Julie,
well, Linda and I are in those "retirement" years but it's highly unlikely that we'll stop working for a while. We kid about taking "the show on the road" and we could do it -- I'd actually get more work if I went to shows and set up a booth; the magazine essentially is published out of a computer with an internet connection.

For us the problem is the kids: you just can't travel with 5 Rottweilers and a Golden Retriever. The fur alone would overwhelm the interior of any size RV .

On the other hand, expanding the marketing focus of my business beyond the Southeast is a sound marketing strategy and one I've exercised occasionally in the past. Next year's Rottie National is in Wisconsin and I'm trying to get that business. I've shot in Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Taking it on the road for weeks or weekends is definitely "do-able" as long as we have friends who can take care of some of the kids.

The point of all this is that the business of photography -- especially show and/or pet -- requires that we find it rather than relying on it finding us.

As for your Saint National, I've already offered to have you join me for the Miami shows in early December but if you'd like an "assistant" for the National itself, I'd be happy to help out.

Jim

Julie, your small studio shots look lovely. I too, have looked into this sort of route. I really like the toy haulers that have the area in the back for 4wheelers or whatever but I think would make a great studio space. My hubby just retired this year and I thought this would be a great way to take the show on the road. But like others, home care-horses- are a bit of a concern.

I would like to travel with whippets and smaller but that is not in the picture either. So as we all think about how, when and where we can keep doing what we love, it is nice to hear how others are planning.

I thought the Nationals for Rotties were in Minnesota next year.

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I thought the Nationals for Rotties were in Minnesota next year.

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Peggy Sue,
yup, Lake Elmo. Sorry, I mis-typed.

Jim

I picked up an old 1967 travel trailer and have been working on rennovating it and installing my viewing computers. Today I am going to be working on building the cabinets to house my processing computer. Next year when I go to an outdoor job, instead of messing with an EZ UP, I will park my trailer, level it, fire up the generator and boot up the computers. My customers will be able to look at the photographs inside the comfort of the trailer, and I have a place to stay with a kitchen, shower, toilet, closet & bed.

For your micro studio, why not pick up a small travel trailer and use it for the studio and tow it behind your motorhome?

You guys have some really great ideas. And I am sitting here chuckling at the differences in our situations, if we could combine all of ours we'd all be able to go do what we want!

I am not tied down by people or pets, as Hallie is my only child and she can go everywhere with me. But I am restricted by my work, since photography is #3 for me (computer and art being my first 2) and I work 10 plus hours a day I can't leave home that much. And, being self employed,I will never be able to retire. But I love the ideas here of putting a portable studio into a trailer of some kind, I wonder if that sort of thing is going to get more and more popular with time.

Thanks Jim, I have been known to show up at the wrong time, day but never the wrong state!

I love to hear all the ideas and hope we could all meet somewhere in our traveling studios.

Dee Dee, I too have always been self employed and have spent many years going to shows. How do you exhibit work?

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For your micro studio, why not pick up a small travel trailer and use it for the studio and tow it behind your motorhome?

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David,
now that's a great idea. I could even drag one behind the GMC Van.

I also like what you're doing for proofing. It'll be much more convenient and private for viewing the images.

Dee Dee, sometimes we only feel tied down to location. Couldn't you really do your computer work anywhere? Certainly you could do your painting and photography from a mobile studio. I always try to think of a way I could do it before I conclude that I shouldn't do it. With all the communications tools we have available today, being on the road is no different than being in the next block.

Two years ago, when we started the magazine and I had a lot of out-of-state shows, we actually took the computers with us and finished an issue while I was shooting 3 weekends of shows which I also proofed and fulfilled electronically. And we took 3 of our dogs with us because they were showing. It wasn't all that hard and we enjoyed being nomads for that period of time.

I find that simply being at the shows gets me work so I bring my camera even when we're only going to show our own dogs. No, I don't compete with the OPs but I do off-site portraits and advertising shoots, some for our own magazine.

I think being able to create the ads also helps us get the photography assignments and vice versa. I imagine the horse-showing world provides even more opportunities in this area although because I'm not a "horse" person, I'd have a lot to learn.

Hmmm, the JAG Mobile Marketing Vehicle has potential .

Jim

When I am done, I will post some photos of my trailer.

Would love to see pictures of that trailer, David! How is your shoulder doing??

Jim you have a good handle on this, you are right, I could theoretically do my work from anywhere. Although I do reference from my shelves full of books here at home frequently and we have to get together for meetings and see clients on occasion but it could be worked out. (I have to admit my biggest mental obstacle is worrying about Hallie being bored and not having my full attention all day LOL she likes to go but also likes her home routine). But...again, it would be doable! I think anyone can do anything if they want it bad enough...:)

Wow, good for you and Linda! Doing all that on the road, I'd have trouble with a week at home after the shows to really work on it! LOL.

peggysue, do you mean you have done a lot of art or photography shows? Either way...VERY COOL!! I have not done shows (at least not in many years). I go to a lot of art shows around here and I ask the artists how they do and I haen't had one yet tell me they even break even. I am alone too so that is way too much work and time away from work and $$ to come out in the hole. (plus the inconveniencing Hallie thing ). I sell pretty much totally off the internet, or from contacts from the shows I enter. Do you sell off the net or more from shows? I would LOVE to see more of your art work! What I have seen blows my socks off!