Running short.

So, I’ve been trying to freelance.
Contemplated getting an LLC setup, finding a CPA, and so forth the past few weeks. Working for myself hasn’t been too successful, more “prospects” than real meat that’s ready to be cooked and served up. I have a couple clients near moving (one really cool client thanks to my friend Chris King!). I decided to try freelance because the studio I really want to work for can’t hire me for now. Unfortunately, my finances are getting super tight way too fast. As freelance doesn’t look like it will get me close enough to having insurance or savings any time soon, I’ve started re-thinking my options. I’m thankful for my parents and Graham & Natalie who have been kind enough to allow me places to live for free while I try and piece together life again out in Dallas.
In-house opportunities and an excellent Wednesday
Today I received an email from guy at a major hospital in Dallas, asking if I was interested in a web designer position. They found my resumé and contacted me! Encouraging. :) At first I though, “nahhhh, in-house design in a non-creative environment hasn’t been my aim for work”. But as I thought about it, I remembered, “hey…I’m POOR!” Trying something new might be worth a look. It’d probably be stable, a consistent workflow, slower, well paying, nice insurance. I also love the idea of agile design, a topic I read about on DesignNotes. This concept is hard to pull at a studio. Businesses want/need a final product served up. But “agile design” is how I started out, constantly working and reworking my church’s website which I handed-coded out of Window’s notepad when I was 16, gradually correcting the interface and site architecture as feedback was received and needs arose. Adaptation fixing problems—I love this and do it all the time in regular every day things (read: I’m OCD about rearranging my life + possessions). So, I mulled it over, talked to friends for advice and emailed back in the evening seeking further information.
About an hour after sending an email back, I get a call from my friend Jared who hadn’t heard about this. He had info about a potential art direction position at a photography album company in Dallas. Again, not something I would have thought to pursue before, but the hospital’s email (plus the past months’ frustration of no work) shook up my vision of what could work. The idea of working on a single brand and helping craft that over time is more intriguing than I’d really been thinking. Sounds like it’d be researching competitors, developing for them, branding, ads and promotional materials for the company. I’m hoping this one is a good fit. Jared said he’d send them my info. We’ll see where things lead me. If not these places, I think I’m realizing freelance might not be where I want to be and to start hunting out other options.
Engagement pics
I went to Memphis for several days over the Martin Luther King day weekend. While in town, I got to take my old roommate Jeff and his fiance Christina out for an engagement shoot. Honestly, I still get nervous about shoots for which I haven’t had time to layout every single detail. Probably good for me to learn to take limitations of an environment and make something great out of it. We were really short on daylight due to schedules, but I am pleased about some of the photos we were able to pull out from our time. Hoping to finish these by this weekend.
Yale House lease
I got word today that my lease in Memphis is now out of my hands. No more payments!! Such a relief to have that monthly bill taken care of. I met the potential sublease roommate while I was in Memphis cleaning out the rest of my junk from my room.
Randoms.
• I have new glasses (and contacts) and you probably wouldn’t realize it had I not said anything. I notice though because the lenses are crystal clear!
• I noticed my beard is getting nice and full. I likes it.
• I am still living in my parent’s guest room with most all my possessions in storage—I cannot wait to live with Graham and Natalie + have a room of my own crafted again with posters and books surrounding me!
• I danced a final Memphis crazyjustindance in the dark over Christmas break.
• I’ve been part of a Project 365, taking 1-photo-a-day (almost to 30 pics). This is sadly the most consistent thing in my life.
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