by Skip Cohen

​Sometimes, inspiration shows up in the most unlikely places—like the back of a T-shirt! But it was the perfect sentiment at the Walk to End Alzheimer's last month.

"There is always light if only we're brave enough to see it ...if only we're brave enough to be it."

I wrote about Alzheimer's in a post a few weeks back. Losing my Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great-uncle to the horrible disease is a cause near and dear to my heart. It's the foundation for my newest "adventure," working with the Memory Care Alliance to help caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's.

But today's post isn't just about Alzheimer's; it's about finding a non-profit cause you believe in. Between Mother Nature's wrath and politics, the world has become a very scary, at times terrifying place. I know we're not the only ones who watch the news and want to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads!

The one way to beat dealing with those challenges we have no control over is to get involved in something that, by giving back, lifts your spirits and makes a difference. I loved this guy's t-shirt because it says so much in the simplicity of the message - brave enough to see the light and strong enough to help be the light!

It's December and holiday time - every non-profit needs help. Plus, you're looking for your community to be good to you - so you need to be good to your community. You're not just another retailer; one way to stand out even more is to be involved.

​Think about it for just a second - if everybody we know just gave back a little to their favorite non-profit, how much could we all help change the world?

by Skip Cohen

​In yesterday's post, I mentioned the importance of not being afraid to "hit the help button" when you need it. Since then, I've encountered multiple references to asking for help. The best was from author Cyndie Spiegel.

"ASKING FOR HELP IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH...Learn to ask for help. There is no prize for being the most independent. Asking for what you need is a sign of strength: it demonstrates a willingness to take better care of yourself and those you love by seeking the best possible help. In the same you'd willingly advocate for others, do the same for yourself."

We're ramping up into the 2024 peak of seasonality in imaging, and everyone will face unexpected challenges at some point. When that happens, stop thinking you have to solve every problem flying solo.​

"You are not alone: There is a great big world out there waiting to champion you and help you live your very best life."

​by Skip Cohen

Years ago, I came across the image below. It's a classic, and before I used it in a blog post to make a point, I did a little digging and talked to the company that owned the photograph.

I wrote: Searching for the copyright, Davidson & Company, out of Atlanta, came up as owning the image. It took a little time to explain to one of their staff, who had no idea what I was talking about. Think about how it sounded answering the phone and hearing, "I'm trying to track down the company that owns the right to the shot of a guy with his head up his butt. Are you the Davidson & Company who owns it?"

A few minutes later, I was on the phone with Ken Davidson, and not only did he give me the okay to use it, but he also shared a little of the backstory. The story adds to my appreciation for the journey so many of us have been on in this industry. The image was shot on film and manipulated with conventional retouching. It was created for a commercial client in the late 1980s!

Last week, I received a comment from Michael Washak, the photographer who took the original image. He saw my post from last May about the photograph. Remember, this was captured/created long before Photoshop. But even with Photoshop today, the quality and realism of the original have not been duplicated.

I contacted Michael for permission to share his comment in a blog post. One great phone call later, I had more of the history behind this classic image. He wrote:

I'm the photographer who, while working for Davidson & Co, took the original images. The lower body and background were taken in one shot. Our larger sales rep was photographed from behind. The arms and upper body were photographed from above. The thinner upper body was the retouch artist who used his airbrush skills to blend the two images and painted the seem lines in the pants.

The original images were photographed in black and white using a Hasselblad 500cm 120 film camera. The base print was done in a conventional darkroom using a rubylith mask to separately print each part. Then the conventional retouch artist did his work.

The reason the image looks so convincing, and has not been effectively replicated, is that back then, before photoshop, I became skilled at photographing elements in perspective to build images from individual parts. In the 90s Davidson went digital and their portfolio is now legendary.

Here's my point: We've become so used to looking at the magic artists have created that we forget it's more than just clicking a button or two in Photoshop. We take for granted the skills involved in creating stunning images. And while I often write about great professional photographers being magicians, it's still remarkable to hear the backstories.

