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Home > Decisions, Decisions...

Decisions, Decisions...

April 7th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Today was a normal day, no too expensive either.

I spent $1 on lunch at McDonalds, but I can blame that on the fact that I was going to get food for a mother/daughter pair that I work with, that didn't have a car. But between the two of them, they spent $10.50 on food for lunch. This is very judgemental of me, but seriously... could you not save $2000 and get a car if you're going to spend $10 a day on lunch for two people?

Anyway. I also went to Walmart and picked up the roll of film I had getting developed, thinking it was the missing roll from our trip to the casino for me & BF's 21st birthdays. So 5 minutes and $8.50 later, I find out that it isn't the casino roll. It's a random camera that my little brother was snapping pictures with, so about 20 of the pictures have no faces in them. Then about 8 are from Halloween, pics of my brother & cousins trick-or-treating.

The good news is, I plan on getting some frames and using the pics of my cousins as some cheap Christmas gifts to my aunts/uncles. Smile

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Puppy Update: He has done pretty well today. He went as soon as I took him after work, and then I brought him inside and he ate. About 10 minutes later, I saw him circling around and took him out, and he immediately went #2. Smile

The night is young still... but hopefully we can get through it without an accident!

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I posted some of my old clothes to sell on CraigsList yesterday, and ever since then I've had something on my mind. There was a post on there about someone needing an amateur photographer to take some pics at their wedding reception, and it made me think about all the times that I've said "I'd really like to do that."

Now that I'm focused more than ever on controlling expenses and generating extra income (other than my salary), this is like a double-edged sword.

On one side, I genuinely think that it is something I would be able to manage effectively. I've always wanted to have something to do on the side to bring in some extra money every now and then, and I absolutely love pictures. If I could work as a freelance amateur photographer, I wouldn't have to be responsible for all the "big money" shots like at the alter and coming down the aisle, etc. I would really like to be able to focus on the in between moments.

On the other side of the argument, I would need to upgrade my camera. I have a very cheap digital one now that I've had for about 2 years. It's only like a 3 megapixel, and I would need at least a 9 MP. From the research I've done so far, I would end up paying in the neighborhood of $450 for a good resolution camera with multiple lense capability and the appropriate zoom features. This is by no means a "nice" photography camera, but it would do to start.

Anyway, out of curiosity, I emailed the person who had posted that ad. She responded saying that this is the second marriage for both her and her fiance, and they are not looking for anything fancy. I told her that I didn't have much experience, and that I would feel most comfortable if she had a professional photographer as a primary, and I would be the secondary.

To this, she said that they only need a few pics during the ceremony and then just a little while at the reception. I told her that if I was going to do it, I'd like to do it free of charge, and then if they liked any of the pictures that I took and wanted them, they could pay on a per-photo basis. This way, it's fairly risk-free for us both. She gets a free photographer and pics if she wants them, and I get experience without all the pressure.

Now she says that sounds perfect.

So I'm at a crossroads. Do I shell out the money for the camera and work my @$$ off to make some extra money, or do I forget about it?

Some other variables in my decision process: The wedding that I would be working is not until September, so there would be roughly 5 months for me to get the camera, get used to it, and make sure I feel comfortable with the quality photos I'm able to develop.

Also, as all of you who have read my blogs regarding BF's sister's shotgun wedding know, I will have a wedding to attend in June. This would be the perfect place for me to "practice" my wedding shots and see what I'm able to do. They won't have any photographer at all there (besides her mom w/ a disposable camera), so I'm sure she would appreciate any decent pics I'd be able to take.

BF says that I should do it, because "you only live once" and "you are good at everything you try". But I'm a little hesitant to spend the money. I have a $94 gift card to Walmart, assuming I could order the camera online, I could use that and cut down the cash cost to me. Also, I do have some money left over from my signing bonus that I haven't done anything with yet, so I would be able to pay for the camera out-right.

Ahhh... decisions, decisions.

5 Responses to “Decisions, Decisions...”

  1. dwallyfam Says:
    1207619008

    Get the camera. You will probably be great at taking the pictures and this way you will have a few months to play with it

  2. sillyoleme Says:
    1207621500

    Thanks dwallyfam! I am still debating, I change my mind about it about every 5 minutes.

    Another update on the pup... he did have one accident tonight. We were on a roll, three successful trips outside, and then tonight when I took him out again before bed, he just didn't go. I bring him back in, and he goes. What???

    Anyway, it's definitely an improvement. There's hope for the little guy after all!

  3. baselle Says:
    1207623131

    I think you should get the camera - put up your practice shots on your blog. Heck, they'll be better than mine - and I have a lot of fun putting mine up!

  4. Carolina Bound Says:
    1207664227

    All things considered, I think you should get the camera. It will open the opportunity to do more of this kind of work, and you already have $94 toward it!

  5. sagegirl Says:
    1207665538

    I say get the camera only if you think you will actually do more work like this. I think it would be a great idea for part-time work. I have a part time job as a dog walker and love it soooo much more than my full time office job. Side note--regarding the puppy--he will get it soon enough. Consistency is the key. Always take him out first thing in the AM, again after he eats or before you leave the house. Again when you get home, then after food, then before bed. If he is on a schedule, he will do so much better. Good luck!!

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