My Rose

This featured Photo has to be my favorite that caught me by surprise. I find it funny when I rediscover a photo. I still have several photos to go through that are sort of scattered among hard drives from New Zealand, New Jersey, Sydney, and New York. I get caught up in a bunch of other photo things than I kinda fall behind as far as getting to my newer stock.

I took this in New Zealand while on a wine tour in Napier.

Thats pretty much the big thing to do there in Napier. I loved seeing the vineyards. I remember thinking how I loved the color red these rose bushes had, and how I needed to get a damn good picture of it.

I do love the original, but I find myself playing a lot with my photos, more now and this year than I ever had. I guess I am flowing with creativity. I did a few versions of this picture.

Of course I love Purple. I guess I have this dark side to me that I always am a fan of, the Tim burton style I favor, and connect with. The Nightmare Before Christmas fan in me, ya know. I like dark, contrast-y, blacks and deep, dark purple. It makes me feel happy. It's very pleasing to my eye. I cant really explain it.

I am absolutely connected to this photo!!


I also kept playing, I just wanted to add to it, make some changes. I feel like photoshop is sort of like painting for me. lol. Weirdly enough. I wanted to try some things, and the creativity kept coming. If I had stopped at the black and purple version I wouldn't have felt complete. As if I was really leaving something unfinished.

When I am editing photos, I can only really post one version of it...right? Not really, but I felt that way at this stage. I loved both the original, and the purple version so much that I thought "why not try to display them both in someway?" The above was what I came up with. Than I wasn't quite happy, so I tried a few other things. I than finally got to the last version that made me feel complete, and happy. :-)

I looooove this. It makes me smile. I love the black, the strip, the hint of the original, and the powerful purple! To me its perfect for what I wanted to do.

On my Website I have the final, and the orignal version in the galleries. The original is definitely strong enough to stand on its own so, thats why I have both versions up. And to hell with "rules" it's my business and I do what I feel is right. And you should too with whatever you're doing with your life. Do what feels right!! :-)

Where Am I Going....with my Business?!

Yes its definitely been awhile. That's ok though, we all have lives.

Side note...I watch this Law school chick on Youtube, she talks about Law School, and everything that goes with it. I discovered her sometime last week, and I watched all her videos because I am uber curious about Law school. Well at the start of every video she says "Yeah I know its been awhile, I've been really busy." Needless to say this became really annoying video after video. It made me feel like it was bothering her to make these videos. As if I was a burden on her of some sort.

Well Anyways...I do not want to make people feel like that if they read my blog, or if they happen to fall upon it in a few months, and end up reading a few at a time.

I wanted to write this one about the steps Ive taken so far with starting my business. I think ... at least I think I've come a far amount in this process. About 2 Years ago I told my mom about how I wanted to sell my photos...and it went from there. I than planned out and wrote down what exactly I wanted to accomplish: AKA a Business Plan! I pretty much made a timeline of where I saw my business going. I actually sat down with my sister and we wrote it out around a year and a half ago.

From there I knew a website had to go up. I kinda let that stew for a lil while I did another contract on the cruise ship. All the while kept taking photos, editing, and figuring out my logo. I feel like the Logo was a tough hurtle. I am super happy with it now, and every time I look at it I feel just as happy as when I first finished it.

One thing I went through was hiring people to do work for me that I thought I couldn't do myself. My website, logo, and the writing that was going to go on my website. Well what I realize...Im too picky to hire people. I figure if I didn't know how to do something I was going to learn. I just built a website I'm very happy with. I remember literally drawing it out, each page on small sheets of paper every day for a couple weeks. re-hashing how I thought the site should look. The writing I needed my sister to do. I'm not very good at writing my own Bio/about me page. I know my sister was better with words than I was. A good tip though for people starting a business...know your strengths and weaknesses, hire people and seek help if needed.

My website...done as you may know now...my next step??

