Do I have the best job?
When a fresh and exciting branding company comes on the scene here in Taiwan, getting the call from them with an opportunity to work together was music to my ears. Working with Level Interactive (https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/level-interactive/) for this photographic shoot for Gabi + Skin, is a perfect example of why I chose to forge a career and build my photography and video production business. Working with such an experienced team was a total pleasure from start to finish.
I work with many different clients, magazines, industrial companies, production companies, tech companies, bicycle and motorcycle companies, restaurants and hotels, all sorts of interesting projects and challenges come along from one day to the next. So each day brings variety, opportunity and a chance to work with forward thinking people wanting to bring to reality their vision with my help. I really do think this is the best job in the world, for me at least.
Gabi + Skin for Level Interactive.
Over the years there have certainly been testing times and times when I question everything, I am sure we all go through these moments in our careers. Some clients test you more than others, some say one thing but actually want another and others are just a joy to work with, having great vision and the ability to communicate it. Each one though makes my job feel worthwhile and working together to get to the desired end result, results in satisfaction and a feeling I never got in other fields I've worked in.
Richard Chang CEO of Costco for CEO Magazine
Getting to meet such a broad spectrum of people across all walks of life makes me feel privileged, I realise that not everyone has these chances and for this I am grateful everyday. Yes of course over the years as a photographer and videographer I have worked hard to learn my trade and build my skills so that I can work effectively in whatever situation I am presented with. It has taken a fair amount of time, perseverance, mistakes, learning, more learning, still learning, successes, ups, downs, highs and lows to get to where I am. I know there are always new skills to acquire, possessed skills to hone, and challenges to face daily. These are simply the trials and tribulations of every business, every trade, art and life, the very things that make it all worth it.
Often when I am feeling a little disillusioned with things and having doubts, a company like Level Interactive, or a magazine like CEO get in touch and remind me of the gratification good clients and great opportunities bring and why I think that my job is the best job in the world.
Food for Maku Hotpot Linkou.
So one day my assistant and I are working on location shooting commercial product content for a skin care company alongside a branding company, the next we are lighting up a giant grocery store for an editorial portrait of one of the most successful retailers in the world for a magazine and then we are working with chefs and food stylists for a favourite dish, especially here in Taiwan, hotpot. Variety is the spice of life they say, and no other job I have done has ever offered me this level that is for sure.
We find ourselves drawing a close to 2019, it has been an eventful year with more than my fair share of hurdles to overcome. These have come both in my personal life, and professional life. I try to look at all things as a chance to learn, to grow and to improve. The year is not quite finished for me as yet, I have product shots to deliver for an engineering company catalogue, and a full commercial video to fully produce before 2020.
Giant Bicycles - Made in Tawian, Loved by the World.
2020 seemed like a long way away when Big Ben chimed as my friends and I called out happy new year on the embankment in London at midnight 1999. Time flies when you are having fun though, and it has sure come around fast. I am full of anticipation for the year ahead, and what it may bring. I look forward to working with existing clients and forging relationships with new ones. Growing in my field and ability to produce the content, images and videos I am offered the opportunities to rise to. Facing whatever challenges are put in my path, solving each puzzle of light, composition and story presented to me. Most of all I am looking forward to feeling that "feeling" that my job gives me that makes me so grateful to have, for me, the best job.
Finally to all the wonderful people I have met and worked with I would like to say thank you. To my team who patiently allow me to flit between imperial and metric measurements, micro adjust lighting and insist on the details, thank you for making my life on set all the more enjoyable.
To anybody looking forward to 2020 and wanting to discuss any projects with me whatever they are get in touch and let's talk, 2020 should be a great year to plan, build and create moments to talk about.