Eight years ago, I started the "Why?" series specifically to introduce you to some of the industry's great artists and one of their favorite images. While I slowed down a lot in adding more artists, there are now over 130 photographers featured in the project. Just click on the button below and check out some of the most respected artists in photography.
​
Take the time to follow up on the backstories behind your favorite images. You'll meet some amazing people in the process, and even better, you just might pick up a few skills to help you in your own search for creating the ultimate image!

by Skip Cohen

​In early September, I decided to make a change in my life. I'm not stepping away from my love for this industry, but I'm cutting back a little to make time for working with the Memory Care Alliance, helping families and patients with Alzheimer's.

The Memory Care Alliance is the vision of one of Sarasota's most respected neurologists, Dr. Mauricio Concha. He runs the Intercoastal Memory Clinic, which launched the Alliance, a community-based network of compassionate and experienced providers dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for patients and families dealing with Alzheimer's. The members are neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, geriatric care managers, home health care agencies, adult day care, support groups, respite care, and legal counseling. 

On the group's private Facebook page, I decided each week to share a new stock image from Adobe that results from a one-word search, "Alzheimer's."  There are hundreds of photos, from the most abstract A.I. created to more personal ones like the four above.

Today, when I posted the first picture in the top left, I realized why I liked it so much. It may be one of the most real. I have dozens just like it of Sheila and my mother, who was fighting the battle with Alzheimer's.

Heading into the craziness of holiday seasonality and the stress, anxiety, and excitement that comes along with this time of year - take a minute and think about something. Where would the world be without photography?

In those moments ahead, when you feel like you're out of bandwidth, take time to pat yourself on the back. As a professional photographer, you've become an accomplished magician and learned to stop time. You help people turn intangible memories into tangible moments they can hold in their hands and cherish for a lifetime!

Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, robbing us of our loved ones, literally as we watch. I couldn't be more excited to be working on this new project, but at the same time, I'm so proud to be part of the imaging industry that I stumbled into a lifetime ago.
​
In those most difficult years of dealing with Alzheimer's and my Mom, one of her most favorite activities was looking through old albums. With each turn of the page, so many memories came flowing back. Mom might not have remembered where she even was, but could tell you the names and stories behind each photograph.

by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday, but I wanted to look back at more than just a few old photographs.

When we were kids, nothing could surpass our imaginations. A new refrigerator meant the box it came in was the perfect fort. Blankets over a table became a castle. We improvised with whatever was available and simply created one Hollywood set after another. There was no limit to how far we could travel on our magic carpet.

As we got older, we learned to color inside the lines, and Peter Pan had to grow up sooner or later. We learned to keep things "real" and dreaming of becoming whoever and whatever we aspired to needed to be within reason. Dreams became "visions" - a vision being on the practical side of accomplishments. And when asked what you want to be when you grow up, responses like "a cowboy" or "run away and join the circus" morphed into more practical vocations.

Note: That's me at four years old. I never got to join the circus, but managing a rodeo team for Polaroid in the 80s was pretty damn close to becoming a cowboy. And for you older rodeo fans, that's world champion bull-rider, the legendaryTuff Hedeman next to me, and the big guy in the middle of the back row is Rod Lyman, who years later became president of the PRCA.

Somewhere in the aging process, creativity returned. Driven by time, we realized that being practical and following the rules was hampering our creative juices. In the world of imaging, technology seems to have heard our cry for help. Sitting down at a computer with an image, we could tweak it and break all the rules of lighting, composition, and exposure. 

Social media gave us the ability to expand our reach with new friends and concepts and literally go to the ends of the earth whenever we wanted. Dreams of what our life could be like came back into focus as we became increasingly aware that life was whatever we made of it.

"You have to color outside the lines once in awhile, if you want to make your life a masterpiece."
Albert Einstein

Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

I started to write a long post about being better prepared for any kind of disaster. Following "Milton," we were without power for longer than any storm previously; our cells had no signal; I didn't have enough gas to run the generator without having to search for a gas station with both electricity and fuel; and there was a lot of clean-up needed outside the house.

