What to do after retirement??

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18954181
Habitat for Humanity loves having photos taken of their build projects and the families that will move in, great way to combine charitable causes with photography.

I used to work on Habitat houses years ago. I hadn't thought of that. I'll look into what they need here locally.

Thanks.

Big brothers and sisters were looking for an event photographer in our city. Try a search with your cities name and photo volunteer. That was how I found the BB and BS. I shot the annual marathon for about 5 years. I use a website called our provinces name volunteer opportunities.

I retired three years ago and moved to a new town in a new state. I was looking to find things to do and get involved and thought that photography might be a good way to do it.

I talked to the local animal shelter, the park district, the local theatre company, the athletic department of the local university, the summer, college baseball team, the hockey team, the library friends group, our hiking group and a couple of others. I ended up walking dogs because the shelter already had four volunteer photographers, and taking pictures for all of the others.

The experience has been everything from so-so to great. I don't shoot hockey anymore because they didn't really have a use for the photos but I'm now getting paid by the theatre for 50 assignments in the last season, with the promise of more next year. The university uses my sports photos on their web site regularly and the park district uses my photos in many places. I have a bunch of photos in the latest chamber of commerce guide to the city which puts my work next to some of the best photographers in my city.

I also get contacted on occasion by other groups to photograph events and some of them include payment.

I am shooting something every week and many weeks multiple events. It has been great to be able to share my skills and do something I enjoy.

For me, it just took a little reaching out to get involved.

digital paradise wrote in post #18954246
This is my goddaughter doing a car insurance fraud commercial. She is in her second year of education. Sorry. Go caught up in a proud moment.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=f_MDiMijeSQ

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She is tremendous!

What a talent!

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digital paradise wrote in post #18954246
This is my goddaughter doing a car insurance fraud commercial. She is in her second year of education. Sorry. Go caught up in a proud moment.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=f_MDiMijeSQ

You should be proud indeed! Very good and very beautiful!

How about teaching photography at some level?

Perhaps a local college offers extension courses. You could teach a course in landscape photography, or something of that nature. Or lead a walking group that tours the city and photographs landmarks.

I've always wanted to join a class (not online) on learning post-processing software. So far I have not found one.

I retired 6 years ago. It didn't last long. My goal is to work about 7 or 8 more years, trying a new job every year or so. Someday I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

PentaxShooter wrote in post #18981994
I retired 6 years ago. It didn't last long. My goal is to work about 7 or 8 more years, trying a new job every year or so. Someday I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

Hhahahahah - sounds like several friends I know - good one. Just remember: "You can always make more money, but you can't make more time."

This is not photo related but after selling out cottage last year I needed something to do. I looked at our province's volunteer guide and there were a few photo ad's but I signed up for our local Cancer Care volunteer driver program. We take people to their appointments and back home. I drive once a week for the whole day and the vans are sponsored by the Mason's. I find it very rewarding and the people really appreciate it. For $100 they can use the service every day from Monday to Friday, for a whole year.

digital paradise wrote in post #18982014
This is not photo related but after selling out cottage last year I needed something to do. I looked at our province's volunteer guide and there were a few photo ad's but I signed up for our local Cancer Care volunteer driver program. We take people to their appointments and back home. I drive once a week for the whole day and the vans are sponsored by the Mason's. I find it very rewarding and the people really appreciate it. For $100 they can use the service every day from Monday to Friday, for a whole year.

That is really admirable - more power to you for giving back. It's very gratifying when we are healthy enough to help those who are in need. My wife and I have done similar activities for years and it actually makes us feel younger .

I can't speak for everyone, but after 13 years of teaching school, followed by 30 years in a stinking paper mill I retired. Within 3 months I was substitute teaching, then a year long stint at Lowe's, quit Lowe's to build a house, then got bored again so I started subbing again. Now I am a long term sub for Speech and Drama, and next year I will be a Science teacher, plus teaching an elective class in photography. I will be 70 when next year's school year begins. Just not cut out for retirement.

Anyway, check with your local schools, they just might have a need for someone to help out.

Terry McDaniel wrote in post #18982050
I can't speak for everyone, but after 13 years of teaching school, followed by 30 years in a stinking paper mill I retired. Within 3 months I was substitute teaching, then a year long stint at Lowe's, quit Lowe's to build a house, then got bored again so I started subbing again. Now I am a long term sub for Speech and Drama, and next year I will be a Science teacher, plus teaching an elective class in photography. I will be 70 when next year's school year begins. Just not cut out for retirement.

Anyway, check with your local schools, they just might have a need for someone to help out.

I wish I had payed more attention to science and physics. Couldn't be bothered when I was young. Since retiring I can't get enough of it. I started to learn about Einstein's theories. Others as well. One of the best documentaries I have seen. There are two parts.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=CPOijjgYD2I

Also my wife and I have been discussing going to university classes which are free to retirees. Others I suppose as well.

I found my photography 'happy place' after retiring. It came about through combining a number of my interests into one: photography, motorsport, wildlife and travel.

I have said before that I actively resist charging for my photos, to the extent where I often refuse payment that is offered unsolicited. I do this so that my photography will remain a hobby, unburdened by deadlines, client expectations and 'shooting to order'. If I want to go, I go. If I don't feel like going, I can stay home. While at the event, I shoot the way I want to and take the shots I want to take. If the folks competing like them, that's great but not vital.

A perfect project typically means that I travel to a motorcycle trials event several hours away, located in a forest among the mountains, and I will find a nice little AirBnB to stay in, so that I can shoot both days without early starts and too much driving in one day. Being in such locations often means I get to shoot the competition, but also lovely scenery, homely little country towns and fascinating wildlife. I have a ball!

Then, commencing Monday, I start to cull & process hundreds of shots from the weekend. This can take me through to Wednesday, when I upload them to my Facebook page. Competitors, parents and clubs are invited to request free copies (non-commercial use only) and I might send such copies out over the following week or so.

Though these events take place mostly at weekends, being retired means that I can do this without detriment to my home and my relationships with Mrs Wife and my adult family, because I still have plenty of time for other things. When I was working, my weekends were largely devoted to those other responsibilities and it was tough to find time for my hobbies.

I love being retired!

That sounds like fun. One year I went to a powered paragliding club event in Ohio. My buddy was getting into it. I shot all weekend and gave the club all the images for free.

Air shows are fun. I have to get to Oshkosh one day.