July 7 – Slowing down, monster trucks, fireworks

It’s a time of year where much of my client work slows down. I have to remind myself that being a solopreneur means that, besides the creative force, you’re every role in the company from CEO down to the janitor. A slow month means it’s time for things like inventory, accounting, equipment maintenance, training, etc..

Thankfully, I have plenty to do here at home, including my own birthday in a few weeks. I spent much of the week cleaning up from my mom’s big 70th birthday party, which became more of a long weekend of celebrations. Our neighbors came by throughout the weekend, which felt very fun and old-school neighborly.

For the fourth of July, my family decided last minute to attend Kaboom! at the Pomona Fairplex. Monster trucks, motocross, and fireworks. I photographed this event last year for the Fairplex, the same site the hosts the LA County Fair. I was hoping to work this one again, but I’m happy to see fellow photographers working. Plus, I’m rather happy with the shots I got last year (see above) and I don’t always like to get the same shots year after year.

Another decent use of a slower month is to explore projects and creative expression outside the realm of client work. It seems counterintuitive–why work on anything unless it’s for pay. For creativity’s sake that isn’t always the best approach. It’s good to take time to learn, explore, challenge yourself. And I’m someone who does many, many things. It can be a little frustrating, to be honest. I often find that I’m wandering a bit, camera in hand, with no real direction. I breathe and try to remember that this is part of the process.

Seeing the fireworks at the Fairplex reminds me of last year when I had to photograph a few events with fireworks, and how it was actually a skill I learned specifically for these events. Some examples below from Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

I’m generally anti-fireworks, but pro-learning new things.