I saw a professional photo shoot at work on Saturday.

If I have it right, the people in the picture are, from right to left:

Secondary photographer, magazine editor, photographer (just a bit of her back, sitting on the cooler), makeup, talent (a "hip hop violinist"), entourage, entourage, someone from the magazine, hair, entourage, entourage.

I went right to left because I think she might be Israeli - she's definitely Jewish, though, since the magazine in question is "J-style", which is exactly what you think.

I spent a while talking to Beth, the photographer, who is looking at her laptop screen under the darkcloth here, and the guy with no sleeves, whose name I forgot to ask but who was very, very cool. He is (I think) a staff photographer for a greeting card company and does interesting freelance work as well - how does he have the time?

Both photographers were as nice as they could be, personable and fun to be around - requisites, I'm sure, for getting continued work, but I think they were just nice people. But as much as I liked them and as interesting as I found the shoot, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want either of their jobs, creative opportunities aside.

Running a small business, making contacts, finding work, and most of all standing in a parking lot with ten people, 1 of whom is working for you and 9 of whom are there to make sure you make their [face/makeup/magazine cover/hairjob/friend] look good, waiting to be mad if you don't...I just wouldn't want that.

Not that I could do it anyway. But after seeing this I don't have to feel bad that I can't. I like that taking pictures is purely a hobby for me. I think there's something in our culture (meaning the one in my country, but it's probably true elsewhere) that says that anytime you're good at something you have to turn it into (at least) a part-time job. If I'm ever good at taking pictures, I think I'll be happy to just be good at taking pictures.

I'm not yet, though - see this one? Out of focus.