There is only one way to avoid criticism:
Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.
Aristotle

by Skip Cohen

I read Aristotle's quote the other day, and it stuck with me. Why? Because it describes what so many of us do so often, especially in today's political climate. And in cyberspace, especially, it's easier to just be quiet than deal with the abuse after the fact.

What amazes me is how often somebody's waving a banner based on something they've read on the Internet, and it's all fake, created to capture followers. For example, there was a post, complete with photographs, of Nancy Guthrie's body being found two days ago. The story suggested foul play involving greed and an inheritance battle within the family. It was all a fabrication.

If you question some of these supposedly legitimate posts, you get shot at by the trolls. These days, avoiding people who want to be trolls is almost impossible. In fact, we've all discovered we have friends who have turned into political warriors, doing their best to right-fight their way into contradicting what we believe.

I didn't start out writing to share things you already know about the challenges involved in having an opinion these days. Just an effort to remind you that you're not alone and don't shut down expressing yourself just to avoid criticism. But there are some people with ignoring - all listed in today's illustration above.

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend and time to chill. That doesn't mean you have to be quiet; just stop doom-scrolling and stop listening to people who don't have their facts straight.

The quote below, even though I've shared it before, is so on point for today:

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.
Abraham Lincoln

One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter.
Françoise Sagan

by Skip Cohen

From Google AI: The phrase "laughter is the best medicine" is a widely recognized idiom suggesting that humor and joy have therapeutic benefits for physical and mental health. 

The world is upside down, the economy is uncertain, we've pissed off Mother Nature, and we've got a government that's forgotten about "We the People," but that doesn't change the responsibility each of us has for our own health and immediate environment. Nothing helps improve life more than laughter!

After reading the quote above, I stepped away from "doom-scrolling" and wandered through my archives, both on my computer and on my phone. I grabbed a few of my favorites in screenshots. As I expected, each shot brought back memories. Within a few minutes I had a huge smile on my face, and, like a lunatic, I found myself laughing out loud!

The key to unlocking the grip the outside world had on my heart this morning was my collection of photographs from past good times. My Houdini-like escape from the clutches of current events and things everybody keeps telling me I should worry about was all thanks to good friends, Sheila, two pups, and laughter.

You can't put your head in the sand regarding what's going on in the outside world, but you can laugh at it whenever an opportunity comes by. One of the things we like about "Nightly News with Tom Llamas" is that they always close the broadcast with something good going on in the world. It leaves you with a choice to make - be "Chicken Little" and panic over the sky falling, or grab a handful of Alfred E. Neuman philosophy and take a break from worrying about things you can't control.

That brings me full circle to my point - too many of us are taking life too seriously. I'm just as aggravated over current events as anybody else, but I want to take the time to smell the roses and appreciate all the things in life that still make me smile. It's the one way to keep the trolls of the world  from winning!

Wishing everybody an outstanding weekend ahead. Take the time to laugh, but more importantly, pay attention to the people who make you smile. They're the ones you enjoy the most. You need to focus on how they contribute to making your life unique and something to cherish every day!

Happy Friday!

You have to be at peace with yourself. I love to laugh. I think laughter can cure.
You can see it in a person's face. Around age forty, when your face has lost the glow of youth,
what you are inside starts to form on the outside. Either the lines go up or they go down.
If they go up, that's a good sign.
Elizabeth Taylor

by Skip Cohen

The expression about diving your plan comes from scuba diving. Your time underwater is valuable and limited, so you always want to make the most of it. The same thing applies to any convention or workshop you're headed to in the months ahead. You want to maximize your investment and get the most out of every trip.

It's Throwback Thursday, so I thought I'd have some fun with convention shots over the last ten years. And I'm combining my "albums" with a post out of the SCU archives to help you get the most out of every conference you attend, starting with IUSA next week. ​ Check out more photographs below.

