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!



​

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

​
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!)

A house is built of walls and beams, a home is built of love and dreams.
Unknown

For the last half an hour I've been struggling with what to write about on this gorgeous Sunday morning in South Florida. The house is quiet and as I wandered from room to room trying to come up with a topic, it hit me. We don't have a big house, but we do have a big home. Stay with me on this, because it's my whole point this morning.

As I wandered around the house it occurred to me how important our friends are and even more relevant how important Sheila and I are to each other. Our house is built like any house, but our home is filled with memories and love. It's a combination of everything Sheila and I both brought into the relationship and then added over the last ten years.

A number of times in the past, I've described our home as a gallery with photographs from so many friends over the years, but it's much more. There isn't a corner that doesn't represent another chapter in our lives individually or together.

My home office is probably the most intense, filled with memorabilia as recent as last week to forty+ years ago at Polaroid, and beyond. From Ansel Adams' rear license plate framed to my grandfather's pocket watch; a portrait of my Dad and me from four years ago to a crystal bowl that was a gift from friends at Minolta, which holds reading glasses - everything has a story behind it.

And here's my point...

My favorite quote is from Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met."  Well, Sheila and I as a couple and individually are here together and living a fantastic life thanks to all the experiences, good and bad, along with all the people who have come in and out of our lives. Even at times when we might have been alone, we were never a solo act - influenced by family, friends, associates and our environments.

I guess this is a Throwback Sunday kind of post. Take five minutes and look around you. I'm betting just like me this morning you're going to realize how much you take for granted in all the people who have come into your life over the years. Together they've all contributed to making you who you are today. 

Nothing earthshaking or even particularly astute this morning, just an appreciation for everything that's made our house a home. I love Sunday mornings because it's the one day of the week where we have no solid agenda. I wake up appreciating a gift all of you have given me - a time to go off track and share some piece of life outside the business of photography.

Wishing all of you a terrific Sunday and time to appreciate things in your life that have helped to make you who you are today. We didn't just grow on our own, but with a lot of company along the way. As always hit the eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people most important to you. 

"The ache for home lives in all of us,
the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."
Maya Angelou

Happy Sunday everybody!

Close to thirty years ago I met John Isaac at an industry dinner in NYC. At that time he was Chief of Photography for the United Nations. Although I haven't caught up to him in a long time, my admiration is the same as it was then. So, yesterday when a good friend sent me the link to this TEDxIHEParis Talk from last year, after watching it, I had to share it with you.

Many of you are relatively new to photography. You don't know very many of the artists who have blazed a trail of creativity, respect, and integrity before you. John is all about empathy, honor and compassion, and this quote by Emerson seems like it was written about him.

The purpose of life is not to be happy.
It is to be useful, to be honorable,
to be compassionate,
to have it make some difference
that you have lived and lived well.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Over five years ago I wrote most of this post, and as I prepare to take a couple of days off at the end of this week, I realized how important it is to recognize when you need a break.

When I started my own business nine years ago, I was worried about not having the discipline to stay focused in a home office. Instead, I learned the challenge was taking the time to step away from the business. Even checking email before going to bed became an obsession for another hour of work. I found myself yelling to Sheila, "I'll be right there," and then not realizing how quickly an hour passed.

Well, I'm better at recognizing my need to recharge my battery today than I was years ago, but like so many of you, I'm still work in progress. It's hard to shut off the business, but each time I do I come back with a new level of energy.

Shakespeare gets the credit for the title to today's post, but you have to take credit for walking the talk!  

I found a great little article in Psychology Today many years ago that started out: "To thine own self be true" is one of the underlying tenets of recovery. But how do we honor this wise sentiment by Shakespeare? One way is to check in with the "me" that I'm trying to be true to. Checking in can involve slowing down, writing, meditating, and noticing what we are experiencing rather than running on autopilot. Checking in tends to involve tuning in to our body or to our "higher self," rather than tuning in to our "monkey mind" (the running commentary that we are telling ourselves.)"

Whether you realize you're in "recovery" or not, from my perspective we're ALL in recovery. About the challenges of business, technology, the economy and marketing, anybody who says they don't sometimes feel the stress and on occasion has considered running away and joining the circus is lying. (Actually, with the circus shutting down last year, where do we run away to now?)

Running your own business is tough, especially in photography. At the same time, you're trying to fine tune your skills as an artist; you're being forced to learn the operational aspects of running a business. Your left brain is fighting it out with your right brain almost daily. You know you need more help, but as a small business owner who hasn't been at this very long, you've got to keep an eye on your costs because you're still a one-man-band.

