"Why is
it taking 'so long' for the show galleries to be posted?"
First and foremost,
I'm very flattered that you are taking an interest in my work. There
are very few things more satisfying to me than to make other people
happy with my photography. Here are a few things I'd like to share
with you so you can get to know me a bit better and the work it takes
to get quality show photos online.
1. I am employed at the UW School
of Medicine as a graphic designer 32-40 hours every week.
2. Equine photography is something
I do for fun on weekends - after that, it's back to the UW for 4-5
days every workweek. If I only did equine photography for a living,
I'd have to charge you a minimum of twice as much as I do now. I
consider my prices a bargain compared to my competition.
3. I come to your shows on my
own time and my own dime. I don't charge your club for any of my
time, travel, or lodging expenses. And 90% of the time, I pay for
my own meals on the grounds. The most I've ever charged a group for
covering the show is a brat and soda at the foodstand. So, before
you send me a brisk e-mail stating you are upset about the wait or
feel that I owe you something for doing all the things I do for free,
please consider the points above.
4. My goal is to have all show
photos posted within 7 days of the show. It may take 14 days depending
on my schedule, but that is rare.
5. I literally take 1,500 or
more photos every day I photograph a show. Over a weekend that's
3000 photos taken which I need to process during my weeknights. During
my weeknights all these photos must then be:
• Sorted so that the bad
photos (blurry, unflattering, over/underexposed) are removed so you
don't have to spend your time looking at garbage.
• All photos are then cropped
and adjustments are made to brightness and color.
• All photos are then grouped
by rider or class and rider so you can find them easier.
• All photos are converted
to JPEG format for website viewing and given an identification number.
6. I have to take time every
week to process orders for those individuals who have sent me payment,
in addition to all of the above.
7. Farm visits which are paid
for immediately after I leave the farm get priority processing and
posting on the internet. They have paid me for their time and are
given priority.
8. Most people, while wanting
to see the show photos within a few days of the show, usually wait
until the end of the show season - fall or Christmas to order any
prints. If most customers are willing to wait months before making
an order, then I'm hoping that they can wait 7-14 days to see the
photos after the show has ended.
Thank You. I hope I was able to get some great shots
of you and your horse! If your show photos have not yet been posted,
please feel free to ask me for a target posting date for your gallery. You can e-mail me with this request.
Todd |