Six years ago I did a two-day program on marketing and business for Creative Live. I’ve often referred to it as “the most fun I don’t ever want to do again!” The amount of work and the number of slides to teach marketing as an online program bordered on overwhelming. Remember, it’s not the same as being able to step away from your slides and explain lighting, work with a model and demonstrate a point with the results. 

Still, it was a fantastic experience, but the best part of the event had little to do with marketing and business, but the friendships that came out of my live audience. Three great friendships came out of that event, Sherry Hagerman, Carlos Zamora, and Jared Burns. Yesterday Jared posted this on Facebook referring to it as celebrating Independence Day.

“Five years ago I was working in corporate America for a lesser known aerospace company who was very proud of their work/life balance values. During my time, several members of management stated I was one of the best employees to ever fill that role with specific remarks about dependability, organization, and innovation. Six months in, my wife was hit as a pedestrian by a drunk driver.

Notifying my superiors, I left work 1 hour early to take care of my family. It broke my perfect 6-month attendance record and management told me I was not eligible for a raise as a result. That moment revealed their true values when it came to work/life balance.

A year into my employment, we had agreed on a review to talk about my future path and development in the company. Management refused repeatedly to meet for the review. At that point, it was clear I needed to make my own way.”

Jared gave his notice and left on December 9, 2014, to start a full-time career in photography. There are a couple of points that come to mind this morning, all thanks to his post:
​

• Jared didn't just leap into photography. He attended every possible workshop he could. He practiced, and he surrounded himself with positive people who watched his back and added a very special ingredient to his dream - their friendship. 
• If there's one lesson that's been consistent throughout my career, it's that things always work out for the better. I remember having a conversation with Jared around 2010. His dream was to be a professional photographer, FULL-TIME, but he also had the responsibility of a family. Working for corporate America, he had benefits and stability. The timing wasn't right then for him to take the risk of a career change.
• There's that old expression, "It takes a village." Well, Jared had a village of supporters behind him. And, the Mayor of that village was his wife, Beth. She's his number one fan and was there to support him, and they made the career change together.  So often we take on the stress of new directions thinking we're alone when our best supporters are right there with us.

Last year I caught up to Jared and Beth for lunch at WPPI. It was a kick to meet her finally. A few minutes later Sherry Hagerman came by and joined us. It was one of those moments that to anyone else would seem like four people having a rushed slice of pizza on the run at a convention. But for me, it was unique and memory-making because it was part of what I love most about our industry.

Here's my last point, and I've said it a few hundred times over the years. The best thing about this industry has NOTHING to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. Jared and I crossed paths in Seattle at Creative Live and as hokey as it might sound, nobody could be prouder of what he's accomplished as an artist. Even better are the friendships we share and wondering what the future holds for all of us!

A few years back I started a series of blog posts I called "Nick's Pics." Like so many different projects with good intentions, things got busy. While Nick and I have never lost touch in our close to thirty-year friendship, sharing his favorite picks from cyberspace slipped through the cracks.

Nick Vedros is all about creativity. You never know what he's going to find on the Internet that will get your wheels turning.  What I love most about so much of what he shares, is they're constant reminders of the world outside our door that's firmly rooted in imaging. It's so easy to have day after day go by with the only thing you think about being your own business. 

Well, Nick is back in the SCU stream, and sent me this short video yesterday, and I loved his choice for a morning dose of creativity. Here's a lesson in concept, design, photography, and artists who loved the creative process involved in album covers.

It's part of the Earworm series on YouTube.  Shared on the Vox channel, they've done an incredible job telling the backstory behind the great jazz albums of the '50s and '60s, starting with the image on the right. It doesn't matter whether or not you're a jazz lover, this is about one aspect of the history of great design elements. 

As you watch and listen to the story, think about your own work.

What if you took a few of your favorite images and like the way the Earworm team has told the story, you told yours? What if you took several images and shared the skills involved in capturing and creating the photograph? What if you talked about the artists you've been influenced by? What if you shared how and why an image was cropped to tell your story, and at the same time demonstrated your skillset in capturing great photographs?

And, even if you hate my idea of applying some of the storytelling techniques used in this video to your own work, just appreciate the design elements and how each album was created with a particular look that became the signature look described by Vox/Earworm on YouTube as:

Nick is a perpetual student of imaging, art and design. He's no stranger to SCU sharing a number of great posts over the years and joining me for an episode of "Why?" in 2017.

Take the time to watch the video whether you're a jazz fan or not...What a kick!