Well, we're coming up to the fourth quarter, the strongest seasonality of the year. Now is the time to be reviewing your plans for the Fall, and building a stronger business through the holidays. You want to thrive, not just survive. 

There's a great line - instead of,  If it ain't broke don't fix it, it should be If it ain't broke you haven't looked hard enough.  The reality is we can all use fine-tuning, but we have to first recognize where things aren't working as smoothly as they should. Maybe you're in better shape than you think, but I'm betting you haven't taken a break and stepped away from the business in a long time.
 
No matter how good or bad business was last year, you can't be creative if you're living in a pressure cooker.  You've got to recognize your own weaknesses and take a break, recharge your battery and do something that's away from the direct challenges of each day. Do something you love to do that doesn't push the edge of the envelope on those weakest links in your skill set or running the business.

If you've been feeling frustrated, remember you're not alone. But, if you're looking to stand out and be more competitive, taking a break, might clear your head and create enough space on your mental hard drive for more ideas.

Julieanne Kost, from Adobe, gave me a great line once when I asked her to get involved in a project I was working on. "I'd love to, but I'm just out of bandwidth!"  That said it all and we moved the date of the project to a time when she knew she could give it 100%.

If you don't recognize when you're out of bandwidth and the need to step away from the business now and then, what's the good of working this hard?   To thine own self be true...recognize when you need a break...shut off the computer and your phone for a little while and enjoy your family and friends - you've earned it!

My Sunday mornings always kick off with me sharing whatever is on my mind, and it's rarely about photography. Often I've had the honor of feedback from many of you who were feeling the same way. So, here I am about to go completely off track from imaging.

The topic is giving up on a dream. Big ones, little ones, it doesn't matter - the point is we all get to a point with our dreams where we start to doubt ourselves, the idea and even the relationships that support our quest. We get frustrated with results that aren't coming fast enough. In short, feel, like we're trapped in PinkFloyd's The Wall, "Is anybody out there?" (And if you're too young to have heard the album - go buy it today. It's one of the greats!)

It's a short post this morning and I need a little help from the outside world: 

 Age wrinkles the body, quitting wrinkles the soul.
Douglas MacArthur

Giving up on your goal because of one setback, is like slashing your other three tires because you got a flat.
Anon

Never give up, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn.
Harriet Beecher Stowe

Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.
Earl Nightingale

Here's my point this morning - NEVER give up on your dreams. When you get to the point where you're questioning something you're trying to do, step back and take the time to think it through. More than likely you'll remember what it was that started the dream in the first place. So often people give up on the touchdown, just when they're on the one-yard line! (With help from Vince Lombardi on that one.)

Wishing everybody a beautiful Sunday and a day filled with peace and love, just like a flower child from the 70's. Life is too short to waste energy on sadness or letting go of dreams. Always go for those eleven-second hugs and do something today that's different. Even it's just taking a little time to look in the mirror and appreciate the heart of the face staring back at you.

Happy Sunday everybody - or for those readers who remind me now and then it's Monday on the other side of the world - Happy Monday!

It's Sunday morning and as always I'm off track from marketing, business and photography. This is the time when I just kick back and let my thoughts go anyplace they choose. As always Molly the Wonder Dog is asleep at my feet and I can't help but wonder how great it would be if we were all the kind of people our dogs think we are!

For some reason that quote above popped into my head this morning as I read three "Chicken Little" posts and emails this morning. A "Chicken Little" issue is from somebody who every day finds something to worry about and does their best to rally everybody around them into believing the "sky is falling."

Over the years In photography we've had some big ones: Photographers in the fifties who felt photography was going to hell because of color! They had children who believed life photography was ending when auto-focus came into play. (Anybody remember when one of the biggest retailers in photography, Calumet, in the late 80's threw Nikon out because they stopped making manual focus lenses?) But it doesn't stop there because the same people upset over autofocus had kids who complained that imaging was over with the invention of the digital camera! And I'm sure we can find a link to today's challenges with social media, digital files, and the list goes on and on.

Okay, so I stepped back into photography for one paragraph, but here's how it applies to life. I'm so tired of having a conversation with somebody that starts out with me asking, "Hey, how have you been?" and then hearing how the sky is falling! And while we all have friends who truly have endured some horrific days - they recognize that it's just that; a bad day and they wouldn't trade their life with anybody.

