Ritz Ybor and Pediatric Cancer Foundation

I just got an email from my friend Oki at The Ritz, Ybor.

Every year, they have an event called, "Miracle on 7th Avenue."  It's a great night of music and fun with all the proceeds going to The Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

For the last three years, I've been shooting/printing pictures of Santa at the event with the proceeds going to the cause.  I always enjoy it.

Anyway, Oki's email came with a picture of the check that their parent company (Radiant Group) gave to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.  I know that my contribution is nothing compared to all the hard work that others put into the various fund-raisers throughout the year but still, it's nice to know that I was in there somewhere.  :)

Santa pictures at Hyde Park Village

I'm spending a week taking pictures of Santa Claus at Hyde Park Village and it's really a wonderful experience.

First, a little inside scoop on photographers.  Most photographers specialize in one sort of photography.  Some are wedding photographers and some are baby photographers.  Some shoot sports and Little League and some shoot school portraits.  Which field you specialize in is based on what you like, what you're good at and what makes money, not necessarily in that order.  There's also some ego stuff involved sometimes... fashion photographers would never lower themselves to shooting a wedding, wedding photographers would never stoop to shooting Little league. That sort of thing.

My problem is that I like to work.  If someone asks me to do a job and I'm not already booked, there's a good chance I'll do it.  I have a family to support and there's pride to be had in working but the main reason is that I enjoy being a photographer.  Any kind of photographer.  There's joy to be had in the work, the people you meet and the pride of doing a good job.  That's why it's not unusual to see me photographing a high-end wedding one day and a High School prom the next.  I've turned down jobs before for various reasons but I don't know many photographers who work in as wide a variety of fields as I do.

This is the first time that I've ever signed on for such a long session (6 days total).  I'm two days in and I can't tell you how much I'm loving it.