Alright! Pop Quiz! Remember when I mentioned that these jobs would morph and grow, and morph again?! Well, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to OWJ Lesson 1!
Lesson #1: Communication
You’d think that a University Grad with a Degree in Communications (me.), would realize the importance of this action! I guess a little reminder is always a good thing…
As I plan (and keep planning) for these jobs and weeks coming up, I admit that I tend to get a little carried away. The second an idea enters my mind, I instantly start to assume/plan/tweak that idea – even when it’s still simply that. Nothing is concrete or confirmed, but in MY mind, it is.
This recently got me into a bit of a mix-up in regards to my first job. An employer had given me a positive response, and for some reason, in my mind, I took that to mean ‘MONDAY START DATE.’ Of course, when I went to reconfirm, it was definitely late notice, and a complete surprise to the employer! In the meantime, of course, I’d told all my friends and family that I was going to be working at this job, and was now unsure if I even had a job for Week 1, only three days before the start date!
Super.
To make a semi-long story short – if I had been more clear and precise in my words and actions – this mix-up wouldn’t have happened. Instead of getting all excited and then forgetting to communicate my desire to start the next week, I should have called the next day to officially set it up. It was my fault for assuming, and should have shown more respect for the time of the business involved – it’s not easy to take on a stranger for a week!
In the end, I apologized for putting the employer in a tight spot, and both of us expressed our desire to work together on this OWJ project sometime later this summer (with more notice, of course!).
Now I had to find another job! Haha! For starters, I am so lucky to have such an amazing support group of friends all over this country. I’ve only lived in Toronto for a short while, but have met some incredible people who I have become close with. I met Henrieta through one of these friends, and Henrieta is a photographer.
The first time (and come to think of it, the ONLY time) we met, was over a year ago to discuss a joint video and photography project. The project didn’t come to fruition, but we became Facebook friends and I kept tabs on her that way!
She grew up in Socialist Czechoslovakia, where she actually trained and worked as a nurse. Here’s a quote from her website biography:
“And then, unexpectedly, came the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Soon after, I packed a small suitcase and flew across the ocean, to Canada. My first job was as a Nanny, and with my very first paycheck, I bought myself an OM1 Olympus manual SLR.”
A few years down the road, Henrieta is a full-time photographer, and winning all sorts of awards for her work. Lucky me – she has agreed to let me spend my first week with her!! I’m excited to learn more about her journey, and help her do a job that I’ve so often dreamed of doing…
'Photographer Amanda'
I’ve always felt that photography is a big part of who I am. I’m definitely a visual person, always trying to find a new angle or way of looking at things. I actually looked into photography before committing to Television production, but decided that I would rather use a video as my medium, as opposed to still-shooting.
Photography is pivotal. Whereas in video you have hours of tape at your disposal, in still-photography you have one moment to capture an entire story. The best photographs make you feel something – disgust, anger, wonder, elation. A good photograph can make you cry. Those are the kinds of pictures I want to take – I want to make people FEEL.
“I found that while the camera does not express the soul, perhaps a photograph can!” - Ansel Adams
This week Henrieta has invited me to help her with an advertising piece she’s doing for a national Canadian chain store. We’ll be meeting with clients, gathering props, setting up the studio, and then shooting!!
I want to learn what it takes to be a pro – how to get the clients, how to build a portfolio, what kind of cost is involved, film vs digital work, photo editing, and much, much more.
One more sleep…let the adventure begin!!
Amanda
To check out Henrieta’s work, visit: www.henrietahaniskova.com