Photography Archiving & Storage

Protecting your images from damage or loss preserves the history you’ve experienced with your family and friends. Ensuring that every special moment you’ve ever captured is archived and secure brings peace of mind and comfort; especially during times of disaster. Losing your most treasured documented moments in a fire, flood or other natural disaster can be heartbreaking to say the least.

Proper archiving and storage are even more important for someone that’s a career photographer. As a professional photographer it is your responsibility to ensure the protection and safety of your images. The idea of a career photographer losing their entire catalog of imagery due to a lack of motivation, is terrible; you must archive your catalog properly.

Thankfully, there are many options that allow you to safely, securely and properly store you’re your photographic memories and experiences. Below are some great tips to assist you in the protection of your photographs. Don’t wait until it’s too late; I cannot even begin to express the horror stories that I’ve heard and have personally experienced. Here are some other Great Photography Tips & Advice I recently shared; I hope you enjoy them!

BACK-UP & STORAGE
Existing Prints: The best way to preserve your existing prints is to convert them into digital form. By converting your images you are essentially backing them; now you have them in digital and print form. The most efficient way to convert your images is by a home scanner. Scanners are very inexpensive and can actually save you money; professional archivist can be expensive. If at all possible, invest in a home scanner and do it yourself.

When scanning your images, make sure to scan them at a resolution of at least 250dpi; this will assist you in printing crisp, clear photographs in the future; anything less proves unusable. Though you can scan at a higher resolution, I wouldn’t suggest it; you don’t want surface imperfections such as hair, lint, stains or watermarks to be visible.

If you happen to be well versed in Photoshop or a like program, then I would suggest scanning at a higher resolution of no more than 600 dpi; retouching should be easy. You may also need to adjust the settings when scanning color or black & white imagery. Always double check your settings to ensure efficiency.

Having the ability to print images from your distant past is fantastic; they make for great gifts. There are plenty of photography print services online that can accommodate all of your printing needs.

Backup Drives
There are a variety of portable / external hard drives that are conveniently small, lightweight, and inexpensive. Hard drives are extremely user friendly and easily connect to desktop and laptop computers via a USB or firewire port. Advancements in technology are providing greater memory capability at increasingly affordable prices.

Archival Disks
This is another excellent option for backing up your imagery. Always use CD’s or DVD’s that are specifically designed for photography archival; regular disks deteriorate rapidly losing quality; archival disks are designed to have a shelf life of 100 or more years.

Upon completing your backup to an archival disk, you should always test the disk to ensure it burned properly without any errors; very important. In addition, you should never delete anything until you are confident that you’ve completed your transfer successfully.

Fire-resistant Safes
Protecting your archives should be a top priority, especially for a career photographer. Having a fire-resistant safe is an excellent option for safely securing your prints, negatives, archival disks and external/portable hard drives. Fires are one of the leading causes of archival loss; it’s always better to be prepared!

PRESERVATION
Archival Sprays: It’s not complicated to protect your photographs from age, wear, and damaging effects of acid and light. I suggest Archival Mist, a safe non-toxic alkaline buffer you spray onto your photo paper; the application of the treatment is simple and it does extremely well over time. This treatment helps to protect brittle or weakening paper by neutralizing the acids in the paper; treated paper lasts roughly five times longer.

You should also treat you photo paper with, Krylon, a safe non-toxic acid-free formula with UV absorbing compounds that helps paper retain its brightness by eliminating the yellowing effects of age. You should also treat the paper containers in which your photographs are stored including albums, books, boxes and scrapbooks.

Proper Storage
Light, moisture, pollution and extreme temperature are the leading causes of photographic damage. It’s extremely important that you store your photographs properly to ensure long-term photo preservation. Fire / weather resistant safes are a great option for safely and securely storing your archives. Never store your archives in an addict or basement and always keep them away from direct sunlight.