Well I plan to enter art festivals. I have to figure out my booth(another big hurtle for me), and supplies I need. I also have to register my business, trademark my logo, and business name. I have to get a Tax ID Number, and get my business account in order. Yeah, Some of you may be thinking I kinda Should have done my banking first, but I wanted my website out first. I wanted my name out there first.

If anyone is wondering about this booth, or may have never been to an art festival here a few images. (not mine)

I realize how doing all of this is, but it doesn't stop me at all. Its what I wanna do. Luckily I'm a barista now, I think If ...well I don't think..I KNOW that if I had a set job right now I would have no time to do anything like I'm doing now. I had barely enough time to sleep let alone time to do photo editing, design business cards, websites, make lists, drawing out my booth design, and do paperwork. No way!! It wouldn't happen.

Now, I made my list of supplies needed, and the list of the next "to-do's," and I am on my way. I think I should be ready by next summer. Which I think might be a little ambitious. lol, but that's me!!

I don't have a fancy business degree...sometimes I wish I did only because I'd like the knowledge, but don't let little pieces of paper stop you in what you wanna do.

With all of this, Ive been getting a lot of new ideas for photography. Just when I think that maybe my creativity runs dry i think of some new video I wanna do, or some new project with pictures I wanna do. That's what I love about being an artist. I actually am going to dive into some portraits. Which when I thought of the idea I was a bit surprised at myself, portraits...at least studio portraits are not really my thing.

Here's to New Ideas!! :-)

Starting a business...???

Well I guess I have been on the journey to get this business going. I have to say its pretty tough when you're poor. lol. But it seriously is though.

You do a lot of hoping ....hoping that things work out-that the hard work pays off-that something will come out of all this chaos.

Ya never know.

What I am learning about myself is that My dream for film isn't a big a dream of mine like I originally thought. I have been chasing the film and video dream of so long...achieved some success.. I think me pursuing it has become a habit? I don't really know. I def enjoy a day that is on set or a day when I'm working on my own project. It would def be my top choice of industry to keep working in.


BUT...


I would love to have my photos in people's homes. I want people to love it the way I do. Maybe thats a pipe dream. Maybe not.

I have so much to do. I think it has been about ... maybe a year since I started to conceptualize this idea of a business.

"Mom, I think I really want to sell my photos for a living" But than after telling her she talked about how I should do weddings. NO!!! I hate that!!! I refuse to do that.

Well Maybe this was just a "this was what was on my mind" blog. All I know is I am bit torn on how to make this business succeed. My mother says cut my loses move back to Buffalo and just start there. If I am there I cant do film stuff really(not paid that is) and I'm stuck being a barista (if they will hire me) or like some crazy job I'll hate. Back to lifeguarding? Bartending? how about a new bank job. I think I would shot myself or someone if I ended up in a cubicle 8 hours a day.

While in NYC I do like being a barista. I think I am addicted to this coffee frenzy...or just the art of coffee. I find myself wanting to learn more about coffee, and wanting to become a better barista. I kinda don't wanna give up this barista thing. Also when film work doesn't come around Its a good skill to have to fall back on. lol.


I just wanna get to the point where I am ready for a art festival. I am gonna be super excited when that happens.

well I guess Im gonna keep truckin. lol.

My Lasted Additions!

I just finished organizing my photos, putting them into a "In use" folder making sure they all have logos, and than a good quality-no logo version for printing. It took me awhile actually. I wasn't expecting it to take me so long. I wanted to edit a new Panarama, but I just don't have enough time tonight.

I used my day off to good use I think. I organized, updated, and did a new abstract/digital Photo!!

While going through my all my photos, deciding which ones to post and put my logo on, I came across this photo I took in Boston. I looooooved the curvature of the buildings. It took me a while to take the photo, get the right angle, and distance away. It was a pretty crammed area. The color....well I can't really explain that -except its what I felt to do, and what I fell in love with. I love this photo. The colors I absolutely love for sure! I am a big fan of purple!

