The mindset behind my personal and commercial work is the same... even stylistically they are almost the same... However the conditions in which the photographs are created are quite the contrast. Let's compare a recent shoot I did in Abu Dhabi to one of my trips to the South of Ethiopia. (The actual photoshoot images from Abu Dhabi will be posted online soon.) So, let's begin-






HOTELS
Left image: Qasr Al Sarab, 5 Star Hotel
Right image: Jinka Tourist Hotel, charming and quaint





BATHING
Left image: Qasr Al Sarab
Right image: Daasanach tribe village – “Watch out for the crocodiles”





TOLIETS
Left image: Qasr Al Sarab – Use paper and water
Right image: Jinka – Use hand and water





ART DIRECTION
Left image: Thomas the Art Director – “I think we need more lens flare”
Right image: Mursi the Art Director- “If you don’t go back to where you came from, I’m going to blow out your car windows”

So which would I rather do? The answer is simple- both. It is the balance that keeps me sane.


JL

  • May 21-2010, 01:50 am
    You are lucky anyway you do the things you like...So why not?
  • KyleBarnes
    May 21-2010, 02:22 am
    Nice. Love the balance. You should be a trapeze artist in the circus.
  • May 21-2010, 03:06 am
    No way I could poo in that toilet after someone said that to me, haha! Bravery points to you sir!
  • May 21-2010, 03:12 am
    As usual your brilliant mind shows us simple folks what really matters in the world...That is funny! Hope all is well with you and please tell you mom i said hi!
  • May 21-2010, 03:49 am
    I like your personal working conditions best. :) But balance is probably the way, so great work anyway Joey!!! G.
  • May 21-2010, 04:09 am
    I'm not sure I see the comparison here. You're comparing welcome against welcome, bath against bath, toilet against toilet and character against character, not style of photograph against style of photograph.I was going to say that one is staged and the other just a snapshot that benefits from being in an interesting, but, I don't know how staged those hotel shots are. Did a lot of lighting go into them?
  • [...] Lawrence has an interesting, humorous take on the difference between commercial and personal work here. What interests me most about the article is that I’ve always prefered his personal work. My [...]
  • May 21-2010, 07:09 am
    lol, nice post. I dont know which one I'd prefer to stay in though. they both have such great character! :)
  • May 21-2010, 07:50 am
    When Mursi asks for more lens flare... he fucking gets more lens flare
  • May 21-2010, 10:26 am
    Haha, nice... 'll love to see more stuffs like this
  • May 21-2010, 10:49 am
    I prefer the personal work. (if i had to chose) The commercial work is certainly more visually appealing - its so clean and perfect - But the personal work is REAL. And its true to itself.Personal work with a commercial feel to it? = Enhanced emotions and understanding of meaning for the photograph. All in all? - BOTH! i say :)
  • May 21-2010, 10:58 am
    Nice dude! :) The photos of Africa intrigue my soul the most! Srew the 5star hotels! but of course I bet they where AMAZING to stay in! Thanks for sharing, I have an african theme to my website you may like....That's awesome that you have witnessed and captured so many different cultures across the world! You will be so blessed for capturing them. Stay rad ! p.s. there is an awesome nyc blog post on my blog! see u soon!
  • May 21-2010, 11:06 am
    “If you don’t go back to where you came from, I’m going to blow out your car windows”Hahaha laughed out load to that one! Bet you wish you could say that to a few art directors. I know a few who I'd like to! Keep it up mate. Greetings from sunny London (yes thats sun!) in England.
  • May 21-2010, 11:47 am
    This post is the true!.. You have a great eye to create comparisons. Congrats, one more time u are amazing Joey!!
  • May 21-2010, 11:50 am
    I'd luv to do both as well. All the different types of people that one gets to meet make anything worth while. I'll be so happy when I can make a living with my camera. =) For now, I'll take whatever jobs come my way and learn as much as possible along the way. =^o^=- Cheers
  • May 21-2010, 12:36 pm
    indeed we need this balance in our work !! Commercial to give us money for the personal work and trips :P for me i love ur personal work more and it has much better experience to transferee to ur follow photographers :) can't wait to see the Abu Dhabi Photoshoot images
  • May 21-2010, 01:10 pm
    It's amazing how different all the beauty is in the world, isn't it? ps.Thanks for all of your help. I bought your videos awhile back and they've helped my photography and photoshop techniques grow immensely. So many situations I come across make me go back and review the chapters to glean just a bit more info. Cheers, Kirk.
  • May 21-2010, 02:10 pm
    Ha! Love it. Thanks for the side-by-side comparison.
  • Sander
    May 21-2010, 02:55 pm
    TOLIETS :-PNice post, fun to see the contrasts :)
  • May 21-2010, 04:43 pm
    Ha! You rock!
  • May 21-2010, 07:12 pm
    Dang, I wish I could have that kind of skill and success. You're definitely an inspiration to my photography.
  • May 21-2010, 08:31 pm
    Can I borrow your "personal" Art Director? Might come in handy for my next gig...
  • May 21-2010, 08:55 pm
    I love the contrast. :)
  • May 21-2010, 09:43 pm
    Hardcore bathtime FTW.
  • May 21-2010, 10:04 pm
    There is no pinkberry in personal shoots...
  • May 25-2010, 09:58 am
    I love the comparison and the contrasting lifestyles! you are blessed to want to experience both and to capture such thought provoking images.
  • May 27-2010, 01:55 pm
    I think you do the right thing.
  • May 27-2010, 02:36 pm
    How about this title "a commercial boy on a personal journey"
  • May 28-2010, 01:59 am
    Just saw your segment on Carson.What an amazing talent you have! Your portraits really look deep into your subjects souls.I'm a fan!
  • Mike Lopez
    May 28-2010, 05:05 am
    Hey dude you got an awsome talent! Keep up the good work! Keep on fighting for what you believe is right. I'm there with you. Would love to chat more with you. Let me know if you have Facebook or Twitter. My Facebook is under an old email... WackyPill@yahoo.com Hope to hear back from you Joey! Best wishes to you! Mike Lopez
  • May 29-2010, 08:05 am
    Eloquently illustrated!
  • May 31-2010, 07:09 pm
    It's the contrast that keeps your vision fresh. Very inspiring work !!
  • June 04-2010, 03:32 am
    I would have to think twice about the toilet as well.