If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve. 
Do what you love, and don't stop until you get what you love. 
Work as hard as you can, imagine immensities, don't compromise, and don't waste time. 
Start now. Not 20 years from now, not two weeks from now. Now.
Debbie Millman

It's that time of year when, even though you're busy and into the seasonality of the fourth quarter, you're still able to find those isolated moments when you think about the future. It doesn't matter if you're day-dreaming and thinking a few months or a few years ahead. There's a new year coming up and as hokey as it sounds, it's guaranteed to be filled with wonder!
 
So often many of us share the same challenge - we set our goals too low, making them too achievable. I remember a line from years back that went, "If you shoot for the stars you'll at least get to the top of the trees, but shoot for the top of the trees and you won't get off the ground!"

You're never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis

​Goal setting is so important, and there are far more prolific writers than me who have shared their wisdom on the subject, but here's the short and sweet way I look at goals. You need a destination whenever you're going somewhere. That destination can always change along the way, but you still need to know the direction in which you're about to travel and then savor each part of the journey.

Follow your dreams. They know the way!
Author Unknown

Sorry to use this quote again, but it's my favorite quote about photography!
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"This is what I like about photographs.
They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect."
Jodi Picoult

In October of 2011, we moved to Sarasota. The primary reason was to help my folks. My Dad was 89 and taking care of my mother who was a few years into her battle with Alzheimer's. Since graduation from high school I'd always lived in another part of the country, and while we talked regularly and saw each other several times a year, I was never "next door."

Moving to Florida was one of the best things I've ever done. It gave me and my folks quality time, and even with Mom's Alzheimer's, there were plenty of special moments. It's a horrible disease that, like a burglar in the night, robs you of your loved ones.  But, Dad used to say, "I'm going to squeeze every drop of joy out of whatever's left," and he stayed focused on every moment when the disease would take a break and Mom's personality came shining through.

Today, Halloween would be Dad's 96th birthday. When I was a kid the poor guy never had a decent birthday, always interrupted by trick or treaters, including me headed out in search of trick or treat candy. It was ironic, since back then he was in the wholesale candy and tobacco business. I had access to an entire warehouse of candy, but nothing was sweeter than what I got in my bag every Halloween.

Just to say I miss the guy would be a colossal  understatement. The incredible memories along with knowing he and Mom are watching over us keep them in our hearts all the time. 

Over the last years of his life, I talked Dad into writing two blog posts for me.  I paid him a dollar for each of them, agreeing to write off the allowance he still owed me from when I was 12! LOL One of the posts I shared on Father's Day and the other I pulled out of the archives this morning.  

Dad was part of the greatest generation, and there's a lot of wisdom in what he wrote below. As much as business has changed with social media, the power of the Internet making the world smaller and technology giving us the ability to reach thousands of people - the basics of good business and how we treat each other NEVER changes.

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Pop!

If you follow me on a regular basis, you noticed I posted very little on the SCU blog last week. That's because I was at PhotoPlus Expo in NYC, and it was quite a show. Although somewhat scaled down and a little smaller than past years, it still had a good feel. It was especially good to take advantage of one of the most important reasons all of you should attend as many conventions/conferences as possible - networking.

This isn't just about building your network, but touching base with people already on your "team." A good network is only as strong as the time you put into its care and feeding!  During the week I caught up to old friends and new ones. I often asked, "So, what's new?" or "How's business this year?" The answers were all over the place.

I was surprised by the number of people with a common theme. There are so many of you frustrated because your business isn't growing as fast as you'd hoped, and you haven't hit your stride yet. Chasing dreams is exhausting, especially when you don't realize how much progress you really might be making. 

It's the perfect topic for Marketing Monday - sharing a few key things I've learned in my almost-an-old-fart life's experiences:

1) Everything always works out for the better! It sounds trite, but I've seen it happen over and over again. Just when you think it's the darkest day of your life, the sun comes out. Just trust this concept! The key is not to give up, and I'm reminded of a quote by Ross Perot:

2) A watched pot never boils!  Okay, I threw that in for my grandmother's sake. In today's terms, it merely means stop looking so hard. You're looking for success and recognition, and it'll all come in time. Just keep working at expanding your skill set and never compromise on quality.

3) You're judged by the company you keep!  There she is again, Grandma Alice, who used that expression all the time. In today's terms, it means hanging out with people who can help you grow. I've worked with and for a few people over the years who loved to be intimidating. They managed by being bullies, but I learned the most from those managers who encouraged me to challenge their decisions. The same goes for my friends, who challenge me every day. 

If you're a tennis player, you know your game gets better when you play with somebody better than you.  Photography and business are the same way - surround yourself with people who are trying new things, have confidence and are willing to give you advice, even when it contradicts what you're about to do.

4) A stitch in time saves nine! One more from my grandmother and I'll let her rest. She used to scream at me because of the holes in my socks as a kid. Since she was the only one in the family who sewed, her efforts often involved "rebuilding" a sock rather than just fixing a hole. Yeah, this is when you realize I'm an old guy, because today you just throw them out and buy a new pair, but here's how that applies to business.