Should you have any further questions regarding photography archiving or proper storage techniques feel free to email me. Remember, it is extremely important to protect and secure your imagery. Known that your images are protected will give you peace of mind; preserve your memories for a  lifetime.

Current Projects
I’m currently shooting a feature length documentary that examines the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. The film explores the depths of these concepts while chronicling my spiritual and artistic journey.

Our inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of my personal life and career including the development of my first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from my network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with my family due to my unwavering desire to broaden my artistic body of work. Our film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its artistic impact on their industries.

I hope you enjoyed my post about photography archiving and storage. I plan to start posting about these subject more regularly in the future, so please be sure to subscribe to my blog. Until next time…

Christopher Durst

Great Photography Tips and Advice

Over the last few weeks, quite a few photographers have reached out to me asking for advice. Quite frankly, I’m flattered that anyone would even want my advice. I’m grateful for your inquiries and more than happy to oblige you with some of my experiences. If there are specific subjects you would like me to post about, please let me know.

Preparedness
Being prepared should certainly be one of your top priorities. Showing up to a gig disorganized and unprepared is definitely not good; know your objectives and plan accordingly. Being professional, makes you a professional.

Two Bodies: You should always carry two camera bodies with you at all times. I recently experienced a situation during SXSW that harshly reminded me of my own advice. I was shooting the Gram Parsons Foundation launch event when the heat caused my camera to malfunction. Realizing I didn’t have my second body, I started to sweat profusely; I was in the middle of taping for my show! We had to stop production so I could go retrieve my second body; the one I should have had to begin with.

Batteries: You should always carry extra batteries with you; battery charger as well. You never know how the elements may affect your battery life. You also never know when a shoot might go longer than expected. This is a simple piece of advice but something I see overlooked way too often.

Photography Bags: If you don’t already have one, you need to purchase a photography bag. You never know what you’re going to need, until it’s too late. Carrying extra lenses, batteries, cleaner, and cables is essential. When you arrive to a shoot you should have everything you could possibly need and then some; always prepare for the unexpected. A camera bag is also the protector of your camera; always store your gear properly.

Composition: Taking a great photograph is more than just pointing the camera at your subject and pushing the button, it’s seeing the shot, positioning for it, and capturing the moment. Composition is essential to taking great photographs. Look for interesting objects or walls to use as a backdrop for your subject; this makes for a much better shot. Try to frame your subject slightly off-center; you don’t want your subjects face in the center of the frame. This combination of technique will give your images much more character. Lastly, once you have your subject framed slightly off-center with your interesting backdrop in frame, slightly tilt your camera to the left or right; this will give your images more feel. Take a look at my website and study some of the photos; rock photographer.

Capturing Emotion
I browse through thousands of images online every week while forecasting trends. Unfortunately, I regularly see a lot of lifeless, emotionless images during the process. Capturing emotion is the key to any photographer’s success; you have to know when to take the shot. One of the best ways to capture emotion is by keeping things loose on set and actually knowing your subject’s personality. Knowing someone’s character helps you capture who they truly are.

Distinction of Style
Having a unique and distinctive style that’s instantly recognizable is imperative to anyone wanting a long-term career in photography. You must be special if you want to stand out in this crowd. Never imitate someone else’s work, there’s no future in it, it’s already been done. Be creative and unique, develop a style that is all your own; longevity doesn’t exist in plagiarism.

Creating your own distinctive style is the most important piece of advice I could give anyone. Separating yourself from the crowd is the only way to have a long and sustainable career in photography. The creative community appreciates artists that are original and unique, artists that push themselves to be different from the norm. If you long to be embraced by this community you must be authentic.

Marketing Yourself
Having a solid marketing plan is imperative if you want to succeed in this industry. In today’s technologically advanced society, everyone has the ability to take a photograph, the competition can be rough. Magazines have even started using iPhone photos for their cover art! It’s extremely important that you learn how to market yourself, and your imagery. Perception is everything; how do people perceive you?

