Persistence...

There are people who say that "the early bird gets the worm" or that "positive thoughts = positive results" and as true as those statements may be... there is nothing to me that counts more than persistence. I've had so many doors(well... metaphorical doors) slammed in my face so many times, it began to take its toll on me both emotionally and professionally. I began to doubt myself and my abilities to create great work. After a while I started to think that I wasn't going to be able to "make it" in this highly subjective and crowded business. After countless emails and office visits, always going back again and again... but never to the point of stalking or having security know me by name, except for one building that shall not be named... I was given a chance. And I believe that a chance is what 90% of all struggling photographers are looking for, just that one break that will make their career a reality. As much as I would like to tell you that it only takes one chance, one moment, one gig to create a career in this business, that is simply not the case.

I like to think of this business as a bit of a track meet, and more specifically the hurdles. Everyone is allowed a bit of space to get up to speed, and some are faster than others but you should always know that there will be a hurdle coming soon. Those who run too fast and didn't prepare will crash into that first hurdle and their race is over. Once you can see that first hurdle you should begin preparing yourself and when you get there you want to be sure you get over it cleanly/neatly and with a business card in hand. After you clear that first hurdle you have to immediately begin thinking about the next one or you won't have enough time to get ready. Its a long race and the good ones... the really really good ones are looking much further down the track than you are. They know that each hurdle as trivial and meaningless as it may seem has just as much a chance to trip them up as any other. Some artists seem to think that this race is a sprint and that it will be over shortly... but it isn't, and the only thing that is going to get you over all these hurdles is persistence.

And maybe a little air time...

- JD



This shot was taken with my Canon Mark IIDs 24-70mm at F11 and 1/500th of a second with nothing but good old fashion sunlight.

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James is back...

Arriving back in Utah for the 2008/2009 ski season I'm ready to make some serious images. I learned so much from my time out here last year that this year should be a breeze...HA! Lets just hope that I survive again. All day its been a struggle trying to keep myself under control every time I look out the window at the fresh pow and groomers of Solitude Mtn. Resort. My friends here at the mountain are glad to have me back and I'm even more glad just to be back. This season will not be quite the undertaking that last years trip had been but I'm confident that I can accomplish what I have come out here to do especially with the help of everyone here on the mountain.

I know its cheesy but I always stop by Ski Patrol and make sure they know what color my jacket is this year... still the same lime green as always... Those boys and girls have been the focus of many a photo that I've taken and have been so accommodating to things and projects that I hope to get done. Below is a picture of and quote Marvin told me earlier today when I asked him how the avvy conditions were...


"In a word... Murderous..." -Marvin