When you run into a problem, address it at the time, don't procrastinate, especially with customer service issues. Not calling a client back who's upset comes up most often. When a customer doesn't hear back from you, things immediately start getting out of proportion. You don't always need to have an immediate answer, just let them know you're listening. Often all it takes is three short sentences, "I understand you're unhappy. Well the buck stops here. How can I help?"

5) Never believe your own press releases. It's the ego bus, and there areafew too many people on it lately. Remember, you pass the same people on the way down that you passed on the way up!

6) Anything is possible! All it takes is hard work and a great support team. Look at some of the things you're doing right now. You're probably involved in projects or techniques today you never believed you could do just a few years ago.

We're part of a fantastic industry with incredible photographers, terrific manufacturers/vendors, and many genuinely approachable icons, but you've got to talk to them to get their feedback. You've got to share your ideas to develop new ones and most important of all, you've got to be patient and don't slow down!

Wishing everybody a terrific Monday and the start of a new week!

It's Sunday morning, and as I struggle to find a relevant topic outside of photography, I'm also fighting off a rant. Maybe that's my topic today - we each need to allow ourselves the luxury of a rant now and then. The online definition of "rant" is speak or shout at length in a wild, impassioned way. Synonyms include shout, bluster, yell and bellow. 

Well, it's October, and we're coming up on Election Day. Our mailbox is starting to load up on political postcards; the ads on television with candidates slamming each other have started, and my favorite, the robodialed pre-recorded bullish** from the candidates has begun. They often start out sounding like a public service message reminding us of our civic duty to vote, but they always finish the same way, with a plug for the Democrats or the Republicans.

When it comes to the broadcast world, Sheila and I have become uninformed citizens, pre-recording our favorite shows so we can fast forward through the commercials along with the news. We've got David Muir and World News Tonight down to eleven minutes. We bypass every story having anything to do with Washington - not because we're not interested, but because we have no idea what to believe anymore. 

Millions of dollars every day are spent on the political battles supporting candidates who want to convince us they're here to help make our lives easier. Yet there are hundreds of thousands of kids not getting enough to eat, the homeless crisis is an issue in virtually every community, care for our veterans isn't what it should be, and we don't do enough to support the elderly. And, that's just a start - the list goes on and on.

Think about it for just a second - how many of the challenges that pull at our heartstrings could we change if instead of spending money on phone calls and expensive mailers we put the money into helping people? Just here in Florida alone, how many school lunches could we buy if we fed kids with the money being spent on the obnoxious television battle between Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis for governor?

And there it is, the peak of my rant...but picture me screaming a little! How do we stop the madness?

​For Sheila and I, we're involved in our favorite local non-profits we believe in. We can't make the world a better place, only our little piece of it. But, if everybody did something in their little corner of the world - all those pieces together would make one incredible patchwork quilt of community support, enhancing the fabric of America.
 
So, like the monkey in the hear-no-evil trio, I'm shutting down! Right or wrong, I'll do my best to support things I can change and stop wasting time listening to the political banter that hits us in epidemic proportions this time of year. Except, ever notice how these days it goes on ALL year long...but that's another rant!

Wishing all of you a rant-less day and a time of peace with family and friends who you support with your love and compassion. Make it a day to appreciate everything in your life and if you're not involved in a community nonprofit, find a cause you believe in. There's very little more rewarding than working on something you know makes a difference in people's lives.

And, go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about, especially if you're frustrated like we are. You'll find one long hug has an amazing calming quality. It'll help you focus on what's most important in your life, which most often is the "huggee" you're holding on the other side of that long hug!

Happy Sunday!

Note: I'm not sure what's gotten me on this reoccurring theme of "time" lately - maybe it's because the year is coming to a close. There are so many photographers who I've talked to lately who seem to be caught in "analysis paralysis" and panic about what to do for a strong finish, as well as start the new year.

In 2008 Sheila and I were wandering around Laguna Niguel in California and walked into one of the shops on the main drag. I loved this print by Brian Andreas, and over the years we added two more. But the fun of this one goes to what's become my philosophy on life, and it's on my mind this morning. 

We all spend so much time chasing time. We stress over the little stuff. We respond to interruptions all day long by people and things that don't matter. We often chase them like the never-ending growth of weeds in a garden.

Many of you spend time in Facebook forums arguing meaningless points, most of the time with people you don't know. Over and again I see a troll throw out the bait and you take it and run with it. Then, I'm guessing at the end of the day you're aggravated you didn't get as much done as you had hoped - all because you stressed over what some jackass said that you didn't agree with.

