by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and Reflections is rarely about business and marketing. It's always more personal and, hopefully, something that makes a point you can relate to. As I started to write, Lucy and Belle came in looking for a bit of lovin'. They waited for me to stop typing as if they could talk and say, "Hey, Dad, how about us?" It's their usual routine, but this morning, it hit me about how it's the little things that often make the most significant difference. Then I remembered an inspirational reading from last week by Cyndie Spiegel: EVERY SINGLE MOMENT MATTERS: Every moment matters - not just the big ones, but also the small ones, the seemingly irrelevant ones and the quiet ones. All of these moments add up to a life well lived. Don't take the presumably unimportant moments for granted. Look for them and treasure them instead. Listen for the words unspoken. Notice the quick glance. Feel the soft touch. The long-held hugs. The sadness. The graciousness. The in-between. The magical sweet spots between tiny and massive moments are your life. Don't forget to pay attention to them. In the end, this is really all we have. Time is our most valuable commodity, and it goes by faster and faster as you get older. But two pups this morning got me thinking about how much I've grown to treasure the little things in my life. Every moment really does matter, even the tiniest. But so often, we're all so busy slaying dragons that little things slip right by. Wishing all of you a day to appreciate the little things in your life. Whether they put a smile on your face or a tear - they're all part of your life. And as the author above wrote - All of these moments add up to a life well lived. Go for those long hugs with the people most special in your life, and at the same time, think about how much richer your life is because they're in it. Happy Sunday or Monday on the other side of the world.
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Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth! Muhammad Ali by Skip Cohen February is about to close, giving you only a month to build a stronger foundation for the new year. And with Easter coming early this year, you really have even less time. This is the sixth installment in this year's building block series. It's also the easiest for you to accomplish: Community Involvement. You're looking for the community to be good to you, so you better make damn sure you're good to your community! From local nonprofits to national programs, it doesn't matter if they're photo-centric or not. You're looking for things you can do to help, with or without a camera in your hands. Here's one that's national, involves your photographic skills, and carries with it a huge client responsibility. But it's an even bigger payback when it comes to tugging on your heartstrings - Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I'm a big fan of the support they provide to families when they need help the most. And while some of you may think it's too gut-wrenching or morbid to photograph a dying child, read this post. I shared it many years ago, but there's no expiration date on making a difference in people's lives. It's still one of my favorite posts on the topic. "I've never heard a thank you that left me so sad, and yet so proud. I walked out knowing that the images I had taken weren't just pictures - they were someone's memories. They mattered." Cyd Lapour, NILMDTS Volunteer My point is about giving back - at any level. NILMDTS is a wonderful organization, but there's no such thing as an effort too small. From teaching a community class on how to get better photography to working with the local high school on a better yearbook, there's something or someone in your community who needs help. Even easier, being involved in your community in some way doesn't have to involve photography; it just takes a little effort and your time.
Use social media to raise awareness with posts about the need for volunteers and support for various community groups. Share a community calendar about upcoming nonprofit events. Attend various fund-raisers, capture images and then share them in social media. Be a leader in giving back! I'm so surprised by the number of people who do so little and think that a donation to a particular charity once a year is enough. When put on the spot, they'll respond with something about how they're still looking for the right charity. You're not buying a car, just getting involved in helping people! Remember, people like buying products and services from companies they perceive as giving back to the community. You're looking for the community to be good to you - so you better make sure you're being good to your community! by Skip Cohen
Usually, this is the kind of post I'd share for a Sunday Morning Reflections piece, but recently, I've noticed how many photographers would rather follow someone else's lead than blaze their own path. Even with the slightest change in how they capture an image, they're not comfortable trying something new. Cyndie Spiegel in her book, A year of Positive Thinking, put it all in perspective... YOU DON'T NEED APPROVAL: Don't concern yourself with what others think of your choices. Instead firmly stand for them. Your decisions are your own. You choose how you show up in the world and who you spend your time with. Do whatever brings you to your knees with joy, gratitude, and belonging, and do not seek approval from others. Know that what is right for you may not be right for someone else, and that's okay. Stand in all that you choose - with no approval needed. Here's my point - get rid of the "negators" in your life. Follow your own path, and while you should appreciate the feedback, good or bad, trust your heart and the choices you make. From the click of the shutter to parts of your career journey that are more extensive, don't let indecision keep you out of the driver's seat! Happy Friday - wishing everybody a terrific weekend! by Skip Cohen Building a successful business is like putting a puzzle together. Each piece represents another aspect of your relationship with your target audience and the community. No two pieces of the puzzle are the same, but they all fit together. And you need ALL of them to complete the "picture." Whether you're just starting your business, rebuilding, or trying to do a quick high-impact jumpstart, NOW is the time for planning and taking action. In photography especially, for most of you, this is the "slow season." But it's a you-snooze-you-lose scenario if you are complacent and kick back, waiting for your ship to come in! Your very best marketing tool is relationship building. Yes, you need the skills to walk the talk, and social media involvement is important, but in the end, it all comes down to relationships. So, let's hit on some dependable relationship builders:
