 by Skip Cohen I saw this piece posted on my FB notifications a few weeks ago. It hit me hard then, and I've since read it several times. For the most part, I've stayed out of the social media battles over the current state of America. I've stayed away from all the bullshit...even held back on commenting on all the fake news that people from both sides jump on. When I read this piece by Elayne Griffin Baker, written in 2020, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It's not just about the lack of joy but also about pride. I've watched friends withdraw; friends leave the country and done my best to search out the truth in the news, a virtually impossible task. The poem says it all...no need for me to comment further...and if it results in some of my readers no longer following me, our "friendship" would have disappeared sooner or later anyway. There's no art in this White House. There's no literature, no poetry, no music. There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man's best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids science fairs. No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants uniform and hides from Americans to play golf. There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation. No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport. No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedy's playing touch football on the Cape. Where'd that country go? Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go? We used to be a country that did the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised millions for charity. We used to have a President that calmed and soothed the nation instead of dividing it, and a First Lady who planted a garden instead of ripping one out. We are rudderless and joyless. We have lost the cultural aspect of society that make America great. We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others. The shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it. The challenges and the triumps that we shared and celebrated. The unique can-do spirit that America has always been known for. We are lost. We have lost so much in so short a time. -Elayne Griffin Baker- My apologies to the author of this footnote below. It was on the FB notifications page with the poem above. If someone knows the author I'll update this post.
Across the world, we are watching the rise of strongmen who sneer at laughter unless it's aimed downward. Who confuse control with leadership. Who rip up gardens instead of planting seeds. And people feel it. Even if they can't name it, they know something is missing. The absence of joy is not visible. It's a heaviness that settles over everything. It's the dull ache of a country that no longer pauses to cheer for each other, to laugh, to mourn, to dream. Without joy, what are we even fighting for? What are we building? Power alone is not a vision. Authority without empathy is not greatness. A nation without joy is not leading the world, it's warning it. So let's stop pretending this is just about policy. The mood of a leader shapes the mood of a country. And when that tone is mean, vindictive, hollow, and cold, it spreads. It settles into the bones of a nation. People are not machines. We are not here only to consume, to obey, to win. We are here to live. To feel. To connect. And to make something beautiful together, even if just for a moment. There's nothing more I can add...except that it's going to take each and everyone of us to get America back.
1 Comment
 Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace. There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind. Randy Armstrong by Skip Cohen I started this series after reading a few great quotes I hadn't heard before. That led to wanting to share them, especially when they seemed relevant to many of today's challenges. It's a short post going into what's about to become a pivotal weekend in America, June 14. With protests all over the country and an estimated 46 million dollars being spent on celebrating the army and Donald Trump's birthday, there's a lot I just don't understand. Understanding is only half the challenge - because what we read or what's reported in the news can't be trusted. Sheila and I have chosen to simply keep focused on our life together and what we can support or change. We're doing our best not to let the fear of the future interrupt our peace. I heard a comment back in January from an unhappy photographer, "I'm just going to live in a snow globe for the next four years." Well, our snow globe is our local community. I miss the America I've known most of my life. I miss respecting our government because it was made up of people smarter than us. Well, the true experts have been fired, and the country is being run by a group that has forgotten about being for the people. In fact, for our own businesses, most of us wouldn't hire the majority of the people we see in the news these days. I'm trying hard not to make this into a political statement, and it's impossible. So, I'll wrap it up with another great quote. We spend countless hours reading, listening to, and watching other people's opinions