Well, that same jackass is hiding behind the anonymity of his or her computer screen, and loving every minute of the battle. They're more than likely quite pleased with themselves, and your loss of control just fed their egos!

And that brings me to a quote by an unknown author. I shared it yesterday morning on Twitter. 

Here's the solution - so many of you need to grow a thicker skin. Stop letting people steal your time and attention. And yes, I'm guilty too. It's hard to walk away from a fight when you know the other person is so wrong, but as my buddy, Levi Sim has said, and I've quoted him dozens of times - "Act as if your grandmother is watching!"

We're headed into the true seasonality of the fourth quarter, and you need to focus on your marketing, creativity and skill set. There's plenty of time to still make 2018 a spectacular year, but only if you focus on what really matters.

All of you understand depth of field in your camera - so, it's time to work on the depth of field in your life - stop trying to be everything to everybody. Narrow your depth of field to what's most important in your life and business, and then enjoy the results in the spectacular image you're going to capture!

​Most people who walk their dogs always have a poop bag with them. Wherever your dog does his/her business, you respect your neighbors and pick it up. However, now and then there's one fool who thinks if the dog poops in the street, it's no big deal and we've got one of those in our neighborhood.

Well, the analogy of pet owners and poop got me thinking about business owners and how, instead of taking responsibility for the problem, point the finger the other way. If it's not their fault then why try and fix it?

Here are some typical scenarios:

• A client contacted you via email. You saw the correspondence but never replied. Now they're upset to have not heard from you and in an attempt to dodge the problem your spam filter gets blamed.
• You were already booked on the date a potential client asked you about, but you promised them a referral. Weeks later you find out the photographer you contacted about them never followed up. 
• Business has been slow, but you blame the challenges on the competition, customer trends and some less than ethical competitors.

Well, let's solve all three scenarios, with or without a poop bag!

• These days blaming your spam filter on anything is the equivalent of the dog ate my term paper. Spam filters do create a problem but get in the habit of a fast run-through every day - before you delete everything.
• You contacted another photographer and gave them a referral - so, it's still your client, and you have the potential for so much goodwill. All it takes is a phone call a day or two later to find out if they heard from the photographer you suggested, and if not follow up.
• There are obviously times when business is slow, and the problem is outside your control, but it's rare there isn't something proactive you can do. Take responsibility for your business and marketing - it's the face in the mirror each morning that has the responsibility to be creative and look for help when there's a problem.

It's only a little rant this morning, but the comparison between photographers who blame every challenge on somebody or something else fits right in with people who don't pick up after their pets! 

Responsibility finds a way. Irresponsibility makes excuses.
Gene Bedley

Photo Credit: Cantrell Portrait Design

It's Sunday morning, and as usual, I have no idea where this post is going. I love staying away from the topic of business, taking the time to write about something outside photography.  This post each Sunday morning is often more for my benefit than you, my readers. It's therapeutic to step away from the business and write about something different. What always surprises me is how much Sunday Morning Reflections hits on things you're all feeling.
 
Sheila and I are having a spectacular weekend but there's absolutely nothing particularly unique; we just wanted to spend time together. In fact, it's an entirely boring weekend by most of your standards. It's the appreciation for our ability to slow the world down and savor our time that makes it unique. If I listed what we've done over the last couple of days it would put a rock to sleep!

And that brings me right to today's point - when was the last time you took time out to enjoy whoever that very best friend in your life is? When did you last shut off the outside world and savor time with that one person who's most special in your life?  

The best kind of people are the ones who come into your life and make you see the sun, where you once saw clouds. The people that believe in you so much, you start to believe in you too.
The people who love you simply for being you.
The once in a lifetime kind of people.
Author Unknown

Time is our most valuable commodity, but as I shared last weekend, it's not wasted time if you enjoy wasting it. So, take the time today and block out everything that pulls you away from that person or people most special in your life. Make today's schedule boring by everybody else's standards but yours.

Clear your head of everything to do with business. It will all be there tomorrow. The same way you can block a troll on Facebook - block all those thoughts that get in the way of your smile.  Celebrate your life, your friends and family. Let's make this a day where we do nothing except smile and cherish somebody special. 

Wishing everybody a perfect day defined by whatever definition is in your heart exclusively - nobody else's. Go for those therapeutic eleven-second hugs, and appreciate the deafening smile and twinkle in your eyes when you take the time to appreciate those people most special in your life.

​Happy Sunday everybody!

"You don't become what you want, you become what you believe."
Oprah

I don't usually post on Saturday, but while doing a little work for next week, I ran across the quote above. Just recently I've had a couple of conversations with photographers who are frustrated with success not coming fast enough. They're thinking about making a career change, and the issue is purely timing and they're ready to give up.