So here's my point this morning - let's help those people who have mastered the art of pessimism to morph into something else. Instead of asking them how they're doing let's open the conversation with, "Wow, you sound great today - what's going on?" Let's help them to keep life's daily challenges in perspective and get them to stop writing their lives off because there are too many speed bumps along the way.

I spent a lot of time in Japan in the 80's, and when having a lot of differences in a negotiating session, there's an expression which translated means, "there are too many pebbles in the stream." So, one by one you work to remove each pebble, but nobody ever looks at the stream as a dried up creek bed!

Wishing everybody a Sunday, or Monday if you're on the other side of the world, that's filled with optimism and time with the people most special to you. Always go for those eleven-second hugs and think about how much the person in that hug means to you. And definitely, keep each day in perspective. Not every day is the one you're going to base your life story on, but without those days that are off a little how would you ever appreciate the ones that are stellar!

Over the last few years I've written a lot about the "Rules of Engagement." Each time it's because I've watched a conversation go completely off track, usually on Facebook. It's one thing to disagree with what somebody's posted, but another altogether to try and rip their heart out. 

I've repeatedly watched as photographers battle it out over semantics, politics, and beliefs until finally an administrator in the forum comes along and deletes the entire thread. As the thread disappears, often the members who thought they had a right to bully their way through the argument, wind up being removed from the forum as well. 

A few years ago I was following a thread on Linkedin in one of the discussion groups.  A member of the group had a black-tie wedding coming up and threw a question out about what was appropriate attire, wondering if he could get by in a dark suit and not a tux.
 
The question was great and certainly appropriate. It was answered right away, but twelve days later the banter was still going on. The volley continued as two photographers argued their points about beach weddings versus the rest of the world, when the only answer that really mattered was to "dress appropriately".  The question was answered right from the beginning, yet people wanted to keep giving input and it got emotional and ugly.

When things heat up in a forum I'm amazed at what happens next. Hiding behind the anonymity of their computer screens, there are always photographers who morph into trolls and bullies, insisting everyone buy in on their opinions.

Last week I had the same type of challenge in a forum I administrate. It got ugly because a couple of people wanted to play troll and simply didn't know how to behave, let alone communicate. Once a thread goes off track, there is absolutely NO WAY to get it back. We wound up deleting the thread and permanently removing the trolls.

So, here's what I wish we could all agree to and I'm including myself in this. It's an extension of the "Rules of Engagement" I've written about before and it's pretty simple. 

• If the question has already been answered by at least three people, then don't bother to respond if you don't have anything new to contribute.  

• Don't get hung up with semantics and the challenges of communicating via the written word. Too often we sound emotional when we don't mean to. Somebody throws out an inflammatory barb and it starts a sidebar battle that's unnecessary. 

• Don't take the bait! If the conversation seems to be getting heated, just walk away.
• Don't write anything you wouldn't want to share with the world!  Forums are available to everybody who can read. I've heard some truly sad and unethical stories about competitors who have shared information from a forum with another photographer's clients. I've also heard about clients who are in some of the forums and have been shocked by some of the comments from their own photographers. You don't have to sugar coat anything, just be professional when you comment. Remember, there are no erasers on the Internet!
• And as always, from good buddy, Levi Sim..."Act as if your grandmother is watching you!"

Don't get me wrong, I love forum/group discussions. The Internet is a remarkable tool and helps so many photographers every day, but there's no telling how much stronger we could all become if we were simply more selective when commenting in any group. 

The endless volleys that come up over and again would rarely happen if we were all together in one room talking to each other.

“Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.” 
                                                                                                Erin Bury

I started writing Sunday Morning Reflections as a way to step away from the business of photography and remind myself I have a life outside of imaging. It's a way to recharge my battery and touch base with the challenges of finding balance and the multiple hats we all wear.

Now and then, when I have a hard time stepping away from the business, I read Melody Beattie. This morning was one of those days, and she never lets me down. Her July 15 inspiration is called "Delight in Yourself," and I pulled a paragraph to share: 

Be yourself and accept yourself--warts, waistline, and all. You don't have to sit up that straight, be that proper, or fear what others may see. Let your imperfections show...Relax and be who you are! When you do that, your life will be fun and a joyful gift to others. People who comfortably accept who they are - both their flaws and their good points - are healing, delightful, and fun to be around...Relax. Lighten up. Let go of shame and fear. The whole picture is perfect, and perfectly okay.

This past week was pretty remarkable as we launched Excire Inc. a new company involved in developing search software for photographers. In the process, I talked to a lot of photographers I've never met before. One of them introduced herself with, "I'm an amateur and I know my work isn't very good yet, but I love photography so much!" But when I looked at her work, it was stunning!
 