You have to present yourself and your imagery in a desirable manner for people to want to work with you. Creating visually appealing marketing material can assist you greatly when promoting your work. First impressions are everything; having a clean, well designed website, portfolio and business cards are essential when marketing yourself as a professional industry photographer.

Brand Identity: A ‘brand’ is a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers; Photography is known as a Commodity Brand. Creating a brand is essential for anyone planning to succeed in the world of professional photography.

As a photographer, you should always brand your name and likeness; it’s more personable and it can eliminate potential copyright issues; it can also be instrumental in developing your overall brand awareness. Brand awareness is when a consumer recognizes the existence and availability of your service/product; this is crucial to your success.

Creating a clean, well designed logo that clearly defines your services is a great way to develop your brand identity. Furthermore, using your logo as your watermark can significantly increase your brand awareness; it can also be instrumental in developing your overall brand recognition, which is the look and feel of your imagery.

Brand recognition is one of the fastest ways to gain credibility and exposure. The sooner people start recognizing your particular imagery the better. Having a unique and distinctive style that’s instantly recognizable is imperative to anyone wanting a long-term career in photography. When developing your brand, it’s important to consider your target audience and prospective marketplace. Knowing your audience is very important.

Networking: Playing the social game is detrimental to the success of your photography career. How can someone hire you if they don’t know you exist? Networking is crucial when attempting to develop a client base; you must be a social butterfly. Cold calling someone that’s completely unfamiliar with you or your work is a dead-end; you must develop sustainable friendships that support and promote your work.

Social media is bigger than ever! Having a web presence is one of the fastest ways to develop your network. Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube can be instrumental in capturing the attention of your target market. Blogs are another great way to build your network. Creating regular blog updates of your experiences, photography, and travels is a sure way to expand your horizons. Though this may take time, it is essential to your overall success.

Joining a networking club can certainly be beneficial when attempting to establish a client base. My advice is to join a networking club that is relevant to your field of photography. If you’re pursuing music photography, it wouldn’t make sense for you to join a networking club of architects. Use your photography as a networking tool to develop long-term relationships; in the beginning, be somewhat accommodating by offering reduced rates. Bartering can also be a great way to expand your network; it’s definitely a great way to get free things!

Compensation
The most commonly asked question I receive is, ‘How much should I charge’? The only advice I can give you is that you’re worth what you’re worth. There really isn’t an exact science when it comes to pricing photography; every situation is different. How much do you think your art is worth?

Developing a variety of pricing options/packages can be beneficial; clients want a flat, all-inclusive number that doesn’t fluctuate in your favor towards the end of a job. Providing an affordable service in the early stages of your career is also key to your success. However, there is a fine line between being perceived as affordable, and being perceived as cheap; it’s important to find a good balance.

A great way to gauge per print pricing is by browsing photography sites like Photoshelter and Flickr. These websites can be very helpful when structuring your pricing. You should browse photographers that are artistically equal to you; this will help to gauge your pricing.

Unless you’re in the beginning stages of building a portfolio, you should never work for free! Offering your services for free immediately cheapens how people perceive you professionally. You should always be compensated for your work whether it’s in the form of cash or trade. Trading, or bartering, your services for public exposure can be extremely beneficial in the early stages of your career.
Ecommerce
Having a well designed website that is easy to navigate is extremely important. Creating an online store is an excellent way to generate income. Don’t overly saturate your website with images for sale; you should feature your top 10-15 most popular images. If you are unable to afford the cost of building a website there are several alternative options for you to choose from. Again, websites like Photoshelter and Flickr provide wonderful ecommerce solutions for all levels of photographers.

Selling your images is the first step in becoming a professional photographer. If you are not currently selling your prints you need to start immediately. If you expect potential clients to consider your services you must prove to them that you are a career photographer; every established photographer sells prints.