Whatever your goal in life, short-term or long, you've got to believe in yourself, and to believe in yourself you have to love the journey. You have to recognize the importance of patience, and at the same time NEVER slow down on building your skill set. Last but not least, get rid of the naysayers in your life and surround yourself with positive people. Which brings me to another great quote I found from Oprah:

Every morning on Twitter, usually at 7:30, I share a quote generally about something related to the challenges of being in business. The idea of sharing quotes started years ago when it was a great way to build followers on Twitter, but today, it's become part of my morning routine. Reading a quote that's inspirational helps charge my battery for the day ahead. 

For those of you who can't start the day without a cup of coffee, my scroll through cyberspace, and reading great quotes has become my Starbucks! Each quote gets me thinking about some aspect of my life and business. And, the inspiration gets me in the mood for whatever the day ahead is about to bring.  

A few years back I spoke to a group of photographers at a local association and was excited to catch up to an old friend who I'd met years before through PPA. He was a great photographer specializing in portraiture, mostly seniors. Well, I was shocked to talk to him and found out he'd given up on photography as a career and gone back to working for a local retailer, completely outside imaging. When I read today's quote, it took me right back to talking with him and sensing his loss of creativity and definitely an aging soul.

I know there are times when we're all faced with situations we need to walk away from, but when it's something you're passionate about, you need to weigh all the alternatives. 

I have looked in the mirror every day and asked myself,
"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today?"
And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row,
I know I need to change something!"
Steve Jobs

There's nothing more I can add to Steve Jobs helping me make the point. Wishing everybody a terrific Wednesday and a day filled with projects and people who help make your life richer.

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.
John Lennon

Well, here I am on another Sunday when it seems like I just wrote last Sunday's "Reflections" post yesterday. How fast time flies takes me right to my topic this morning - time.

Now and then Facebook does something thought-provoking. On Thursday I got a congratulations post for ten years on Facebook. I remember getting started and being told by my kids it was creepy seeing their old man on Facebook. Now, we're all on it!

But my thoughts aren't about FB but looking back over the last ten years. The older you get, the faster time seems to fly by, and there are two things I'm thinking about.

First, look back over the last ten years. Think about your life in 2008 versus today and all the things that have changed in your personal life, business and your passion and skill set as an artist. So often we get so involved in chasing our dreams we miss all the progress we've made along the way. 
 
Second, what are you doing to make the most of the time you've got in front of you?

Just about three weeks ago Sheila and I lost a great friend, Tony Ballionis. He and his wife Dana have been in our lives since we moved down here in 2011. He went to sleep the night before and just didn't wake up. It was a complete surprise, and we were crushed, but Tony's passing makes the point that we never know when the clock is going to stop.

And there it is - full circle on my thoughts this morning. What are you going to do to stay focused on whatever journey is in your heart? We all procrastinate and waste time. There are even times when wasting time is the right thing to do because it's part of the decision-making process. 

So, take a little time this morning with a short look in the rear view mirror. Look at how far you've come over the last ten years and then let yourself daydream a little over the path ahead of you for the next decade. In 2028 what do you want to see in your life as you look back?

Chamira Young and I did our "Mind Your Own Business" podcast on Photofocus.com a short time ago with Jen Rozenbaum, who talked about her philosophy to live her life backwards, picturing the end of her life and wanting her trip down Memory Lane to be filled with things she wanted to do and no regrets. It might seem abstract for me to explain here, but listen to Jen's explanation.

Wishing everybody a day filled with the people you love the most who make every minute of every day worth being alive. Take the time for those eleven-second hugs with those friends and family who merely make life beautiful. It's really that simple...stop wasting time on the naysayers, projects that don't make sense, and the energy drainers that leave you exhausted. There's a point in life where you need to stop watering dead plants.

Happy Sunday everybody!

Life is all about timing...the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unattainable...attainable. Have the patience. Wait it out. It's all about timing.
Stacy Charter

We live south of Sarasota, Florida a mile from Nokomis Beach. I've written about the beautiful sunsets and last week even a sunrise. Well, this summer because of the red tide and thousands of dead fish, we never made it to the beach. Stimulated by man's pollution, the red tide took over the ocean this summer, and while it's usually a couple of weeks, this year it's gone for months. The smell of dead fish up and down our favorite beach takes away from going over there, even to photograph a sunset.

Well, last night after a summer of being absent, I headed over to catch a sunset and missed it! As I got there the sun had already dropped below the horizon. As I walked down the path to the water with a couple of cameras, a couple who was leaving said to me, "You missed the most beautiful sunset by fifteen minutes!"

True, I missed the "main event" but the image above was looking south-east and the sunset was still in its glory. The couple who wanted to let me know what I'd missed, never even looked up as they walked to their car. Then, ten minutes later it was gone, with just a hint of the previous light show. 

