11/22/2024
What do you do for work? For the past 15 years or so, I found myself in the plumbing industry. How? Easily, nepotism. My dad was a licensed NYC master plumber; a feat that is equivalent to becoming a doctor in terms of the years it takes to obtain it and also cut your teeth, and despite my father retaining a 3rd grade reading and writing level, he commanded a successful business and in turn, made a lot of money. And so of course, when my efforts doing editorial photography failed, I resorted to plumbing. I began as an admin, and throughout that time, I bounced from job to job; purchasing agent, project manager, delivery driver, warehouse inventory supervisor, helper; I’ve pretty much done it all. And through it, I learned a wealth of knowledge. The trades are often under-appreciated or overlooked; I think most white collared folk misread the grit and grind that really entails with partaking in these types of crafts, as one is often risking their safety, their health, on top of working hellish hours that are often grueling in labor. Let’s not forget too, the variables of problematic clients and counterparts, as well as adhering to strict codes; NYC and LA are among the strictest in terms of regulations when it comes to construction, and are also incredibly costly. So, while I absolutely hate having to do something that isn’t really conducive to my creative nature, it’s allowed me to fund my passions as well as expand my skillset. So what do you do for work? Did you have a career in mind like me that didn’t pan out? Let me know.
Photographs by shot for a personal series titled “Eleanor Rigby”
