In the biz, we stock photographers try to stay ahead of the game. Sometimes, the agencies tell us what they need, sometimes we guess right. Some of it is common sense, as anyone can figure that photos related to energy conservation will sell.

Predicting trends can be about as tricky as picking the next hot stock (the financial kind). People do that all the time, and make an incredible living at it. People fail at it too, and they tend to be in the doldrums, especially this year. But if you are of a mind, you won’t need to pay for theme park thrills. Just buy into the stock market for the ride of your life. Stocks are dirt cheap nowadays. But I’m not saying you won’t lose your wallet. It can vanish at what you thought was the peak experience.

Which reminds me, a third kind of stock has been on my mind as well. I saw a picture of a steer recently, and I can sure understand the whole vegan thing, face on food and all that. However, the idea of a veggie stew, for example, does little for my appetite. Which is why I’m having pot roast tonight.