Queer Intro
Welcome to the Gay in the Bay Blog! I am Josie, a queer writer and videographer that loves to document what I see around me. This started out as a writing blog but has grown to include events that more people should know about.
This post is for the week of
Do you have a live event that needs filming? I’m a videographer! Please check out the Sweeney Media on your way to the About > Contact page. I look forward to working with you.
Looking toward the future
This week’s blog is going to be a little different. It’s looking toward the future! Which is actually funny considering this post lands in the exact middle of the year.
But let’s first look back at the focus (or possibly unfocus) of this blog. In its current form, there isn’t much form to the function. And some weeks, like the past couple after my road trip, have honestly been a blur! What do I mean by this?
For starters, this began as a way to encourage myself to stay on top of goings-on in San Francisco and the larger Bay Area. But I quickly realized that I have settled into several monthly or weekly events. Not great journalism, but to settle down is human (alongside erring, but let’s not guilt trip too much). How can a recent resident stay in in touch with the pulse of life in the metro area? Well, videos and photography are two ways to do this.
I’m not the best at conversations. I’m one of quite a few that have discovered they are undiagnosed autistic and ADHD, and even a laundry list of other possibilities. My brain just works differently than many others. So that presents another question: How do I create content that works as a kind of conversation? Videos and photography are two ways to do this.
I’ve been looking for a job since the beginning of the year. And only recently have I received rejection emails. Most haven’t given me the time of day to respond. And video and photography are two things that I am passionate about.
Now, I’m no marketer. But that doesn’t mean I’m not able to become one for myself. I’m better at the technical side of things. I love setting up the background for a film or photography set, and then taking the pictures. It’s a melding of creativity and ingenuity.
What the Hell Am I Getting At?
The biggest thing is this: I’m selling my photography, for starters.
But that’s not the only thing going on. For many of the pieces I sell, I will create a blog post that will recount the story surrounding the piece. Sometimes a photo comes about in the middle of adventure! If a picture is worth a thousand words, then whomever pays for my photography will purchase the full experience.
I’m preparing to start off 5 entries as the first of the series. A couple of them are in the gallery on my site!
I’m also starting a travel vlog for my YouTube channel. I’m labeling everything as Sweeney Lens from here on out, just to make the branding easier to achieve. From here on out, there may not be weekly posts. However, I will be making things much more interactive and sharable; wonderful for the Social Media Age that we all begrudgingly live in. Also, there are certain things that happen that should have a post of their very own. Like birthday gifts I’m sharing with friends (DnD character sheets based off of my friends’ personality); traveling to a particular place; breaking things up this way just makes more sense to include in a boring ole business model.
What To Expect Soon
There is an event going on this Saturday hosted by one of my incredible house mates. It’s a fundraiser for Burning Man. And I’ll be hanging my pictures in our Tea Lounge to entice potential buyers.
And this also feels like it will be a blog on how I conduct my business in the photography world. There’s so much I need to learn about the art of photography itself, marketing, and other aspects that I need to learn and want to share.
So, I hope to start some discussions soon. About art, about how-to’s, about photography!
Pop Culture
Each week I include media that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a creator of any kind, please email me to be included in this list. I love discovering new artists; from singer-songwriters to upcoming directors, and beyond.
Reina Del Cid on Spotify
Jukebox the Ghost on Spotify