Meet a Subject: Moshe Zusman

The final installment of my Meet a Subject series looks at the time I have spent assisting DC portrait/headshot/you name it photographer Moshe Zusman. It has been about a year since I took the plunge and committed myself to full time independent freelance photography as my sole source of income and I have learned more about portraiture and, more importantly, the business side of photography from a few months working with Moshe than years of handling a camera on my own. 

The first few months of my entrepreneurial voyage were relatively busy. I was occupied with the multifaceted responsibility of establishing a business entity (just hire an account. Seriously), figuring out what it is that I would be doing photographically speaking, conceptualizing a brand, building a couple portfolios, growing contacts and generally adjusting to the strange ebb and flow of independent employment. I wasn't, however, doing a lot of photography. I heard that this was pretty normal in that pursuing photography as a business means running the business first and foremost with a bit of photography here and there. I also heard from a very trusted friend that the winter was coming, and the months can be slow. 

Just Ask!

Great opportunities start with very simple conversations.

"Hey man, is that a film camera you're using? I used to print in the darkroom all the time!" was the observational introduction volleyed by Robert Romano as I motored past him while out shooting with my rangefinder a bunch of month's ago. After some follow up in the form of meetings, chats, and collaborations we finally teamed up to do some fun headshots for a company earlier this week. And that's how opportunities come to fruition.

Multiple Exposure Portrait of Rob, taken by me

Multiple Exposure Portrait of me, taken by Rob