I worked on the blog post for about an hour and then trashed it. I was embarrassed to be whining about the importance of being better prepared when so many people are in far worse shape. From the horrific tragedy in North Carolina to homes that were destroyed just eight miles from here - Mother Nature's been on a rampage, and that's only in the last couple of weeks in this area. 

When talking with friends about the various tragedies, my buddy Bob Coates mentioned the World Central Kitchen. The link is below, but I also did some searching and found three other organizations that are doing a lot to support each crisis. More information is just a click away below.​

And don't forget the local chapters of nonprofit support groups specific to your area. There's no such thing as too much support!

At some point, I'll probably write a more detailed post about protecting your business from a disaster, but for now, there are so many people who need our help. We all rationalize in a disaster, recognizing that if we're alive and our family is safe, that's what's most important. That's definitely number one, but rebuilding, recovery and survival are next in line behind the safety of the people we love. 

It doesn't matter what you give, how big or small—the point is that you're giving back to people who need help more than you do.

If you want to feel rich, think about all the things you have that money can't buy!
Anon

Sending prayers and positive thoughts to everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton and especially those north of us who are months, if not years, away from recovering from the last storm.

by Skip Cohen
​
It's definitely a TGIF day - not because it's the end of the week, but the storm is over, at least here in the Sarasota area. We were lucky - Hurricane Helene turned more north. But for so many of you, we're sending our thoughts and prayers. We may not have gotten hit with the full force, but what we did get left us with complete respect for the power of Mother Nature - high winds, rain, and tornado warnings repeatedly.

As I watched the hurricane roll in and worried about our safety and home, I got a little philosophical. I started thinking about this one set of Crepe Myrtle flowers fighting to hang on. The tree started the season covered in hundreds of blooms, yet this one group was all that was left.

At the risk of sounding outrageously trite, like an old Jack Handy routine from Saturday Night Live, I started thinking about business. What gives some people a survival instinct so strong that they're determined to pivot, grow, and stay in tune with the demand for their services? Yet, others slowly slip away and eventually cease to exist. They give up.

Okay, it's a reach to connect, but think about your passion for photography. If you've been a working pro for at least five years, you've survived a pandemic, changes in technology, consumer trends, and countless challenges in competition. You've grown because you didn't slow down. You kept searching for the right recipe to continue doing something you love no matter what the "weather".

In most cases, you never slowed down, continuing to fine-tune your skills and build relationships. I've written repeatedly over the years you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. Well, your heart's still in it!

I loved the quote below when I went searching for statements about survival. And when I think about friends who maintain a positive attitude, no matter what life throws at them, they all include these three simple rules along with their indomitable spirit.

Three Simple Rules in Life
1. If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it.
2. if you don't ask, the answer is always no.
3. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.
Unknown Author

Wishing everybody a great weekend ahead; prayers and positive thoughts if you're currently in Helene's path and time to give yourself a pat on the back. Whatever your goals in life, every day is an opportunity to bring them more into focus because you just won't give up on your dreams.

TGIF

"The Last Survivor" - Captured with a LUMIX G9 and 14-140mm lens

Steven Gotz: ​This was one of my favorites—he took family portraits as well as some of his zoo images, pulled the color, and turned them into line art for coloring books for his clients. Remember, back then, everyone was hunkered down at home, and if you had young children, they needed something more to do. I loved the idea then and even more today—think about the fun of sending a client a coloring book of their family shoot, headshots, etc. 

Here's my point today—no matter how tough the challenges, even heading into the complete unknown of Hurricane Helene, we can only do the best we can. We're prepared, evacuating if it becomes mandatory, and doing everything we can to reduce the element of surprise...and fear. Best of all, we've got some great neighbors, and we know we'll all help each other with whatever Mother Nature has in store.

Meanwhile, we're doing what everybody does in South Florida - wait it out and say our prayers...and for everyone north of us where the latest tracking information says Helene is headed - our thoughts and prayers are with you as well.

Be safe and if there's a mandatory evacuation, remember, if you stay, you're the lowest priority if you need help during the storm.


*LUMIX FZ300: ISO 100 f2.8 @ 1/125 (It's an older camera in Panasonic's line with a fixed zoom lens.) 

by Skip Cohen

​This is probably the shortest post I've ever shared.  I simply loved the quote. There's nothing more that needed to be added.