about what we should do, how we should think, and how we should live, but make comparatively little effort applying that knowledge and making it our own. Tiago Forte  The type of camera you use for photography makes no difference. A loving, open heart makes a photograph, not a camera. by Skip Cohen
I'm having some fun with great quotes, and the one above is one I shared 15 years ago on Facebook. I still hear people asking photographers, "What camera did you use?" Even in a world being touched by AI, it still amazes me that there are people who think it's the gear that makes the image, when it still takes an artist's creativity. So, the next time somebody asks you whose camera you use, there's a better answer. Years ago, I was in Tucson when Richard Avedon turned over his archives to the Center for Creative Photography. His travel camera, which he loved to play with at the time, was an old-style Polaroid SX-70.  A.I. image from Adobe Stock The death rate for people who play it safe and for people who live boldly is the same: 100% Patti Dighi Seriousness is overrated. If you want to achieve more without runing your life, the first step is to approach your work with a sense of play. Ali Abdaaf by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day, and whatever I post, I like to keep it short. I ran across the two quotes above this morning, and they hit on a topic I've tried to live by for most of my adult life. Remember, I'm still a work in progress, so I haven't always gotten it right. When I look back on different aspects of my career, the most significant and rewarding jobs/projects have always had an element of work-hard-play-hard. From those jobs have come incredible friendships and a network build on trust with some amazing people. The only thing I'll add to the sentiment of the two quotes today, is that there are so many of you whom I've met and talked with who are simply over-focused on the challenges in life. As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't totally in it! I'm not suggesting you take anything too lightly - but now and then, ease up a little and focus on what YOU need. What puts a smile on your face and makes your heart soar, even just a little bit? Who are the people in your life you wish you connected with more often? Who gets those eleven-second hugs I always write about on Sundays? Happy Hump Day...and here's one more thought that ties in with today's theme... You were born an original. Don't die a copy.
John Mason   by Skip Cohen
It's time for everyone to get to know Tom Alvarez. Tom's a good buddy who has a passion for the craft that's pretty spectacular. He's an artist, photographer, educator, writer, great Dad, husband, and a good friend. We first met a few months before Covid hit. At the time, Tom was teaching photography at the Imagine School in Northport, Florida, and we had started talking online. He was passionate about exposing his students to as much as he could in the world of imaging, even though most of them had never held a real camera and were shooting with their phones. Thanks to a few industry friends, I was able to secure a dozen discontinued point-and-shoot cameras. Well, the pandemic hit, and I was never able to fulfill my offer to speak to his kids about a future in imaging. The best part of this industry isn't about imaging but the friendships that come from everyone's love for the craft. Even though he was no longer teaching, the friendship continued, and we'd get together for lunch a few times a year. He called me one day a year or so ago and asked my opinion about a book about backgrounds. Being an author is not a new role for Tom. His diversity as an artist covers a long list of skills, including his first book, How to Create Action, Fantasy, and Adventure Comics, almost 30 years ago. While so many people want to write their own book, it takes not only understanding the topic but also discipline and, no pun intended, FOCUS. We're all familiar with the concept of "behind the scenes" (BTS). The BTS of any image is literally the background, and less obvious is the original vision of the artist. The image might start with the subject, but the power of an artist's concept depends on the background. The impact of the final image is often entirely dependent on the background, including what kind of backdrop, lighting, composition, and depth of field have been chosen. Your background is the foundation of your BTS. It's the not-so-secret ingredient that sets the mood in any image. If a picture really is worth a thousand words, then your choice of background sets the mood for at least the first few "chapters." A simple change in the background completely changes everything about the subject and what we feel when we view an image. Last month, Tom's dream of a book about backgrounds became a reality. It's now available on Amazon. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro and need a few refresher reminders, it's a book with wide appeal. Just click on the cover shot to the right. Tom's statement in his conclusion says it all: With over thirty years of photography and teaching under my belt, I have always aspired to help others improve their art, and that has led me to the creation of this book. If any of my readers simply move thier angle just a small amount to get a better "shot," well, then I have done my job as a photography instructor. Meet my buddy, Tom Alvarez!  Be grateful for those who make us happy! Marcel Proust  by Skip Cohen