Your goal is to be a leader in your community and demonstrate why you're everyone's best choice for the services and products you provide. What good is working to create the finest images of your career if people don't know who you are and what you stand for? by Skip Cohen Shakespeare gets credit for the quote, but there have been so many versions of the same theme—one of them from Cyndie Spiegel in her daily inspirational book a few days ago. BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOU: There is no one else as good at being you than you are. Be open to receiving advice but also trust that you know yourself better than anyone. You are an expert in your own experiences; own that. Boldly accept what makes you different. Believe in your abilities. Trust your intuition. Stand up for your ideas and know that you are exactly who you should be. There is no reason to add much more except to remind you never to let anyone get in the way of chasing your dreams. Listen to your heart, trust your gut, and believe in yourself! Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead with time to just appreciate everything you've done and are doing. Hug your "village" - and let them know how much you appreciate their support. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. And along with Cyndie Spiegel and Shakespeare, even Dr. Seuss hit the idea... Today you are you! That is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is youer than you! Dr. Seuss This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect. Jodi Picoult by Skip Cohen I try to keep Friday posts to one concept to give you something to think about over the weekend. I wish today's post was mandatory for every photographer to think about. When I ran yesterday's post about Molly the Wonder Dog, it focused on Throwback Thursday. I posted three black-and-white images captured by "Vanelli" and one by Bambi Cantrell. The three photographs represent some of my most valuable photos. They're memory markers and fit perfectly with author Jodi Picoult's quote above. Here's my point... Take a few minutes and find a couple of your favorite photographs. Then, think about what makes them unique. Most of you underestimate the value of the service you provide to each client. You take shortcuts, sometimes compromise on quality, and don't focus enough on your ability to be a magician. You have the skills to help the world capture memories. You turn the intangible into tangible moments people can hold for a lifetime. As your skillset keeps developing, the goose that laid the golden egg is right in front of you. As a business owner, what could be more valuable to your target audience? Where would the world be without photography? Even closer to home, where would your clients be without your expertise? Now, focus on your mindset the next time you click the shutter! by Skip Cohen
At the last minute yesterday, I decided to head to IUSA next weekend. I keep in touch with dozens of photographers weekly, and I felt free of the need to be in Louisville for the convention. But the closer it got to the show, the more I questioned my decision. So often, I forget to practice what I preach. In this case, I need to recharge my battery when it comes to imaging. With a home office and most interaction online, there is no replacement for being together with other photographers, vendors, and friends. My anticipation is almost overwhelming! Just the decision to be at IUSA has created some great energy. So, if you're like me and had decided not to attend, I was surprised that I could lock in decent flights and the hotel this late. Why IUSA? Well, it's the first big show of the new year for most of you. Next, you need to spend time building your network, and there's no better place than a great convention. With nearly 150 exhibitors, it's an opportunity to check out new products, services, and technology. Plus, PPA's educational platform this year is one of their best yet - it's a chance for you to fine-tune your skill set. Here are just a few reminders if you're heading to the show.
I'd love to catch up with any of you headed to the show - look for me at the Platypod booth 1226, Marathon booth 727 or just out and about on the trade show floor. by Skip Cohen Before the holidays, I shared a post about stepping away for a few days, and I did just that. It was the perfect way to recharge and step back into the new year. It's a new year with a fresh canvas, and like so many photographers I've spoken with, we're all pretty pumped up for the year ahead. It's time to mix up the routine, take new risks, and step out of your comfort zone. However, there's one daily routine Sheila and I refuse to change - reading something motivational each morning after breakfast. With the start of the new year, I can't think of a better thought to share than Melody Beattie's this morning. It's from one of her earliest books, but there is no expiration code on wisdom. It's a little too long for a blog post, so I'm paraphrasing what she wrote for January 2... Go on your own journey. Don't let others hold you back; don't hold them back. Don't judge their journey, and don't let them judge yours. Many of us started our journey by having the experiences others thought we should. Some of us tried to dictate the lessons and adventures of others, too. This caused pain and confusion for all. Learning those lessons, the lessons of setting each other free, became an important part of our journey...Go where your heart leads...Don't limit your own experiences. Don't limit the experiences of those you love, or those you meet along the way. It's a new year the perfect time to think about the journey ahead. What do you hope to accomplish in 2024? And like the quote below - it's a great time to dream with your eyes open! All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible. T.E. Lawrence P.S. Captured with an iPhone 14 Pro, click on the image. I'm amazed at the detail it captured, right down to the fishing line, although I did use a sharpening tool!
