Can Money Grow On Trees?

A few friends and I are chilling around my coffee table one Friday night, munching on kettle cooked BBQ potato chips. There are also some sour gummy worms going around. Overall the chill is nice, I feel so so relaxed. 

I begin to think to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t have to work at all? What If I knew I always had an abundance of money in my account whether I got out of bed in the morning or stayed in bed for a week watching Grey’s Anatomy?

Wouldn’t that be so so very nice?

“Guys, what are some extremely easy ways to make passive income?” I ask while also asking where the sour worms are.

Sarah, who’s currently munching on a sour worm, passes the plastic container to me while she says: “You can self publish a book on Amazon.”

My friend Zack who hates people wakes up from his dozing off on my velvet blue sofa, “In WHAT universe is writing a BOOK a “I don’t have to do anything today“- way to make money? And who the hell is reading your book - no offense.”

“Ok ok, I say, everyone relax, this is a chill conversation to need to attack and BTW I would write an excellent book thank you very much, but I agree, it is an insane amount of work.”

What else?

“You can create an app”.

The guy who hates everyone, is now fully awake from his chill nap: “Uhhh ok, let’s see… thousands if not millions of investment money.” He holds up a sending finger, “A shit ton of time creating the app.” Holding up a third finger, “As well as being smart enough to create a successful app.”

“Oh I got one! Interrupts Sam while filling up a glass of water, you can do those online surveys!”

“Passive income” I tell him “PASSIVE!

Also, FYI, that’s a scam”.

Anyways, to make a long ass conversation shorter I got:

• Being a cook

• Selling things on Etsy 

• Driving for Uber 

• Real Estate Investments

• Buying a vending machine (I actually looked into that one)

• Buying a Laungry Matt (I looked into that one too!)

• Buying stocks 

• Making Swag

• Selling images online 

• Amazon shop on TikTok

The last one which actually got me excited was from my friend Emma, her suggestion was to become a Voiceover reader for books on audible.

“You can literally just start by reading a book and make money off of royalties!”

Anyway, it turns out it’s not simple at all. You need to audition for different books, have a website and much more. (I may go into this someday anyway cuz it seems like it would be a fun side hustle but definitely loads of work).

Anyways, I am sure you can guess the lesson I learned this weekend. 

Money doesn’t grow on trees.

I have also developed a new appreciation for what I do, it may be a lot of work, the monthly emails, the Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn and email posts, the outreach, networking events and all the things I need to do to let the world know that I exist and have a product for them.

With all that I get to be good at something. I get to do something that’s fun, that I enjoy, I get to make money and be of service. 

Seriously, who needs to open a vending machine when they can give someone a way better product than a bag of chips?!

**Side note - I would love to hear about your passive income ideas!

10 tips to improving your smartphone photography

Do you often think you must have a DSLR $4,000 camera to take great images? Well, its 2020 and incredible images are taken everyday on all kinds of smartphones. Here are 10 tips that can help you take your images to the next level!

All images were taken by Nechama Photography on the iPhone (5s, 7Plus, X)

Tip #1: Rule Of Thirds Ever heard the concept “Rule of thirds?” That plays an important role in photography.

Turn the grid on and use it as a guide. When taking an image look for the merges of lines ones on each side. Try to get your subject in the area of the circles.

When the main subject is placed in the general rule of the red circles shown in the first image. The eye gets pulled in to the image, having something to land on. Which turns the image into a story pulling the viewer in willing them want to stay.

Tip #2 Lines Rule of thirds does not apply when it comes to lines. Lines are powerful, wonderful. When you find interesting lines right there is your opportunity to take out your phone and get the picture of a life time.

Lines in itself can be what turns an image into interesting. It is helpful when lines lead to something, however they don’t always need to.

Lines are so often right in front of you. It is your job as a photographer to catch them!

Tip #3 Tell a story Take in your surroundings and tell a story. Use lines, negative space and rule of thirds to draw the viewer into the story. Force the viewer to ask ask questions: Where are you going? What happened here? Why is this here?

The viewer may get pulled in to this image by the use of rule of thirds and negative space. However, what holds the viewers interest is questions: Where is this butterfly going? Who’s going canoeing. Is it quiet? Can I hear the birds chirping the sound of the butterflies wings.

Allow imagination to run wild!

Tip #3 Hero Shots: Hero shots can show off more of the subject, bringing out the colors and appealing more to the viewer, telling a fascinating story.

This is a small Starbucks coffee cup. Yet here it appears to be larger than a medium. Making the image more interesting. Pull on your creative strings by simply by flipping your phone bringing the cameras to the bottom close to the floor of the subject.

Tip #4 Use the sky as a background Sometimes you don’t have an interesting background. Sometimes it’s too messy. Well, life just got easier, you can always use the sky.

The sky can be a beautiful backdrop! Use the clouds to add interesting patterns.

Using the sky as a background you need to get really low. Sometimes even lying on the ground. Yet it is worth it when your subject pops out with a clean background.

Tip #5 Always have a subject A Subject is something that catches the viewers attention, that plays with the viewers mind. Something that allows the eyes to settle. 

Yes, the lines are interesting, yet it’s the subject essentially that pulls you in.

Landscape photography with an iPhone can be challenging due to the issue of everything getting merged onto one blob. How to make it interesting? Find something that can be your subject and bring it to the focus. In the image above I used the orange building in the center where the eyes can travel to and settle on.

In such a large area of grass, I used the round hay-stacks to be my subject.

Tip # 6 Always Notice the Lighting: Lighting can be the tell all to your image. Essentially photographers paint with light, creating an even more interesting image. Look around there are so many carriers of light. All of which can be very useful to you. sun, window light, lamps, fire, and more. look out for all the sources around you and use them to your advantage.