It's just a light post for an uneventful Tuesday, but it's still a thought worth sharing. I often start each day wandering through a book of great quotes, and the one above struck me as so appropriate this morning. I missed writing a Sunday Morning Reflections post last weekend, not because I couldn't come up with a topic, but because we had company, and I didn't want to spend time in my office at the computer. After working together for so many years and doing the Mind Your Own Business and Tamron Recipes podcasts, plus a few others, we finally got Chamira Young and Troy to Florida for a visit. Chamira and I did over 150 podcasts together, but we only met for ten minutes at WPPI many years ago. While we met one evening at ClickCon in Detroit last year for a short visit before the program I was doing, there was never any quality time. Here's my point, starting with the quote above. There's that old quote by Brian Chalker: "People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime." Well, our friendship started with a reason, co-hosting a great podcast. It was always more than a season; now, it's evolved into a lifetime. And the four of us hanging out together for a long weekend was all about being happy and grateful for a remarkable friendship. In an online world where we all "know" so many people in cyberspace, it's a great experience when you finally get quality time together...LIVE! Social media, even phone calls, and Facetime are great for getting to know people, but nothing beats face-to-face time together! Do you have friends with whom you've missed spending quality time? While everyone says time flies when you're having a good time, the reality is that in good times or tough times, the clock never slows down. Make time for those special people who are in your life for a reason, season, or lifetime. And to Chamira and Troy, thanks for making the trip and heading a few miles south of Detroit! It was a perfect weekend. What a kick!  by Skip Cohen My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of Alzheimer's. Two days ago, my good friend, Kristen Jensen, who also lost her mother to the disease, shared a post about Alzheimer's on Facebook. I'm unsure where the post started, but it was one of those please-share-chain-letter-type posts. While I normally hate stuff like this, it was so spot-on and accurate to what we experienced with my mother. I started this post with the plan to share it yesterday, Throwback Thursday. I decided to combine a few of my favorite throwback images of my Mom with my own version of a public service message, which is below. Well, I posted the piece on my FB page and was surprised at the response from so many people. So, I decided to hold off and wrap up the week with an additional focus on the Alzheimer's aspect, and a mini-tribute to Mom, including a hand-colored portrait from around 1940.   Robin Williams took his own life because he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Bruce Willis learned that his illness is Frontotemporal dementia and Lew Body Dementia (FTD). One of the hardest things to process is the slow change in the one you love. Becoming a completely different person. Everything changes. Just so you know...it's called the long goodbye. Rapidly shrinking brain is how doctors described it. As the patient's brain slowly dies, they change physically and eventually forget who their loved ones are and become less themselves. Patients can eventually become bedridden, unable to move and unable to eat or drink or talk to their loved ones.
There will be people who will scroll by this message because Dementia, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's has not touched them. They may not know what it's like to have a loved one who has fought or is fighting a battle. In an effort to raise awareness of this cruel disease, I would like to see at least 5 of my friends put this on their timeline. I'll settle for at least one. If you're one of those people who believe Alzheimer's and Dementia only happen to the "other guys:" According to the Alzheimer's Association, as of 2023, an estimated 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. This number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060. (source: Google) But if the disease is already touching your life, here are some ideas that helped us through the "storms" a lot.
