Nikon Addiction!

I am truly a Nikon addict. I was first introduced to the Nikon camera back in I believe 1978 or 79 by my dad who was a professional wedding photographer. I still have my dad’s old classic camera, which I refuse to sell because my dad gave it to me, so its precious to me, but let me tell you; if you want a camera that is comparable to these tiny digital camera’s that everyone uses that cost $150-400, you may as well start with a Nikon Digital SLR D40 which gives you much more features and control over your exposures, and you have more options for your flash preferences because you don’t have to use the “on camera” flash feature.

The best deal for this camera, I would suggest getting from Amazon. I purchased it NEW from Amazon and its worked well for me since 2008, and the camera’s improve over the years so I can just imagin what the D40 is like now.

I just purchased another one (D90), so I’m a happy camper!

I would also recommend getting an SB600 flash and NOT use the flash on camera. But that’s a total option for average use.

Check it out!

Michele W.

Gotta give you full recognition because you have been very supportive and a true friend. Words cannot express how grateful I am for everything you have done for me.  Trust me when I say, it does not go unrecognized.

And homegirl can sang, not sing, with an I, but SANG! Look out for her everyone!

And Monte’ – you dupid! LOL!!!!!!!! with your sexy self. Everyone give Monte’ applause, he looks so lovely don’t you agree http://www.ksardphotography.com. This is a cool cat!

Love you much!

In addition to “Why I Hate Hookups”

I have to add to this article, that I don’t even like to barter because most people have no clue as to what an EVEN barter is, especially when it comes to Design. The cost of the software we use can run you anywhere between $500 – $3000, and $400+ for upgrades, and the creative process is not easy; its tedious and takes a lot of time to design a site from scratch; to spend hours in front of the computer, straining your eyes, carpel tunnel risk, and large amounts of disk space used on our personal computers (which also cost money to purchase), on top of dealing with customer service challenges, is not worth bartering.

If your “barter” EQUALS to my price list, then MAYBE we can make a deal, otherwise, you cannot exchange website design and other multimedia design work for “dinner and a movie”, a free ticket to a football game or worse (and this is a hilarious one I got from past potential client), “guitar lessons.” Are you kidding me?!

What am I going to do with guitar lessons? Play a tune for my bill collectors out of paying my bills? LOL

So to put it simple and plain, if you can’t afford to pay (invest) for the services, then I suggest you move on to another designer.

I hate to sound cold, but I’ve provided services for people in the past who used the famous “I can’t afford to pay you, but I’ll barter services” and then to add insult to injury, said “you can get credit on my website by adding your logo”. I allowed it because I was inexperienced with running my own business, so you live and learn; ONCE for me.

I wasn’t too inexperienced though, I know when someone is trying to pull a fast one on me and even though I agreed to design their site; they received a VERY plain mediocre interface.

 I hate to say it but, you get what you pay for.

Don’t expect a “celebrity” or “corporate” website with a bunch of flash, high tech graphics, audio editing etc.,  for $300 – $600.

Not going to happen.

If you are serious about the purpose of your website, which I would assume is to market yourself or a product you are trying to promote and/or sell, be prepared to spend the money regardless if you seek a design firm or an independent artist. You wouldn’t want someone under-paying you for your job would you?

So my suggestion is, if you can’t afford a designer, use a template and KNOW how to edit the template yourself.

Those “I have a template” customers are a whole other story which I don’t have time to discuss LOL, but believe me, purchasing a template is not a quick fix, you will have to have knowledge of the software in order to edit the template, which if you don’t have the experience of using the software, you will end up having to hire a designer to edit it anyway, which will cost you additional fees. Also, purchasing the “regular” price for a template further places you at risk of having your site look exactly like someone else’s website, and even if you do purchase the “unique” price which can cost $2000+, that design will come off of THAT template site you purchased it from, but there are millions of template websites where that same design is posted. So its best for your to get hire a designer and have them create your OWN unique design from scratch.

There are no easy ways around this……….

This applies to every customer, whether you are a family member, friend or foe; black, latino, or asian.  These also are not excuses for hookups.

If you can afford to pay for $200 tennis shoes, $300 blackberries, $500 rims for your tires and other “non-tax deductables”, then have the same money to pay for services from black owned businesses.