Simply featuring your images on your website or storefront isn’t enough to sell them. You must create brand awareness for your site if you plan on selling prints. There are a variety of techniques you can use to drive traffic to your site; Blogging is by far one of the most effective ways. Utilizing social media is also an extremely effective in driving traffic to your site; again, social sites such as Facebook and Twitter are solid resources.

Archiving
You should always back your images up. You should always back your images up. You should always back your images up. Hopefully, that got the point across. Don’t make the same rookie mistake that many have; some lessons are harder to learn than others. Backing up your imagery is the smartest thing you can do as a photographer. What would you do if you lost your catalog to a burglary, fire, virus or hard drive failure; it’s not worth the chance!

There are a variety of ways to backup your images. The most common way is to purchase one or more external hard drives. Another smart solution is to use an online data storage service. The combination of your computer, an external hard drive, and online data storage provides security and peace of mind. If you are archiving imagery for your clients, it’s especially important that you have everything backed up; the last thing you want is a legal issue with a client because you lost their cherished photos.

Current Projects
I’m currently shooting a feature length documentary that examines the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. The film explores the depths of these concepts while chronicling my spiritual and artistic journey.

Our inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of my personal life and career including the development of my first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from my network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with my family due to my unwavering desire to broaden my artistic body of work. Our film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its artistic impact on their respective industries.

I hope you enjoyed this posting about great photography tips and advice. I plan to start posting about these subject more regularly in the future, so please be sure to subscribe to my blog. Until next time…

Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune

San Antonio doesn’t often register on the scale of artistically heavyweight cities. However, in the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio boasts the first collection of Modern Art in Texas and one of the best private collections in the country. Originally established in 1950 upon the death of Ohio-born oil heiress Elisabet McNay, the McNay Art Museum opened its doors in 1954 with more than 700 works of modern art amassed by McNay during her life. At present time, the museum holds more than 20,000 works of art and has expanded its scope to include, among other things, Medieval and Renaissance Art.

Currently, the McNay is showcasing the works of Andy Warhol in an exhibit exclusive to San Antonio entitled, Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune. The exhibit’s curators have drawn from the vibrant collections of the Andy Warhol Museum to assemble a broad survey of the artist’s work. Over 150 pieces in all media and spanning at least three decades of his career are intended to provide a survey of Warhol’s twin obsessions of fame and disaster.

To aid us in our understanding of at least half of Warhol’s obsession and to further entice us to catch this exhibit before its 15 minutes are up, the McNay has put together something special for your Sunday Funday in the form of their “Warhol Sunday Nights” series. In the Chiego Lecture Hall, the McNay is showing films from the stars of Hollywood’s heyday. Admissions to the films are included with your price of admission to the museum’s exhibit, which, conveniently, is also discounted to half-price on Sunday nights! On Sunday, May 13, at 4:00, see Academy Award Winner Joan Crawford in the role that insured her place in Hollywood history, 1954’s Mildred Pierce. At 6:00, watch the teenage cannoodling of Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood in Entertainment Weekly’s # 50 best high school movie of all time, Splendor in the Grass. 

On Sunday, May 20, close the exhibit with two of Hollywood’s grand dames.  At 4:00, hear Judy Garland’s legendary voice on the classic songs in Meet Me in St. Louis, and then at 6:00, stay for something a bit more risqué as her daughter, Liza Minnelli, and Joel Gray show us that, at least in 1930’s Berlin, life is a Cabaret.

Other projects of interest might be, Into the Light, a feature length documentary that explores the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create.

Written by Robyn Powell

Willie Nelson & Family: New Years Eve

December 31^st, 2011 will always be a special memory for me. There’s nothing like celebrating New Years Eve with family and friends at the Moody Theater while watching Willie Nelson & Family bring in the New Year. That night was very magical; you could feel the energy in the air. I was also lucky enough to have one of my closest friends in attendance, Sir Kiko.

I remember repeatedly checking my gear over and over again in a seemingly paranoid fashion; must have been something in the air that night! I often tell people that when I photograph, Willie Nelson, it feels like the first time, every time. I mean let’s be honest here, the man is a legend.