There's no getting around the pain of dealing with losing a loved one to Alzheimer's, but there is so much help available. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about the newest drugs available. There's some incredible progress made with certain types of Dementia, especially Alzheimer's. Most important of all...remember you're NOT alone!   by Skip Cohen Now and then, an opportunity comes along for a trip you shouldn't miss! Shiv Verma's been a good friend for a whole lot of years. The respect I have for Shiv all started with his skill set. I found that my photography skills went up a notch every time we hung out together. The only thing more impressive than Shiv's skills is his passion as an artist and his focus on education. And when I'm stuck on an imaging challenge of my own, he's at the top of the list for a call to help get me out of a jam. Well, Shiv has several of his own trips coming up, and he's got just three spots left for Tanzania from August 25 to September 2 of this year. It's all-inclusive, and I can assure you it's going to be top-shelf because Shiv never does anything halfway. I pulled a few of his images for this post because they're all from past Tanzania trips. However, to really appreciate what it's like to travel with Shiv, click on any image to visit his website and check out the specifics for this upcoming trip. "This is a peak season trip of a lifetime for up to 8, where you have only one photographer per row in the safari vehicles - all for a price that can't be beat. The annual migration in Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This photo adventure is planned to give you the opportunity to photograph the world's largest concentration of elephants per square mile in Tarangire National Park and travel to the northern plains of the Serengeti via Ndutu. Ndutu is one of the few regions where off-road game drives are permitted. We will visit the Mara and Sand Rivers to witness and photograph the annual wildebeest migration. Game drives will take advantage of the awesome light of the dry season"...read more. We all catch lots of opportunities for photo adventures being promoted every day, but knowing Shiv as I do, if Tanzania is on your wish list - this is one not to be missed. Check out his 2025 schedule below and click on any of the dates to visit Shiv's website...Wherever he's headed, you can count on a life-changing experience with one of the industry's very best!   Click for more information on Shiv's travel and workshop schedule.  by Skip Cohen
Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, it's a family time of year and always special. It's a time to make memories with the people who mean the most to you. And here's my reminder: When you're together with older members of your family, DON'T FORGET TO VIDEO THEIR STORIES. I've written a lot about legacy programs and documenting the stories of older relatives before they're no longer with you. Whether with your phone or camera doesn't make a difference. Take the time to corner those senior members of the family over the holidays. Now, take it one step further - if you've got kids in the house - assign them to be the family historians. If they're young, get the camera set up for them - and if they're older, give them some assignments. Stories like, "Sit down with Grandma and Grandpa and ask them how they met." Anything relevant in capturing those beautiful backstories that will disappear when older members of your family pass on. Wishing everybody a wonderful holiday! Thank you for all your support, friendship, and feedback. It hasn't been the easiest year, but it's been one filled with memories, and as sappy as it sounds, it has been filled with a whole lot of love! Happy Holidays!  A.I. Images from Adobe Stock  by Skip Cohen It's the last Hump Day before the holidays, and time to start to loosen up a little! Parts of today's post are from my archives, but what prompted today's topic was a conversation with a reader recently that was simply too serious. Lately, so many people have become over-focused on issues that just don't matter. I'm not saying you should take business challenges lightly, but too many people need to relax a little. I have no idea how my brain works when it comes to my "archives," but the expression "that's so funny, I forgot to laugh" popped into my head. It sent me on a quest to YouTube looking for one of my favorite old SNL skits with Gilda Radner and Bill Murray, which I've shared below. The SNL channel on YouTube is jam-packed with the classics and well worth your time whenever you need a chuckle. Here's my point today - a lot of you need to loosen up. In the photography world, we're coming down to the end of 2024's seasonality, and in the "real world," the major December holidays are a week away. It's time to start to kick back a little, or at least think about it. Stop being so serious about life and your quest for success. Seriously, what good is working to become a great artist if you're not stopping to smell the roses along the way? What good is working this hard if you're missing time with family and friends? When I think of photographers I admire, Tony Corbell immediately comes to mind. You'll never see him without a smile. He deals with the same stress in his life we all do, but it's rare for anyone to hear him say "NO" to helping another photographer because he's too busy. He couldn't be more focused as an artist, but we love him because he's never let the craft overshadow his love for life. So, lighten up! Focus on your business and your clients, but remember to focus on yourself, your family, and your friends too. Don't let your sense of humor get buried under the stress of business. Here's a recipe for success: Laugh more than you worry. Don't lose sight of your goals. Recognize that success isn't just about the bottom line but being happy. Stay in touch with good friends. Accept that you're only one person and can only do so much. Know that everyone makes mistakes. And like Tim McGraw's lyrics of an old song, always stay humble and kind! Happy Hump Day! I hope Todd and Lisa make you smile as they did me this morning!  