[AT WORK]
JERRY STANFIELD >> I guess I'm known as the photographer and video guy who operates from a motorcycle. I'm not a biker. I like the freedom and the view of the world you get from a bike. Freelance videographer
Jerry Stanfield likes his view from the road
By Burl Burlingame
Bburlingame@starbulletin.comI worked as a commercial photographer for 20 years, starting in high school and college, and in the Army as a PIO for the 25th Division. The good thing about being independent is that you're your own boss, and every day brings something different. My cameras and I get into places that I couldn't get into even with a ticket. It's just fun. I'm too lazy to work and too smart to steal, so I guess photography is the thing to do. Videography has taken over and I mostly make my living that way now. I can get everything to the assignment on my bike, so it works out great. Saves on gas, too.
The digital revolution was slower taking over the still photo professionals than the video professionals. That's because the video guys are constantly investing in new equipment, while the still-photo guys had a substantial investment in the old equipment. We had to wait for that generation of equipment to wear out. Digital has made a tremendous difference in editing video. Editing systems that used to cost hundreds of thousands are now turn-key for less than $10,000.
I started doing video as a sideline, but now the tail is wagging the dog. Video most of the time now.
Videotaping court depositions is a booming business across the country. And there are basic recordation jobs -- I spent three years on the Convention Center, for example, recording everything.
It still becomes work. Heck, I did boudoir photography with ladies in sexy poses, and it became just a business. Ho-hum. I'm from the Willie Nelson school of photo and video -- if you got the money, honey, I got the time.
AT WORK is a weekly feature that shows and tells what people do for a living in their own words. Send comments and submissions to business@starbulletin.com.