Once of the main reasons I like photographing Willie is his charisma; the way he works a crowd is incredibly inspiring; every song is like a story time adventure; he just has so much character. I’ve always felt confident that I could capture Willie in an iconic and flattering way. I feel comforted when his long time fans compliment my work and ask me to sign their prints.

After a superb set from, Jamey Johnson, the drifter took the stage and electrified the crowd. I remember the fans moving forward towards the stage in an effort to get a closer look at him. Stage front and ready to take photos, I was suddenly surrounded by screaming fans reaching out to him. Hands down, Willie has the best fans in the world!  I wasn’t able to take a photo until the second song.

Watching Willie on stage playing music with his family & friends is very endearing; having the opportunity to experience it and document it is very humbling. Everything about Willie is fascinating from his storied past to his red bandana & braided hair; the Red Headed Stranger is without a doubt my favorite artist to photograph.

Click Here to see more photos of Willie Nelson by Christopher Durst.

If you haven’t seen Willie in concert you should definitely make it a priority; he’s still on the road playing music with his friends all over the county. The entire cast of characters including his family, band, crew and fans are like one big family; they’re approachable, friendly, and gracious. Go online right now and buy tickets to the next show in your town.

Christopher Durst is currently filming a feature length documentary about the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. To learn more about his documentary Click Here.

This inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of Christopher’s personal life and career including the development of his first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from his network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with his family due to his unwavering desire to broaden his artistic body of work. The film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its artistic impact on their respective industries.

Diary of a Madman

It’s been quite awhile since I posted anything so I thought I would write about a variety of things currently happening in my life. I plan to start writing a few pieces a week featuring imagery from my travels, project updates, and the general chaos that is my life. I hope you enjoy!

A Day in the Life
The last few months have been a whirlwind to say the least; I feel like a dancing monkey in a petting zoo. I love the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for ‘cause you just might get it”. The fact is I’m really enjoying the new experiences in my life; I’m just a bit uncomfortable expressing it.

Those who know me understand my reluctance to speak publicly about my experiences; however, I’m becoming more and more comfortable with the notion. I’ve realized that venturing into the public eye has its pros and cons. The pros are the fringe benefits; meeting interesting people, developing new friendships, the travel, ect. The cons are being stared at everywhere I go, dealing with hecklers, and having to be cautious of the people around me; it’s all very strange.

Again, I’m becoming increasingly more comfortable with my new life. Obviously, the pros outweigh the cons or I wouldn’t be doing it. I just hope my inner circle of friends continue to tolerate me, lol.

Christopher Durst by Glen Brown

The TV Show
Working behind the camera hasn’t exactly prepared me for being in front it. I don’t care what anyone says, being on camera is a very unusual, and sometimes uncomfortable, experience. Seeing yourself on camera is even more awkward! At this point, I don’t really care anymore; I’m just going with it; I’m just trying to enjoy the overall experience. I am excited to know that my little girls will always have something to look back on when I’m old and stiff!

One thing I’ve learned throughout this process is that network TV has ideas of their own when it comes to presenting a show; finding the right network is imperative; I definitely don’t want my show to end up like ‘Jersey Shore’. I realize a producer’s responsibility is to ensure viewership by sensationalizing aspects of a show and/or its characters, but it’s important to me that my true personality and humility are known.

Hopefully, if everything goes as planned, the show will air in spring 2013. We still have a long way to go, we’re just getting started; I’m definitely ready for the next phase of this project.

The Documentary
Knowing that the show will most likely spin me in a certain light, I thought it was important to create a companion piece that represents who I truly am. One of my favorite threads in the documentary is that of my ‘double life’. I’m definitely known publicly as the crazy rock star photographer, but at home, I’m Mr. Mom. I’m really looking forward to completing this project; I feel great about it.

