Ah, the source of our freelance pain revealed.....

The last wooden slats in the Paris Metro.

I hear a lot of people talk about how digital is changing everything.  The premise being that a lot of newbies have flooded into the market and they are actively stealing the work from seasoned pros.  I've been nosing around. Free people aren't stealing our work. I've been meeting with clients and friends in the ad and corporate worlds. They aren't hiring cheaper photographers. They're just not hiring anyone.

Here's supporting evidence. Sales tax revenues in Texas (a state LEAST affected by the depression) has seen double digit declines in the sales tax rate since last March. April 2010 and March 2010 are the first two months since then that have ONLY shown single digit declines in sales tax revenue. Which means spending is still dropping. Only when sales tax rev heads to positive growth will we see any of the peripheral (discretionary spending) markets recover.

Now I see why it feels like a I've been baling a boat with a thimble. The leak is bigger than I thought. But none of this means that cheaper camera dudes are stealing our work. Just ain't none to steal.  But it doesn't mean that photography will never be profitable again!

Hold on. We'll make it.

It's all about the happiness.

No matter where you are right now in your occupational journey I can pretty much tell you that you'll never be satisfied. Work isn't like that.  You don't do the big project and then stand back and go, "Tada!"  If you are like most of us you say, "Cool.  That's done.  What's next?"  All the sturm und drang over the economy and the decimation of the photo industry mostly affects those who fear change.   And most of those who fear change are rooted into their fear by their own desires.  Bust up the feelings off desire and you break the cycle of soul decay and unhappiness.  It's like flossing.  You keep breaking up plaque deposits so the gum disease doesn't get you.

If your biggest desire is a good cup of coffee life will accommodate you pretty well.  If you must have a jet and a super model spouse and an island then desire might bitch slap you until you die.

In a post I put up several weeks ago I mentioned the Ruby Slippers.  At our core we are not photographers we're artists who've chosen, for now, to express ourselves with photographs.  The power comes from within.  Even if the media changes the art doesn't.  We just adapt to the new media.  We've had the power all along.  We just need to click our heals together and stop listening to the man behind the curtain.  We need to stop being paralyzed by the wicked witch of the west.  We need to stop looking for outside help and switch on that power.

I talk a lot about equipment but this whole game is really about seeing and sharing.  The equipment can make barriers.  The desire for equipment can make more barriers.  Just the right equipment can be transparent.  I'm migrating toward cheaper and cheaper gear because I believe more and more in my own power and less in the magic of the tool.  It's like learning to swim and slowly getting rid of the water wings.

The only real lessons I've ever learned are these:  Kindness matters.  Happiness comes from within.

Someone posted yesterday that even though I had a financially sucky year in 2009 that I was so optimistic.  Having made less money in 2009 sure gave me back a lot of my own time.  And I spent it in the pursuit of happiness.  Nice bargain, yes?

Edit:  Adding gear note:  Joe's coffee shop on South Congress Ave.  A small Mocha with whole milk.  Oh,  the camera?  That's an EP2 with an old 38mm 1.8 Pen F (film) lens from the late 1960's.