Help us keep a roof over our heads

Hi, I’m Craig. I’ve launched this GoFundMe as my last resort - I am on the verge of having to surrender the dogs I rescued 6 years ago from the side of the road and losing the roof over our heads. Bonnie & Clyde who I moved mountains to rescue have become my world. Unfortunately a series of events has me in a position that breaks my heart. I can’t envision life without them. If you know me, you might know my story, if not you’re probably wondering how I got here? 

The Backstory: 

Let’s start as the pandemic was releasing its grip for those of us that relied mainly on events for our source of income. The photography business I spent 5 years building after I came off the road as a Tour and Production Manager in the music industry was slow at returning. Beyond stressful, I had to pivot a bit to survive. I relied more heavily on video production than event photography. It really didn’t matter if I was Camera Operator, Still Photographer, A1, Grip or PA, I would do basically anything that was needed to make money. At the end of a corporate shoot, ironically, for a Health Care client here in Michigan, I got Covid for the first time. I had been lucky to avoid getting sick. Over the next 9 months I got Covid 3 times and then GI and Kidney issues followed. I was in so much pain I couldn’t really work for months because it would come and go. One day I was fine the next 4 I couldn’t move. In and out of the hospital for tests and scopes with no clear explanation why all this was happening. In between to try and earn a living I drove ride share (Uber and Lyft) because as we know bills never stop coming, especially when health care is involved. Ride Share allowed me flexibility while still experiencing large pain episodes. The stress and anxiety of it all was a lot. At the same time I was also trying to find a full time job and stop freelancing but was not having any luck. My doctors couldn’t figure out what’s was going on, it was maddening to say the least. I eventually got better with little intervention. Weeks went by with no symptoms. It was a bit of relief but the financial struggle was now real. Hoping this was the end of the physical health issues I took an opportunity shooting a 5 day long conference. I warned the client that I had been sick but all should be good. Midway through that first event back, my symptoms returned. I quietly suffered for 3 days but completed the event in pain. Post event, for months, between the physical and mental struggles working was not really an option but did the best I could. I continued to do ride share, taking the occasional photo opportunity while submitting resumes for full time opportunities but never got an offer. It was a level of struggle I hadn’t been through ever. I did get better, at least physically. Pain free for about a year now but still unable to find employment. Doing ride share became the main source of income until major car repairs were needed and a passenger threatened my life. If not for help from Family and Friends I would probably already be homeless. Unfortunately their help only goes so far and I am back in the hole not having worked the last couple months

My Proposal

 Work for hire 

 Headshots, Family, Senior, Couple or Pet Portraits - $200* 

 *This is a deposit for headshots to be scheduled in the future. Price of Session could be higher depending on location, props, number of shots, level of editing. Deposit is non-refundable 

 Real Estate Photography** 

 **This is a deposit for residential or commercial real estate photography to be scheduled in the future. Price of Session could be higher depending on location, square footage of property, number of shots, level of editing. Deposit is non-refundable  

Event Photography -$1000*** 

 *** This is a deposit for Event Photography to be scheduled in the future. Price of Event Photography package could be higher based on hours needed, location, number of days, level of editing, additional crew and gear. Basic event photography includes photographer, camera, and up to 5 hours of coverage. Deposit is non-refundable 

 Product Photography - $500**** 

 **** This is a deposit for product photography to be scheduled in the future. Price of Session could be higher depending on location, props, number of shots, level of editing, number of products and other factors. Deposit is non-refundable  

Videographer/Cam Op $500***** 

 ***** This is a deposit to hire me as a cam op or videographer in the future. Fee could be higher depending if location is outside of Metro Detroit or over 6 hours of work. Does not include gear. Gear will be priced based on market rate. Deposit is non-refundable  

Freelance Event Production $500****** ****** This is a deposit to hire me as a freelance event production manager, coordinator, stage manager, production assistant, stage hand in the future. Fee could be higher depending if location of event is outside of Metro Detroit or over 4 hours of work. Does not include kit rental fee. Deposit is non-refundable 

 Other Job $200******* 

 ******* This is a deposit for an opportunity not listed. This opportunity could be marketing related, audio related such as an A1 or A2, Video tech, grip, stage hand, stage manager, manual labor, assistant or anything else that does require criminal activity.  

Investment 

Prints of past or future work $100******** ******** This entitles you to order 1 print of any past or future photography, includes shipment within the U.S. 

 Instant Detroit investment $100+ ********* ********* This is to invest money into a startup called Instant Detroit. Our Tagline is; What’s Your ID. This is a project that will highlight people from metro Detroit, getting to know what it means to be a Detroiter. The media company would interview taste makers, regular Detroit area residents, people from metro Detroit that have moved on to do cool shit elsewhere, highlight musicians/bands, local projects and restaurants. Would also produce events bringing together fans and supporters. Proceeds would be invested by randomly giving away money to people in need. If 100 or more donate at this level each contributor will get an inaugural Instant Detroit T-Shirt.  

Charity 

You don’t want to hire me or invest but want to help me keep Bonnie & Clyde $? 

1 Million Strong Foundation

1 million people donating at least $1.********** **********1 million strong campaign will be the philanthropy arm of Instant Detroit where 1 million people donate $1 to fund philanthropy efforts. The first goal of this foundation will be helping other pet owners who are struggling to make ends meet and keep them from having to surrender their pets to a shelter. The initial 1 million would fund the start of these. Continued funds would be obtained from Merch, private/public donations and social media earnings.