If you’re interested in learning more about the documentary you can Click Here. It’s a feature length documentary that explores the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. The film explores the depths of these concepts while chronicling my spiritual and artistic journey. I would be very grateful if you were to support this project!

On the Road Again
For the last several months I’ve been so caught up in the development of my show and the documentary that I haven’t really had a chance to tour much. My shooting schedule has all but taken me away from what I love the most, photography. Luckily, that’s all changing now.

I’m currently on the road supporting Jane’s Addiction for a short stretch. Once I return to Austin, I begin work on a new project featuring Willie Nelson. Touring has always been my passion, there’s nothing like being out on the open road and taking photographs of your favorite artists; aside from my family, it takes precedent over anything else in my life. Being on the road is freedom, you get to leave all of your worries behind; you get to act like a 12 year old! I definitely think I’ll keep my day job.

Additional Projects
I definitely have a few other projects that I’m excited to share with you. I’m currently in the process of writing my first biographical book; it definitely brings new meaning to the phrase, ‘I’m an open book’. I’m also working on several photography books featuring concert photography of my favorite artists / clients. Lastly, I’m finally getting ready to overhaul my website to include an online storefront for my prints, photography books, and merch line. It never stops!

Photography Tips
I regularly receive emails and facebook messages from photographers asking me for advice; frankly, I’m flattered that anyone would even want my advice. I guess the most important piece of advice I could offer a photographer is to be yourself, develop a style that’s distinctive and unique to you. I always knew that I wanted to be different; I didn’t want to learn formal techniques; I wanted to be me. Defining who you are as a photographer is imperative to your success; offering something unique to our industry is how you gain exposure and respect.

Be humble and kind, treat your colleagues with respect and support each other. Always remember, you can be anything you want to be, you just have to work for it! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Pffff, what do they know?! Pursue your dreams at any cost.

Thank You!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my family, friends and supporters. Last year was an epic year, I definitely didn’t think it could get any better; I was certainly wrong. Your support means the world to me; it keeps me driven and refreshingly motivated. Thank you so much, I look forward to sharing my continued adventures and experiences of 2012 with you.

Thank you, Christopher Durst

Counting Crows Concert Photography

Thought you guys might like this shot. This is a photo of Adam Duritz performing with the Counting Crows during SXSW in Austin, Texas this year. During preproduction for a documentary that I’m featured in, I was granted full access to the pit throughout the bands set; it feels good having the pit to yourself!

Speaking of the documentary! You can learn more about this project by visiting the film’s Kickstarter page. Come along with us and experience the overall journey!

Investment Opportunities in Film

The film industry is alive with sizzle and excitement; it’s a playground for the exceptionally talented and the studio elites. That being said, the film industry is plentiful of wonderful opportunities. Finding the right project is crucial to anyone’s success, it’s collaborating with creative, artistic people who are driven and passionate about creating original art. Working with a team of professional artists in a collaborative nature is one of the best ways to start a career in the film business. However, finding the right people to work with can sometimes prove difficult.

Investing in films, rather than attempting to operate your own production, can prove to be more practical and sensible. An investment opportunity allows you the ability to learn the ins and outs of filmmaking, which is crucial for someone without the expertise and knowledge of an industry professional.

Kickstarter, an excellent funding platform for artists and prospecting film investors, has quickly become the most desired destination for anyone seeking an opportunity in film. They have done an excellent job in creating opportunities for both the artist and the investor. Kickstarter gives financers the ability to browse through a variety of projects ranging from shorts to feature lengths.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kickstarter is that certain film projects actually offer producing credits for monetary contributions; producing credits are imperative to anyone trying to establish themselves in the film industry. Having producing credits listed on IMDb is essential for any actor, filmmaker or investor.

Here’s an example of a current film project on Kickstarter offering producer credits for nominal funding, Film Project. This is an exciting project that’s actually offering associate producer credits, co-producer credits and executive producer credits.

Ultimately, your investment experiences will be determined by the project you choose to fund. Selecting the right project can open doors and provide unimaginable opportunities that exciting and lucrative.