1. Why are you going to this convention? It might sound like a stupid question, but some of you go to party, others to buy, and more of you to learn and network. Figure out what the most important thing is you want to get out of the show before you get there.
2. Check the weather forecast wherever you're headed! It's pretty obvious we've aggravated Mother Nature this year around the country. You're going to be out in the evening, so pack accordingly. I know this seems so basic, but I'm amazed at how many people never check a couple of days before.
3. What companies do you need to visit? Take a few minutes and look around your office, studio, or the trunk of your car. Isolate every product you use as a photographer and list its manufacturer. Now, look at every company whose services you use. Your lab, frame company, web design, album company, etc., should all be on the list. Your first goal BEFORE you get to the show is to isolate every company that's involved in your business. ​Here's the link to the IUSA list for next week.
4. New products and companies: Are there products you need for your business or new services you require?  For example, you've read posts about Marathon's Bella Art Prints and Albums here on the SCU blog. Make it a point to stop by Marathon (booth 347) to check out their complete product line and services.
5. Walk through the print exhibit. This is a terrific time to get a feel for imaging trends, as you'll see just about everything in the prints submitted for competition.
6. Walk the trade show, aisle by aisle! One of the best things about any convention is finding out about companies you may not have worked with before! Start in one corner of the show and work your way through EVERY company exhibiting, even if they're showing products you don't use.
7. Wear comfortable shoes!
8. Make plans for breakfast and dinner meetings NOW. Nothing beats time with old friends, as well as new ones. Never eat a meal alone! When it comes to dinner reservations, they don't come easy in any convention town, especially like a venue like the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. If you're heading out for dinner, it helps to know where and when you're going. Think about making a couple of reservations in advance, even if you don't know who you'll be having dinner with!
9. Update your phone book! Make sure you have the cell numbers for friends and associates you want to catch up with. There are few things as frustrating as wanting to meet somebody at a convention, but you've got no way to contact them.
10. Put the "social" into social media. So many of you have friends you talk to all the time online, but have never met in person. You hang out in various forums with them and share a lot of great discussions about photography. Check who's going to the convention you're headed to and set up a time to get together. It's a lot of fun to physically meet people whom you've talked to regularly, but only in cyberspace!
11. Check out the special programming going on in the various booths.
12. You snooze, you lose! Look, I was young and stupid once, too, and there are few things as fun as going out with friends and bar-hopping. However, you're at the show for a reason, and if you need to sleep in late the following morning, your evening out with friends might become the most expensive BAD investment you can make if you miss appointments or presentations you had planned to attend.
13. "Growth only happens outside your comfort zone!" Review the programming and decide in advance which speakers you want to hear. Plus, always pick at least 1-2 programs entirely out of your comfort zone. 
14. Call your insurance agent! If you're taking any serious gear with you, check to make sure you're adequately insured. I remember one year, a woman left all her camera gear in her room but didn't check to make sure the door closed completely when she went out for dinner. Everything was gone when she got back, and she was NOT covered by her insurance. Another photographer had two lenses lifted out of his camera bag while he was listening to a presentation.
15. Publish a couple of press releases! Let's talk about those pictures you're taking while at the show - use them for your own publicity campaign. For example, let's assume you want to expand your business and you're attending a few programs outside your comfort zone. Get a photo of you and the speaker, then write a short post about expanding your business into that new area of expertise. The same goes for any new equipment you might be considering buying at the show. A large-format printer, for example, would be a great topic for expanding your services to the community. In the same respect, working with a new lab would give you access to new products to talk about.
16. Utilize their assets without depleting yours! Get yourself approved for a leasing or a higher credit line before you leave for the convention. If you're going there to shop for new gear, it's so much easier when you know what you can afford before you hit the trade show floor.
17. Talk to the people around you when you attend any program. A photography convention is unique because you're all there for the same reasons. Make it a point to get to know the people sitting on either side of you. It's amazing what you can learn by just talking to each other.
18. Talk to the icons! I'm always amazed by how many of you are intimidated by your favorite photographers. The truth is, they're there to teach and meet other photographers interested in their work. Just walk up, introduce yourself, and thank them for whatever inspiration they've given you. They don't bite!
19. Analysis Paralysis: Take time at the end of each day, before your head hits the pillow, to do a quick overview of who you saw, what you learned, and what companies you can scratch off your list. If you wait until you get home after the convention, it will be too late!

The one thing I find most frustrating with attendees at a big convention is that they just haven't planned their trip. They got their tickets and made it to Nashville or Vegas, but then everything fell apart. Plan your experience so you're not wasting time and, even more important, your money.