The title is "Building Curves" was inspired by just how the buildings interlock, and how the building and street are one. Curved together as one.



I also brought this one out to post on my website.

I took this Photo a bit ago, and never really knew what to do with it. I just loved how I was in this field....no flowers anywhere but this one bunch. It's titled "Violet Indie." The color violet-obviously I love purple as stated before, and the fact that it stood alone. It was Indie. lol.


I really Like my lasted additions!

I'm happier with my Website too. I think the way I did the Albums is better.

Check it out :-)

ambermsherman.com

5 months in!

It has such a looong time since I wrote in this blog....or any blog for that matter. A lot has happened since January. Me living in NYC has been everything but easy. I have to say that first.

Where do I start... I guess I start with Caffe Bene. It was my main job and still is my main job since living here in NYC. I really wanted to learn how to be a barista. Well..Now I am. Caffe Bene has been such a rough ride I have to say. It has improved, but it's really stressful working there for the amount of pay. IF you watch any of my Youtube vlogs you will def get the deeper scoop.

Speaking of my youtube channel-Ever since I started that I was less inspired to write an actual blog. I do a number of different thing on my vlog. "Take it all in Thursdays" is just a topic based show where some how the topic just intertwines with my life, and what on my mind at the time. I also do "Featured Friend Fridays" I like this show cause I feature someone who I think is cool. I sing this corny little diddy-at the beginning AND the end.

On top of Caffe Bene I WAS working to for Newscast US. but...funny enough they stopped calling me for work. Which only means they found another editor. Which I kinda am thankful for cause I did NOT like working for the owner. People Usually sense that. I hated being an editor. I just don't even want to be a Final Cut editor. Maybe to only edit my own stuff, but editing clients stuff...no thx! it totally sucks!! Sorry If I offend any editors out there. I mean if its what you love than Im glad you are doing what you love. I just dont love it. He had me trying to edit on premiere. yeah I always used final cut. so it didn't work out. Not to mention when the owner got stressed, it made everything a hundred times more difficult.

I started a new method of trying to get my resume out there to get work. Craigslist is just an avenue for people who want people to work for free for their project/movie. which i refuse to work for free. Sorry people. You're worth more than that-my people in production DONT WORK FOR FREE! I emailed as many AD's as possible. ***if you don't know I am on the quest to work up the AD(assistant Director) ladder*** I had a lot of feedback from my emailing. couple cool phone conversations. I did get some work from it.

The work I got from my crazy emailing was actually big names, union gigs. I was an additional on "The Big C" I actually did two days on that set. I was really thankful for that! I actually was sick when I worked that set. I had like the deepest guy voice ever. And if you don't know what an Additional Set PA does on set....a lot of yelling repeating commands. I thought for sure I wasn't up on my game. But he called me back to do another day.

Right after that I got an awesome lead to give out my resume at this one office. I got to work on the show "Gotham" Its a pilot show for ABC IF IT GETS PICKED UP. who knows. I worked about 12 out of the 16 shoot days there as a 1st team PA asst. that show taught me a lot!! emotional ride, but definitely worth it. I got a lot of good feedback from a lot of different people. They were surprised I never PA'd for 1st team before. I made mistakes everyday, but they saw I was making less and less of them. I was learning quick.

thats one thing I have noticed while I have been here in NYC. I have tried a lot of new things while living here. I am a quick learner. I never considered myself that. People who trained me for barista...they were surprised that I was never a barista before. I learned that wretched editing program premiere quickly too. ugh i hated it! and picking up things on set. Maybe I just adapt well to things maybe.

well "Gotham" was a learning experience for sure. they kept calling me back. I am thankful to my key PA though. I got into with him a bit. but I hope I get more work from them down the line.

March was a fairly great month to me. A lot of union show work, and Joe came to the states too! he is here now. He has been here for a few weeks so far.

