Post 12

When I first decided I wanted to pursue a career in photography, I did a number of things. One of the first things  I did was reach out to various businesses that I thought might need photos, such as realty offices, business men and women who may need photos for websites, and a local hockey team. The only response I got was from a hockey team, the Janesville Jets. The GM at the time told me that he would like for me to attend a game and take a few photos. The only problem was that I had to work the same day the next game was. I was pretty mad that I was missing such a great opportunity, but I crossed my fingers and hoped that the Jets would move on in the playoffs so I could make it to the next game. Unfortunately, the Jets lost the game and were out of the playoffs. I was almost certain that I had missed a major opportunity.

Then one day when I was sitting in my summer class, the new GM, Greg Hanthorn, contacted me and informed me that he would like to have me as a photographer for the Jets this season. I told him I was interested, and we met a few days later in his office.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be getting paid or not, but that would be the perfect situation. Not only would I be getting exposure, but I would be able to quit my job and begin my career as a photographer. However, Greg told me that there wasn't enough money in the budget to pay me, but he said I could do anything I wanted with the photos. I left the office that day not sure what I wanted to do. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to take the time off that would be required to make it to a good chunk of the home games, and I felt as though I should be paid for my services.

I told my parents about my situation, and the first thing that came up was money. When I told other people about my situation, the first thing that came up was money. It didn't take long for me to realize that even if I wasn't getting paid, this was too big of an opportunity to pass up. Not only would I be able to get into every home game in exchange for the photos I took from an undisturbed location, but this would be an excellent opportunity to improve my skills, establish myself, and get a sense of what being a photographer would be like.

Now that I look back on it, I'm not sure if I should be paid, at least not for the first couple of CDs I handed over. I was looking through the first photos I took of the Jets during their tryout camp this summer, and I was disgusted at the photos I had taken during that week. To be fair though, the camera I was using during that time wasn't even half the camera I use now. I do make some money from taking photos for the Jets, but that's just the icing on the cake compared to the marketing I've received from Greg. I think about where I would have been if I had turned down Greg, and I realize how much I would have missed out on. I feel as though I'll be able to look back on taking photos for the Jets years from now and it will always be what jumpstarted my career.