My First Big, Freelance Project In 1981. Yes, I Processed My Film In My Bathroom

            When Houston based Space Services Inc., the world’s first privately funded commercial rocket launching company, announced their first test flight on Matagorda Island in Texas, I was living in Victoria, Texas about 40 miles from Rockport Texas where the rocket would be delivered for the boat trip to the island. I had recently started my freelance career with local customers. I wanted a big story. I thought if I could not sell pictures and articles about this event to a large, respectful outlet, I would give up. I had to go for it. When I arrived, I saw that I was part of a crowd of media teams anxious to cover this international event. “Percheron” was built in California and scheduled to arrive on a flatbed truck. It did not arrive, and we were told to come back the next day. When I arrived the next day, “Percheron” was siting on a trailer waiting to be loaded on the “Miss Matagorda”, a rancher’s supply boat. Dozens of photographers, including myself, were taking pictures and double checking their equipment. The launch would take place on an island ranch and no  media would be there. We all lined up to get the departure “money shot” when I realized all of us would have the same point of view shot. The rear. I wanted a different view. I looked around and saw a safe way to get in front of the boatI and hurried to the spot. I was alone. I would get the only front view shot. Suddenly, a newspaper photographer from the “Corpus Christy Caller Times” appeared near me. I had to share the front view. In those days I processed my own B&W film in my bathroom at home. I made about six 8&10 prints. This is how it turned out. I got an interview with the company’s creator, David Hannah, in Houston. I was able to sell not only the prints but also articles to local outlets. The big success was fulfilling a contract to sell an article and pictures to “Texas Business” magazine, the most trusted business magazine in Texas. I drove to Dallas and turned in my work. A few weeks later, I was in a store where I saw a magazine rack with the “Texas Business” magazine with my work in it. I bought several copies. I had made it to the big time.

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Taken on: May 16, 2023

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