by Skip Cohen When I wrote my blog yesterday, I was very hesitant before hitting "post." Talking about how we react under the stress of a dying loved one isn't a standard topic. It doesn't matter that it's something we all have to deal with at one time or another; we just don't talk about it. I was over-thinking the challenge of sharing a remarkable guest post. Even in the silent rules of social media, death, politics, and religion are all topics the experts suggest we stay clear of. When I read Durgawati Dari's original piece, I immediately wanted to share it. Although I know there are hundreds of books and articles on dealing with the death of a loved one, it's just not something I ever thought about, and life doesn't come with an instruction manual. I made the decision to share the guest post after a long time of thinking about the consequences. Looking back now, I wasted time and energy worrying about what readers might say instead of just trusting my gut and instinct. Today's post is short, and it's simply a thank you for so many positive comments via email, DMs, and even a couple of phone calls. Death isn't something normally on my mind, but with aging comes the loss of parents, other family members, and friends. In the last few weeks, I've lost several good friends. While I wasn't by their side at the moment they passed, I found Durgawati's post helpful in how I've been thinking about their recent deaths. Here's the link if you missed it. One of my favorite quotes is by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met." It highlights the fact that each loved one we lose is already a part of us. Take a second and think about somebody you've lost close to you. Yes, they're gone physically, but their influence on your life is ALWAYS there. Think of who you are today and have some fun chasing down the roots for things you love to do, expressions you regularly use, or, if you're a foodie, who introduced you to your favorites. Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day...
unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear. Saint Diamonds  A.I. Image from Adobe Stock by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day, two weeks before the holidays. For most people it's the busiest time of year. Everyone gets so wrapped up in the holidays, that too many of us miss the magic! GIVE IN TO THE MAGIC Give yourself permission to pay more attention to the birds chirping. Eat the marshmallows out of the cereal box without judging yourself. Look for the rainbows after a storm, and then take a picture of them for posterity. Feel the cool breeze on a hot day, and say thank you. Enjoy a glass of wine in the afternoon. Savor each solitary moment of this life, they are all you have. I've written a lot about the routine that Sheila and I established many years ago - reading something motivational to each other every morning. The piece above from Cyndie Spiegel, although her definition of "magic" seemed a little light, was the perfect reminder of how much I miss when I allow the craziness of life to set the pace.
It takes practice to step away from the chaos of business and life, but as a work in progress, I'm proof that it can be done. It all starts with your mindset and the determination not to miss anything that helps create a smile. Just like holding focus with your camera - giving into the magic all around us is about holding focus on our hearts. Happy Hump Day - make it one to remember!  A.I. Image from Adobe Stock  by Skip Cohen
Sometimes, inspiration shows up in the most unlikely places—like the back of a T-shirt! But it was the perfect sentiment at the Walk to End Alzheimer's last month. "There is always light if only we're brave enough to see it ...if only we're brave enough to be it." I wrote about Alzheimer's in a post a few weeks back. Losing my Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great-uncle to the horrible disease is a cause near and dear to my heart. It's the foundation for my newest "adventure," working with the Memory Care Alliance to help caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's. But today's post isn't just about Alzheimer's; it's about finding a non-profit cause you believe in. Between Mother Nature's wrath and politics, the world has become a very scary, at times terrifying place. I know we're not the only ones who watch the news and want to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads! The one way to beat dealing with those challenges we have no control over is to get involved in something that, by giving back, lifts your spirits and makes a difference. I loved this guy's t-shirt because it says so much in the simplicity of the message - brave enough to see the light and strong enough to help be the light! It's December and holiday time - every non-profit needs help. Plus, you're looking for your community to be good to you - so you need to be good to your community. You're not just another retailer; one way to stand out even more is to be involved. Think about it for just a second - if everybody we know just gave back a little to their favorite non-profit, how much could we all help change the world?   by Skip Cohen