Like the main rule in scuba diving...Plan your dive, dive your plan!

by Skip Cohen

It's December 16 and the end of the year is just two weeks away. You're down to the wire wrapping up what's been a challenging year for everybody. If anybody that tells you they had a great year and "it was so easy,"  they're lying to you. However, a lot of photographers are saying "It was a good year, but I never worked so hard in my life!"

Well, with two weeks to go, here's a different way to look at the year...

I've written a lot about "Walk the Talk" books over the years. They're short motivational books you typically see in the business section at a bookstore. Sometimes they're by the register. They may be small, but they pack a powerful punch. I was just looking at Finish Strong and found a couple of great quotes:

"It doesn't matter where you've been, it only matters where you are going."
Brian Tracy

"Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes."
Dr. James Dobson

"Slug day" can refer to a day of low energy or routine disruption...
Google AI

by Skip Cohen

It may be Black Friday to most of the country, but for us, it's the perfect slug day. It's taken years for us to perfect and develop a planned routine of simply not planning and taking time to do just about nothing. We've made it into a science, and it starts with "Spa Radio" from Pandora playing throughout the house, and with a chilly morning in Florida, the fireplace has its first taste of winter going right now.

Sheila and I will do our usual breakfast, spend some time with the pups, and then it's open season on anything that doesn't require deep thought or maximum energy. We might do a little light Internet shopping for holiday gifts, maybe watch a movie, and most important of all, just appreciate the post-Thanksgiving Day mood that finished yesterday with Sheila's pumpkin roll.

Okay, you've got the picture, but here's the most essential part of a successful slug day - recognizing you need a break. It's not about being overworked, but about being overloaded with whatever issues get in the way of making our hearts soar. And as sappy and hokey as that sounds, think about it for a minute.

Every day, we should start out fresh, with renewed energy and optimism. But life doesn't work that way, and it's tough to keep your head clear. I have a hard time compartmentalizing a variety of issues. Just like the "monkey on your back," when you've procrastinated too long on doing a specific project, it's hard for me to get away from whatever is causing more stress.

So, Sheila introduced me to the concept of "Slug Day."  After all these years together, I've finally mastered the technique. I know if your business is exclusive to the retail world, it's impossible to make today a slug day, but that doesn't mean you can't plan one for the near future. You need that respite to keep your creative juices flowing!

Wishing everybody a day and weekend ahead with time to kick back and appreciate everything and everyone in your life. Hopefully, you can enjoy the holiday weekend with a clear head and the energy to put all the challenges in your life aside for a day and recharge, smiling more and bitching less.

​Happy Friday... and if you're headed home by car or plane after Thanksgiving, stay safe, be patient, and take your time.

Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school.
But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
Muhammad Ali

by Skip Cohen

It's not only Hump Day, but the day before Thanksgiving. There was also a beautiful sunrise this morning.  Combined with the season, I was already in an intro and retrospective mood when I ran across the quote above in Lou Mitchell's book, Positive Thinking...One Day at a Time. 

While I'm grateful for the incredible friendships I have all year long, this time of year I tend to think about them far more often and with greater intensity. There's that old line, "It takes a village." My village over the years has been blessed with some incredible people and, in turn, great friendships.

Here's the bottom line to today's short post...I'm so grateful for the friendships I've made in my life and especially over almost 56 years in this industry. Whether casual acquaintances or friends I'd donate a kidney to, it makes no difference... each person has contributed to my life today.

I've used this quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson many times in other posts: "I am a part of all that I have met." Everyone I've met over the years has become a part of me. We're all pieces of everyone's life-puzzle. And like a puzzle, some pieces are bigger than others, but they're all necessary for the complete picture of who we are.

Lou Mitchell went on to write:

Friendship is one of life's greatest mysteries, a bond that defies simple explanations. It's not taught in textbooks or classrooms but learned through shared experiences, trust, and mutual respect. Understanding the true meaning of friendship is essential because it forms the foundation of our emotional and social well-being. It teaches us empathy, loyalty, and love.

Wishing everybody a terrific Thanksgiving. If you're traveling, be safe and patient. Take the time to join me and think about all the friends in your life and how they've had an impact. Then, think about how you can remind them of the role they've played in your life.
​
Happy Hump Day...and Thanksgiving too!

