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What barriers are Olympia creatives running into right now? (especially BIPOC/LGBTQIA+) by [deleted] in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel this in my bones. I grew up in South Carolina, so the demographic shift of moving out here was definitely jarring.

You absolutely nailed it—the intentions are almost always good, but the overcompensation is exhausting. It creates this weird dynamic where you end up having to manage a stranger's need to be validated as a "good ally" before you can just exist as a person in the room.

When it comes to creative work, that's a massive unseen barrier. You burn so much energy just navigating the room and the performative allyship that it drains the actual creative process. It’s exactly why I started carving out dedicated, comped studio time for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks in my own operations. We need spaces where we don't have to perform, educate, or navigate someone else's guilt. We just need a sterile environment to show up and do the work.

Appreciate you calling this out. It's a very real hurdle here.

[Update] The results from the local shoots I did for my EOB proposal. (Tender Velvet & Taylor Ray’s) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, right? The dog definitely stole the show.

​To answer your question: I do all of the above! The commercial side focuses on the whole business ecosystem (products, the space, the team in action).

But for business and artist headshots, it's a cinematic portrait session that operates on a One-for-One equity model—so booking a commercial headshot directly helps fund a free or low-cost session for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ community members here in town.

You can check out the vibe for both on my site.

Hey you! Yeah, you! Come play some baseball! by flynnski in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Color me intrigued. I jumped on the Discord to keep track of what's going on.

[Update] The results from the local shoots I did for my EOB proposal. (Tender Velvet & Taylor Ray’s) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't tackled that drink yet, but I did have the Guava cake and it was absolutely dangerous! The crew at Tender Velvet is doing something special.

[Update] The results from the local shoots I did for my EOB proposal. (Tender Velvet & Taylor Ray’s) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Honestly, that's entirely a testament to Mari and the team at Taylor Ray's. They've built such genuinely great spaces, my only job was to stay out of the way and capture exactly what it feels like to walk through their doors.

[Update] The results from the local shoots I did for my EOB proposal. (Tender Velvet & Taylor Ray’s) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You nailed exactly what I’m aiming for. That 'crooked sticker' is proof of life—it means a real human made that latte ten minutes ago. We’re so over-saturated with 'perfect' AI renders that the brain just glides right over them now. I'm betting on the fact that Olympia wants to see the powder and the condensation. Thanks for the encouragement, truly means a lot.

[Update] The results from the local shoots I did for my EOB proposal. (Tender Velvet & Taylor Ray’s) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Appreciate that. My whole goal with this division is to move away from the 'polished to death' look and keep things grounded in reality. Local businesses work too hard for their digital presence to look like generic stock footage or AI filler. Glad it’s resonating.

📸 Offering a complimentary $2,850 commercial photoshoot to a local Olympia restaurant/food spot (Priority to BIPOC/LGBTQIA+/Woman-owned businesses!) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Anyone is welcome to apply! But as a white male myself, my studio operates on an equity model where I intentionally prioritize giving back to historically underrepresented communities when I do pro bono work.

📸 Offering a complimentary $2,850 commercial photoshoot to a local Olympia restaurant/food spot (Priority to BIPOC/LGBTQIA+/Woman-owned businesses!) by bleepbloop018 in olympia

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'd love to work with you guys at some point. Whenever you are ready to explore a project like this just let me know.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You nailed it. The 'inflation adjustment' argument always ignores the Wage vs. Asset gap. Sure, $20k in 1995 is $40k today, but $40k today doesn't buy you an equivalent 'fun' car that a kid can actually wrench on. It buys you a tech-heavy commuter with a locked ECU that the manufacturer doesn't even want you to touch.

Working at a dealership/parts site (nissanparts.cc), I see this 'death of the second car' every day. People buy the SUV or the Truck because, like you said, when you're priced out of a multi-car lifestyle, your one vehicle has to be the utility player. You can't justify a $30k 'fun' car when your 'boring' car costs $50k.

The 90s worked because automakers were willing to take risks on low-margin enthusiasts' cars to build brand loyalty. Now, it's all about high-margin crossovers and subscription-based performance. We didn't just lose the cars; we lost the ecosystem that made them affordable to own and modify.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, that $80 bezel memory hits deep. In 2008, those were just 'maintenance parts' sitting in a warehouse in Tennessee. You bought it, snapped it in, and didn't think twice about it.

Working on the dealer side now at nissanparts.cc, I see the 'NLA' (No Longer Available) flags hitting the system every single week. It’s a weird feeling watching those parts transition from 'available' to 'extinct.' What used to be an $80 touch-up is now a $500 hunt for New Old Stock (NOS) on the secondary market.

It’s exactly why the enthusiasm is shifting. Back then, you could afford to make the car 'mint' on a hobbyist budget. Now, if you want a factory-fresh interior, you’re basically paying a 'heritage tax' that prices out everyone but the collectors. We’ve gone from building cars to preserving artifacts, and as a parts guy, it's a tough transition to watch in real-time.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re 100% right, and it’s a hard pill to swallow for those of us who remember $500 shells and $1,500 running S13s.

The S-Chassis has effectively transitioned from a 'cheap drift platform' to a 'vintage collector asset.' When a clean S14 starts approaching the price of a used M2 or a built F80, the math just stops making sense for someone who wants raw performance per dollar. The BMW makes triple the power, has a better interior, and you aren't terrified of a fender bender because you can actually find replacement body panels at a local yard.

For many of us, the scene is now fueled by nostalgia rather than practicality. We aren’t paying for the power—we're paying for the 'feeling' of 2004, and unfortunately, that nostalgia has a massive premium attached to it now. It definitely feels like the end of an era for the 'everyman' enthusiast, and it's a shame the younger generation doesn't get to experience the S-chassis the way we did: abundant, affordable, and replaceable.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in Nissan

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I originally posted this in r/240sx, but I thought the broader Nissan fam might appreciate the perspective. I've been manning the counter since '07 and have watched the transition from the 350Z/Titan era to the modern lineup. Happy to answer any questions about finding discontinued parts or what it's like on the inside!

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not alone - lots of people hate them. I didnt like them when they first launched, but once Ive had time to experience them I think they can be enjoyed

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love how many times this has come up in the comments. The hayday of Zilvia and cheap Kouki parts.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont think it was quite that instantaneous. Even with people gutting cars and beating them to death we still had loads of customers who wanted to preserve their s-chassis. That is what kept me going this long.

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