Photography, as my buddy Scott Bourne once wrote, is the great equalizer. Scott's point was that it doesn't matter what your pedigree is, you're going to be judged on the quality of your images. It doesn't matter what you look like, your education, your age, financial status or often, even your gear. The key is going to be the impact of the photographs you share.

And that brings me full circle to my point. Why is it so hard for some of you to just accept who you are? Why do many of you start out with introductions that sound like apologies instead of proclamations of pride for the choices you've made and are making? Isn't today the perfect time to give yourself a big pat on the back and stop wasting time on things that don't matter?

A few years back I did a podcast with Sandy Puc, and we started talking about our definitions of success. By the end of the podcast we had defined success as waking up with a smile every morning. And, that's what loving yourself is all about - accepting and appreciating the choices you've made.

Wishing all of you the perfect day, whether it's Sunday where you are or Monday morning on the other side of the planet. Make it a day of inner peace, time with the people who matter most in your life and don't forget to cherish that face looking back at you in the mirror. As Melody Beattie started things off this morning - be yourself and accept yourself!

​Happy Sunday everybody!

Please note: I don't usually post on Saturdays, and on Sunday, it's just one post, Sunday Morning Reflections. However, I was looking through my archives and stumbled across this one from 2014. It's perfect to share right now, but even better are the comments that were written at the time.

If you need a little lift today, I'm hoping this does the same thing for you that it did for me, especially the comments. Check them out and feel free to add to them - Meanwhile, wishing all of you a terrific day and time to pat yourself on the back a little for staying focused on your dreams!

My wife, Sheila, got me into feeding my long-time starving spiritual side several years ago. Since then writers like Melody Beattie and Marianne Williamson have become regular reading. Well, yesterday I read something Melody Beattie wrote:

Okay, so I know at this point a few of you are rolling your eyes, because I've committed one of the things you're never supposed to do in a post...talk about God or politics.  Well, if you don't like the God reference then replace it with "believing in yourself" or "faith".  I'm not going to get in an argument over my belief in God, yours or for that matter semantics. Melody's point is right on the money, because we won't drown, life was certainly meant to be lived and every problem has a solution.

Another thing I believe in is every one of you who are dealing with the day in day out challenges of running a business and building your brand as an artist. I'm proud to be working with so many of you to help you build a stronger business and skill set. My frustration comes out of those moments when I hear about somebody giving up, because of the challenges. I especially hate hearing stories about friends who have family members who don't support their dreams, letting their negativity spill over into your world and creating one more hurdle to test your passion.

I don't know about you, but in high school I remember Algebra and a chemistry class where, on the first day, I looked at the back of the book to see how hard things were going to be. It scared me every time, but after a school year of the stuff, it meant absolutely nothing. Instead of worrying about how much you don't know, give yourself a big pat on the back for how much you've learned and are applying right now!

I found a quote that will hopefully help a few of you to keep things in perspective. Don't get hung up on your challenges. they're all part of growing a business.

At this point in my life wearing my blogger hat, there aren't a lot of topics I haven't written about. So, when Sunday mornings roll around, and it's time to write Reflections, it gets harder and harder to share something relevant that's new. Well, I think I found a topic this morning more of you need to work on - learning to be a slug!

And this isn't new either - I've written about it three times over the last five years. However, each day there's something new in our lives. Technology, social media, the economy, consumer trends, and our growing responsibilities all contribute to the stress in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we're caught in a nonstop perfect storm.

We all live busy, hectic lives and I'm betting each of you wear multiple hats as photographers, business owners, volunteers in your community, parents, spouses, friends, family members, lovers, and the list goes on and on. Most of the time you're going non-stop. You answer the phone every time it rings and every email that comes in. You comment on issues that come up on Facebook, tweet as often as you can and share images on your website, blog, Instagram, Pinterest and even LinkedIn. Your thoughts are interrupted numerous times throughout each day, and sometimes you feel like all you're doing is putting out fires. Sound familiar?

If you're like me, there are days when you need to pull the plug! And that's precisely what Sheila and I did yesterday - we had a slug day. We did absolutely nothing that would change the world or our little part of it. We kicked back, hung out together, had great music playing all day, floated in the pool, watched the butterflies in the garden, fired up the grill a couple of times and watched a few classic movies, including Animal House! We never bothered to even watch the news, except for tracking the story of the kids trapped in the cave in Thailand.

