McMillan Studios

2011-06-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the doctors office with my son, I noticed the Bay Area Parent Magazine with a nice photograph on the cover of a recent graduate. I picked up the magazine and noticed that a young photographer that I occasionally use as a assistant had been given photo credit for the cover photograph. Excited for her, I called to congratulate her on her achievement, only to hear that "it was really no big deal". "Are you kidding me" I said, "you shot the cover of a magazine, that is a great achievement!" She insisted that "it really was no big deal"... then it hit me. I asked her, "did you get paid for it?" She replied, "NO!... Well, they gave me a quarter page add in the magazine". Well, if you consider a small advertisement, buried with other small advertisements, towards the rear of the magazine, that only runs for one month, in a very restricted area of the east bay... payment, FINE! I guess technically, anything you accept in return for your services is considered legal tender... even if it was a chicken, bag of rice, or a slap in the face. I'll bet, if she would have said, no thank you, I will take cash or check instead of the free add space, they would have found another hungry soul to prey on.

Over and over I have seen people promise the world in order to get what they want for next to nothing. The photo credit they so graciously gave her on the cover photograph is an industry standard, and really just the courteous and respectable thing to do. By no means is it a payment of any kind. I learned this the hard way when I was finally hired by Bullnose & Shaping Granite Counters. I had previously done two estimates for them on jobs that never happened because they could not afford my services. So, when he called the third time and immediately hired me to photograph the new kitchen for the cover of the magazine, you gotta figure he knows what to expect, right? Since he never asked for an estimate for this job, I figure, by now, he knows what I charge and he is finally serious about getting great shots. He mentioned that I would get photo credit for the cover shot and it would be great exposure. Soooo many people would see it, and in turn, they would call me for photography. Seriously... I've photographed 43 Playboy Playmates... and my work has been used internationally! This local, low budget magazine printed on shitty newspaper is going to launch my career! I knew better than that. But I smiled, and not even thinking that he actually thought that a photo credit line would be sufficient payment, said sure, I will photograph the kitchen for your magazine cover and wet bar for your feature story inside as well.

It wasn't until I visited the house to scout out the project, returned another day with all my lighting and photography equipment, photographed the kitchen and matching wet bar area, edited, retouched & cropped images to fit the magazine format, delivered finished files on DVD, and then mentioned that I would get the invoice out to him soon, that I got that look... that sh_tty look that only means one thing. I have just been royaly screwed. I knew right then that I had just done all that for a photo credit line. ARE YOU F___ING KIDDING ME! He did apologize for the "misunderstanding" as he backed away with his tail between his legs, and easily $2,000.00 of my knowledge, time, and talent in his hand. And there I stood... like a fool... with this photo credit line now in my wallet. I thought for a moment, maybe I am rushing to conclusions. Maybe this photo credit line really is worth something. I shut the door and proceeded back to my old, run down, rented kitchen only to realize that the cupboards were bare and the refrigerator was nearly empty. So, off to the grocery store I went.

I filled my grocery cart with food for me and my son and proceeded to the checkout line. Waiting my turn in line, and thinking about which credit card to pay for my groceries with, I remembered that I had this incredibly valuable photo credit line in my wallet. Hmmm... I wondered? The cashier greeted me with a smile and asked if I found everything alright. I replied, "yes, thank you!" She quickly scanned my items, pecking at the register like a woodpecker on crack, she lifted her head, looked at me and said... "your total is $173.16. I reached into my wallet and handed her my photo credit line. She looked at me ( like a woodpecker on crack) like I was crazy! She asked, "what's this?" I replied, "it's the photo credit line I received as payment for photographing the cover of a kitchen remodeling magazine... it's worth over $2,000.00. You know when a dog hears a weird sound... and they twist their head around, and their ears twitch... that's what she did to me, all the while looking like a woodpecker on crack that's hearing a weird sound! Apparently, nobody anywhere accepts photo credit lines as legal tender in the United States. I knew it! I handed her my credit card and just before finishing the transaction, she asked "would you like to make a donation to the Foundation for Granite Drilling Disasters?" I replied... "Sure... here's $2,000.00!"

Shame on you!

Loyalty, Quality & Value... Who needs it?