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘
What! You too? I thought I was the only one.
​C.S. Lewis

by Skip Cohen
​
Yesterday I was interviewed by a writer for an excellent company that specializes in AI. They're working on a white paper document with contributors from a variety of different fields. I'm a big fan of AI, but I get frustrated with many of you. Some of you either see AI as the cure-all for everything you're missing, or you go the other way and worry about AI replacing your skills.

Any time I've ever been interviewed, been a podcast guest, etc., there are always things I think about after my initial unrehearsed responses. I've been thinking a lot about my conversation yesterday and my opinions on AI, which at times were more negative than positive.

The truth is, the combination of AI with many of the old standards gives a business owner the perfect tools to expand reach, customer loyalty and build more brand awareness. What I hate is the way so many businesses act like AI will make up for their incompetence in other areas, especially marketing.

As business owners, you still have to build relationships. You still need integrity to build trust, keep your promises, deliver on time, and exceed expectations! In fact, in a world that's driven by text messages and social media, that personal analog touch is even more important. Photography is still a word-of-mouth business, especially when it comes to Customer Service.

And as far as being replaced by AI, you still have to tell the client's story. Whether in an album or an individual print, clients are trusting you to see the world through their eyes. 

Technology never slows down, and you have to keep up with all the trends and ways to grow your skill set, but from my perspective, the demand will continue to be there for artists who listen to their clients. Ed Foreman, a motivational/marketing speaker many years ago, gave me some of the very best advice:

"If I can see the world through my client's eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys!" It's a great concept, going well beyond the old line of "put yourself in their shoes." You have to understand what people in your target audience love most, what they worry about, and what/who are most important to them.

Years ago, I did a podcast interview with Mary Ellen Mark. She talked about covering the screen on the back of everyone's camera and forcing them to shoot like they were working with film. Why? Because she wanted people to stop "chimping" to see if they got the shot. The reality is, the real emotion in an image might have happened after the photographer moved on! For example, a grandmother hugging her granddaughter, a bride. What if the most powerful shot wasn't the hug, but the tear in Grandma's eyes a minute or two after the hug? If the photographer chimped and moved on, that special moment was missed.

The bottom line, AI is an incredible asset to understand, but don't rule out some very old-school approaches. From direct mail to pounding the pavement in your community, to relationship building and keeping in touch with your clients past, present, and future...the heart of your business is still YOU!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Veteran's Day, and while parts of this post I shared many years ago, it's still great to bring back. 

My Dad was part of the "Greatest Generation," serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Like so many veterans, while he saw action in the Pacific, he rarely talked about it. However, there were a few stories he shared over the years.

Dad played the trumpet all through high school and college until he dropped out to serve after Pearl Harbor. That's Dad in one of the Army Air Corps bands above, second from the right in front of the drummer. 

On a hot, humid day in New Guinea in the 1940s, his CO was looking for musicians. Dad's hand to volunteer couldn't have gone up faster, thinking he was about to score some light duty. All those years playing the trumpet were about to pay off! NOT - for the next three days, he was part of a crew moving pianos for Bob Hope and a USO show!

Dad was initially trained as a pilot but wound up with a perforated eardrum. That changed his role, limiting his time in the air. He spent a good part of the war in the tower at the airfield. One story he told me was about his CO near the end of the war. They regularly sent out planes to calibrate the radar. Just as Dad was getting ready to head out and fly with one of the calibration crews, his CO held him back so he could go himself. Dad was pissed that he got out-ranked and had to stay in the tower. Well, the plane never returned!

That one event gave Dad a whole new philosophy on everything from destiny to dealing with disappointment to believing in divine intervention. Growing up, whenever I was disappointed over something big or small, Dad would remind me, "Everything always works out for the better!"

A year before Dad passed away, we joined HonorFlight.org and went to Washington. I remember Dad sitting with a group of veterans who were also on the trip. Dad was based in the Asia Pacific, and they had all been on the European front. Somebody asked Dad if he ever got to meet General MacArthur. I loved his answer, "No, but I brought in his plane a few times!"
​
So, to our son Brian, who's serving now, Uncle Randy who passed away last year, my Dad who left us in 2015, and all my friends and associates who served in Viet Nam or have family in the military now, I'm not only writing the longest run-on sentence I've ever published, but sharing a big heartfelt thank you!

