Which job?

I'm looking for part-time work and have inquired at a number of studios and youth sports orgazinations. Unfortunately, none are very close to where we live. I have an interview with Sears portrait studio tomorrow. Trouble is, the pay is low (close to min. wage) and I'd likely spend nearly as much for the gas to get there as I'd be earning. I'd love to have the experience, but my gut feeling is that earning more $$ is more important for us right now.

I also have an interview at a youth sports photo place doing some part-time sales rep work until the photo season returns. This is far away as well, but I could do quite a bit from home, which is great, and have the opportunity to do some shooting in spring.

The local studios I've contacted aren't in their busy season until spring, but said they'll keep in touch.

So guess what I'm asking is... would you cosider the Sears job, or do you think it would make more sense to hold off until spring and take a job that pays more for now?

from what i remember, you have your own lighting and such.. would it be possible to work out of your home? and take photos of children, and do family portraits and such?

I sold all my lighting gear quite awhile ago. And I'm down to no gear. So, as much as I would love to attempt to pursue that, I can't at the moment.

ohh i didnt know.. i guess i should have read your signature.

shannyD wrote in post #6819322
ohh i didnt know.. i guess i should have read your signature.

What's wrong? You can't keep up with my sales and returns? LOL.

naaa not that.. just havent been paying attention to a whole lot lately.. were in the process of buying a house, we made an offer on a bank owned house, and havent heard back from the bank yet.. and everyone keeps telling me that they love to sit on offers.. so were still waiting on that..

and at the same time.. im trying to figure out how to market myself to make some cash on the side as well..

al kinda cruddy, and the weather has been ugly, and i cant get the christmas pics of the kids done.. ugghh.. i ramble too much.

We're on the other end - we've been trying to complete a short-sale on our NC house since the beginning of September - 4 offers, one bailed out, and the bank has been dragging and dragging its feet. It is MADDENING. I can't imagine making an offer and having to wait three months at the holidays to find out if I got the house. I can understand they're busy, but they're risking even more money being lost for themselves the longer they wait. These buyers won't be around forever - and it's not like they're getting a great deal! I don't get it. Foreclosure costs more for a bank. We're already screwed - our credit is screwed either way. So I have no idea why these people are not addressing this sale. Incredible.

What do you have to lose? Gas is cheap now & any additional experience is a bonus. I say go for it.

Wow! That 5D didn't last long.

yeah why didnt the 5d stay with you?

the house we made an offer.. has been on the markey for a couple of years.. the otiginal listing price was 600k. now its down to a modest 250k. so we made our offer, and have the stress thing to worry about.. i dont think i ever want to go through the hassle of selling my house if and when i get it.

i have moved entierly too much to want to keep going at it.

OMG!!! That is one heck of a deal on that house!!! Good luck!

shannyD wrote in post #6820139
yeah why didnt the 5d stay with you?

the house we made an offer.. has been on the markey for a couple of years.. the otiginal listing price was 600k. now its down to a modest 250k. so we made our offer, and have the stress thing to worry about.. i dont think i ever want to go through the hassle of selling my house if and when i get it.

i have moved entierly too much to want to keep going at it.

Think my feeling was that if I couldn't have the L's, I couldn't justify the 5D. Let's face it, the cost of a 5D would go a long way toward getting a lesser body with a lens and a flash. With the 5D, I couldn't afford a flash and had no pop-up. So it was a stupid move at the time as I couldn't even use fill flash, which I rely on all the time - and it's dark out super early, so with no flash, it kept me EXTREMELY limited! Guess I thought I was going to eventually get a flash, etc., but that's when the bottom fell out for us financially...

that sucks.. i have been jonesing for a 5d. but i dont have a great lens line up.. just a sigme 30mm and a 50mm 1.4. both are great leses.. but there is nothing like an L. ( i got to shoot with one a while back, and i didnt want to give it back when i did have it.)

i have been thinking about seeling my xti and battery grip fr it.. to fund something else.. but i dont know what i want or need.

but im a pack rat with my photography stuff. i have a nikon film body that has been used a few tmes, but its in its box not doing a thing, i have an older nikon film body with a couple of lenses, but i hate developing film.. but i have a hard time selling those things. and we could use the extra money to pay for inspectors or something.

its crazy.

but i would go with which ever one has a possibility for promotion faster. at sears you can always become a manager of sorts, and maybe rack up some benefits or something.

i dont know.. my hubby decided it wasnt wise for me to work because he wants me home with the kiddos. i get his point.. but i am darn near crazy.

shannon

shannyD wrote in post #6820656
that sucks.. i have been jonesing for a 5d. but i dont have a great lens line up.. just a sigme 30mm and a 50mm 1.4. both are great leses.. but there is nothing like an L. ( i got to shoot with one a while back, and i didnt want to give it back when i did have it.)

shannon

Maybe the next time I come down to visit my granddaughter (my son and his wife don't count anymore) in Tracy, I'll bring some extra gear (a 1DsMKIII, a 5D and a few L's) and you can show me some good places to shoot.

Hello Cleo - sorry to hear about all the financial hardship..... things are pretty rough for a lot of folks here in Cleveland too. I would second Blue's suggestion. True, your cash net gain won't be huge, but I always figure that some shooting is better than no shooting. And you will be getting a different type of experience.

I've been laid up unable to shoot, for a couple of months after some surprise spine surgery, so I'm getting antsy from the inactivity. Give the sears job a shot .

blueM wrote in post #6820039
What do you have to lose? Gas is cheap now & any additional experience is a bonus. I say go for it.

Wow! That 5D didn't last long.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. And good luck with that spine surgery recovery! Does not sound like fun. I've actually decided to give the Picture People a try instead. I'm going Tuesday morning for an interview. It's much closer to where I live, so it just made more sense. No idea what they pay, but I'm assuming it's the same as Sears. I'll keep you posted.