I'm going to try to tone this down a little bit, as I've willingly participated in absolutely ridiculous and brainless conversations regarding the iPhone 7 with people. Everything from conspiracy theories like, planned obsolescence, to thoughts like "my life as a professional photographer is now doomed" have been made known to me. C'mon people. Really? I don't think anything has been as dramatic in politics, recent news, The Bachelor and other random TV shows lately... except for … [Read more...] about PEOPLE! Stop Fearing the New iPhone!
motivation
Dealing with that Creative Rut
I don't know if there's a term for the photographer's equivalent for writer's block, but l had it for the majority of last year. I remember that I couldn't feel the vibe, I couldn't find the energy to shoot and I couldn't find the motivation. I took a double dose of it all when I started feeling self conscious about my work. Now, if you were to pile on some of the issues that could exist in life-- relationship issues (or perhaps a lack thereof), financial burdens, moving, school and a slew of other things-- it can be more than enough for many … [Read more...] about Dealing with that Creative Rut
Limiting Your Photography to Fuel Inspiration
I struggle with finding inspiration on a regular basis. I think that we all feel this way at times; we want to create, but the flame of inspiration is just not burning. This article is an excerpt from my eBook, The Inspired Photographer, in which I share twenty ideas to help spark that flame of inspiration inside of you. One of the easiest ways to suppress creativity is to have too many options. When Im confronted with aisles and aisle of possibilities at the grocery store, Im often at a loss for what to cook. Frozen into indecision by too many … [Read more...] about Limiting Your Photography to Fuel Inspiration
I, Creator: Growing On Your Terms
Recently, I wrote a brief post on my blog that was titled, Create For Yourself, which serves as the impetus for this story. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my own growth as a photographer and, to a broader extent, as a creator. This introspection invariably led me to look at how others qualify growth for themselves. More specifically, I began analyzing what people are doing to grow and how they measure their success towards that. A lot of what I found felt troubling and resulted in me re-evaluating my own benchmarks. The … [Read more...] about I, Creator: Growing On Your Terms
Future Presidents Photo Project by Matthew Jordan Smith
Guest Post and Photos by Matthew Jordan Smith What impact will a photograph have in a hundred years? This question has been on my mind during the past few years. What if a photograph, created today, had the ability to impact lives and inspire people in the future? A little over a year ago I started on a journey to create a project that would do just that, inspire parents and children to dream big. I call the project Future Presidents. Ive been traveling the country, going state-by-state, photographing children and planting the idea that they … [Read more...] about Future Presidents Photo Project by Matthew Jordan Smith
The Photographer’s Idea Scrapbook
Once in a while I cover this subject because I get an email from someone who's a bit down. They're bored with their photography or even photography in general and they are looking for something to motivate them to get off the couch. Some of you are thinking - "How can that be? I live for photography!" Well believe me if you're into this photography thing long enough it will happen to you. So be prepared. Years ago, I created an idea scrapbook. It's taken many forms. For a while it was literally a scrapbook. But I got lazy and sometimes it was … [Read more...] about The Photographer’s Idea Scrapbook
Moving Ahead
Over the last several months, stories have been appearing about me on the Internet some factual and some not that have some readers asking questions. About 30 years ago, I made some serious mistakes. I learned from them, made amends, and moved forward. I believe we don't have to be defined by our past. We all have the chance in life to overcome mistakes, and that is what I have tried to do by pursuing my creative passion for photography and helping others pursue theirs. I am grateful I've had a chance to spend the last 30 years doing … [Read more...] about Moving Ahead
I Can’t Do This But I Can Do That
There's a documentary film called "I Can't Do This But I Can Do That." Upon seeing this movie I was motivated to consider how this saying can and does apply to photography. It dawned on me that low self-esteem, combined with the bullying that is prevalent online, might work to stop some potentially great photographers from moving ahead with their photographic pursuits. If you find yourself doubting your ability to become a serious photographer, try this exercise. Make a list of things that you struggle with. It could be focus, or posing or … [Read more...] about I Can’t Do This But I Can Do That
A Lesson Learned From Coconuts
While down here in sunny Florida I have been exposed to Palm trees. Very different than the trees near my home in the Seattle area. Palm trees are all kinds of cool. And one of the cool things they do is make coconuts. (Yes I know not ALL Palm trees make coconuts - but the trees at my condo complex do!) Now believe it or not, there's a guy here at the condo complex who's job it is to drive around in what I call the Coconutmobile picking up the coconuts that fall to the ground every day. On some days, after a big wind or rain, there are lots of … [Read more...] about A Lesson Learned From Coconuts
Seven Tips For Fighting Photographer’s Block
A while back Nicole Young wrote a piece of overcoming creative block. Here's my version - overcoming photographer's block. It happens to the best of us. Sometimes you just get into a photography rut. You find yourself unmotivated. The couch seems more comfortable than usual and the excuses to keep your camera in the bag are mounting. If this describes you, here are seven tips that might get you back shooting. 1. Make a decision - getting past photographer's block starts with simply making a decision to do something about it. Write it down. … [Read more...] about Seven Tips For Fighting Photographer’s Block
Are You A Lazy Photographer?
It's easy to get in a photographic rut. You take a class or read a book and get excited and then years go by and you find yourself shooting the same way you did two, three or even four years ago. Have you gotten lazy? When was the last time you got up 30 minutes early to make CERTAIN you got the best light? Did you jump out of the car at your last photo shoot, plop down the tripod at the first place you saw, fire away and then call it a day? Or maybe you just shoot everything with the same lens now because it's easy. This post is designed to … [Read more...] about Are You A Lazy Photographer?
