Sunday mornings are always the same as I find myself feeling reflective over the past week and excited about the new week coming up. This is just a short post this morning, but with BIG hopes... Last week, in one of the forums, there was a discussion on whether an image I loved was a "wow" print or not and as so often happens in online forums, the discussion got completely off track. My good buddy, Michael Corsentino, responded and wrote something that just stuck with me... "Let's all spend a little more time letting the strength of our own work do the speaking for us and a little less time tearing down other photographer's work." We're all part of an amazing industry and it thrives for each of us when we stay focused on the positive. Each of us has a responsibility to support the craft with our own artist's oath. It's not a perfect world. We won't always agree, but we've got to support each other and the quest for the ultimate image and experience. I found a quote of Albert Schweitzer's that just fits this morning... "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." Wishing everybody a wonderful Sunday and as always, hug somebody special and let them know how important they are in your life!
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There have been a lot of posts over the years by me and a number of guests about giving back. Each of us have been involved in some sort of community challenge to raise funds and awareness for a special project of charity. This morning's post is hopefully going to help me accomplish two different things.
First, for those of you looking for creative ideas, this is a kick. There are a number of local charities involved and it's all for one intense 24 hour period. Even more fun are the additional prizes, most donations from out of the country, most American with the biggest number of states represented and the list goes on and on. It's all about online reach and utilizing social media. What I love about this is the way it could play out for so many of you, if you were willing to organize an event like this in your community. Jerry Lewis started it years ago with the telethons and this is going to have all the same excitement, but on a more localized level. Social media today gives us a level of reach that Jerry's Kids would have killed to have when he first started the TV telethons in 1966. Second, I've got a personal stake in this! The Friendship Centers have played a huge role in our lives, starting with the Thursday morning caregiver support group I used to go to with my Dad. The challenge was dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's and there's no single group of people who could have been more helpful than our friends in the Thursday morning sessions. Since then I've been working with them on their podcasts, website, Facebook page and Blog, but I need your help. We've got a chance to win some additional funding for most states represented in the Giving Challenge along with most countries and out of everybody involved I seem to have the widest reach! So, if you're looking for a great group to make a donation to, I'll have the link posted started at 12:01 p.m. EST on Tuesday. No pressure and nothing like your friends who hit you up once a year for Girl Scout cookies! It's just a fun way to raise awareness for an amazing group of people helping the community! As always, wishing everybody a wonderful weekend and one filled with great friends and family. Don't forget to hug somebody special today! And, if you want to find out more about the giving challenge, just click the banner below. Earlier this week I posted an image of Carey Nash's that to me was simply a "wow" print. A "wow" print is any image that gets you to stop and take notice - it can be whimsical, serious or artistic. For me personally, it's usually so strong that I'd consider having it on a wall in my home, even though I had no connection to the subject. All of this is based on personal taste, but in one of the forums a discussion took off that picked the image apart. At least one photographer felt it was far from perfect with blown out highlights and shadows under the eyes of the bride. It looked "gimmicky and contrived". Anyway, the discussion went on long enough and eventually morphed into the topic of print competition. I decided to take the topics discussed as a post this morning, to hopefully help a few of you get back on track.
Carey, when asked how the bride felt about it commented, "...she really loves it and shares it often." and there's one more definition of a "wow" print - it's about marketing and sharing. Nothing will help you build your business faster than exceeding client expectations, making your work habit-forming and having clients share your work with other potential clients! All of us have at least one good friend who inspires us. In my case I've got a few of them, although the older l get the more I redefine the difference between really good friends and friends who are just good acquaintances. Well, this morning I want to talk about two really good friends, Michele Celentano and her husband Paul. If you've heard Michele speak or been fortunate enough to take one of her workshops, then you already understand her ability to motivate and help you take your work to a higher level. Well, meet Michele and Paul's refrigerator door above. I think I've discovered her secret...she's got great magnets! "Don't be pushed by your problems be led by your dreams." "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." "It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Notice a trend in her themes? This is the stuff that Michele and Paul live by. It's not just about having a few cute expressions you found on a magnet, but paying attention to what they say. In yesterday's post I talked about getting the negative people out of your life, well today is just a reminder to cherish those positive people who cross your path. Remember to bring new people into your network who are positive, motivational and help you focus on the courage you need to face the challenges of your business. They can help you grow your skill set and create the kind of life you aspire to have. Most important of all they add a richness to your life. There's a special sense of peace and consistency they can add to your otherwise hectic world. Just like a great chef working with incredible spices and seasonings, great friends are the spice of life that turns each day into something amazing. The bottom magnet is pretty hard to read in that shot, but here's what it says, Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow," Wishing everybody a terrific Thursday and one filled with new friendships that grow and help you flourish!
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