On this Veteran's Day morning, I wish everybody a day of peace—not just inner peace with your life, but the kind our veterans have fought to preserve. Take the time to hug a veteran today and remind them of your appreciation for the sacrifices they made. And, to every parent who joins us with family in the military today - "thank you" is such an understatement.

If you've got a veteran in the family, especially if they're in their 70s or older, check out HonorFlight.org. It's a fantastic group with one goal: to show the appreciation all our veterans deserve and get them to Washington for one more "tour." Just click on the HonorFlight logo below for more information.

You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know.
Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
Anthony Robbins

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday and I like to keep it short. When I saw the quote above I couldn't help but think about the political mess the U.S. is in. This isn't about being on the Left or Right.

​If any of us ran our businesses the way Congress is acting now, we'd be out of business. I recognize it's easy to be on the outside and criticize, but we've got a government that's forgotten about We the People!

Think about a customer service problem you might have had in your business that simply wasn't your fault. Instead of pointing fingers and doing nothing, you took action and fixed it, because that's what the customer expected. It's what you needed to do to build loyalty and grow your business. You were a problem solver and didn't let complacency get in the way.

I'm back to not watching the news because I'm tired of all the finger-pointing, the lies, the whining, and the complete disregard for the people. I'm tired of all the "fat cats" in Washington who do nothing but criticize and want to take away health benefits, cut back on the social security we've all spent a lifetime paying and take no responsibility for their inaction. 

Want to end the government shutdown? Stop paying the members of Congress! 

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've written nearly 200 blog posts on the importance of giving back to one's community. One thing I always write: you're looking for the community to be good to you, so you need to be good to your community.

My point today is about timing. At least in my lifetime, there has never been a greater need to support one's community.

It doesn't matter which "side" you're on in politics; the challenge is the same for all of us. We have a government that can't get its act together. At the same time, more people are out of work, costs for everything have increased, and programs that were previously in place to help have been cut back or discontinued altogether.

The fourth quarter officially begins tomorrow, and with it come numerous local opportunities for you to give back. From helping to feed the homeless to national programs like NILMDTS, the Alzheimer's Walk, and Toys for Tots, as well as volunteers participating in community events and special programs in schools, there's no shortage of ways for you to get more involved.

The challenge is that so many of you continue to procrastinate about getting involved. What's sad is that it's so easy to get started - it's not rocket science. It just takes a little focus...which you know all about when there's a camera in your hands!

I hope you'll take some time today and think about how you can give back and then take the first step...get involved!

by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. This morning, as I searched for images I hadn't shared before, I ran across a post from nine years ago. The message makes even more sense today!

We're living in a that's-good-enough world! Many products are manufactured with planned obsolescence, and they often have a shorter lifespan than what we're accustomed to. For example, in our own kitchen, since moving into this house nine years ago, appliances that used to last a lifetime have been replaced several times. And consider the Ford Mustang - you can't buy one right now because of three different recalls on the 2025 models that won't be resolved until 2026. Ford's slogan of "Quality is job one!" doesn't apply to very many products these days, including their own vehicles.

My good buddy Scott Bourne said once, "Shoot as if this is the last photograph of yours anybody will ever see!"

Here's the question of the day...What are people going to be saying about your photography years from now? How will your work be perceived?

Even though I've shared them before, I thought it would be fun to share a few classics of both my folks. Both of the older photographs were hand-colored and captured eighty to ninety years ago. The two more contemporary images were captured by Bambi Cantrell around 2008.   

But one of my favorite images out of the session she did with my folks is this one on the right. It was captured before Alzheimer's took control. We had no idea what the next few years would bring, but the love my folks had for each other is clearly what Bambi focused on.

Here's the bottom line - you owe your subjects the very best you can be. Never compromise on the quality of your work. The photographers we respect the most are the ones who capture the intangible spirit of the subject in addition to outstanding technical skills in exposure, composition and lighting.

Over the years, Beverly and Tim Walden have talked a lot about the value of a portrait. They're not creating a photograph, but a family heirloom to be handed down for generations to come. And the portrait session needs to be an experience, not just a few clicks of the shutter! Their advice to new photographers deserves repeating: 

Our advice to new photographers? Do less and do it exceptionally well! Narrow your focus to gain appeal.
All great artists are known for a style, a look that is their own. As you begin in this wonderful profession, be original, do what your heart loves, do it well and work towards mastering it.

