17. May 2010 by Algernon.

As many of you know, I’m serving my country in the US Navy. I’m currently deployed and still practicing my photography. One of my photography goals at the beginning of cruise was to learn more about the business side of photography.

Being a photographer automatically makes you a businessperson. Dealing with clients, accounting, negotiating, marketing, etc. are all part of being a good photographer. From what I have learned you are a businessperson first and an artist second. Being a good businessperson is key to running a successful photography business.

When many of the sailor here found out that I “take nice pictures”, everybody wanted there picture taken. So, I thought about it and it was a great opportunity to learn to deal with clients. It’s kind of different though because a lot of the work is Navy related, so I couldn’t charge for my services. If I did charge, I would probably lose out on a learning experience because they could always get the ship’s photographers to do the work for them. Which I have been told that I’m a lot better than the ship’s photographers.

I try to treat the sailors as if they were paying customers. I talk to them about what they want. I shoot in a location that they choose. Sometimes they ask me what I suggest. I also shoot re-enlistment for some sailors. I’ve even shot sailors at work as you see in the above photo. The last re-enlistment I did, the sailor requested me over the ship’s photographers. After the photo is done, I offer them a CD with low-resolution images on it. They are able to email these photos to there loved ones and I have a satisfied customer. Satisfied customers equal business and word of mouth when I return from this deployment. Navy related projects such as posters, slideshow, etc. shows my talent and create potential clients.

I include contact info through metadata. And I also leave a word document on every CD with my info contact info. When I get home I should have a few clients just from my work being displayed throughout the ship. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool!

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21. April 2010 by Algernon.

These are the posters that will be used in today’s Career fair.  This morning I viewed the slideshow with my departmental Master Chief.  He likes the slideshow….  I was told that we will have the best table there…:-)  This is another project completed for the Navy…  Bring on the next one!

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25. March 2010 by Algernon.

This is a poster that I’m doing for the command DAPA onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. DAPA is Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor. The DAPA chief basically promotes drug and alcohol awareness. There are several slogans about the ship that promotes responsible drinking. This poster adds my slogan to that collection. My slogan is ‘The bridge to liberty risk is irresponsible drinking’. I was first approached because they needed pictures taken and the media department was really busy. I am know as the guy with the nice camera onboard. After doing the pictures, someone else did a poster. I absolutely hated the poster. It had my photos on it and basically made my work look bad. So I decided to do my own poster, not by anyones intruction. I just decided to work on something a little more appealing. After showing the poster to the DAPA chief, she loved it. So, now I’m working on another project for DAPA. I got the idea to do something for the ship from Jim Bryant, who is a former sailor now photographer. Those of you who are on DPS know who I’m refering to. Thanks Jim for all of your advice! I look forward to more of your advice…

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16. February 2010 by Algernon.

Sailor watching for anything suspicious during a military operation…

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19. January 2010 by Algernon.

     I just received my first care package today.  I was mostly stuff that I had forgotten and left behind.  My wife (pictured)was almost as excited as I was for me to receive a package that she sent.  She knows that I like jelly beans, so she sent me a few bags of ’sports energy jelly beans’.  She also sent me a ‘Digital PhotoPro’ magazine.  She is going to keep me up-to-date with my photography magazines.  There was also plastic bowls in the package so I could have something to eat my oatmeal in…  She is a GREAT, WONDERFUL woman that take good care of me!  I know this is a photoblog but like I said before I can’t post many photos while I’m deployed.  So, until I get back my post of photos will be very minimal.  I just wanted to talk a little about my care package sent by Melissa Rae Healey-Parker, my loving wife.  Continue to checkout my blog!  I will continue to post and I will post photos when possible…

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16. October 2009 by Algernon.

I have been in the US Navy for over 14 years.  It seems that the Navy has always been a part of my life.  My job in the Navy has nothing to do with photography.  I am an Aviation Electronics Technician.  I calibrated and repair electronic test equipment.  I have enjoyed this job for years.  I have gained lots of knowledge about my job over the years.  The one thing about being in the Navy is when we are at sea; we have a lot of time to think, study, workout, or find a hobby. 

On my last deployment, I worked out a lot and I studied.  Eventually, I came across a hobby that I really started to like.  I think my ‘like’ turned into an obssession.  I wanted to learn everything possible about photography.  I didn’t go to any school, but luckly the internet is full of information.  My wife sent me a Nikon D60.  I started to read, and read, and read more.  I ordered books about photography.  I joined forum and asked questions.  It’s unbelieveable what I have learned in such a short time.  I am still studing and I’m actually running a small photography business.  I have done a few portraits and I’m still building clientile. 

The Navy keeps me so busy that it’s hard to ‘mind my business’.  I think I’m doing well as a beginner.  Like I said, the Navy keeps me busy.  I’m always at sea.  The only good thing about that as far as being a photographer is we visits some pretty cool places.  Some of the photos from these place can be view on my zenfolio.  I will continue to add photos from these different places until my time is done on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

As far as business, yes the Navy really hurts business.  I can’t do portraits while at sea, unless I do portraits of a sailor.  What I plan on doing is using the Navy to my advantage.  I will get more educated.  I will practice on sailors.  I will photograph the places I visit.  And, I will continue to do business when I can.  I’m well beyond beginner knowledge.  I’m actually thinking of upgrading to a Nikon D700.  It’s the low end full frame Nikon.  I’m also investing in more lenses.  My next lense is a 50mm. 

Photography is my passion!  Continue to check out my work…

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