Stephen Schafer studied art photography at the University of Cape Town then focused on commercial photography and multi-media while enrolled at Brooks Institute of Photography. He opened his first studio at 19 doing commercial photographs for clients in southern California. After 20+ years in the studio, his work has evolved from advertising and high-tech product photography to architectural photography.
Once upon a time, there was an architectural photographer named Goldilocks. She went to a job in the forest to take three shots for a local architect. Pretty soon, after Siri took her down a few dead ends, she came upon the house. She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in, … More The Story of Goldilocks and the Three (Architectural) Shots
Before there was a book, there was aTumblr and then a Insta with comics by the CLICKittyCATs. The “FLOWCHART” was one of my most popular comics. … More Photography Flowchart
Need to save this quote for the next book…
DON’T SHOOT | 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer is a humorous look at the very serious commercial photography business written by a pro photographer with… … More The Business of Photography in 1 Book
You know what sucks? You’ll never be as successful as you were on your first day taking pictures. The first time you pick up a camera you have no clue. You look at the bright colorful pictures on the shiny little teevee on your phone-cam and think: Nailed It! Every photo is better than the … More IT GETS WORSE… Chapter 2 from the book.
Pic Wisely and Special Eyes… Pic Wisely, Chapter 19 — In a rut? Are you showing exotic food photos from around the world on your website but you really want to stay home and photograph dressed-alike families? It’s within your power to change your focus. If you wanna shoot families, you gotta show families. Did you know … More Chapter 19 and 23 from the book: Don’t Shoot | 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer
The book 66 Reasons NOT to become a Professional Photographer is now selling at Freestyle! … More Don’t Shoot selling at Freestyle Photographic Supplies
time AND place … Are these the most important things in photography? You’re about to spend more time than you ever imagined being a photographer, and there’s a good chance that after you ignore your friends and family you’re still not gonna have enough time to make it. If you think you’re going to be able … More Chapter 58 and 59 from the book: Don’t Shoot | 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer
The first edition hardcover (Kickstarter Edition) of DON’T SHOOT | 66 Reasons NOT to become a Professional Photographer is now available for sale for $18.99 US on Amazon here: Don’t-Shoot-Amazon-LINK or just search for “Don’t Shoot 66 Reasons” under the Books category.
The books have arrived! A semi truck rolled up and the driver asked, “You got a forklift?“… Uh, no. “Well I have a pallet of books,” … the books, which my Kickstarter campaign brought into the world, weigh in at 796 pounds. I printed a thousand with the KS pledges as seed money. This proved to … More 796 POUNDS o’ BOOKS
Cringeworthy… Two Truths: As I develop my eye, I will notice all the flaws in my older artworks. I think my current art is the bomb. This cycle constantly repeats, and will continue. This is normal. Mostly we suck but think we’re awesome, then we figure it out, then we die. Just wait a few years and — unless … More Chapter 4 from the book: Don’t Shoot | 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer
I just got news from my printer, Worzalla Book Manufacturing in Stevens Point, Wisconsin: the book is on press this week! Here are some book-geek details about the book that I’m proud of: The book uses recycled papers and boards that are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. Worzalla follows Chain-of-Custody Standards under the Forest Stewardship … More BOOKS ON PRESS!
Throughcracks feature http://throughcracks.com/not-become-professional-photographer/
I hope to see you at McConnell’s in Ventura on Friday Oct 23, at 6:15pm for some Fine Ice Cream to celebrate the success of the Kickstarter funding for the book DON’T SHOOT – 66 Reasons NOT to Become a Professional Photographer
Getting some great press as DigitalRev’s social media blog BOKEH puts us on the front page. http://bokeh.digitalrev.com/article/5-reasons-not-to-become-professional-photographer
Wow, my Backers are … wait let me look at the thesaurus… astonishing astounding surprising stunning breathtaking awesome awe-inspiring sensational remarkable spectacular stupendous phenomenal extraordinary incredible … And the list goes on …
I Have so many questions… where do I start?
Another quote from the book DON’T SHOOT | 66 Reasons NOT to become a Professional Photographer
An excerpt of Chapter 2 of the book: DON’T SHOOT | 66 Reasons NOT to become a Professional Photographer On Medium. Photographers note: IT GETS WORSE You know what sucks? You’ll never be as successful as you were on your first day taking pictures. The first time you pick up a camera you have no … More Chapter 2 up on Medium.
