The Photo That Almost Cost Me My Job

[CrazyCatWom]

Since it is the last day of the non-existant Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, this is an appropriate photo for carolek572 and Tinker-Belle

How it almost cost me my job--I used to work for a camera store. My boss had the rule that we were never to tell customers if we were photographers, so I never did. A friend of mine worked for a company that was setting up new LCD billboards all over town. Originally, the company would run stock photos to test the signs and make sure they were working. My friend pointed out that Albuquerque was home to a LOT of photographers pro and amature. So why not run a contest where these photographers could submit images, and whoever won, their images would be run for the billboards' tests. The company accepted the idea and created the The Faces of Albuquerque" contest. The images had to be of the Albuquerque Metro area. I was working in the Santa Fe location of that camera store at the time, and hadn't been photographing in Albuquerque much. So the only thing new I had was a photo I'd taken from my balcony during balloon Fiesta.

Well, it was chosen along with 8 other photographers' work! I didn't know it, right away, though. It wasn't until a local news channel ran a story about the " City-wide Outdoor Art Gallery". A reporter was interviewing a Clear Channel official under one of the billboards. And not only did the images appear on the signs, the actual winning photographers' names also appeared on their images!

My boss happened to tune into the news program for the eening, and guess whose photo and name appeared on my boss' TV screen?!?!?!?!?!??

MINE!

[Tinker-Belle]

Oh my! Beautiful. I’m glad it didn’t end up costing you your job. Seems like a silly rule. I would think it would only add credibility to the store if actual photographers worked there. Now, if you dissed other photographers, I could understand that being a problem. Hmmm.

[CrazyCatWom in reply to Tinker-Belle]

Thank you! And yeah, it was a really stupid rule. Even the reps for companies like Nikon, Canon, Kodak, etc. said the same thing. Customers would be more likely to believe us if we could show them examples of us using the equipment and supplies. And I know that would've especially helped a female sales person (like myself) because inspite of Dorthea Lang, or Annie Liberwitz, women aren't supposed to know anything about photography

[Tinker-Belle in reply to CrazyCatWom]

Well, you obviously do. Beautiful work. Please keep sharing.

[falalalala]

Awesome photo!

[CrazyCatWom in reply to falalalala]

Thank you!

[twooldcrows]

wow but it is great that your photo got picked ...he should of been proud that his employee had been picked ...great looking picture it is as if i am right there ...wow ...great shot....

[rjoneslaw]

glad u didnt lose ur job

but it is nice

[BettysMom]

I can't figure how you got that shot from a balcony. Did you really live that close to the balloon festival?

[CrazyCatWom in reply to BettysMom]

I live about 4 miles from Balloon Fiesta Park. But I'd gotten up that morning and went out onto my balcony to, umm, smoke my first cigarette of the day. The balloons were flying over and this one had flown over my house. The pilot actually jokingly asked if the coffee was ready! LOL! I had a small point and shoot camera just inside the door, so I grabbed it.

[Corran731]

A friend of mine has worked at this event and I really want to go some day. I was sick last year Great picture!

[hairbrain4]

It's a great pick! Surely your boss must have thought so too.

[RoyceNewton]

Nice pic

[Amore55]

Great picture! As always, talent!