Kickstarter: A Funding Platform for Artists

Kickstarter is by far one of the most supportive funding platforms for Artists, they have revolutionized the way artists pursue funding for their projects and how they connect with potential supporters. It has become one of the most effective and efficient ways for artists to raise funding.

Kickstarter has truly designed a well thought out website for those seeking funding and those interested in funding projects. Upon visiting their website you see a link that says ‘Discover’ and anther that says ‘Start a Project’. Discovering projects is the fun part; browsing around to see what artists are creating is addictive to say the least. They have multiple categories in which you can browse including film, music and photography. For those looking to start a project, Kickstarter has done a great job at organizing the key points of what a presentation should be. With their step by step guide, they are assisting artists with the creation of articulate, well thought out presentations that appeal to potential supporters.

As someone with firsthand Kickstarter experience, I can testify that this is indeed a fun and great way to present your projects to the world. Using this platform helped me to gather my thoughts and really explore the depths of my own project; it also opened my eyes to what potential supporters are expecting in the Kickstarter campaigns they’re considering.

Don’t Ask for Handouts
The last thing an artist should do is ask for a handout. You need to create pledge packages that are sensible yet entertaining. Make sure that you offer something for the contributions you’re requesting. Offering a cheap t-shirt for a $100 pledge is hardly an equal trade. Example: If you happen to be developing a film you want to make sure that you offer something that’s fun and entertaining, something that makes a potential supporter feel connected to the project. Ask for their support by offering them personable experiences that relate to your project.

Kickstarter Campaigns
I’ve never been reserved in sharing my experiences with other artists, after all, we SHOULD be encouraging and supporting each other. Feel free to review one of my current Kickstarter campaigns that we just launched, it will give you a good idea as to how you should layout your own project. That being said, you never want to copy the layout of another campaign; Kickstarter reviews and approves every single project on their site and they frown upon plagiarism.

Here is the link to our current Kickstarter campaign (Christopher Durst). Out project is about the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. Our film explores the depths of these concepts while chronicling the spiritual and artistic journey of accomplished music photographer, Christopher Durst.

Should you have any questions regarding Kickstarter please feel free to contact me directly. However, their ‘Help’ section is a great resource for someone considering posting a project.

Artists Wanted

The advancements in creative technology have spawned a younger, savvier generation of digitally driven filmmakers, musicians and photographers eager to create. So, what does this mean for art? The access and ability to create art has never been easier; it’s no longer reserved for the professionally trained; it’s readily available to anyone who feels inspired to do so.

International rock photographer, Christopher Durst, is currently filming a feature length documentary that examines the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. The film explores the depths of these concepts while actually chronicling the spiritual and artistic journey of, Christopher Durst.

This inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of Christopher’s personal life and career including the development of his first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from his network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with his family due to his unwavering desire to broaden his artistic body of work.

The film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its overall artistic impact on their respective industries.

Christopher Durst

Movie Premier & After Party Passes
The creators of the film are currently offering a variety of fan packages and promotional items including after party passes, movie posters, t-shirts, photography books, prints, movie tickets, the film’s soundtrack and more. They have also set up private dinners and movie screenings with cast & crew.

To learn more about the documentary and how you can receive all access movie premier passes and after party passes, please visit ‘Into the Light‘.

Who is Christopher Durst?
Christopher is an internationally published rock n’ roll photographer that specializes in live performance photography, tour & set documentary, event coverage and high-impact media imagery for musicians and entertainers. His unique and distinctive style has afforded him the opportunity to photograph some of the industry’s most recognized names.

Aside from his professional life, Christopher is a devoted husband and father of two little girls. His career is guided by his love for film, music and photography yet driven by the overwhelming desire to provide security and stability for his family. He is widely known for his humility, integrity and charismatic personality.

To learn more about Christopher Durst please visit www.christopherdurst.com.