In my younger days, and I only need to go back a few years ago, I would have felt guilty. In fact, I'd be embarrassed to even write about being nonproductive for a day, but here's my point.
 
All of us spend our days multi-tasking. To avoid "hitting the wall" and going into overload, you need to take a slug day. You need to recognize when it's time to unplug from your business life for a day. Slug days are about recharging your battery and having an Alfred E. Neuman smile on your face and more importantly in your heart. You don't worry about anything, especially whether or not doing nothing for the day is honestly going to change the world!

Wishing all of you a terrific Sunday, and if you need it, make it a slug day! The business will all be there tomorrow morning, and it's a new week! If you're feeling the stress of deadlines, the challenges of running a business and you're starting to procrastinate more than be productive - then walk away from it for a day. Clear your head and take the time to dream. Build up the energy you need to follow your heart more, and business-logic just a little bit less!

As always, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people most special in your life. And, don't focus on anything except a smile on your face and having joy in your heart. (I know it sounds sappy, but you'll be amazed at the energy a great attitude can help create!)

Happy Sunday everybody - thanks for joining me!

Almost five months ago I opened up the "SCU Diner" with a Friday special to get more photographers thinking about their business. There are so many more things you can be doing to help make 2018 your best year yet!

However, knowing most of you are right-brain creative types and hate doing left-brain operational fine-tuning, I've made each "blue plate special" as direct and easy to implement as possible.

Today's special is a little more complicated and isn't so much about specifics in fine-tuning a business but suggestions on building a stronger mindset. While my ideas aren't directed to everybody, we all know somebody who's always got an excuse for their disappointment.

Today's Fast Food Friday special started with a quote. If you've followed me on Twitter for even the shortest time, you know every morning I share a quote I've found to be inspirational. While it's great content to share, I really do it as much for my own benefit as my followers. All of us get so caught up in the challenges of running a business it's often hard to put things in perspective. These quotes have become my daily "vitamin" before I start each day.

Not too long ago I shared this quote from motivational speaker and author, Les Brown:

A bigger studio: Some of the best portraits I've ever had done were by my good buddy Don Blair in a trade show booth. Tony Corbell did my daughter's senior headshot in the Hasselblad warehouse - two lights and a backdrop. A studio, be it bigger or smaller, isn't going to change business by itself! Great portraits are about your skill set and your ability to interact with your subject.

New gear: A new lens won't always make a difference. Vincent LaForet talked about it a few years ago in a program at Skip's Summer School. He didn't have a long lens when he started, so he moved in closer. Yes, he really did define the challenge as that simplistic. Plus, if you need a new lens, then look into renting one or get involved in building your network and maybe you'll find somebody who might share the cost with you or lend you theirs.

No time: There's always time to build a new business, but blaming your day job is an excuse. I'm not saying it isn't tough to find the balance, but thousands of photographers do it every day. Remember, 50% of our industry, in the portrait/social categories, is made up of part-time photographers.

Other obligations: This is one of my favorites because you can always find something to do with the kids. It takes planning, and it's like finding time to build your business.  Again, there are thousands of photographers who have figured it out. Don't get me wrong; whether you're a Mom or a Dad, I know how hard it is to find that balance. Sometimes you'll have no choice but to miss an event, but the minute you start to believe everything is working against you, you're caught in a self-fulfilling prophecy!

Email only: People are not okay with just an email contact! Give people a way to talk to you directly and seriously; if you can't afford a phone line for just your business, you shouldn't be in business! Think about your own reaction when you need to contact a company and can't find a phone number. Nobody can sell your skill set and the services you provide better than you. Give people other ways to contact you besides email!

The bottom line is you're the only one who can build your business. You're the primary person who has to believe in yourself. And, you're the only one who can recognize when you need help. You don't need to do everything yourself, except take responsibility!

And, if you know somebody who's always making excuses, feel free to pass this post on. It's time for everyone, including me now and then, to stop pointing the finger in any direction but the person in the mirror each morning.

Missed a previous "blue plate special?"
Just click on the menu to the right and check out all of the specials since February!

And if we're missing something on the menu to help you build a stronger business, just let me know.  if I don't have the recipe, I've got an amazing network of "chefs" to draw from!

At the risk of sounding like I'm writing a Sunday Morning Reflections post on a Tuesday, I shared the quote above this morning on Twitter, and it's haunting me. 