Years ago I wrote an article for PDN, interviewing Kirk Voclain about his work with seniors. One of his secrets is to get them talking about their friends, goals, and dreams. As they relax and talk more, he looks for that sparkle in their eyes when they hit something they genuinely love - *click*, and he starts to get the beautiful expressions his work is known for. 

Joe Buissink talks about the same thing with bridal couples. The engagement session isn't about expanded coverage, but getting to know the couple and they, in turn, get to know him. Building trust and a relationship make him a welcome addition on the wedding day.  At a time that's always chaotic, he's a welcome friend. The couple knows Joe already, and their trust becomes a pivotal ingredient to natural expressions in the images Joe captures to tell their story.

Back in the film days, photographers hung in their longer to make sure they got the shot. Well, digital came along, and a quick chimp and too many people move on. They think they got the shot, but the best one might still be coming!

So, here's my point...timing is everything and together with remembering to stay with a scene to make sure you captured the decisive moment add to the formula for success. 

It seems like I just wrote a Sunday Reflections post yesterday, and here I am on another quiet morning, and as always, off track from the business of photography. In my Fast Food Friday post, I wrote, "You can't capture images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it."

Well, it applies to everything we do. On a personal level, for the last two weeks, I've been dealing with some challenges with a couple of my own family members. The issues themselves aren't relevant, and too personal to share in a blog. However, some of the things I did to stay focused are relevant to today's post.

My parents always taught us to "do our own dirty laundry." You never shared anything personal with a friend, and often I'm not sure they shared stressful issues with each other. I remember being shocked but also proud of my Dad when he'd go with me to the Caregiver's Support Group meetings while we were dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's. Opening up about what he was feeling to a group of people he didn't know wasn't something his generation ever did, let alone cry during the process.

So, when it comes to your own "dirty laundry," what do you do?  Here are three things that helped me get back on track:

• Share with your partner: I've written a lot over the years about my relationship with Sheila. So, when something happens that's entirely off the charts in internal pain, there's no one better than my wife. I don't have to keep the old stiff upper lip with her. Whether you're married or not, everybody has that one person you can talk to without hitting a wall of judgment. 

• Phone a friend: For me, it was all timing. "Vanelli" and I had planned on hanging out for a guy's weekend, and the timing couldn't have been better. I wrote about it in last Sunday's post, but here's my point. The best thing for me was stepping away from my business, and directly into the fun of photography accompanied by a lot of laughs with a good friend. The image with today's post was captured during a couple of hours of us watching butterflies with a few cameras in our hands.

​

• Expand your skill set: Over the years many of you have talked about how being a photographer has helped you through difficult times, and essentially saved your sanity. Well, this past week I had a one-hour conference call with "Abba" at Skylum. He took two of us through a demo of Luminar, which is remarkable. I'm now hooked and a complete believer. I had experienced a small demo watching Vanelli when he was working on his images of Molly and me, but getting into it myself was another thing altogether. Again, it kept my mind off the pain I was feeling and into the pure joy of creativity.

Here's my point this morning - I grew up as a right-fighter from a long line of genetically dominant right-fighters. I'm still work in progress, and while old habits die hard, my life is richer letting go of the need to prove I'm right. There's a terrific Dr. Phil line, "Would you rather be happy or right?" The last couple of weeks reminded me, the need to be right is a cumbersome commodity. It accomplishes nothing but takes away from the energy you need to be happy. 

The next time you're in an emotional crisis and digging deep to find the strength to focus on your own well-being rather than the challenge itself, do your best to step back and remind yourself of all the good things in your life. Start with that one person you trust the most to help you through the moment then focus on the one person you always forget about trusting, yourself!

Wishing everybody a day filled with peace, and respect for the love you have for your family and friends. And, if coincidentally you're in crisis mode like I am now, take the time to look back at the good times. Run your own "Throwback Thursday" moments through your head and enjoy the process. As always, go for those eleven-second hugs, but during the embrace, think about how much that person means in your life.

Happy Sunday everybody...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world!

​When Sheila and I moved to Sarasota almost seven years ago, we drove both cars down. During the drive, my car was filled literally to the top. It wasn’t what I planned, but at the last minute, I discovered a bunch of framed prints that hadn’t been packed. The only way to take them was to load them on top of everything in the back seat.  I was left without a rear view mirror and had to rely on my side view mirrors for the entire drive from Ohio.

Trust me there’s a point here! 

Because I was relying entirely on my side mirrors, I found myself using them differently. You usually use your side mirrors when changing lanes, relying on your rearview mirror most of the time. Instead, I found myself using the side views to see who or what was coming up behind me or who/what was on either side of me throughout the trip.