2011-06-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

I remember graduating Ohio University, with honors, determination, dreams, & my BFA in VISUAL COMMUNICATION-with a SPECIALIZATION IN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION. I still think that is a cool, and the best way to describe what I do for a living. Some people with cameras, call themselves Photographers. Does that make everyone with a medicine cabinet, a Doctor? Or, people with a paintbrush, an Artist? Ohio University had the third best Commercial Photography school in the country behind Brooks Institute & Rochester Institute of Technology. Heck, one of my professors worked (and wrote a book) with Ansel Adams. Somewhere, I still have the book he autographed for me along with his send off about how successful I would become. I am very proud of my achievements & the level to which I have refined my ability as a Commercial Photographer; and yet frequently amazed at how little VALUE that has to some people, and how quickly LOYALTY is tossed aside for the "guy" willing to push the shutter release button for next to nothin' and continue to drive our VALUE into the dirt. Guess what "guy", you're next! Unfortunately, there is someone behind you willing to do it cheaper next time! They just haven't found him yet... but they will!

2010-12-07T10:03:00.001-08:00

So sad to see the W.I.I.F.M. concept running rampant here in California. Apparently pronounced [wif-um] and it stands for "What's In It For Me". It seems that this WIIFM concept has led common courtesy, and doing the right thing... to becoming a thing of the past, unless of course, people have something to gain from it. Where I come from, we call that behavior "RUDE", "EGOTISTICAL" & "SELFISH". How about this... for the rest of the year... think of others & try putting them first. There is only 24 days left, then you can return to your rude, egotistical, selfish selves if you feel the need.
Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

Image shot to create buzz for the product launch of "B"... a new anti-aging make up system that is going to be a huge success!

Photography classes

2010-09-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

I remember when I graduated from Ohio University with a BS in Visual Communication with a specialization in Photo Illustration. I thought I knew it all! Then I walked into a commercial photo studio for my first interview. I was completely lost and felt like the last four years were a waste. There was equipment I had never seen before... so many lights, stands, boom arms, cards and people! I knew that after four years of college... I was just beginning my real education. So how do people learn photography? Either spend lots of time and money shooting and evaluating your results... or learn from a pro. I am thinking about offering classes to get people the knowledge they need to take the photos they want. Straight to the point! If you are interested or know someone that wants to learn from a pro. Have them contact me. I also will consult companies that want to shoot their own products but are not sure how to do it.

Wanted... Peolpe that appreciate Quality!

2010-09-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

It's all about quality and being proud about what I do. I demand high quality in the images I create. That is what drives me to do what I do. All my clients benefit from that mind set and work ethic.

Portrait & Networking Party

2010-02-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

Our portrait and networking parties are a huge success. We bring together professional hair stylists, makeup artists and photography to create professional portraits for your business card, web site, marketing materials, and social media sites. These portraits look like they were done for celebrities and high budget advertising campaigns. But the packages range from $50.00 - $150.00 and even include minor retouching!

Click on the link below to see the E-vite for the March 7th party, and get all the details of this great offer.

E-vite

2009-12-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

The New Studio is coming along nicely and will be ready for business very soon. Also keep in touch for my Grand Re-Opening party!!

NATIONAL CONFERENCE GOES HOLLYWOOD GLAM!

2009-07-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

A very successful insurance company owner was asked to be the keynote speaker at a national conference. The theme of this conference was Hollywood Glamour. She needed a photograph to be used in the advertising for the conference. This is what McMillan Studios did for her!

INSPIRATION!

2009-07-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

It is funny what inspires the artist in us. For me, it is as simple as watching my son wrestle with this new thing called the swim cap. Attempt after attempt... he just could not stretch that silly thing over his head. His frustration and determination (as his race gets closer and closer) becomes more a thing of panic and desperation. What I see is a series of images that represents how hard work and never giving up always pays off in the end. Besides that... trying to stretch rubber over your head contorts your face and skin in a way that just makes me laugh... try it sometime.

Sunset swim team

2009-07-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

So my son decided to join a swim team this year since baseball and soccer didn't use up every minute of his day. This turned out to be a good thing for him... and me too! I didn't have any photographs of him as a competitive swimmer... so I took some. He is the sepia toned image on the left. He is ten years old and one heck of an athlete!

Since I was at the meet photographing Austin in this new environment, I happen to grab a few frames of som e other accomplished swimmers that I knew would make great photographs. These are just a couple... more to come.

Fashion Shoot...

2009-07-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been waiting for days for approval to shoot in the abandoned buildings on the Delta in Stockton. Just got word that it is a go! Finally, now just need to figure out what I am going to do. This is gonna be good!

On the edge!

2009-07-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

I can feel it in the air... something really great is going to happen soon!