Going on Safari to Africa

There are many many photographers who call themselves "professional". Some are good, some are average and many are just bad. That's a pretty sweeping statement to make and I wont' be surprised if I get more than just a few comments about that. But stop and think about it. Just because you charge to take photographs doesn't make you a "professional".

A professional that I admire is former seminarian and Canadian, David DuChemin, because he is a man who, from my perspective at least, "there is no guile" (no pun intended in that Scriptural reference). Dave is honest and upfront and wants to get anyone interested in photography shooting with the equipment they have and no wishing they could take great photos because they don't have the latest and greatest gizmos on the market.

I'm singing Dave's praises because this week he released another monograph in a series called "The Print & The Process" called SAFARI. The title was like nectar to a honey bee because in less than a year (June 2011) Jamie Thom and I will be leading a group of 7 people on safari to Botswana and Zambia. Why seven? Well, because I am number 8 and Jamie is number 9. Jamie is a top flight photographer and skilled instructor who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He knows the African bush backwards and has won many awards for his photography. I grew up in South Africa and want others to grow to love Africa and it's heritage the way I do and what better way to make that happen by taking friends and their friends on safari. By the way, only THREE (3) seats remain, so if you are interested in going to Africa for less than $5000 (including airfare), then you need to contact me today!

This 62-page eBook, available for the ridiculously low price of $5.00 and whether you photograph your dog, cat, children, animals at the zoo or in the wild, I recommend you buy it. Dave discusses lessons he learned, (one being the importance of slowing down, because Africa moves at a different pace!), what gear he used and the Adobe Lightroom settings he created for his prints. If you buy this eBook before July 11, you can obtain it for $4.00 (that's cheaper than a meal at Mickey Ds) by clicking this link and using the promotional code SAFARI4 when you check out.  (Oh, btw, Dave also puts out a great desktop wallpapers you can use on your computer every month! For 1280×853 click here and for 2560x1600 click here.)

What is my itinerary?

19th June, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg. Still making arrangements at a 3-star or better hotel close to the airport.

20th June, 2011
Depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrive Maun, Botswana
Air Botswana

Overnight in hotel in Maun. Currently exploring opportunities. Hotels/Lodges range from simple B&B to USD500 a night all inclusive.  More details to follow.

21st - 22nd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Our adventure will take us in a north-westerly direction from Maun to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once we have reached the edge of the Delta, we will transfer our equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta we will meet the local polers with their mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. We will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)

23rd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, we will retrace your route to Maun. We will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta to return to Maun (1hr scenic flight is EUR 100 per person, with a minimum of 3 guests to guarantee the flight). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s unique water system and if you choose to take the flight, you will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite writing postcards or reading a book while you wait for your afternoon flight. Your guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle to resupply for the next stage of your adventure. After collecting you at the airport, we will shop for drinks and then spend the night at a campsite just outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided.)

24th - 26th June, 2011
Moremi Game Reserve
From Maun we will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for, while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After our morning game drive, we will return to camp for lunch and a siesta.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)

27th - 29th June, 2011
Chobe National Park
The diverse and striking landscape of Chobe National Park, is our next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, we will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. We will then head northwards to the Chobe River where our game drives will meander along the banks of the river and venture further into the park.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)

30th June - 1st July, 2011
After a morning game drive you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10 AM on 1st July, 2011.

1st July, 2011
Depart Livingstone, Zambia
Arrive Oliver Tambo Airport, South Africa
British Airways

1st July, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg and transit on your own to a local or international destination with memories of an incredible experience you cannot wait to share.

Just think about it! You can swelter away in next year's summer heat, or you can call me today at 713.581.0656 and be part of the trip that you will remember and reminisce about for the rest of your life.

Here is your To-do list:
1. Call John at 713.581.0656 to get more information on the Safari to Botswana and Zambia next July.
2. Download Dave's eBook.

That's it for another week. Peace, and happy shooting.

Expanding your network

When most people hear the phrase, "Expanding your network", many think of friending people on Facebook. I have come to the conclusion that one's network is far wider and far more powerful than a list of names on Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn.

This past Monday, I had to take Charley, my brindle-coloured French Standard Poodle, to see the vet. The only times that one visits medical/veterinary people is if you or your pet is sick or you need a refill on a prescription and the doctor/vet needs to re-evaluate your condition before letting you pop more pills.

I took Charley in because he constantly shook his head as if something was stuck in his ear. I looked inside, didn't see anything, but certainly smelled the tell-tale odour of an ear infection. I arrived at the vet around 10 AM, and the place was packed out with dogs (and cats) of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Some were pretty aggressive and others were just the cutest things you can imagine. I typically, tend to keep to myself, not wanting to intrude into others' space, but the marketing class I attended this past weekend taught me that every encounter with another person is an opportunity not only to make friends, but to expand your network and to grow your business. While this isn't a new concept to me, it is one that decided to embrace with a certain amount of fear and trepidation. I can work a crowd of 30+ people without batting an eyelid, but chatting and becoming friends with random strangers, is another matter entirely.

The woman to my right had a sweet dog who had been neutered the week before, but his stitches had come out. The poor thing had a helmet around it's head that was meant to prevent it from getting to the stitches, but apparently it hadn't worked. I made small talk with the dog's owner, but she clearly didn't want to talk and her body language demonstrated it. You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. A woman with the cutest baby came in with her Mom and dog and sat down next to me and she started chatting almost immediately. We totally hit it off.  I learned that her husband is an opera singer who loves singing Wagner (he needs headshots), their baby was a mere 2 months old (needs beautiful photographs) and they want to have a family portrait taken.

I had my iPhone with me and showed her a few photos that I keep on there and she loved them, but it would've been better if I had a bigger screen like my iPad.  Consequently, I now carry business cards and my iPad wherever I go. I gave her a card and invited her to contact me (need to be more pro-active and get her information so that "I" can contact the other party) right as Charley's name was called to see the vet.

What did I learn? Just because one person says "no" doesn't mean that everyone says "no". People have so many things going on in their heads, at work and at home that they may not be in the right place to be receptive. Consequently, don't sweat the small stuff and move on. Building your network isn't "friending" someone, but it is "being a friend" to another person and genuinely showing interest in their lives. If an opportunity comes to talk about what you have to offer, that's great, but if not, that is also fine because we shared our humanity together.