I shared the artwork below in a post several years ago. With Thanksgiving next week, it's too much fun not to share again. As in past years, I started today wanting to write something profound, even poignant, and, as always, from the heart. This past year, especially the last few months, has been tough on everybody. Well, I'm a big fan of Storypeople, and they gave me what I needed to get started. Usually, I'd wait until next week, but with the chaos of travel these days, many of you are hitting the road earlier than in past years. So, I want to catch you before the holiday craziness takes over! I know it's sappy and hokey, but we are here to care about each other. This is even more common in our industry—photographers tend to watch each other's backs. Looking over this past year, I realize there's never been a time in my business or personal life when more people were there for me/us. And we've all kept an eye on each other. What a kick it would be if all of us were lucky enough to have Thanksgiving dinner together. As we went around the table to say what we were thankful for, I'd be talking about feeling grateful and blessed because of so many of you. The professional side of my career started when I joined Hasselblad in 1987. I'd been at Polaroid for over 17 years, but thanks to all of you, I fell in love with this industry all over again. The friendships I've made along the way, combined with new artists I work with or meet online daily, just keep making life better. No matter how tough the challenges are, you help me keep things in perspective and find solutions. Without that positive feedback and support, I'd probably be whining about how difficult things are. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving and time to be with people you care about. I appreciate everything you've worked so hard to build and make a part of your life...and mine. Happy Thanksgiving!  by Skip Cohen
In yesterday's post, I mentioned the importance of not being afraid to "hit the help button" when you need it. Since then, I've encountered multiple references to asking for help. The best was from author Cyndie Spiegel. "ASKING FOR HELP IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH...Learn to ask for help. There is no prize for being the most independent. Asking for what you need is a sign of strength: it demonstrates a willingness to take better care of yourself and those you love by seeking the best possible help. In the same you'd willingly advocate for others, do the same for yourself." We're ramping up into the 2024 peak of seasonality in imaging, and everyone will face unexpected challenges at some point. When that happens, stop thinking you have to solve every problem flying solo. "You are not alone: There is a great big world out there waiting to champion you and help you live your very best life."   by Skip Cohen
Years ago, I came across the image below. It's a classic, and before I used it in a blog post to make a point, I did a little digging and talked to the company that owned the photograph. I wrote: Searching for the copyright, Davidson & Company, out of Atlanta, came up as owning the image. It took a little time to explain to one of their staff, who had no idea what I was talking about. Think about how it sounded answering the phone and hearing, "I'm trying to track down the company that owns the right to the shot of a guy with his head up his butt. Are you the Davidson & Company who owns it?" A few minutes later, I was on the phone with Ken Davidson, and not only did he give me the okay to use it, but he also shared a little of the backstory. The story adds to my appreciation for the journey so many of us have been on in this industry. The image was shot on film and manipulated with conventional retouching. It was created for a commercial client in the late 1980s! Last week, I received a comment from Michael Washak, the photographer who took the original image. He saw my post from last May about the photograph. Remember, this was captured/created long before Photoshop. But even with Photoshop today, the quality and realism of the original have not been duplicated. I contacted Michael for permission to share his comment in a blog post. One great phone call later, I had more of the history behind this classic image. He wrote: I'm the photographer who, while working for Davidson & Co, took the original images. The lower body and background were taken in one shot. Our larger sales rep was photographed from behind. The arms and upper body were photographed from above. The thinner upper body was the retouch artist who used his airbrush skills to blend the two images and painted the seem lines in the pants. The original images were photographed in black and white using a Hasselblad 500cm 120 film camera. The base print was done in a conventional darkroom using a rubylith mask to separately print each part. Then the conventional retouch artist did his work. The reason the image looks so convincing, and has not been effectively replicated, is that back then, before photoshop, I became skilled at photographing elements in perspective to build images from individual parts. In the 90s Davidson went digital and their portfolio is now legendary. Here's my point: We've become so used to looking at the magic artists have created that we forget it's more than just clicking a button or two in Photoshop. We take for granted the skills involved in creating stunning images. And while I often write about great professional photographers being magicians, it's still remarkable to hear the backstories. Eight years ago, I started the "Why?" series specifically to introduce you to some of the industry's great artists and one of their favorite images. While I slowed down a lot in adding more artists, there are now over 130 photographers featured in the project. Just click on the button below and check out some of the most respected artists in photography. Take the time to follow up on the backstories behind your favorite images. You'll meet some amazing people in the process, and even better, you just might pick up a few skills to help you in your own search for creating the ultimate image!   