You may have been just like me glued to CNN all day while the reports on Sandy’s furor where coming in. The pictures are worse than anything we thought we will ever see. Sandy caused massive damage and left millions of people in freezing temperatures without power or heat. It feels like the unthinkable happened. New Jersey and New York City look like sets out of a Roland Emmerich movie. Virginia is still covered in a Blizzard and several feet of snow and there are countless other areas are still affected.
I admit I laughed when I first heard Frankenstorm but I am not laughing anymore. I did chuckle about the fake image of Lady Liberty in the eye of the storm that went viral on Facebook. (If you know who did it, let me know.)If you are this adventurous on Photoshop please show us your images. A little humor is always a good thing.
When the big Northridge earthquake hit Los Angeles in 1994 I remember vividly transformers exploding, freeways collapsing, and the long aftermath of the cleanup. I know what it feels like when you realize that your life may take a long time to rebuild.
The affected areas have large photographic communities and especially in New York has a vibrant photography scene. The photography business has been hit already by a sluggish economy. Just as we are all thinking we are going to recover – now this.
One of the best things about this country is how people come together in difficult times. Let’s make a big effort in supporting each other through what will be weeks and months of clean up efforts. Because one of the most important things in life is to not feel alone but to be supported I want to invite you to share stories and your images of what is going on in your world. Tell your stories so that we can share them and send you words of support and encouragement.
On the sunny calm West Coast we may only be able to support you through words and donations but I want you to know that we are here for you. If anyone in this tribe needs help, please post comments here or in the LinkedIn group Photography Business. I’ll personally do what I can to assist in anyway possible to help everyone to get through this as quickly as possible.
I have never done this before because I want the business to stay the business, but if you have pictures please feel free to notify office@photobizcoach.com and we will post them on the blog. If you have stories please comment here or on in the LinkedIn or PhotoBizCoach Facebook group. I want to hear from you and I want to know that you are OK.
If you need anything let us know, too so that we can put the call out amongst ourselves. We reach a community of 47,000 through all of our channels. Who knows what this creative community can do? You are amazing and this too, shall pass.
Stay safe my friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Beate
I’ve been glued to CNN; MSNBC also. I’m about 2 miles from the NY Coast (Queens) and hope to venture out tomorrow, Thursday. I was going to fly back to San Jose, Ca (via LA) this week, but I don’t see this happening until next week. I have just returned from a Photo adventure in Morocco and spent a week in NYC, doing what I love to do, Photography. I will forward pictures of what I see the rest of this week. I have a knot in my stomach, since I’ve experienced 9/11 and Katrina thru my LENS. Thank you for the offer, God Bless
http://www.pbase.com/ckuhn55/morocco