Here’s the link to what got me thinking about business. There are times when we focus too much on what’s immediately behind us. We don’t look to the side to see what’s coming up next but spend our time more in a “wish-I-hadn’t-done-that” mode. We look back too often wishing we could change something, but we’d be so much stronger focusing on what’s in front of us while keeping an eye on what’s coming up behind us next.

Here’s an example: We're coming up on the fourth quarter and it doesn’t matter what you didn’t get done in the last few months. Using your "side view mirror", you can see your competitors, other programs coming up. Looking forward you know what’s coming up for business in the last quarter. You know which conventions and workshops you need to attend next year. You know what equipment** you need and what you need to do to strengthen your skill set.

You can’t do anything to change the path you chose in the past, but you can make a difference in where you go next and in what direction.

I’m a huge fan of diversity in your skill set. So let’s assume the path you need to take is to develop at least one more skill set to help your business be stronger in 2019.  That’s the view of where you need to go. Your side view mirrors will help you see what your competitors might be doing and what’s going on in your market. 

The bottom line goes right back to the control you have for your future. Stop worrying about things you can’t change and focus on the incredible potential in whatever path you choose going forward.

One of my favorite quotes is from Zig Ziglar and it's entirely based on moving forward - not looking back.

​Every time I think we've run out of creative ideas for Fast Food Friday blue plate specials in the SCU diner I find one more series of ingredients to whip something up! LOL Remember, this is a very special diner serving up things for you to think about to help make this one of your best years in business.

Well, today's is a very special combination of ingredients and I'm betting EVERYBODY is going to find something they can relate to and enjoy. Here's a phenomenon that seems to be more unique to the photographic industry than most other career fields - people tend to help each other.  Over and again I'm amazed at people who ask for help on a photographic or business challenge and find themselves buried in answers.

​We're coming up to what traditionally is the busiest time of the year. It's guaranteed that some time over the next four months you're going to hit the wall with a challenge you need help with. There are so many resources for you to get help - you're not alone!

Here's what started today's rant, which was later fueled by a couple of stupid statements in one of the photography forums. I get a great magazine called The Week. It's a weekly summary of the news around the world. As I was looking through a back issue, I saw a story in their regular feature, "Only in America."

"Netflix is reportedly asking employees not to look at one another for more than five consecutive seconds. The gaze limit is part of new sexual harassment guidelines, issued in response to #MeToo, that also bars employees from flirting, "lingering hugs," and asking each other for their personal phone numbers."

I look back over the last ten years, and I keep asking the same question when did society run amuck? When did we become so serious? When did we all wind up under the microscope?  

Here are some examples within photography:

I spend a good part of my day reading comments on Facebook in the various forums and so often, sometime around the sixth comment on a specific topic, somebody gets a little too sensitive. The next thing you read is a battle of semantics as people start to fight through the sensitivities of how somebody has expressed their opinion. Then the floodgates open and I've seen suggestions on how to improve a truly bad image suddenly go down the accusation path of every prejudice you can imagine.

Maybe just learning to laugh more is part of the solution. When did we forget to laugh or in this business forget that beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder? It doesn't matter what everybody else thinks.

I already imagine the trolls out there rolling their eyes and getting ready to shred me. The problem is bigger than the challenges with digital workflow; Uncle Harry stealing your business; photographers not knowing enough about photography; print competition not judging your prints fairly, and people copying other artist's photographs. 
 
Okay gang, let's pick a week during the year where for seven days in a row we laugh at just about everything! We'll laugh at images that are out of focus. We'll laugh at all the challenges in our business. We'll laugh at people who disappoint us. We'll laugh at growing older.   

By the time we get to the second week, it'll be catching, and we'll laugh with our family and friends. We'll laugh with our clients. We'll laugh with our vendors, and the world might start to loosen up. Then, once it's loose enough, maybe we can really accomplish something - talk more to each other, share ideas, grow our businesses and live healthier more productive lives.

I thought I had a unique thought with all of this - all mine until I went looking for a quote with Google that would wrap up this rant.  With a big smile on my face, I'm proud to announce the topic of this blog is hardly original and has been bouncing around the world for centuries, but I'm in good company!

And to quote my good buddy Terry Clark,

It's a quote from "Life's Little Instruction Book Volume II,  and it's one of my favorites. Weeds, like dandelions, are pretty to photograph, but ever notice how they take over a beautiful lawn when not controlled?

Well, it's Marketing Monday, and I found this post in the archives from many years ago. It's perfect to kick off the week as a reminder to so many of who are dealing with "weeds" in your life. Maybe it's time to get them under control. 

Weed 1: Stop worrying about how much you still have to learn and pat yourself on the back for how much you know already. Photography is an art form, and nobody ever picked it up overnight. All your heroes started the same place you did, at the beginning.

