Turn out the lights…the party’s over…
31 January 2010
To the fans, wrestlers, promoters, friends of RSPDN and others,
Of course you’ve all noticed that I have been on an extended break. The last show I shot was NWA Anarchy on 19 September 2009. Since that time I have been doing a lot of thinking and I have reached a decision. It has taken me over four months to reach this decision because pro-wrestling has been a very important and large part of my life since 2004. March 2010 would be my sixth anniversary of taking wrestling photos.
I have decided though, it’s time for me to hang up the camera. I’m not going to say retirement, because you retire from a career, and I think the word “quitting” sounds so negative, so… I’m stopping. I’m not saying that you will never see me at ringside again but for now I am done.
First, thanks to you all that helped make all this possible. You’ve helped make a childhood dream become reality. There are too many to list, but I’ve thanked them before and I do so again.
In the past years I have given up a lot to be a part of wrestling, those of you involved understand. At the time you focus on getting to the next show. I have realized though that during this time I have neglected much in my personal life; friends, family, my career, etc.
I’m not getting any younger – and though I’m only 34 years old (I know, most of you thought at least 40!) I wish I had gotten involved in my early 20s, not 30s.
In my short time I have seen a lot of great talent – men and women who eat/sleep/breathe this sport – who strive with every fiber of their being to “make it.” To them I wish the best of luck! Many of you deserve it. Then I’ll be able to say “I knew _____ back when!”…Then maybe I could make big money on their old photos!
I’ve also seen my share of folks who are just happy to go out and entertain the fans who showed up at the local show, and are good at it. More power to you guys, you make it real for the local fans…What else have I seen? Those poor souls who have no training, no clue, no gimmick, no personality, no chance. In the word of a friend, ‘take two weeks off, come back and retire.” I’m not going to name any names but there are plenty out there.
I never expected to make a living doing this and all told, I’m way in the hole, but that never bothered me – I was having too much fun. I had one goal – to get published in Pro Wrestling Illustrated – and I did! A handful of times, and I’m not ashamed to admit I have at least 3 copies of the magazines my photos appeared in.
Anyway, I’ve gone on long enough. Again thanks to everyone who supported us – financially, or by just saying “that was a great shot.” It was all appreciated. For now, I will be content to buy a ticket and sit on the other side of the barrier; it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that.
Blake Arledge
Jay Joyce said,
January 31, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
Blake!
Happy Stopping! I think I’m going to invent a card or special holiday. National Stopping Day. You don’t get a silver watch or anything, but you do get a neat card. And maybe a club sandwich. Yeah, that’s it. You get a card and a club sandwich. This Stopping thing sounds fun. Thank you for the kindness and professionalism that you shared with us in Charlotte. See you on the sidelines!
Jay (also Stopped)
Kirby Mack said,
January 31, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
I haven’t accomplished much in this busniess and some would even argue that I can’t or I never will. But one thing that I have gained from this business that I’m extremely pride of is friendships. Friendships that start because we share the same bond but that strengthen over time because we actually love and care for each other. People like you. It saddens me when the good people in this business leave and the bad people are the ones who last. Blake your a truely gifted guy with tons of talent and even more heart and compassion. I feel blessed to have known you, been photog’ed by you and more importantly to call you my friend. Love ya big guy. Thanks for everything.
Keith said,
January 31, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Blake,
Thanks for taking my Ric Flair photo (which I’m very happy with), and then later sending me the pic of me getting an autograph from Ric Flair, too. That was above and beyond what a “normal” photographer would have done, and it was much appreciated.
I also remember the time I was flipping through an issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated at Books-A-Million and came across one of your action photos. I thought “Wow, I know this guy!” and came home and e-mailed you about it right away. It’s great that you got to reach that goal, and have one of your photos used in the #1 Professional Wrestling magazine of all time.
I’m sure I’ll see you at the matches soon! (just without a camera)
~Keith
Tre Smith said,
January 31, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
Love you man. You are one hell of a photographer and one hell of a friend. I hope to see you around especially down the road maybe at the Legends Fanfest this year in Charlotte.
Hate to see you leave the business, but then again I understand exactly where you are coming from.
Take care and continue to keep in touch man.
-Tre-
Colin said,
February 1, 2010 @ 6:05 am
Blake,
All the best for the future.
We first spoke only recently, but he was just as kind and attentive to someone who emailed him out of the blue (me) as he clearly is to those around him.
Colin
PS – if you get the chance, try watching Catherine Tate; you might enjoy.
Jerry Palmer -NWA Anarchy said,
February 1, 2010 @ 8:18 am
Blake,
During my 5 years here you have been a mainstay and although I fully understand and support your decision, I still hate to see you “stop”. Thank you for everything you have done for Anarchy as well as all indy showsand the wrestling business in general. Please know that you are now and will always be considered a part of our staff. Stay in contact and feel free to come to the Church anytime as we think of you as family. Good luck to you in anything you do and God Bless you friend.
JP
David said,
February 1, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
Blake,
Thanks for all you have done, bringing the ringside to the rest of us these last five years. I feel very lucky to have stumbled across your site and wish you only the best in the time ahead.
Take good care,
David
ostgard said,
February 5, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Well shithead you know how I feel, you are the best person I have met in whatever the hell this is. Your pictures have made there way to poster size black and white canvas’ on my living room walls and are no doubt the time capsule for many others on who they were and what they did…or trying to be at least. That says something about your talent and contributions. Many shows have came and gone and people forget to include the wrestlers but the pictures remain and help people remember, help motivate and help people justify the means to the end. Give them something to show whent he 10 bucks is in the gas tank. Its a loss for allot of people, and for me I will have to find some skank at ringside to take some pics with a crappy ass disposable and she only gets pics of two guys laying on the mat over and over…making my memories look more like fag porn orgy than a wrestling match. YOU NEED TO PUBLISH A BOOK….BEST OF BLAKE…OR SOME OTHER TRENDY TITLE. IT SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT PROJECT…GET PAAAAAAID!
EAGLE! said,
February 6, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
HEY DAWG YOU TAKE GOOD PHOTOS OF CHIEF BRO COME BACK TO APW SON WE NEED TALENT GLAD YOU PUT CAMERA DOWN TO STEP IN RING SEE YOU AT TRAINING THIS TUESDAY. BRING 20 BUCKS
WrestlinWally said,
February 9, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
Hey there Blake,
We’ve never met, but I’ve followed your pics as long as you’ve had the site I think and I have always enjoyed your great and steady material. I also got a kick out of your homepage humor! As you well know, there is no such thing in the wrestling biz as retirement, but I hope you enjoy your time away from ringside. Many thanks for your great work!
Wally
Joe said,
February 13, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
ONE TAKE BLAKE!
How sad it is to see you go. In fact, the only reason I hit the site was to see if I would be seeing you tomorrow in Charlotte and the NWA begins again. Guess not. It’s sad. I have lost track of how many shows I have seen you at and how many wonderful pictures of me (at least as good as they can be with me in them) you have taken. I have also enjoyed laughing with you over the years. Keep coming to shows but know this. Ringside won’t look the same without ONE TAKE BLAKE in the trenches.
Best wishes my friend!
Joe Webb
Linda Love said,
February 17, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
We will miss you! Hope to see you soon:) You took some really Awesome pictures!