Seven Pillars Photography - The Mission
If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it."- Jay Maisel
I believe each of us has a God-given gift and it is our responsibility to share for the betterment of the world. Photography is the gift given to me. Though I am new to this world, my fascination, knowledge, and skill level improves with each photo. The realm I have chosen to use this gift is the challenging environment of concert photography. I could not be in a better region of the world than Austin, Texas, the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
The challenge I have laid out for myself is to capture, display, and preserve musicians as they play, not only in the greater Austin area but throughout Texas, the United States, and the world. Clearly, this is more than one person can achieve in a lifetime, but I will begin this movement and during the journey recruit others worldwide.
The mission of Seven Pillars Photography is to capture and make known local musicians
throughout the world with the purpose of making known to them that their skills are needed and appreciated.
But I wish to do more. I will become a vehicle that helps local musicians financially. The photography that I sell would not be possible without you, 'The Musician.' It is my intention to share the profits of the individual photographs sold. The books, I will share profits with other organizations. Seven Pillars Photography will be an enhancing force to live music in the greater Austin area. Someday extend throughout the United States and the World. These steps take time and I have just left the starting gate. With your help, we will both be successful. I cannot succeed without you.
What are the Seven Pillars?
#1. I will never intentionally post a photo that in any way could embarrass the musician.
#2. If the musician does not want to be photographed, then I will respect their wishes.
#3. Without question, except to gather information, I will pull any photo, as soon as I can, that the musician does not like.
#4. I will not photograph or post anything that I deem unethical. - If I think it is wrong, then it will not get posted.
#5. I will minimize my comment on photos, except to indicate who, where, and when. I do not want to distract from the musician. It is about them, not me.
#6. My goal is to minimize post-editing, but many times, in this challenging environment, I do not have a choice. I will, on occasion, try a look.
#7. My word is my currency. If I say I will be there, then I will, unless something happens to prevent it.