I feel so fortunate. I get to travel all over and meet thousands of photographers each year. Each of them is different with a unique view of the world, and it's a privilege to be inspired and shoot with them. Some of the people I meet are full timers, like me, and some make a portion of their income with photography, while the majority are hobbyists. I hope they are all amateurs, because that's all that's required to be successful in photography. Amateur means they love making pictures so much that they spend all the time and money they can … [Read more...] about There’s Only One Prerequisite to Be a Photographer
passion
Why You Should Fire Yourself Once a Year
This is a guest post by Brooke Shaden. She is well known for her portraits that show fantastic realities. She combines painterly techniques as well as the square format. She also takes traditional photographic properties are replaces things with otherworldly elements. If you're self-employed, or you have a creative passion, it is very likely that you have had a conversation with yourself about running your own business. It is also very likely that you have had the same concerns pop into your head that I have, those being: Am I motivated … [Read more...] about Why You Should Fire Yourself Once a Year
Sanibel Island Skim Boarding
Passion fuels creativity In between jobs, a few friends and I took a trip to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. Teddy, Alec, Vanelli and myself trekked out to the Sanibel Island Lighthouse just outside Fort Myers, Florida. Some of us, Vanelli, couldn't sit still long enough and decided to come up with a challenge. Armed with just a few beach chairs, a skim board, and our phones, we set out to create something unique - just for fun. After all, thats where you get your best ideas. Alec is an athlete. He's a great lacrosse player, … [Read more...] about Sanibel Island Skim Boarding
If It Doesn’t Excite You – Don’t Shoot
I was reading my pal Scott Kelby's KelbyOne.com blog and saw a fantastic quote from none other than Jay Maisel. This master of photography summed up 10 years worth of training in one sentence. "If it doesn't excite you - don't shoot." While it may seem simple, it isn't. So many photographers will shoot "something" because they are out with their camera and feel like they HAVE to make an image or the trip was a waste. I think Jay has it right. It would be better not to shoot than to shoot something you don't care about. The best images from the … [Read more...] about If It Doesn’t Excite You – Don’t Shoot
Are Photographers Spending Too Much Time Screwing Around And Not Enough Taking Pictures?
I think so. And I did something about it. This last year, I said no to 80% of the speaking engagements I was offered and 90% of the workshops I was asked to teach. I stopped trying to be part of every social network under the sun. I stopped reading ANY photo-related comments on web sites (usually they are just trolls complaining or link-baiting.) I stopped reading 90% of the photo-related information I used to read online and stuck to tried and true sources. I stopped reading all but two photo-related print magazines. With very rare exceptions, … [Read more...] about Are Photographers Spending Too Much Time Screwing Around And Not Enough Taking Pictures?
Making Meaning As A Creative
Eric Maisel: Making Meaning Through Creativity from Omega Institute on Vimeo. With a hat-tip to my favorite writing blog (onewildword.com) I'd like to share a video that is designed for novelists but which applies 100% to photographers who are searching for a way to be a creative. Two minutes that might change your opinion on creativity. _______________________ … [Read more...] about Making Meaning As A Creative
Passion & Photography – Notes From My Presentation At Skip’s Summer School
I just got home last night from Skip's Summer School. I've been honored to be on the faculty at this event for all four years. It was amazing to present alongside some of the biggest and best names in the photo industry for a lovely, engaged and enthusiastic audience. The energy in the packed room was amazing. I love these boutique conferences where you get to spend quality time with people that you admire, respect and even love in the industry. While every seat was full, there weren't so many people there that you couldn't connect. One of … [Read more...] about Passion & Photography – Notes From My Presentation At Skip’s Summer School
Photographers – Are You Really Passionate About Your Work?
I'll never forget the day I met Air Force Staff Sergeant Stacy Pearsall (Retired.) She was with her husband (Andy) and together they coached me through a doors-off helicopter ride around Maui. Photographing from the air is something I have very little experience with. But on that day, there was something else in play. For reasons I won't discuss here, I have trouble around helicopters - but who could resist a chance to photograph Maui from the air? So I went. With Stacy and Andy in the back seat, I jumped in and started shooting. Stacy sensed … [Read more...] about Photographers – Are You Really Passionate About Your Work?
Personal Photo Projects Keep Your Passion Alive
Guest Post & Photo by One of the greatest satisfactions in the world is to turn your passion into a successful business. While most photographers have no desire to make a living behind the camera, it remains the ultimate goal for many. With skills and a lot of hard work the dream can become a reality. Among all the sacrifices to get there, there is one that is often ignored but can have a devastating impact on your dream if left untreated. Like anything else, when your passion becomes a job, it can quickly become a chore. It happened to … [Read more...] about Personal Photo Projects Keep Your Passion Alive
Photograph What Matters To You
It might seem an obvious question but it still seems like I should ask it. If you don't care about the subjects you photograph, what makes you think your audience will? You don't need to be concerned with changing the world with your photographs. You need to be concerned with telling a story about the things that really, truly matter to you. It doesn't matter what they are. If the way the light falls on a fire hydrant matters to you - photograph it. If the relationship between your sisters is truly beautiful and it matters to you photograph … [Read more...] about Photograph What Matters To You
Now’s The Time To Follow Your Passion
Marketing guru Seth Godin wrote a blog post that really spoke to me. You can read it on Seth's blog here. What really struck me was this quote. "If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do work that matters, this is it. You can't say, "but I need to make a fortune instead," because that's not happening right now. So you might as well join the people who can say, "I love doing this." We're coming out of a recession. And people are working harder and smarter just to stay afloat. So to those of us who have this burning desire to … [Read more...] about Now’s The Time To Follow Your Passion
Find Your Passion
When I was in high school one of the classes I took was astronomy. It wasn't my favorite subject, since I'm not a huge fan of studying math and science, but I was lucky to have a very insightful teacher. One of the things that my teacher would tell us over and over was to do what we are passionate about. I was, and still am, very passionate about photography, so I found a way to integrate it into my projects in class. I may not have received perfect scores on the written exams, but I did find my way to an observatory and, with my trusty old … [Read more...] about Find Your Passion