So, what's the answer to the question of the day? Are you creating images that, years from now, your clients will look back on and smile, remembering the day you took their portrait? And will future generations look at your work and cherish the photographs, like I do of the portraits of my folks?

by Skip Cohen

​Today's post is miles away from being directly tied to photography, but it's about inspiration and breast cancer. The short backstory is that it was a post on Facebook by Chrisi Adamson. She's a member of the Memory Care Alliance who I first met almost a year ago. It's also a post that I wish I could make mandatory for everyone to read!

The post is about her fight with breast cancer. It's so inspirational that I'm running it like a public service message. I'm not sharing the video here, but the screenshot of Chrisi ringing the bell is enough to appreciate the message behind it.

And a BIG thanks to Chrisi for allowing me to share her story.

by Chrisi Adamson

I have held this video moment close to my heart for about three weeks. I am going to share because if this helps one lovely woman out there to go get a mammogram it was worth any discomfort that comes from sharing deeply personal things. It is also the closest way to attempt to thank everyone.

After a double mastectomy on 5/24/24, we found out I had IDC Triple Positive Breast Cancer; the tumor was found after surgery. 6/27/24 I started chemo and immunotherapy. There have been 30 infusions, so many trips to Moffitt, surgeries (with more to come), countless labs, a port, daily shots, bone pain, low white blood cell counts, scars (some you can see, some are just for me to carry), infection scares, poor blood supply to skin, hair loss, neuropathy, weight loss, weight gain, joint pain, menopause, depression, anxiety, deep fatigue, brain fog, and so much more.

Growing up my Gram would always say: “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Well, God and I have had many a chat. I have questioned if he has overestimated my strength but in the end I know Fanny Mae was right. It is not pretty but you keep moving. The only way out is through.
If I have learned anything through this, it is that extremes exist side by side.
​

• Where there was fear, anger and sadness, there was also such a deep love from family and friends. Love that moves mountains.
• Where there was pain and tears, I also found laughter. If you don’t laugh, you will cry. Ryan Adamson will forever have my heart for the love and laughter he used to get us through this. Love is real when you almost pee your pants while getting chemo!!
• Where there was isolation, I found that people from all walks of my life were there keeping me surrounded with love and strength. (And flowers, sweet treats, delivered meals, meal trains, blankets, books, PJs, clean products, tv suggestions, fun for the kids, gift cards, laundry services(!!)…the list could go on for days). When depression and anxiety tried to make me feel alone, I never lacked for someone to lean on.
• Where there was total chaos, my family found friends that are forever family now and family that never stopped showing up. They loved our children when we weren’t there to. They went to baseball tournaments, stocked the kitchen, took them to Sea World, had weekday sleepovers, did school pick ups, got them to school, studied for tests but most importantly their love and time let our kids be care free and unworried about cancer, scan results, levels, and recurrence rates.

If I listed 100 people, I would surely leave out 500 more. Every card, every text, every act got me and my family to where we are today. You are all so special.

Woah- see why I have never posted much?! It’s a lot. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Words will never do it justice. Also, my kids and husband are the bravest and strongest people I know.

On 7/17/25 I finished my active treatment! This video happened BECAUSE I went for my annual screenings. I felt nothing (couldn’t have), there was no pain, EVEN the screens missed the tumor found after surgery (I went in due too malignant microcalcifications). I thank God everyday for Moffitt, for screenings, for modern medicine and the research in treatment that makes my outcome so beautiful and real.

Get screened annually. It works, it matters, it’s worth it.

And for goodness sake if you ever need to talk, get facts, scream, or help a friend- reach out to me. I didn’t go through this alone and I am here to help so no one ever has to.

by Skip Cohen

I shared this concept three years ago. Since today, for some of you, is Monday, it's time to bring the first and second Tuesday concept back again!

I know it's all psychological, but Mondays always seem more challenging than the rest of the week, and it's not because we're always coming off of great weekends. It's like the "full-moon madness" you hear about in doctors' offices, hospitals, and jails when all the crazy things happen.

