess over what I write, and there's certainly a place for that (magazine articles, etc), but I don't want to overthink this. It will be more raw.

I hope you're ready. I'm ready.

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