MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => Off Topic => Topic started by: Goofy on March 22, 2014, 19:26

Title: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: Goofy on March 22, 2014, 19:26: Due to my deteriorating lower back (discs and bone spurs) I have dropped part of my business- no longer can I take portraits of people outside my house. Carrying the big sDLR and all the lighting equipment is physically impossible for me. Thus I am limited to studio work with my camera mounted on a tripod. Oh, well it can be worse I guess :-\
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: farbled on March 22, 2014, 21:05: Quote from: Goofy on March 22, 2014, 19:26
Due to my deteriorating lower back (discs and bone spurs) I have dropped part of my business- no longer can I take portraits of people outside my house. Carrying the big sDLR and all the lighting equipment is physically impossible for me. Thus I am limited to studio work with my camera mounted on a tripod. Oh, well it can be worse I guess :-\

You need some students and semi-pros looking for experience! :) I shlepped gear for years for pros before I got out on my own. Sorry to hear about your issues, I can relate, had to give up pretty much all paid shooting outside my home. Hope you find creative ways to make up the difference. Best of luck!
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: lisafx on March 22, 2014, 22:47: Very sorry to hear that Goofy. I also have had quite a few health issues recently, some of which include back and knee problems. I couldn't shoot if it wasn't for my husband carrying the gear and setting up the lighting.

I agree with farbled. You may be able to find a student or even just a teen who needs a few extra bucks to carry your gear. Even better, find a teen who wants some portraits taken and trade them for some assistance. Even the models might be willing to help.

In the meantime, I am sure you can do a lot of good work in your home studio.

Best of luck to you, from one sufferer to another.
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: lisafx on March 22, 2014, 22:49: Oh, and if you haven't found a good chiropractor, I highly recommend getting one. Regular chiropractic adjustments and massage have helped me A LOT!
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: Anyka on March 23, 2014, 01:47: Five years ago I also thought I had to stop doing shoots with people, animals and outdoor subjects because of hip artrosis (at 50!) and very painful wrists/shoulders. My physiotherapist said that moving less would make things worse, and she was right. So I changed my eating habits drastically : 0% sugar :'(, less meat and much more fruit and veggies, plus daily turmuric, glucosamine and mild exercise (20 minutes/day on my home trainer bike). Today I can do every photo session that I want, as long as I don't have to walk great distances ... and I haven't seen my physiotherapist in 2 years :)

I am not saying these things will solve your problems, but as nothing of the above is unhealthy, and there is no prescription medicine involved, anyone with joints/muscles/back problems could give it a try. Only, you have to be very patient - you'll only see improvement after 4 to 6 months, and it's not a temporary thing, it's for life ...
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: ruxpriencdiam on March 23, 2014, 11:10: Quote from: lisafx on March 22, 2014, 22:49
Oh, and if you haven't found a good chiropractor, I highly recommend getting one. Regular chiropractic adjustments and massage have helped me A LOT!
Yes Chiros are great and you will find that some of the little problems you have will go away after a visit.
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: DF_Studios on March 23, 2014, 12:17: Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: farbled on March 23, 2014, 14:12: Quote from: DF_Studios on March 23, 2014, 12:17
Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?
Shooting food is fun! (and fattening, I eat everything I shoot) :)
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: ShadySue on March 23, 2014, 14:14: Quote from: DF_Studios on March 23, 2014, 12:17
Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?

Hope Goofy has a high table and plenty of room.
I find tabletop the very worst on my back, as I have neither.
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: Goofy on March 23, 2014, 21:24: Thank you all so much- All great advice. I did cut my sugar out of my diet and I have more energy! I consider this just an new chapter in my life- Actually the majority of my sales are from still life images thus will continue to shoot more and save my back at the same time. Funny how 20% of images are producing 80% of my revenue? If only I could figure out how to shoot more of those 20% ::)
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: grsphoto on March 23, 2014, 22:24: Quote from: Goofy on March 23, 2014, 21:24
<snip> Funny how 20% of images are producing 80% of my revenue? If only I could figure out how to shoot more of those 20% ::)
The 20- 80 rule is something that they teach in business schools...and you are right about trying to increase the 20% :)
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: Goofy on March 24, 2014, 09:18: The sad part is that I don't even realize when I shot a 20% (Gem)! Thus telling me that I am so far from being a pro :(
Title: Re: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions
Post by: grsphoto on March 24, 2014, 11:42: I don't think we ever know which will be the 20%er.... It depends so much on the search engine placement and maybe some luck?