Sheila started laughing when I suggested Mondays should be canceled. Years ago, we discussed a simple solution: let's have two Tuesdays. Today is the first Tuesday, and tomorrow is second Tuesday. And, with minimal effort, I even found a calendar to reflect the concept! LOL

Until further notice, Mondays have been replaced by First Tuesdays. Again, it's all a head game, but it makes us laugh. Since laughter is clearly the best medicine, if nothing else, we'll go into the day with a better attitude. 

Hey, if you've followed me for even the shortest time, you already know I'm nuts!

​Happy First Tuesday!

by Skip Cohen

For nearly ten years, I've been involved at various levels with Sarasota's Senior Friendship Center. It started with helping my Dad as a caregiver for my mother, who was dealing with Alzheimer's, and has continued to evolve in various capacities and projects. As a result, I have access to a wealth of valuable information about aging. While it's not directly related to the business of imaging, aging is definitely a topic we all share in common.

Recently, the flyer below from the National Institute on Aging came across my desk with some other material. Except for my body creaking for ten minutes when I wake up in the morning, physically, I honestly don't feel much different than I did at 50.

My only issue has been occasional memory problems, usually names. At one point, because my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all had Alzheimer's, I went and got thoroughly tested. The results were negative on Alzheimer's. However, what I'm experiencing is considered a normal part of aging.

The bottom line is that we can't slow down the aging process, but we all need to stay in tune with the challenges it presents. The "Five Myths About Aging" says it all. Regardless of your age, you need sleep, exercise; remember depression is NOT part of aging; you can teach an old dog new tricks, and just because you forget things doesn't mean Alzheimer's is knocking on your door.

Wishing everybody a great rest of the week, which includes plenty of sleep, great new memories, a healthy outlook on life, and plenty of exercise!

Happy Tuesday!

by Skip Cohen

​Molly the Wonder Dog headed for the Rainbow Bridge six years ago this past February. And while Lucy and Belle have filled the hole in my heart, the roses blooming in "Molly's Garden" have kept so many memories alive.

Like most of you who have lost a pet, I spent the first few months devastated and thinking I could never make room in my heart again. I wrestled with what to do with her ashes and finally settled on a few rose bushes. This week, the one bush bloomed with the most roses I've had since I planted them.

The other two rose bushes didn't survive after being battered by several hurricanes, but the one, pictured on the right was somewhat protected. It's also the first bush planted and got the majority of Molly's ashes.

Memories are a wonderful thing. I've tried repeatedly over the years to grow roses, mostly because my grandmother had dozens of them across her backyard. Growing up and spending a lot of time with my grandparents, roses are one more memory-maker.

This is just a short post this morning with a reminder to cherish your pups, capture lots of images...and savor the memories they make with you and your family. Lucy is a lot like Molly and has her spirit, energy and even sense of humor! 

But I certainly haven't forgotten Molly. After all, she went to work with me every day in my WPPI and Rangefinder days. While I had to work to make the company owner understand the benefits of an unofficial mascot at work, nothing changed the amount of fun we had in the office when Molly was there.

She knew where everybody kept their Molly-treats. She'd make the rounds every morning and knew that stopping to see Bill Hurter meant she could jump on his lap and lick his face, while stopping by Marlene's desk meant her pads would be massaged. And whenever Ginny was feeling a little stressed, she'd be on the floor playing with Molly, which she once described as needing a "puppy fix."

by Skip Cohen

​I saw this piece posted on my FB notifications a few weeks ago. It hit me hard then, and I've since read it several times. For the most part, I've stayed out of the social media battles over the current state of America. I've stayed away from all the bullshit...even held back on commenting on all the fake news that people from both sides jump on. 

When I read this piece by Elayne Griffin Baker, written in 2020, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It's not just about the lack of joy but also about pride. I've watched friends withdraw; friends leave the country and done my best to search out the truth in the news, a virtually impossible task. 

The poem says it all...no need for me to comment further...and if it results in some of my readers no longer following me, our "friendship" would have disappeared sooner or later anyway.

There's no art in this White House.

There's no literature, no poetry, no music.

There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man's best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids science fairs.

No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants uniform and hides from Americans to play golf.

There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation.
No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport.
No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedy's playing touch football on the Cape.

Where'd that country go?

Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go?

We used to be a country that did the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised millions for charity.

​We used to have a President that calmed and soothed the nation instead of dividing it, and a First Lady who planted a garden instead of ripping one out.

We are rudderless and joyless.