Use the sun shining in through your window to your advantage. Window light can create beautiful rays of light as well as beautiful fall of of shadows. The closer you are to the window the less the shadows will be creating soft beautiful light. Pull yourself further away from the window to create beautiful interesting, unique shadows creating a story.

Know that light bounces Light is like a ball that bounces.(Reflects) It shines and bounces off any light surfaces. Buildings. water, light cement ground etc. Use that bounce to light your subjects.

Tip #7 Backlight: Turn your back to the sun to remove the harsh shadows on the face and find a light building to allow the light to bounce back. Use the sun as backlight use lighter buildings to bounce the lighting towards the face. This is especially helpful When photographing people.

Tip #8 Lookout for interesting Color and Texture Use color and texture to make the image more interesting

The image below may look like dead flowers, yet the texture it creates makes for an interesting image.

Tip #9: Creating bokeh: Take a cup and bring it extremely close to your face. Now while the cup is close to your face notice the background is blurry. That is called bokeh. The closer the camera is to the subject the more likely it is for the background to be blurred out.

Use bokeh to take advantage of color, lines and more helping your subject stand out.

With bokeh you can take full advantage of color and lines, since they are blurred out - not taking away much attention from the subject.

Use bokeh to take advantage of color, lines and more helping your subject stand out.

With bokeh you can take full advantage of color.

Tip #10: lookout for Composition, Light, Color and texture: Last but defiantly not least: always ask yourself, how can I get my image to have better Composition, Light, Color and texture? When taking an image look for all three to get an all around interesting image.

With these 10 tips, watch your images get better day by day! Like all art, practice practice practice! Take your phone out of your pocket. Notice the interesting patterns the light creates around you, notice the lines you pass everyday, notice the stories potential subjects are creating. Notice it all and capture it! The good thing about phones these days is they have more memory so take as many pictures as you need. Take advantage of the technology today and don’t be afraid to experiment—that is how you learn! 

I would love to see what you guys are doing so feel free to post your images in the comments!

5 ways to prepare for your next headshot session

Headshots are for actors like a knife is for a chef, a camera is for a photographer or a sewing machine is for a seamstress. It is essential to your career, an investment that you do not want to have to do over and over again until you get it right. Every actor wants to book, shoot and have that image that will make a lasting difference--that is, of course, until you make that decision to go blonde. Yet until THAT day, you want your headshots to last. Knowing how to prepare for your next headshot will be the difference between getting them right the first time or having to take them yet again.  Here are a few tips to guide you into making that one headshot session into a brilliant success. 

Frans Dam Actor

Hilary Denis Actress

1. Find colors that best fit your coloring and skin tones.

Headshots can easily become boring. It’s pretty much just your face. However, as an artist, you want THAT little itty bit of art to seep through. You want to show that yes, in fact, this is just a face, and it’s a simple image - but hey, I got me some style. 

Keep in mind, most of that falls to the photographer, and part of your job is finding a photographer that can pull that off. Yet, YOU have the power to bring clothing with colors that can take your image to the next level--pop like a firecracker. 

The best kind of tops for headshots are buttoned downs, tank tops, and T-Shirts - for men, you can add Jackets with collars. Make sure the necks are not too low since the ample space can easily mess with the composition. Colors are so important when it comes to clothing. Try on clothes and notice what colors make your eyes and hair pop. Ask your friends what colors look best on you that add contrast to your complexion.  If you have dark hair wear a lighter color top, and the opposite goes for you if you have light-colored hair.  Make sure to iron and clean your clothing. The goal is to appear invested—in this for the long hall. Simple is best! These are just headshots you are seeing very little of the top you are wearing. Your headshots are just showcasing your face and the expression it is telling the world. Leave the bells and whistles at home. Tshirts, collard solids, and tank tops are perfect. 

2. Eyebrows are the first thing you see in an image. (Women (Mostly))

Many people overlook their eyebrows. If you are going to invest in anything, it should be getting your eyebrows done. There is only a certain amount of editing the editors are going to take the time to do. Waxing your eyebrows in photoshop may not be one of them. Appearing neat and clean in an image speaks volumes. Take the time to make sure your eyebrows are perfect. While you are at it, get your lips waxed as well. Remember:  Clean look = Professional = here to kick ass!

3. Makeup

For men, I would recommend leaving the makeup at home. Even if you suffer from a bit of acne, that's easier to photoshop than mixed skin tones. Looking natural is number one. 

For women-- leave the lashes and eyeshadow at home.  If you are getting your makeup done, tell the makeup artist you want a natural look—no eyeliner or eyelashes. You want to look like YOU. When you walk into an audition, the casting directors should be able to recognize you from your headshot. They should be able to identify you when you get a call back a week later. Casting directors are looking at your headshots and discussing how you will appear on TV. Allow them to see YOU.  A good MUA can pull off a naturally beautiful look that will look natural yet bring out your beauty.

4. Write down all the places you plan on using the headshots so that the photographer knows if you need something special. 

Many photographers shoot only in Portrait Orientation or only in landscape orientation. Yet sometimes magazines only want a portrait. Occasionally managers may request one for your website header, which would need to be landscape. Maybe you need one of each. Find out before, and let your photographer know where exactly you would want to use these images-- this will guarantee you full benefits for the headshot session.

Ana Cristina Ramos Actress

5. Your face is your canvas!

Wear a moisturizing mask three times a week in the coming week so that your face looks moisturized and alive.  Wear a lip mask every night so that your lips aren't dry. Get yourself into a sound sleep schedule so that your face looks well-rested.

Headshots are a considerable investment in your remarkable career, and you deserve the best! Take these steps into account when preparing for your next headshot and be prepared to find the results to be better then you could ever have imagined!