This blog, authored by Todd Arena, is dedicated to our journeys as creative professionals.  We love to share sources of creative inspiration, Photoshop tutorials and other related topics that intrigue us. ArenaCreative.com is our collection of royalty free stock imagery; photos, graphics and vector illustrations.  This blog is a compliment to the site.  Its purpose is to inform, share, instruct and hopefully inspire.

A little about Todd:

I’m a seasoned graphic designer that morphed into a full time stock photographer, currently residing in the New England area of the US.  Ever since I was a little kid, I was expressing my creativity in many different ways.  Everything from building cool things out of Legos, to drawing Star Wars characters in my sketch book, to playing music by ear on my little electronic keyboard.  Having a strong love for computers at a very early age, I decided I wanted to make them my career somehow.  I was as computer geek as it gets.  Attending a local state university I attained my Bachelor of Arts in Graphic/Info Design.  I then moved on to work as an in house designer at with three different companies over the next four years, designing everything from custom magazines, advertisements, logos, corporate identity, trade show booths, billboards, websites, and other custom marketing materials.

Highly stressed out and spit out of the corporate world once the last company I was with went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, I decided it was time to take control and build my own business. I was tired of having to deal with tight deadlines and high stress on a daily basis, only to come home to my lovely wife with a bad attitude, where I usually vented to her about that day’s drama and ridiculousness.  I’ve always desired to be my own boss and work from home at my own pace.  Disillusioned by the glamor of the graphic design world that our college professors tried to embed into our brains, I decided to then apply my skills to stock imagery instead.  What I like the best about it, is that I have such a wide range of creative freedom.  There are no revisions to make, or proofing to get approved by another party.  Whatever I create, is done when I say it is; if others don’t see the value in it then they just won’t purchase it.  Obviously you have to create imagery in a way that has commercial value, and in ways that are going to appeal to the majority of image buyers.  Being an image buyer myself for over four years, and all of my years studying the software and tools that graphic designers use, gave me an incredible advantage.  I think that’s why I’ve had such an advantage when it comes to stock photography.

Eventually my microstock point and shoot camera was upgraded to a DSLR, and I taught myself how to get better with it along with the help of a few personal friends that are also in the field.  In any creative field, every day is something new; like an entirely new adventure.  An entirely different challenge.  Powered on plenty of coffee, I try to continually push my skills and abilities to the next level.  Any designer or photographer doesn’t ever want to getting caught in a rut, or get left behind in the times when it comes to new techniques or current trends. Having an artsy job that pays the bills is a blessing; because to me, using my creativity doesn’t feel like work.  When you love what you do, it’s said that you really don’t work a day in your life.  I feel very honored and privileged to be able to be a part of the visual communications field, and hope that I can continue to do so in the years to come. 

Contact me if you are interested in any of the following:

• Stock imagery or graphics of any kind

• A low cost or free (TFCD) photoshoot (professional models and amateurs alike)

• One-on-one microstock consulting (in person or via skype)

• Senior portraits, engagement sessions, family portraits, child portraiture, general headshots, architectural, food, industrial or commercial photography (in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, or Massachusetts)

• Photo retouching or restoration

• Commercial photography, food or restaurants, auto repair shops, real estate, large or small business related subjects

• Special licensing of any of our images (enhanced licensing, bulk, etc). Buy direct from the artist and save.

If you need any type of photography (except weddings) I can be of assistance.  My shooting rates are highly discounted when property or model releases are signed, allowing me to sell what I shoot as stock images. I have currently taken a break from the traditional print/web graphic design business since 2008. I’ve left behind the world of traditional freelancing and corporate graphic design and have had stock photography as my full time focus. If you need print or web design I may be able to refer you some other designers in my network that can help you out.

 

Contact Todd Arena