Don’t patronize me either, if you don’t like my body of work, move on and please don’t use the word “we” i.e. “we can work something out” cause I don’t speak french. LOL

Very Funny, Yet Sad Truth

This is a website that I frequent when I get stressed out in this industry. It reminds me that I’m not the only one enduring these kinds of experiences

http://www.mathewbrowne.com/nightmare-web-design-clients/

Why I Hate The Hook-Up

Want to support black entrepreneurs? Stop hitting them up for freebies

Alfred Edmond Jr. 

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Richard, a black comedian calls his white friend: “Hey, Chad. Just wanted to let you know: I’ll be in town next week to do a show. Hope you can make it.”

Chad: “Really? That’s great! What night is it? I’ll call all of my friends and we’ll pack the house! It’ll be a blast!”

“Thanks, Chad!,” says Richard. “It’s on Thursday night. I’ll see you then!”

Richard hangs up, excited about the prospect of a big night at the comedy club, which means more gigs. He then he calls his boy, Lamont. (What? You know he’s black. How many white, Asian or Latino guys named Lamont do you know? Try to keep up, okay? Anyway…)

Richard: “Monty-Mont! Whassup? It’s ya boy, Richy-Rich! Just hollerin’ atcha to let you know that I got a gig in town next Thursday. You coming, right?”

Lamont: “Hell, yes, I’m coming! You funny as a mug! Shoot, I’ll bring my girl, and tell her to bring her girls, and I’ll get Antonio and Big Rob and Lisa to come and get the word out to their peeps, too!”

“Cool!,” says Richard. He holds his breath. He knows it’s coming.

“You gonna hook us all up, right?,” says Lamont.

One of the biggest drags on black entrepreneurial growth and profitability is the “hook-up”: black people expecting other black people to provide them with free goods and services just because they’re black. We need to stop it. Today. NOW.

No, she can’t hook you up with a few press releases and some public relations for your event.

No, he can’t hook you up with a few signed copies of his book.

No, he can’t hook you up with a quick shape-up so you can look fly at the club tonight.

No, she can’t hook you and your momma and aunties up with free tickets to the fashion show.

No, she can’t hook up a business plan for you real quick.

No, she can’t deliver the dinner keynote without an honorarium, in return for two tickets at the head table for food she won’t get to eat. Because she’ll be speaking during the dinner.

No, they can’t wash your car, pull your teeth, do your hair, fix your computer, edit your manuscript, paint your house, build your web site, etc. for free! Discount? Maybe. Complimentary services for referring new—paying—customers? Okay. An occasional freebie for long-time, loyal customers who always pay? Sure. Barter my goods or services for yours? We might be able to work something out. But, FREE? NO!

Hello? The point of being in business is to make money! How can entrepreneurs, and black business owners in particular, make money, if they’re expected to give their products and services—which costs them money to create, develop, market and deliver—away for free? If you don’t spend money with them, they can’t spend their money with you. If you won’t pay for your haircut, your barber can’t pay to eat at your restaurant. If Leslie the auto dealer won’t pay a competitive rate for wedding planning, Lisa the wedding planner can’t afford to buy a car from Leslie. Money has to circulate in order for economic empowerment to happen and for black entrepreneurs to have a chance to compete and thrive. You don’t support black entrepreneurs by showing up for the hook-up. You support black business by paying up.

When I find a black entrepreneur or professional who provides goods and services I like, I pay for those goods and services—period. I know that there are costs associated with providing a service and making a product, a cost they can only recoup by selling at a profit. I don’t want them to hook me up with free stuff. I want to hook them up with my spending, because then they can really hook me up, by creating jobs, growing the local tax base, supporting community organizations, doing business with other black entrepreneurs and professionals—or just having enough money and a predisposition to reciprocate, to buy goods and services (like subscriptions to Black Enterprise) from me and mine. I want black enterpreneurs to make money. I want them to succeed. I want them to get more than rich. I want to see as many wealthy black entrepreneurs, families and communities as possible. So if I like what they’re selling, I’m more than happy—I’m thrilled—to pay for it, and to tell all of my family, friends and associates how great they are.

Do you really want to support black entrepreneurs and black professionals? Stop hitting them up for freebies. If you believe in their products and services, pay for them, as you would for the products and services of any other business. If what they’re selling doesn’t merit that, why are you patronizing them in the first place? Do you really think you’re doing them—or yourself—a favor?

Alfred A. Edmond Jr. is the editor-in-chief of BlackEnterprise.com

http://www.blackenterprise.com/blogs/2009/12/03/why-i-hate-the-hook-up