Balancing Creativity and Career
Some thoughts on the fragile balance of freelancing and creative growth during my summer working on Moana 2.
This summer has taken an unexpected turn. I'm back at Disney, working on Moana 2 under a three-month contract. It's a familiar setting, yet the experience feels different too, offering some new perspectives on the shaky balance between artistic pursuit and financial stability.
As you read through this post, you'll notice several photos scattered throughout. These aren't production shots from Moana 2, but rather glimpses of small details I've captured during my workdays this last week. They're moments that caught my eye - perhaps a play of light on a dog’s paw, the texture of a well-worn Intuos pen, or the unexpected beauty in the curve of an iPad. These images offer a personal, different view into my daily work environment, without revealing anything about the film itself.
The freelance lifestyle is nothing if not unpredictable. This year has been a testament to that, bringing financial challenges that have, surprisingly, catalyzed significant personal and creative growth. It's a common paradox in our field: the very instability that causes stress often pushes us to new heights of creativity and resilience.
My temporary summer stint at Disney provides a welcome financial pillow, but it's just one piece of my creative puzzle this year. It's allowing me to hopefully invest in essential gear for my photography work - lighting setups, backdrops, maybe a much-needed computer upgrade - while also saving for the leaner months ahead. This situation perfectly illustrates the complex relationship between art and money in our industry, at a time when so many of us are out of work in Los Angeles.
Financial stability can fuel creative growth by providing resources and peace of mind. However, pursuing stability can sometimes lead us away from our passion projects. It's a juggle that I'm constantly trying to navigate. Interestingly, though, I'm finding that my work on Moana 2 is already sharpening my visual storytelling skills in ways that will undoubtedly benefit everything I do outside of animation.
As I continue these professional commitments, I've been missing doing portrait shoots, and I know I have to keep practicing them at my studio. This has got me thinking about the value of Time for Prints (TFP) shoots. While they don't pay directly, they're invaluable for skill improvement, portfolio enhancement, and network expansion. I'm planning to squeeze in some TFP shoots on weekends, aiming to re-engage with the local creative community in Los Angeles.
Have any of you participated in TFP shoots? I'd love to hear your strategies for finding collaborators. As someone who tends toward introversion, networking can feel daunting, but I've learned that these connections often lead to significant opportunities. I would love to connect with models and other creatives willing to do some TFP shoots in LA.
Throughout all of this, I'm guided by a long-held personal philosophy: an acute awareness of life's disappearing nature. It might sound dark, but it brings a sense of purpose and urgency to my work. It always has. It pushes me to pursue my passions even in the face of uncertainty, reminding me to appreciate both the struggles and the wins of this creative journey.
As I continue working on Moana 2, I'm excited by the new techniques and tools we're using, such as Houdini. While I can't share specifics about the film, the process of lighting for animation continues to amaze me. Even after two decades in the industry, being part of such a talented team remains a humbling experience.
Looking ahead, I'm inspired to return to full-time photography work in the fall, and my continuing explorations with immersive storytelling and AI/programming. The skills I'm developing now, the connections I'm making, and the creative energy I'm accumulating - all of these will feed into my future projects.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Whether it's through my current work in animation or my personal photography projects, I'm committed to continuing to grow, learn, and create. I hope the photos I've shared give you a taste of the small moments of beauty and inspiration I find in my daily work environment. These little details remind me that creativity is everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.
Even when you’re photographing less.
TFP is tricky because people tend to flake. Communication is key. Make sure you both understand what you are trying to accomplish in the session. Unfortunately, for myself I have not been that successful because I do not have a very flexible schedule because I work Monday through Friday.
I have a dog bed under my desk and throughout the day there is either one or three of my dogs nestled on it sleeping. Funnily enough, it's a tiny bed that is a replica of the coffin from the Haunted Mansion. Entirely too small for my 85lb baby.