Sheila and Mom in 2012 by Skip Cohen In early September, I decided to make a change in my life. I'm not stepping away from my love for this industry, but I'm cutting back a little to make time for working with the Memory Care Alliance, helping families and patients with Alzheimer's. The Memory Care Alliance is the vision of one of Sarasota's most respected neurologists, Dr. Mauricio Concha. He runs the Intercoastal Memory Clinic, which launched the Alliance, a community-based network of compassionate and experienced providers dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for patients and families dealing with Alzheimer's. The members are neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, geriatric care managers, home health care agencies, adult day care, support groups, respite care, and legal counseling. On the group's private Facebook page, I decided each week to share a new stock image from Adobe that results from a one-word search, "Alzheimer's." There are hundreds of photos, from the most abstract A.I. created to more personal ones like the four above. Today, when I posted the first picture in the top left, I realized why I liked it so much. It may be one of the most real. I have dozens just like it of Sheila and my mother, who was fighting the battle with Alzheimer's. Heading into the craziness of holiday seasonality and the stress, anxiety, and excitement that comes along with this time of year - take a minute and think about something. Where would the world be without photography? In those moments ahead, when you feel like you're out of bandwidth, take time to pat yourself on the back. As a professional photographer, you've become an accomplished magician and learned to stop time. You help people turn intangible memories into tangible moments they can hold in their hands and cherish for a lifetime! Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, robbing us of our loved ones, literally as we watch. I couldn't be more excited to be working on this new project, but at the same time, I'm so proud to be part of the imaging industry that I stumbled into a lifetime ago. In those most difficult years of dealing with Alzheimer's and my Mom, one of her most favorite activities was looking through old albums. With each turn of the page, so many memories came flowing back. Mom might not have remembered where she even was, but could tell you the names and stories behind each photograph.   "Nothing haunts us more than the dreams we didn't act upon!" Ed Sykes by Skip Cohen It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday, but I wanted to look back at more than just a few old photographs. When we were kids, nothing could surpass our imaginations. A new refrigerator meant the box it came in was the perfect fort. Blankets over a table became a castle. We improvised with whatever was available and simply created one Hollywood set after another. There was no limit to how far we could travel on our magic carpet. As we got older, we learned to color inside the lines, and Peter Pan had to grow up sooner or later. We learned to keep things "real" and dreaming of becoming whoever and whatever we aspired to needed to be within reason. Dreams became "visions" - a vision being on the practical side of accomplishments. And when asked what you want to be when you grow up, responses like "a cowboy" or "run away and join the circus" morphed into more practical vocations. Note: That's me at four years old. I never got to join the circus, but managing a rodeo team for Polaroid in the 80s was pretty damn close to becoming a cowboy. And for you older rodeo fans, that's world champion bull-rider, the legendaryTuff Hedeman next to me, and the big guy in the middle of the back row is Rod Lyman, who years later became president of the PRCA.  Somewhere in the aging process, creativity returned. Driven by time, we realized that being practical and following the rules was hampering our creative juices. In the world of imaging, technology seems to have heard our cry for help. Sitting down at a computer with an image, we could tweak it and break all the rules of lighting, composition, and exposure. Social media gave us the ability to expand our reach with new friends and concepts and literally go to the ends of the earth whenever we wanted. Dreams of what our life could be like came back into focus as we became increasingly aware that life was whatever we made of it. "You have to color outside the lines once in awhile, if you want to make your life a masterpiece." Albert Einstein Many of you were focused early on in life and have known all along what you wanted to be when you were older. Well, I'm one of those still struggling, but it's also what keeps me smiling. I wake up daily knowing what I want to do, including finding time to dream a little. I look at my dreams and goals like one big file drawer loaded with ideas. And, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. This is where aging becomes an asset. You realize you don't have the luxury of endless time to procrastinate - something you never really had in the first place. Some ideas you jump to quicker than others. Then there are those dreams that are very personal versus simple projects. Whether you call them dreams, visions, goals, or aspirations, they all represent things you hope to do, and here are six suggestions to help you keep them all alive:
Most important of all, DON'T SHOULD ON YOURSELF. I learned this lesson from my wife Sheila. At the beginning of our relationship, I was "should-ing" all over the place. You know the drill—you do something, it doesn't work out, and instead of putting energy into a new direction, you whine, shrug your shoulders, and say, "You know what I should have done?" "I'll do my dreaming with my eyes wide open, and I'll do my looking back with my eyes closed." Tony Arata Happy Throwback Thursday!