Sometimes you gotta take a break from all the noise to appreciate the beauty of silence. Robert Tew by Skip Cohen The other day, I shared a post about gathering your "tribe" and taking the time this week to catch up with those special people who make your life richer. I'm taking it one step further today, and attempting to practice what I preach. You'd think at my age, I'd know what I wanted to be when I grew up. *sigh* Well, it just hasn't happened, and as 2023 winds down, my head is filled with project ideas for the new year, things I want to accomplish, and new goals. It's all positive, but even strategizing on what I'd like to be doing in the new year makes indecision an adversary, and it's time to simply take a break. I'm stepping away from the noise and, like the quote above, appreciating the silence. Silence is one of those unique business tools we all forget to use much too often. I need a few days to simply chill, appreciate everything in my rearview mirror, and figure out the route for the 2024 "trip." Being able to step away from business this week is a luxury not everyone has, but if you can, I highly recommend it. It's a critical step to avoid burnout and recharge your battery. If you can slow things down, start celebrating New Year's today, and meet me back in the "office" on Tuesday, January 2. Thank you for all your support, feedback, and great ideas on how I can help you thrive in the new year. I wish you the best close to 2023 and, even more importantly, a great kickoff to the new year. New technology, products, great conferences, and new friends are all setting the stage for 2024 to be amazing. See you on January 2 - Happy New Year! I simply want to take a break and catch my breath.
But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is deliberately keep some time free and see what the world throws at you. Ruth Wilson by Skip Cohen No matter what holidays you celebrate or where your spirituality takes you, this time between Christmas and New Years is always strange. From the business side, it's about wrapping up loose ends, dealing with a few things on the Customer Service side of life, and winding down. But there's still a sense of urgency as we all wonder, "Okay, what do I still need to knock off for 2023?" On the personal side, many of us are catching up with people we've not been in touch with as often as we'd like. From holiday cards to emails, phone calls, and social media, people we care about become more accessible. Just as the rush to get things done before the holidays, now is the time we tend to be more reflective. I've written a lot about the routine Sheila and I have to read something inspirational each morning after breakfast. This morning's reading seemed particularly relevant to this time of year, when we are connecting with so many people in our lives. To create a richer life, gather your tribe and let them know how important they are to you. Spending time with your tribe fosters connection and understanding. Life is designed to be shared, and when we identify the people who make our lives better just be being in it, we foster a sense of belonging. A tribe can be a little or as large as you desire. Choose those who uplift, inspire, and interact with a spirit of love. Emily Silva And here's my point - take advantage of the change in pace this week. Stay away from the "negators" in your life, but make an effort to reach out to the people who make your life better. There's an old line I've always loved, "Angels do exist, but sometimes they don't have wings and are called friends."
Go find your "angels." Take a minute and think about everybody in your life. Is there anybody you've missed you want to catch up with before the year ends? Everything we do, from close friends to supportive vendors, takes a village or a "tribe," as Emily Silva wrote above. And to my village/tribe...I'd be lost without you, including my readers. Thanks to your feedback and input, life just keeps getting better. It's not always easier, but it's ALWAYS better! Happy Last Tuesday of 2023! Weekends don't count, unless you spend them doing something completely pointless! Bill Watterson by Skip Cohen
Although there's still time to knock off a few business projects, this post has little to do with business. It's Friday, and while many of you are shooting this weekend, photographing weddings, holiday parties, and other events...it's still a perfect time to wish you a great weekend. Never underestimate the importance of taking the time to recharge your battery, even in the middle of the chaos of the season. And per the quote above - wishing you the luxury of simply wasting time. Happy Friday! The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot! Michael Altshuler by Skip Cohen It's unbelievable to me that today is December 1st! It comes at the same time every year, but why am I surprised? This year it's hitting me harder for whatever reason. I feel like I'm trapped in an old movie and the hands of the clock are spinning. It seems like we just appreciated Spring-time, and then Summer was over in a flash. We crashed through Fall, and here we are. This is a very short post this morning with just two points. Business-wise, we're down to the last round of seasonality. You've got only a couple of weeks to chase down loose ends and anything you can do to impact this year's business. However, remember how you deliver and keep your promises to your clients now, sets the stage for the new year. On the personal side, the year is coming to a close. Whether it's home projects, new ideas, or even friendships you want to maintain - whatever is on your agenda, it's time to step up. Stay on top of your dreams. Wishing everybody a terrific weekend and time to savor time! There's only one thing more precious than our time and that's who we spend it on!
