I’m sure many of us have heard this saying whether it’s been in academics, sports, jobs, personal goals, etc. This is a saying I try to remember all the time especially when growing a business. I never want to get in that rut as a photographer, nay as a person, where I get comfortable with what I’m doing and stay there because it’s an easy place to stay. In photography, you see it happen all the time, photographers will start to go to the same locations, do the same poses, same lighting, etc because they know they can make a good picture if they do everything the same. This is not only lazy, but it’s not any fun to have to edit the same picture just a different face over and over and over. I’ve told many people I want to always be uncomfortable. I strive on new situations, new areas, etc.
However, it’s not that I feel like I’ve caught myself in a rut as a photographer or even personally, I really don’t know how to explain it because I feel like overall I’m striving for greatness, I’m doing everything to offer the best products in my business, and being the best person I can personally. I guess by being caught in a rut, I mean that I feel like I’m not putting myself out there for new opportunities. Weddings, seniors, families, yes, I’m advertising, I’m getting awesome word of mouth, marketing, and constantly changing how I do things to keep up with the latest trends, but I feel like as a photographer, there’s so much more I can be doing. It was my dream in high school to become a photographer who had work featured in Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, or Transworld magazines, and while it’s a long shot to get to that point, why should I let this long shot of an opportunity keep me from trying? Why because it’s nearly impossible should I put that dream aside and not even try to put myself out there to see what happens? Don’t get me wrong this isn’t my retirement from portrait photography, haha, not at all! I absolutely LOVE what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m just saying, as a photographer, I’m making it a goal (a month into 2013) to put myself out there in the photography industry for other opportunities.
This’ll definitely put me in a vulnerable situation, I realize, and I will probably get rejected many times over. But, I don’t know who said the quote exactly because I think it’s been tied to numerous athletes, “you miss all the shots you don’t take.” I actually have a wall sticker that says this in my office. So I’m putting this out there for a few reasons. I like letting you all know what I’m thinking in real time, but as a goal that is out in the public I’m not accountable to all of you, so now if I don’t try I have failed, the best I can do is try. I also put this out there for me personally. I really hope and pray that 9 months from now I can get look up this blog and remember how something great started. And number three I put this out there hopefully for inspiration to you. I’m a people watcher, I like to watch how people walk, interact with each other, etc. I guess that’s why I’m a photographer, but so many times you see almost the depression or negativity in people as they walk around it’s so sad. I realize that if you have a family, it would be hard to quit your job and move out to LA to try and get an acting gig, I’m not saying to do anything stupid or even that risky. If it’s even in your current job, your marriage, your dreams, whatever, don’t settle for being comfortable. You only have one life on this Earth, do something great! Do something that makes an impact? Do something that people remember you by. Even if it’s just being an extremely caring person, that’s great!
So here’s to a great 2013, I’ve already got big plans personally and for the business (really excited for what’s coming this year with the photography business), but beyond that, I’m putting myself out there and we’ll see what comes of it. 🙂