I meet so many photographers who waste time looking in their rearview mirror instead of just looking forward. I'm not saying you should ignore the past.  You should respect it, learn from things you've done but recognize the most significant thing about this industry is your ability to keep changing...and growing. Nothing you do is cast in concrete. Your ability to keep expanding your skill set is unlimited as technology keeps changing, and the list of creative tools you have increases every day.

My buddy Bob Coates is a great example. His passion for the craft is unmatched, but so is his ability to keep expanding his skill set and interests. He's a perpetual student, continually testing the boundaries of technology and fine art. As a result, he's one of the most diverse artists I know. Chamira Young and I just had him on as a guest on "Beyond Technique." Bob shares a lot of great insight into special projects and the importance of diversity. (The new episode airs on June 20 on Photofocus.)

So, here's my point, directed to all of you who keep looking backwards and "shoulding" on yourself. Stop wasting energy trying to undo the beginning. Respect the mistakes you've made and look at everything you do today forward as a fresh start. This doesn't just apply to your journey in life, but things as simple as the shoot you're doing later today.

It's Father's Day 2018, and it's also Sunday Morning Reflections time. Put the two together, and I'm having a hard time figuring out what to write about this morning, but I want to include my Dad. He passed away almost three years ago, but that doesn't change the love I have for him or all the great memories. 

I talked Dad into writing two posts for me over the years, both having to do with business. He was 91 when he wrote the post below. As sophisticated as we all think we are with the way we communicate, social media, business practices, marketing and living in an era of almost instant fulfillment, nothing has changed regarding the fundamentals of good business: customer service, integrity, and a firm handshake.

My Dad was in commercial and industrial real estate in Ohio for many years, before he retired. Much of this post is based on his experiences in not only his own business but growing up in his father's business as well. This post is like a fine wine - it's getting better with age and what better time to share it again than on Father's Day.

I pulled his post out of the SCU archives, and as I reread it, it made me smile. Nothing has changed since Dad started out in business seventy+ years ago. And, seventy years from now success in business will still be firmly rooted in trust, integrity, and relationships.

Wishing all you Dads out there a terrific Father's Day, and time filled with the people most important in your life, the ones that make you smile and your heart skip a beat whenever they walk through the door. Go for those eleven-second hugs and don't forget that without Mom you'd never be a Dad.

And to my own Dad who's been my best buddy my entire life - I love ya Pop, and while I miss you, I know you're watching over us.

Happy Father's Day!

Visibility is a must for any pursuit.  Call it what you like. It starts with a firm handshake, neat appearance and an ability to display integrity. That integrity is always enhanced by knowing the answers before the questions are even asked and that can only come from experience.  All of this has to start somewhere...with YOU!

One of the biggest factors of success, for me, was the rapport with some of my competitors.  With friendly competition, on many occasions we were of considerable help to each other.

Another must of success is visibility and the necessity of going public.  You've got to be involved in your community.  As personal contacts multiply, the rewards will come in the form of your expanding clientele and potential new customers.

Today you guys call it networking and it's everything from attending conventions and local events to social media.   For me it was Exchange Club's monthly luncheons, business cards, a little advertising, even golf now and then, but there was and still is no substitute for word-of-mouth testimonials.

Then there's trust, another critical building block.  The trust you build will be the result of the honesty and integrity you employ.  It's all part of what drives word-of-mouth advertising, especially in a service based industry like photography. Always cherish that trust!  In turn, don't forget that confidentiality is part of that trust. It's so important to retain confidentiality with every client.

Occasionally you may find as I did, competitors bragging about a deal they had just closed. I used to be able to sit down in a booth at the Kenny Kings Restaurant on just about any morning and hear salesmen bragging about the deals they'd put together. The fact was, the transactions had died, along with the confidentiality factor, leaving the vultures to play with the bones that were left!
 
Ralph Cohen, Founder and 1/2 the Creators of Skip Cohen!

Photo Credit: Cantrell Portrait Design

It's one of those Sunday mornings when everything just seems right in the word. While I know that's not the case; there are times when we all need to search out that one place where we can enjoy the solitude of inner peace.

Okay, I get that I'm even more off track than usual for a Sunday morning, but I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to write about. My Sunday posts are ALWAYS live and off-the-cuff, and I stared at the wall in my office for a long time. Then, like a cartoon character with the lightbulb going off above my head, I decided to move to the back porch.

I not only found peace and solitude but the trickle of the water feature in the butterfly garden set against the sweet light of sunrise brought out the zebra longwing above. I had a camera close by for a grab shot. I had no goal in mind except to capture the moment and a new visitor.