 The Service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth. Muhammad Ali by Skip Cohen I started to write a long post about being better prepared for any kind of disaster. Following "Milton," we were without power for longer than any storm previously; our cells had no signal; I didn't have enough gas to run the generator without having to search for a gas station with both electricity and fuel; and there was a lot of clean-up needed outside the house. I worked on the blog post for about an hour and then trashed it. I was embarrassed to be whining about the importance of being better prepared when so many people are in far worse shape. From the horrific tragedy in North Carolina to homes that were destroyed just eight miles from here - Mother Nature's been on a rampage, and that's only in the last couple of weeks in this area. When talking with friends about the various tragedies, my buddy Bob Coates mentioned the World Central Kitchen. The link is below, but I also did some searching and found three other organizations that are doing a lot to support each crisis. More information is just a click away below.
And don't forget the local chapters of nonprofit support groups specific to your area. There's no such thing as too much support! At some point, I'll probably write a more detailed post about protecting your business from a disaster, but for now, there are so many people who need our help. We all rationalize in a disaster, recognizing that if we're alive and our family is safe, that's what's most important. That's definitely number one, but rebuilding, recovery and survival are next in line behind the safety of the people we love. It doesn't matter what you give, how big or small—the point is that you're giving back to people who need help more than you do. We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something. Mother Teresa  by Skip Cohen I missed Marketing Monday yesterday and I'll probably miss a few more posts this week. While this post isn't about marketing or business, it's thanks to all of you that I have something to do so I can stop pacing around with my fears. Our home, just south of Sarasota, is at 9 1/2 feet elevation and two houses away from the inland waterway - so when evacuation became mandatory, we headed to good friends who live 15 miles inland. As of this morning, we're just south of the center of the hurricane's path, but here's my point. When was the last time you did a "fire drill?" of your home or business? If you had to leave, what would you take? I just came back from a run to our house for a couple of last-minute things we needed. I walked around the house doing one more check to see if there was anything we missed. It was then, like a cartoon character getting a new idea, that the lightbulb went off above my head. Everything important to me was already safe—Sheila, the pups, and a box full of memories thanks to old photographs. Everything else is replaceable. We all hate the way the media blows things out of proportion, but in this case, they're doing an outstanding job. News of the upcoming storm is impossible to miss. A couple of my neighbors have decided to stay, and I'm trying hard to understand why. There is no power struggle with Mother Nature—she wins! Here's my point today - stop what you're doing for a few minutes and pretend you need to do a "lifeboat drill" - who and what would you take with you? I found a quote that's perfect for today's topic: If you want to feel rich, think about all the things you have that money can't buy! Anon Sending prayers and positive thoughts to everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton and especially those north of us who are months, if not years, away from recovering from the last storm.
|
Your walk is just a click away
Our Partners
"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 130 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
© 2019 Skip Cohen University