Leo Christopher by Skip Cohen
Like so many of you, I'm enjoying the long weekend, but not without a quick post, thanks to author, Emily Silva... Concentration can feel elusive when it feels as if all the tabs in your brain are open. We live in an endless loop of information. Although this is convenient and awesome, it take a toll on our nervous systems. To function at our highest capability, we need to take time for stillness. Start your day shutting down all the tabs in your brain and finding your center. Let peace enter if only for a moment. Breathe in the stillness. Nothing more I need to add except to wish you a relaxing and outstanding Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you can find the time to follow her suggestion and "shut down all tabs in your brain," and can find your center. Have a great weekend! PS Photo shot on the iPhone 14 Pro at Hilton Head - this is right out of the camera. No manipulation except cropping to fit today's post. by Skip Cohen
It's almost 4:30 PM on Marketing Monday, and here I am just writing today's post. No excuses, but a light-hearted explanation. Ever had a day that went by so fast you feel like you missed it completely? The day started out with a battle with Comcast after we lost Internet service last night. Then came a few errands to do before the Thanksgiving rush, followed by editing an upcoming podcast for the December Tamron Recipes series. Throw in a few phone calls and like a cartoon character getting an idea with a lightbulb going off above my head, I realized I never posted. I'm hoping most of you are flat-out working on holiday orders for your clients. It's one thing for me to miss a post on my blog, but another entirely if you miss a customer order or challenge the trust a client has put in you to deliver as promised. Here's my point - First, slow down a little and do a check at the end of the day. Review everything you worked on. Second, if you did screw something up, don't hide it. Be upfront and always communicate with your client. Third, remember to take a break during the day - I didn't and went non-stop on the list I had in my head of what I wanted to accomplish. Last but not least, I love a check-off list...I'm old school and have a huge whiteboard on the wall above my desk. Putting stuff in my phone doesn't give me what I need, but writing it down manually stays top-of-mind. It's Marketing Monday, and if nothing else, my post might help a few of you remember things you want to wrap up before the Thanksgiving holiday. Or, if you're outside the US and this isn't a holiday week, you're still rushing to make the deadlines most important to your clients. Remember to slow things down enough to double check what you're working on. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and I never write about business and marketing, but instead, I like to run amuck on just about any other topic. This morning, I started by looking at images and illustrations I've bought over the years from Adobe Stock. The first image was the one above, followed by the image below. As kids, our imaginations ran wild. We'd lie on the grass and look at the clouds, finding all kinds of hidden critters. We'd build spaceships out of refrigerator boxes, forts out of blankets draped over the dining room table, and entire scenes of great battles with a bag of army men. There was no limit to what could be accomplished in creating our own virtual world - and we did it without one single electronic device. But we got older and lazier - why create a virtual event in our mind when we could do it on the computer? And we stopped lying in the grass because of fire ants and pesticides. And refrigerator boxes for spaceships and clubhouses - NOT - If we get a large appliance delivered, the box is immediately taken away by the delivery company for recycling. But that old line about "you can never go back" just isn't true. When it comes to your imagination and daydreaming, you can always turn back the clock. All that creativity is still there, screaming for an opportunity to be cut loose. The challenge is silencing the day-in-day-out noise, keeping stress at a distance, and allowing yourself to waste a little time and ponder some of the "what-ifs" in your life.