Weed 2: It's time to shut off the negative people in your life. Not everybody is going to understand your dreams, but that doesn't give them the right to keep taking one second away from the joy of yours.

Weed 3: Stop worrying about having the right gear. Do the best you can with what you've got. If there really is something you desperately need to help raise the bar on your images, but you can't afford it, then find a good rental house.

Weed 4: Stop thinking you're alone in your frustrations as a photographer and small business owner. Here's where getting involved in a local guild or PPA chapter is going to help. You need to be involved in the local network, not just know about it. Join whatever/whoever is in your community and start getting to know other photographers, as well as them getting to know you.

Weed 5: Take some time to think through your definition of success. Most of you are halfway there, but since you've only defined success in monetary terms, you have no idea how much you've accomplished just by being happy.

Weed 6: Get out from behind your computer...often! Your business is going to be built on relationships, and you won't get to know the people who can help you the most if you're at the computer all day. Scott Bourne and I have talked a lot over the years about "owning your zip code." That means getting out, knocking on doors and introducing yourself to all the business owners in your community.

Weed 7: Stop talking and listen. There's that old saying about having two ears and only one mouth, so you've got to listen twice as much as you talk.

You've got so much to be proud of, but you've got to take it one day at a time, keep procrastination to a minimum and keep working to build a stronger skill set.  And, I guess this is the right place to remind you to stop thinking the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!  (Sorry, just couldn't help it.)

Make it a great day everybody. Get control of those weeds!



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I've written a lot about friendships over the years. In fact, I've repeatedly said, "The best thing about this industry has nothing to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft." 

Going back almost ten years ago, Sheila got me into reading Melody Beattie. While her book, The Language of Letting Go is daily meditations on codependency, I've found so many of her thoughts inspirational. I find whenever I hit a low spot in creativity or problem solving, it's time to take a break and step away from the business. I'll often pick up one of her books, turn to that day's date and see what she's written.

Yesterday I hit a dry stretch and couldn't seem to focus on what I needed to do. So, I grabbed Melody's book and took a short break. It was just what I needed, but I went one step further and took her advice. I picked up the phone and called an old friend. While it wasn't necessarily for the purpose she suggested, it gave me the lift I needed.

We're all so wrapped up in the challenges of business combined with the many hats we wear. Learn to recognize when you need a little lift. Many of you are coffee drinkers, and you love that feeling when the first cup of coffee kicks in each morning. Your spirit is no different, and getting in the habit of reading something inspirational from time to time is going to feed your brain...and heart too.

by Melody Beattie

Friends - August 13

"Don't overlook the value of friendship. Don't neglect friends. Friends are a joy. Adult friendships can be a good place for us to learn to have fun and to appreciate how much fun we can have with a friend. 

Friends can be a comfort. Who knows us better, or is more able to give us support, than a good friend? A friendship is a comfortable place to be ourselves. Often, our choice of friends will reflect the issues we're working on. Giving and receiving support will help both people grow.

Some friendship wax and wane, going through cycles throughout the years. Some trail off when one person out-grows the other. Certainly, we will have trials and tests in friendships and, at times, be called on to practice our recovery behaviors. 

But some friendships will last a lifetime. There are special love relationships, and there are friendships. Sometimes, our friendships - especially recovery friendships - can be special love relationships too.

Today, I will reach out to a friend. I will let myself enjoy the comfort, joys and enduring quality of my friendships."

If you think back to the best books you've read, your favorite movies, TV series or streaming programs there's always a hero. There's that one character we love who's taking on a challenge and inspiring us. Recently Chamira Young and I had Jen Rozenbaum join us on "Mind Your Own Business." 

Well, Jen is that warrior starring in whatever show we're watching, only in this case it's real life and business. And, while there are a lot of women and men who are warriors battling some serious health challenges, it's Jen's outlook on her entire life that's so inspirational. Plus, it's her approach to business, a new podcast series, a new book, getting back on the road teaching, and all with an unbelievably positive attitude and an unbeatable zest for life.

And speaking of Jen hitting the road:
​

• NYC - August 17:  You can see it in person or online but you have to register!  Sign up here: Posing and Lighting to Flatter Any Woman
• Ohio: September 6/7: At the Westcott Headquarters. Sign up here for Sept. 6th: Light: The Ultimate Storyteller – An Evening With Jen Rozenbaum - Sign up here for Sept. 7th: Posing & Lighting For Boudoir With Jen Rozenbaum
• Austin, TX - October 12/14: Precision Camera University. Sign up here: Precision Camera University Weekend 2018

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And, whether you attend any of her programs or not, take the time to listen to this podcast. Jen shares a lot of incredible insight into her priorities about life, all as a result of what she's learned over the years in business, fighting cancer and all while staying focused on being "Shamelessly Feminine," (her new podcast and book!)