Busy is a bullshit word we use as a crutch. I haven't just been busy lately I have been swamped shooting lookbooks and working manual labor, one to do what I love an the other to pay the bills. I'd love to hop right into a full time photography position with a clothing company right now but it's not something so readily available. The state of photography has never been better making it a hyper competitive job space. Most people my age graduate with a degree and enter a work force with thousands of job positions available in their state. For an aspiring clothing brand photographer in Connecticut your looking at about 3 jobs if that. There doesn't seem to be much of an art scene here or much of a makers movement that I have felt in many other cities like Nashville, La, Richmond Virginia etc. After heading to Portland, Maine to shoot a lookbook for PfFlyers and Badlands Brand this past weekend I realized that this small North East City is keeping American quality alive. There was no shortage of art in Portland and no shortage or clam chowder. The old seaport town was lined with renovated brick factories and fine gastropubs sourcing their foods with locally grown ingredients. The weather was harsh but no one their seemed to bat an eyelash at it, they just went about their days. On our 3 day trip to Portland, Maine we met people working, saw lobster boats, saw bird watchers and hikers and for the most part people were just busy they were moving with a purpose. For something so close to Connecticut it felt so far away and it was refreshing to see.