The Viability of this Project
There are so many reasons why this project is viable. For starters, Christopher Durst is one of the most respected and uniquely talented photographers in his field. If that isn’t enough, consider the fact that he’s currently in pre-production for a major network television show produced by two of the biggest EP’s in Hollywood.

Furthermore, Christopher is also in the process of writing his first biographical book which currently has multiple publishing offers. But most importantly, Christopher has strong professional ties to a variety of creative outlets including major film studios, television networks, and online distribution. If this isn’t viable, we don’t know what is!

Support this Project
The creators of the film have created a variety of incentive packages for those interested in supporting the project. The best way to support this project is by choosing the pledge package that most appeals to you. You’ll feel great about your generous contribution and the incentives you receive in return!

Follow the Development of this Project
You can actually follow the entire experience and overall development of this project. The film’s website will feature a password secured area that provides supporters with an exclusive insiders peek of the current progress and the exciting things that are happening. Supporters will have access to behind-the-scenes video diaries of cast & crew, still photography of the overall experiences and travels, and a newsletter subscription for even more detailed updates.

Film Locations
Some of the cities chosen for production by the film’s creators are Austin, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and London. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is the opportunity for supporters to join cast & crew on set during the actual making of the movie; This has been coined, ‘The Ultimate Film Experience’.

Photography Documentary

Accomplished music photographer, Christopher Durst, is currently filming a feature length documentary that examines the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create. The film explores the depths of these concepts while actually chronicling the spiritual and artistic journey of, Christopher Durst.

This inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of Christopher’s personal life and career including the development of his first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from his network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with his family due to his unwavering desire to broaden his artistic body of work.

The film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its overall artistic impact on their respective industries.

Christopher Durst

Movie Premier & After Party Passes
The creators of the film are currently offering a variety of fan packages and promotional items including after party passes, movie posters, t-shirts, photography books, prints, movie tickets, the film’s soundtrack and more. They have also set up private dinners and movie screenings with cast & crew.

To learn more about the documentary and how you can receive all access movie premier passes and after party passes, please visit ‘Into the Light‘.

Who is Christopher Durst?
Christopher is an internationally published rock n’ roll photographer that specializes in live performance photography, tour & set documentary, event coverage and high-impact media imagery for musicians and entertainers. His unique and distinctive style has afforded him the opportunity to photograph some of the industry’s most recognized names.

Aside from his professional life, Christopher is a devoted husband and father of two little girls. His career is guided by his love for film, music and photography yet driven by the overwhelming desire to provide security and stability for his family. He is widely known for his humility, integrity and charismatic personality.

To learn more about Christopher Durst please visit www.christopherdurst.com.

The Viability of this Project
There are so many reasons why this project is viable. For starters, Christopher Durst is one of the most respected and uniquely talented photographers in his field. If that isn’t enough, consider the fact that he’s currently in pre-production for a major network television show produced by two of the biggest EP’s in Hollywood.

Furthermore, Christopher is also in the process of writing his first biographical book which currently has multiple publishing offers. But most importantly, Christopher has strong professional ties to a variety of creative outlets including major film studios, television networks, and online distribution. If this isn’t viable, we don’t know what is!

Support this Project
The creators of the film have created a variety of incentive packages for those interested in supporting the project. The best way to support this project is by choosing the pledge package that most appeals to you. You’ll feel great about your generous contribution and the incentives you receive in return!

Follow the Development of this Project
You can actually follow the entire experience and overall development of this project. The film’s website will feature a password secured area that provides supporters with an exclusive insiders peek of the current progress and the exciting things that are happening. Supporters will have access to behind-the-scenes video diaries of cast & crew, photography documentary of the overall experiences and travels, and a newsletter subscription for even more detailed updates.

Film Locations
Some of the cities chosen for production by the film’s creators are Austin, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and London. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is the opportunity for supporters to join cast & crew on set during the actual making of the movie; This has been coined, ‘The Ultimate Film Experience’.