It took a while tonight, but I eventually found a few links to the winners of that fantastic photo competition we all entered a few months ago!
Whilst I was not a winner in any of the categories (I had submissions in three of them), I’m still winning by being a registered member here. See, I am selling my work. I use my RedBubble gallery as a base to display my work … and I sell a lot of photographs offline!
Last week I had 60 prints (at 6inch x 4inch) of my photography on RedBubble printed at TEDS in Rundle Street in Adelaide . No big deal. Took them to work yesterday. Showed a few women. Within an hour, quite a few of those ladies put instant requests in. A couple just wanted more 6×4’s, and one wants a couple at A4 size. Late this afternoon one remarked that I should have brought in MORE cards for Father’s Day! Damn, but I had a good come back line, Next Year!. Actually, I’m planning to get about 100 to 200 printed through RB before the end of November – for Christmas cards. I’ve been informed they should sell VERY fast!
So now we are moving a few steps ahead: Tomorrow we (the wife and I) are getting 20 x A4 prints of these photographs, all of which are on display on RB:
From SaharaBelle’s Collection
1. Walking on Sunshine
2. Diggin In
3. Starry Eyed
4. Like Pollen Through a Straw
5. Honey Pot
6. Flower Bug
7. Sweet Prison
8. Flaming Nectar
9. Loaded
10. Seed Pods
(Yes, number 10 is in my collection. However, because it sold as one of mine, SWMBO has agreed to leave it where it is! Otherwise it would be deleted as a sale!)
From Stephentrepreneur’s Collection
1. How to Bee A Lily
2. White Gums II
3. VOC Portrait
4. VOC Left Door
5. VOC Tray II
6. The Cart Behind The Horse
7. Coffee in the CarPark
8. Shell Necklace
9. Tranquiliser
10. Open Arms
Plus two more for a very lovely female friend who wants to frame these her own way : gold gilding on a large frame!
1. Off His Hinges
2. Waiting
But what then? , I hear you all cry out! Well, I’m forming a portfolio.
Next year I’d like to do a proper photographic course. I’ve been waiting twenty-something years to afford to do this … which is WAAAY too long. After watching younger people around me jump into fantastic jobs and positions over the last few months, I’ve decided it’s FINALLY time to and be more.
All the photographs above will be put into a new A3 folder I purchased some time ago. Then I will take that around with me to show off. You want to buy one? OK, either you buy straight from the folder (though I am not sure about that idea), or I take your details and deliver. The whole concept is still being worked on, so we have some planning to work out. My father is an astute business man, and I have a brother whom is a brilliant salesman … so I hope to get both their time-tested advice on certain issues very shortly.
The folder will also be used to convince Adelaide TAFE that I am a worthy student. I won’t write my sales-pitch to the TAFE here, it’s a little corny … but all very true.
More about the next stage of this new adventure in my life will be on display over the next week. And I’ll be writing about how we plan to build a Home-Studio and the New Kitchen over the coming months!
Fifteen Cards for Sale on Redbubble
Fifteen Cards from RedBubble
A Big HELLO to everyone around Adelaide who’s seeing more of my photography! Particularly those people at my day job. I guess my life outside of work isn’t a secret anymore! And why I smile more often than I have in a long time.
Paul Tait, 10 months ago
What a wonderful Blog Stephen. I am waiting to hear the story about you retiring from you day job! There was an article in the August edition of Australian Photography about photographic schools from around the country. Did you read it?
Stephen Mitchell, 10 months ago
Thanks Paul – but please, not a blog! A journal (of events) (which is what RB used to call these, I still object to the change of wording) is what I prefer to say.
No, I don’t recall that article. I probably have the magazine though … I buy them regularly enough that I really should subscribe! I’ll go hunting around the office tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise I intended to do some ‘googling’.
As for retiring from my day job, that could be a way off yet. Until this hobby can pay at least $500 a week (nett) for about 15 years, I’m going to be data-entry for a while yet. But, a ‘change of career-path’ is part of the plan!!
_Oh sheesh, at least one of my managers is going to read that line. No matter. They know I’m always hunting for ways to further my career and happiness.
Maybe I’ll see you around the CBD tomorrow. We’re planning to visit the Botanical Gardens about mid afternoon. I have flickr badge on right side of backpack.
Andrew Brown, 10 months ago
Good luck with it all Stephen. A great portfolio of work so I can see why your prints were so popular. I think using RB as a source to display and produce items for sale off-redbubble is a great way to use the resource rather than simply waiting around for sales. I had some cards printed and put them in the staff rooms at work and as a result have had a number of people comment on the images and purchased some I had. They make good farewell cards as well as christmas cards!! I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Stephen Mitchell, 10 months ago
Hello Andrew
I agree. RB is a means to an end, not just the beginning and end.
I’m getting business-cards produced shortly also. The cost of a few hundred cards with a photograph on one side and details on the other (either white on black or vice versa) is actually quite good, so I’d like to use one from my wood-grain photographs, but I’m still undecided.