And, in an odd way that brought me to my initial point, if you build it they will come. I had no idea the joy and sense of peace planting the butterfly garden would bring. We all live hectic, stressful lives, and for me, it's sometimes difficult not to get sucked into the day-in-day-out pressure of business.

The first year we planted the garden we got a couple of Monarchs right away, but it wasn't until this morning, a year later, I realized how much the garden had grown, and along with it, brought in lots of new "tenants." It all left me with the incredibly simple realization it just took time and patience.

We're all so impatient for the final results. We live in an instant fulfillment world and most of the time fail to appreciate our growth, or how life always proves true to one of my favorite mantras, everything works out for the better.

And, to my second point - we built the garden because we love butterflies, but I had no idea the sense of peace it would bring to our little corner of the world. We all need to step away from the pressures life throws at us. So, while you might not have a garden to melt the stress away, it's so important to find that one place that allows you to be alone with your thoughts, your dreams, and your goals.

So, at the risk of sounding like a hippie headed to Woodstock - wishing everybody a day filled with peace, love and plenty of smiles. Go for those eleven-second hugs with the people you care most about. Most important of all, take the time to give yourself a big pat on the back for all the growth you've gone through over the last year. 

​Happy Sunday everybody!

​I started blogging in 2009, and thanks to help from several very good friends we launched SCU in 2013. The blog has grown, but sadly so has my list of frustrations. While some of you are focused on the ingredients to build a successful business, there are some of you who still don't get it. 

Today I was reading through some of the posts on Facebook, and it was all I could do not to get involved in some of the discussions. I stayed clear, but it's obvious somewhere along life's path a bunch of people took wrong turns.

This is a back to basics kind of time in business when a hand-written thank you note is going to carry more weight than a new design for your home page. It's a time when sincerity tops technology and fulfilling a promise will be talked about long after that new lens you just bought. 

While many of you are motivated, passionate and doing everything you can to build your business, new relationships and your skill set, here are some of the knuckleheads who put me in rant mode:
​

• Photographers who jump all over somebody because they don't like the photo they posted, but their writing is so weak, they can't criticize the image without sounding like Billy Bob Thornton in Sling Blade.  
• They preach about SEO, but their website is difficult to navigate, and their images haven't been updated in years.   
• They know how to focus their camera, but they haven't taken the time to focus on a marketing plan. They blame the competition for their business problems but do nothing to get people to know who they are.
• They've worked hard to have a great website, but they don't return phone calls quickly to their clients. In fact, their phone number isn't anywhere on their site.  
• They built a blog, but their heart just hasn't been into it lately, and the last post they wrote was back in December.
• They're always thinking about ways to reach new clients, but they make no eye contact when they're talking to somebody, and their handshake is flimsy. And, they've done nothing to nurture and build relationships with their past customers.
• They text at the speed of light, but they have a tough time carrying on a conversation.
• They're so proud of the thousand images in their galleries, but less than a hundred are better than Uncle Harry's.
• And they're arrogant, putting everybody down who doesn't think the way they do!

If these sound like anybody you know, let's all chip in and get them some professional help. 

The photographic industry is made up of some incredibly talented artists, and just like all those old westerns I watched as a kid, there's always going to be a faster gun. There's always going to be somebody out there pushing the edge of the envelope. These exceptional artists have a passion that drives them and a desire to shoot in a way nobody else would, and they keep many of us motivated by their creativity.

I found a great quote that seems to fit this post and since my grandfather was the one who taught me about a firm handshake and eye contact:

"My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. 
He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there." 
​Indira Gandhi
​

It’s an old Spanish proverb and engraved on a pewter plate I've had for many years. It's one of my favorite quotes, and so often seems to ring true. But, this morning it's got me thinking about the challenges so many of you face in dealing with people who don't understand the choices you make.

Photography is an art form and so often misunderstood especially by family members and friends. They don’t understand your passion. They assume you’re going to starve in the process. They may never have seen your work and question whether or not you’re good enough. They don’t understand why you can’t just go out and get a “real job”!  Sound familiar?

Scott Bourne and I, on the old GoingPro podcasts, talked a lot about surrounding yourself with people who have positive attitudes. You need to block out the “Negators.” No, it’s not out of Greek mythology, but it should be. Negators are people who are so unhappy in their own lives their only joy in life is screwing with yours!