We have lost the cultural aspect of society that make America great.

We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others.

The shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it.

The challenges and the triumps that we shared and celebrated.

The unique can-do spirit that America has always been known for.

We are lost.

We have lost so much in so short a time.

-Elayne Griffin Baker-​

My apologies to the author of this footnote below. It was on the FB notifications page with the poem above. If someone knows the author I'll update this post.

Across the world, we are watching the rise of strongmen who sneer at laughter unless it's aimed downward. Who confuse control with leadership. Who rip up gardens instead of planting seeds. And people feel it. Even if they can't name it, they know something is missing. The absence of joy is not visible. It's a heaviness that settles over everything. It's the dull ache of a country that no longer pauses to cheer for each other, to laugh, to mourn, to dream.

Without joy, what are we even fighting for? What are we building? Power alone is not a vision. Authority without empathy is not greatness. A nation without joy is not leading the world, it's warning it. So let's stop pretending this is just about policy.  The mood of a leader shapes the mood of a country. And when that tone is mean, vindictive, hollow, and cold, it spreads. It settles into the bones of a nation. People are not machines. We are not here only to consume, to obey, to win. We are here to live. To feel. To connect. And to make something beautiful together, even if just for a moment.

There's nothing more I can add...except that it's going to take each and everyone of us to get America back.

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.
There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.
Randy Armstrong

by Skip Cohen

​I started this series after reading a few great quotes I hadn't heard before. That led to wanting to share them, especially when they seemed relevant to many of today's challenges.
​
It's a short post going into what's about to become a pivotal weekend in America, June 14. With protests all over the country and an estimated 46 million dollars being spent on celebrating the army and Donald Trump's birthday, there's a lot I just don't understand.  Understanding is only half the challenge - because what we read or what's reported in the news can't be trusted.
 
Sheila and I have chosen to simply keep focused on our life together and what we can support or change. We're doing our best not to let the fear of the future interrupt our peace.  I heard a comment back in January from an unhappy photographer, "I'm just going to live in a snow globe for the next four years."  Well, our snow globe is our local community. 

I miss the America I've known most of my life. I miss respecting our government because it was made up of people smarter than us. Well, the true experts have been fired, and the country is being run by a group that has forgotten about being for the people. In fact, for our own businesses, most of us wouldn't hire the majority of the people we see in the news these days.

I'm trying hard not to make this into a political statement, and it's impossible. So, I'll wrap it up with another great quote.

We spend countless hours reading, listening to, and watching other people's opinions
about what we should do, how we should think, and how we should live,
but make comparatively little effort applying that knowledge and making it our own.
Tiago Forte

by Skip Cohen

I'm having some fun with great quotes, and the one above is one I shared 15 years ago on Facebook. I still hear people asking photographers, "What camera did you use?"  Even in a world being touched by AI, it still amazes me that there are people who think it's the gear that makes the image, when it still takes an artist's creativity.

So, the next time somebody asks you whose camera you use, there's a better answer.

Years ago, I was in Tucson when Richard Avedon turned over his archives to the Center for Creative Photography. His travel camera, which he loved to play with at the time, was an old-style Polaroid SX-70.

The death rate for people who play it safe and for people who live boldly is the same: 100%
Patti Dighi

Seriousness is overrated. If you want to achieve more without runing your life,
​the first step is to approach your work with a sense of play.
Ali Abdaaf

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and whatever I post, I like to keep it short. I ran across the two quotes above this morning, and they hit on a topic I've tried to live by for most of my adult life. Remember, I'm still a work in progress, so I haven't always gotten it right.

When I look back on different aspects of my career, the most significant and rewarding jobs/projects have always had an element of work-hard-play-hard. From those jobs have come incredible friendships and a network build on trust with some amazing people. The only thing I'll add to the sentiment of the two quotes today, is that there are so many of you whom I've met and talked with who are simply over-focused on the challenges in life.  As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't totally in it!

I'm not suggesting you take anything too lightly - but now and then, ease up a little and focus on what YOU need. What puts a smile on your face and makes your heart soar, even just a little bit? Who are the people in your life you wish you connected with more often? Who gets those eleven-second hugs I always write about on Sundays?

Happy Hump Day...and here's one more thought that ties in with today's theme...

You were born an original. Don't die a copy.
John Mason