If you need to build a spaceship out of a cardboard box - go for it! Who's stopping you? We're all victims of our own sense of propriety - we're grown-ups and supposed to act like it. Whatever happened to the spirit of Peter Pan, who lived in each of us? We said we'd never grow up, but we gave in. We sold out - Now it's time to turn back the clock a little. And there's my point - take the time to daydream. Find a way to block out all the noise, lock up all the stress, and start staring at the clouds. If necessary, build a fort or, better yet, a castle with a wide moat - pull up the drawbridge and don't let anything interrupt your creative spirit. Wishing you a day ahead with time to let your spirit fly and daydream a little. Challenge all the daily paradigms and let your creativity juices flow. Life doesn't always have to get in the way of our dreams. Take the time to appreciate the people you love the most. Go for those long therapeutic hugs I always write about and, in the process, share some of those dreams you need to get back to chasing. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world! The business of life is the acquisition of memories! "Mr. Carson" Downton Abbey by Skip Cohen
It's Friday and I'm keeping it light - As you head into the weekend, take a minute here and there and create a special memory. If there's one thing we all realize as we get older, it's simply that life is too short. That means - stop wasting time on things that don't matter. Focus on your business when you need to, but don't forget about the face in the mirror, your family and friends. The image with today's post is a perfect example. It was captured on a sunset cruise. We recently went to Hilton Head for a few days - not because we needed a vacation, but because we wanted to catch up to friends who were there. Considering the laughs, fun and the memories we "acquired." we could have been anywhere! Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and time to appreciate the things most important in your life. Twenty years from now, you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain I'm proud to be a contributor to the Marathon Press blog, along with a number of other members of the imaging community. I shared this post a while back, and it's so relevant. It's a quick post starting with the hope that you let that quote from Mark Twain sink in a little. It makes sense to take time here and there to ponder and think about things you want to do to grow your business and your skill set as an artist. This is where it might be time to build your business bucket list! I love the concept, but so many of us have it all in our heads rather than written down. When you write things down, they become more real. We all have things we hope to do someday, but we rarely consider business goals beyond growing the business, increasing revenue, etc. So, regardless of how absurd or extravagant ideas might seem today, writing them down moves them out of "wish" mode and closer to reality. On the personal side of "no regrets," my old buddy Duncan MacNab told us a week before he passed away, "I have no regrets. I did it all when I was younger." Life is too short - don't wait to chase your dreams. Go for it! Kick back a little and think about things you want to do to build your business and expand your creativity. There are no rules and no guidelines: explore, dream, and discover. Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. Zig Ziglar by Skip Cohen
A few years back, I started a series of reminders to help you set the stage for holiday seasonality. I'm bringing back a few of my favorites. My goal is to help you build a better foundation to finish 2023 with great sales. There's one ingredient that tops the list and sets the stage for EVERYTHING you do in marketing, brand-building, and promotion - your ATTITUDE! When I was in junior high, the basketball coach had a sign in his office, much like the Zig Ziglar quote above: Winning is 80% motivation and only 20% skill! Seasonality is already ramping up. But there's still time to capture and create more business for 2023; it all starts with your attitude. Here are some things to consider:
I'm not minimizing how tricky business is these days. However, with the renewed sense of family that came out of the pandemic, you have so many opportunities to capture more business. Remember, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it! And, if you're overwhelmed and don't know what you can still do, you know where to find me! by Skip Cohen I catch up with a lot of photographers every day, both directly and in the various forums, primarily on Facebook. In addition, I recently did a 90-minute presentation at the online Hair of the Dog Summit. Looking at so many of the questions I've seen being asked, so many artists seem to be caught in analysis paralysis. Too many of you seem caught up in so many different aspects of your business that you've stalled on making decisions. Eventually, you'll miss the opportunities, spending so much time overthinking your goals that the potential for success evaporates. It's like freezer burn on that bag of shrimp I forgot about that was frozen for far too long. Sure, they were still edible, but they're sure weren't as good. Stop overthinking ideas you know in your heart are right. And don't "should" on yourself if they don't work out as good as you had hoped. When something is underwhelming, step back, take a long look at what you did, and then revise your game plan. The bottom line? Stop overthinking! I'm not suggesting you attack your business without a plan; just recognize when you no longer need more opinions or time to ponder. Many years ago, I heard my good buddy Matthew Jordan Smith tell a story about his images when he first started. He'd share his work with everybody to get their opinion until he finally realized he had to listen to his own heart. He had to decide for himself what made a great photograph. It wasn't only about his technique, but understanding and building a relationship with each client. We're getting down to the wire on implementing creative programs for the holiday season. Don't let time pass you by because of analysis paralysis. You know how to focus your camera - now it's time to focus on your business and your target audience. You only regret the things you don't do!
Author Unknown by Skip Cohen
I started this "Hump Day" series just for the fun of it. I'm not looking to share anything complex but to give you something to consider that you might have missed or forgotten about. As I've written about before, Sheila and I share something inspirational, every morning after breakfast. Yesterday's reading from Emily Silva was so on point: "In silence, we can hear our intuition speak. But it can be difficult to find silence in the age of hyperconnectivity. We must find the time to unplug and create silence at least once a day...A change happens when we learn to access stillness...In stillness we find our balance." Most of us get so busy we rarely search out silence until the damage from the "noise" in our lives is already well underway. Find a moment today and kick back and chill. Walk away from everything and appreciate the silence. This is one of the shortest posts I've ever shared, but there's nothing more that needs to be said. Happy Hump Day! |
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