The result is your self-confidence needs reinforcement. So, let’s come up with a few things to help you stay focused, pun intended. You know how to focus your camera, but do you know how to hold the focus on your career?
​

• Look at old images. Here’s an easy exercise and you’ll have a good time in the process. Go back and look at your very first images. It might have been a party you photographed, a landscape while on vacation or maybe just a few shots of the kids. Now compare them to where you are today. If you don’t see a difference, you’re in trouble, but most of you will see consistent changes in the way you compose and expose today. As you get more experienced, there should be some serious changes in lighting, composition, depth of field, and your overall creativity.
• Roberto Valenzuela suggested a terrific tool for practicing the craft on a GoingPro podcast once. He suggested you go back to the last wedding you photographed and look at all the bad images.  “Look for what you missed and learn to understand why each image wasn’t good!”
• Enter some images in print competition. This is a personal favorite. Whether you enter prints or not, at least attend the judging at the next convention where it's open to the public. Listen to what the judges are saying about each print. Use their suggestions as guidance for your own work.
•  Join your local chapter or guild of professional photographers. Sooner or later, everyone shares the same frustrations. A local chapter of other photographers becomes a support group and an essential part of your network. There’s a lot of good comfort in knowing your peers share some of the same concerns and frustrations.  
• Join one of the better Facebook groups where there are groups of people with your same interests. I'm a co-administrator in Facebook Wedding Photographers and Advanced Wedding Photographers, and I'm amazed at some of the questions that come up and the way people help each other. There are also groups like ShutterFest, GoingPro, Gary Box's "Inside the Box," Jen Rozenbaum's Group, and the AIBP Members Group, just to name a few.    
• Surround yourself with positive people. Sooner or later they’ll come around, but for now, those people who are throwing up the roadblocks need to be kept on the sidelines. The only thing they're contributing to your life is stress.
• Listen to your heart. Okay, it sounds hokey, but you know what you feel inside. You know what your gut instinct is saying about your passion for being a photographer.
• Don’t respond to trolls! When you do step out into the public forums and get shot at by a troll, don’t let yourself get caught up in the battle. Don’t respond. Your silence is far more effective at driving them mad!

I'm not sure why the importance of the word trust is on my mind so much this morning. The more I think about it, the more critical the word becomes in every photographer's role, even beyond your skill set.

Think about what it means to be a professional photographer. There's nothing stronger in building your business and reputation than trust from your clients. There's also nothing that will destroy your business faster if that trust is violated. Trust goes well beyond just providing the client with excellent results. In fact, with the exception of the medical community, I can’t think of any other profession that involves such a profound level of trust with an outside “vendor.”

You're in people's homes. You're talking to them about the personalities of various family members. If this is an engagement shoot, you're building trust with a new client. If it's a senior shoot this may be the student's first time working with a professional photographer and most of them couldn't be more nervous.

When working with families, "Mom" has introduced to their children and you've attended family functions. You’ve met the grandparents and the out of town relatives. You're coordinating their wardrobe and often even makeup and hairstyle. There's nothing more valuable than the trust they're placing in you and understanding how they see the world.

Trust is one of the most fundamental building blocks of every artist's reputation. With the busy season of the year starting to ramp up, it's a great time to post a reminder. You've got to work to build trust with every client, even the ones you've worked with in the past.

And, if you blow the trust with a client remember this...

Intro by Skip Cohen

This is one of my most favorite posts from my good buddy Scott Bourne. While his target is the new artist just coming into the business out of school, his advice is the perfect reminder of the things we all need to do as marketing, business, technology and social media keep changing.

We're all part of an industry that never slows down. As a result, we all need to be never-ending students! And, to Scott's point about relationships - Relationship building is your most valuable marketing tool!

by Scott Bourne
 
Commencements are coming up all over the country in the next couple months. As someone with gray hair, I can’t help but have a very different perspective on photography than someone of college age. I am often asked what advice I’d give someone just breaking into professional photography. The usual response goes something like this…

“Be prepared for lots of hard work – sales and marketing should dominate your day – show the work every chance you get – network like crazy – shoot what you love – repeat.”

But while that’s all good advice, there’s more I would say if I were speaking at a commencement.

I’d talk about understanding the high degree of importance graduates should place in each and every relationship they engage in during their career. Whether it’s the mailman or the recent client, these relationships are really all that matters. I didn’t know this when I was young and it hurt me…both personally and professionally.

So obsess over gear and f/stops if you must, but if you really want to succeed, pay attention to the people in your professional life. Build solid, long-term relationships with them. Care about them. Help them. Put them and their interests ahead of your own. You never know where that will lead. You might be dealing with that person 30 years later. They’ll remember how you valued (or didn’t) the relationship when you were young. And so will you.