Jealous of wammers!

[carsman]

It might just be me but...when I see some people who get messy almost every day..And I mean VERY messy..I just wish it was me!

I mean I don't get angry or sad, I just wish it was me!

Wammers such as messy Jessie, candy Custard, Sweet Sophie, Kym Jane and Liz Ashley, they have been in baths of messy stuff, had buckets of stuff and sat in more stuff I can even mention!

I wonder what they think about it all, do they know how lucky they are to get PAID! To get messy, or do you think they are bored of it?

I know I would never be bored of it! Its like a dream come true!

So what do you think? Would you give up your day job to do it?
And do you think they know how lucky they are?

(If any of you read, we love all your work)

Cheers x

[SimonW]

As with almost every "job", it's almost certainly not as exciting/interesting/fun as outsiders might think.

I've read that even "ordinary" glamour photography is usually totally over-rated, sometimes boring and certainly totally un-erotic for everyone involved.....apparently there's so much pure hard working and concentration on getting poses, lighting, make-up, wardrobe, hair-dos and everything just right, while watching the clock ticking on wages, studio hire and everything else. (And probably all at 9 a.m. on a miserable January Monday morning, with half the people with hangovers!)

I think I'll keep to my day job.....

[SimonW]

.....and then having to try to explain to an unimaginative taxman (or, even worse, tax-lady) why you've claimed the cost of a French Maid's Outfit and six dozen tins of Ambrosia Devon Custard as a deductable business expense.

Yeh, I defintely will keep to my day job!

[andy250]

SimonW, You are so WRONG!!! I consider myself very lucky indeed I get paid to play for a living. I also this year have put through to the taxman everything you talked about, and nobody cares, this just want to know about what tax I owe and why.

So why oh why, should I go back to working for somebody else for 50+ hours a week, when I can work for myself and have guys and girls taking their clothes off for a living.....

Der.............

Andy

[SimonW]

Andy - I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek with some of my comments, but maybe I'll ask again in five or ten years time?

I'm not actually worked in still photography, but I spent nearly ten years in films and tv (lighting and electrical) including some big-name productions, and, believe me, it is hard work and very long hours. And, unless you're a big name yourself, you can't pick-or-choose when you're offered a contract, you just accept the hours and conditions...too many others want the business. It was interesting meeting some top names, but most, whether in front or behind the camera, are just very professional and hard-working and just get on with doing a good job. There are a few household names who can get away with being prima-donnas, but not all of them.

Enough reminiscences, but, in the end, despite good pay, I decided to change direction and I don't think I'll go back.

(As to the tax man, I know from my time self-employed, that, if you do get picked out for one of their random investigations, they really could ask the question I suggested!
I was fortunate, kept everything up-to-date and squeaky clean, but I know a few who had grief )

[BillShipton]

I have had said random IR investigation a few years back and took them to the studio to show just how much custard, clothing etc we had. I dare say they were laughing about it after but we all managed to keep a straight face at the time.

As I said to Graham who came to pick up some back issues last week. I never grow tired of thinking up ideas and filming is often fun but the boring business stuff and the clearing up is a pain.

And Simon, I'd welcome any tips on cheap lighting!

[andy250]

If you want some cheap, but decent quality soft boxes 1000w each. I know a supplier in London. If you want the site add, drop me a pm Bill. I'll go through the books and
dig out the invoices on set up.

regards

Andy.

[Sploshman]

I want Bill or Andy's job anyday over what i do now

[andy250]

I know this is a bit off topic-ish. What happend on the show last night sploshman, I tuned in and there where a few technical issue's you didn't look a happy bunny...

[Sploshman]

I'll give you a tweet later Andy mate.

Lets just say it was eventful on radio that Weds night just gone (dont help that i'm moving houses too right now)

[SimonW]

I have had said random IR investigation a few years back and took them to the studio to show just how much custard, clothing etc we had. I dare say they were laughing about it after but we all managed to keep a straight face at the time.

As I said to Graham who came to pick up some back issues last week. I never grow tired of thinking up ideas and filming is often fun but the boring business stuff and the clearing up is a pain.

And Simon, I'd welcome any tips on cheap lighting!

Pleased that the IR gave you a clean record! (unintentional bad pun there ). My own accountant told me that they are actually quite fair and not unreasonable if you're picked out for just a random check....they won't advise you have to actually savetax, but they don't argue with legitimate business expenses. I guess their visit gave them and their colleagues an entertaining day when they got back to the office.

I'm rather out-of-the look now, but for decent s/h lighting, try a phone call to one or two of the bigger lighting/equipment hire companies, see what they do with older equipment nowdays...unless they're using the big studios, most smaller production companies hire all the gear as needed, and the established hire companies replace their stuff regularly to keep it up-to-date and in good shape. With most film and tv being done digitally now, the trend is to much smaller and portable gear, so some of this is may be becoming available now. IDK?