Day 4

"Who is Stephen Gerecke? This is what people need to know and the name to remember." Bonnie and Steve mention in latest meeting yesterday. A meeting called out of surprise.


"n2it (my business name) is nice and represents the communication company itself fine... But what does it have to do with you the photographer... The photographer and more so the person/identity that is going (can't say trying to go) to Africa?"

This is true.
I thought n2it is me because it's my work and efforts to offer my services.
But it's not. It's got nothing to do with me and at the moment vaguely reflects what I can do and offer.
I’m going at this the wrong way.
I sort of thought using my name would be sort of arrogant. I want to communicate through my images.
The message was important to relay.. not the messenger.
I have to stop being so dramatic about things in the photography field where I whine and complain about free shooting and the dying market etc etc etc....
I’ve been too old school when it comes to a market that doesn’t even exist anymore.
Markets work when you have groups of individuals (that saturate that given market) all on the same page with the same etiquette, principals and value system.
By sticking to a market you “believe” exists that doesn’t.. you better be sure you’re on the top of the food chain otherwise it’ll be at your own detriment.
The highly skilled, experienced, established etc... will continue to get the work (without share) while you lose more and more work to the ones that couldn't care less about or are simply ignorant of the so called market.
What one MUST be aware of is value of self and place in accordance with the industry itself and where that industry is heading, with or without you.
If free is what you offer.... free is what you’re worth. Simple.
I give up on market rates as long as it doesn’t affect my personal value. I choose to take part in a dying market as a freelancer and risk a lot of work for no reward. But i would rather my images not see the light of day then to accept credit only or poor rates.
What others do, as annoying as it can be, can’t nor shouldn’t concern me because in the end...it just doesn’t matter to them.
I furthermore devalue myself by complaining, instead of doing something about it as a professional, skilled and experienced photographer.

I can continually complain/suck it up and fade away” with the market.

OR

I can actively/aggressively do something about it to ADD FURTHER value, credibility, skill and experience to Stephen Gerecke, the person, the father, the photographer.
The photographer who is taking career to a whole new level. A market I've been addicted to but that can not sustain me or offer what I'm worth.
The photographer that seeks out ways to enspire you.. to awe you, to encourage you to enighten you.

Not just with what I can do (you can do too..in your

own way), but moreso what I can share with you through my captures!

This photo was sent to me by Frank yesterday (June 7 2010) taken from backyard of where I hope to be going!

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