Right now since its April I went home for easter, and joe came with that went way better than expected!! I am glad peeps like him. I'm back in NYC now, working at Bene now. I say that because I took weeks off to work "Gotham." It was REALLY hard to adjust back to regular life. I was miserable to be back being a barista for $9 and hour. It just sucked. Also "Gotham" was shot overnight. So, adjusting back to morning was super hard! Im okay now though.

I've been applying to other cafe's for better paying barista positions. I really want this one job-it has benefits. but I don't think I got it cause I haven't heard back :-(

One thing during this WHOOOOOOLE time I've been working has been my business. Of course. My website has been such a slow process. My sister Bought the domain name. I finally got the webhost and after trying to hire someone decided fuck it-Im gonna do it myself. It turning out .... ok actually. My own website inspires me. is that sad, or too much of an ego?? I'll never know. I really like my panaramas page though. maybe because those damn things are hard to make!! they take a lot of time since I seam them together myself.

A lot is going on and a lot happened. A lot more to do still.

As I go one though my business is getting more and more important to me though. I have to find a better paying day job. I would say set work, but when I have set work I have time for NOTHING else but being on set and sleep. literally. I lost touch with a lot of people. work sleep work sleep work sleep. that was all. I love being on set, but When I'm trying to accomplish other things too its not really conducive to get other work done. I love being on set though. oi!

Well My website is coming together. Its not done yet. so if you check it out bare with me.

ambermsherman.com


I will definitely keep everything more up to date on whats going on with me and my business and any work I get.

till next time peeps!

The New Blog

I have Left my old blog behind.

Now, I will keep it up because it turns out it helps people that are looking into working on ships. it does give people an inside look. I also like to look back once in awhile. :-)

I started a new one because I no longer work on a cruise ship. To me... I cant hold a blog and keep writing in it if that's not my job. Call me crazy.

Well this blog...if you read the side bars and all that jazz you already know what this blog is about.

I should give the life update...I now live in NYC. I miss LA, but right now I wanted to try out NYC. It also lets me go back and forth to Buffalo whenever.
I have been here for about a month. I spent a week at home for xmas so, I didn't include that week. I live specifically in the Bronx. ooooooooooh!!! People always get shocked when I tell them where I live. Listen People I was raised in the lower east side of Buffalo-like Bailey, Sycamore, Broadway areas-so pretty ghetto areas, so I am used to the inner city life. I lived in Koreatown in LA- so the Bronx...like anywhere else. The advantage to not being a Suburbanite! I am happy I wasn't raised in the suburbs. I don't have that fear that some suburbanites have. Don't get me wrong I am not gonna do anything stupid either. One thing I do know is how to stay safe.

so, anyway I live in the Bronx. I work freelance for Newscast US. editing/sound/camera-all that jazz. Its a PR consulting firm really. But its gives me some interesting things to work on! I got to work the Mission impossible Premiere.

http://www.newscastus.com/Video_and_Audio.

I work as a barista as well. Now- I am uber proud of that. I don't know why. I always wanted to be a barista. I love it so far!! I work for Caffe Bene. A Korean company that is starting their chain in the states. There is massive room for growth. Their first store is right in Times Square...so yeah I see that everyday. We are having the Grand opening January 15th. So for those who comes to NYC come visit me in Caffe Bene. Right underneath the Crowne Plaza on 49th and Broadway. Seriously some really great coffee. hey trained us hard as hell!! lol

So, I am also in the very slow process of starting my own business. My own Fine art Photography Business. Here is the link to my web artist page.

http://ambermsherman.artistwebsites.com


On top of all of that I am interning for an awesome place called New York Women in Film and Television. I start that January 16th. Giant Networking opportunity, and free workshops!!

http://www.nywift.org

I got a lot of things going on. lol. That's me I always have a ton of things going on. I like to stay busy.

So I also have a twitter account. Yes, I just joined...Probably when it will phase out and something new will come out. lol. you can find me by ASherms21. follow me or add me whatevs. lol