*From A Year of Positive Thinking, by Cyndie Spiegel

by Skip Cohen

A conversation with a photographer recently set the stage for this morning's post. He's struggling to get involved in a non-profit in his community. In overthinking which one to join, he's procrastinated his way into not doing anything.

While I've written a lot over the years about the importance of giving back to your community to build brand awareness, it all starts with what's in your heart and has nothing to do with your business. You have to find that cause that pulls at your own heartstrings first.

For example, we moved to Florida to help my Dad through my mother's fight with Alzheimer's. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of this horrible disease. Being involved in the fight against Alzheimer's is my way of paying tribute to my family; keeping my Mom's spirit alive and has nothing to do with my business. 

I've always believed everything happens for a reason. Whether it's true or just how our mind rationalizes our choices in life, my favorite quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met," couldn't be more accurate. Everything that happens in our life, everybody we meet, and every challenge, victory, and defeat contribute to our journey. My mother's fight with Alzheimer's took me to the Senior Friendship Center in 2011. It started with my Dad and me joining the Caregiver Support Group, which led to me helping them build a blog, then a podcast series, and almost six years on their Board.  Last week, I joined the Memory Care Alliance, expanding my involvement in the fight against Alzheimer's.

The Memory Care Alliance is the vision of one of Sarasota's most respected neurologists. It's a community-based network of compassionate and experienced providers dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for patients and families dealing with Alzheimer's. The members are neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, geriatric care managers, home health care agencies, adult day care, support groups, respite care, and legal counseling.

It's Marketing Monday, but in all honesty, however you choose to be more involved in your community starts with having nothing to do with marketing or building your brand. It's about expanding your heart, and the theme of today's post is, "Together we make a difference."

Take some time to think about the challenges you and your family have experienced. Just about every challenge any of us have ever faced has a cause-related non-profit organization associated with support for people experiencing the same difficulty. Listen to your heart first, get involved, and then you can build brand awareness around your giving back.

Marketing is about brand building. It requires a huge commitment and establishing and never-ending stream of awareness with your target audience. Professional photography isn't just about capturing great images, but creating an experience with each client. It's about exceeding their expectations and, as I've written so many times, making yourself habit-forming.

Too many artists focus on pricing and promotional packages, putting less emphasis on everything else in their business. Building a strong brand needs to obviously include a technical skill set for capturing stunning images and telling a client's story, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Trust, integrity, communication, and accessibility are all key components—all of which go beyond your logo, website design, etc.

​I chose the quotes in today's post because each one hits on a different aspect of building brand awareness. Take a few minutes to think about your brand.

How can you make yourself stand out from your competitors? What can you be doing to make sure people recognize your business as their very best choice? What are people saying about you when you're not around? What are they thinking when they see your name or hear about you from another consumer?

by Skip Cohen
​
It's Hump Day, and a great time to make a point - I apologize if this sounds like a rant.

I'm tired of all the noise in our lives. At the risk of sounding like the old fart that I am, I miss limited access because I wasn't near a phone; spam calls trying to rip us off, emails from the Geek Squad or Amazon looking for approval of massive charges that don't exist, and we've just about given up watching the news. Fortunately, we record the news and can catch what we want in 10-15 minutes.

A few years back, our son got me into fly fishing. The image above was captured with one of my favorite older cameras, a LUMIX FZ1000, f2.8 @ 1/160 ISO 200. It was taken at a park near Helen, GA, and it was incredibly peaceful. Years later, looking at this photograph, I can still feel the silence and the joy of just casting—it didn't matter if I hooked a trout or not—the benefit was in the silence.

I shared the quote below last year, and it's perfect for what so many of us need now: silence.

"In silence, we can hear our intuition speak. But it can be difficult to find silence in the age of hyperconnectivity. We must find the time to unplug and create silence at least once a day...A change happens when we learn to access stillness...In stillness we find our balance." -- Emily Silva 

"Stillness" is such a foreign concept these days! Most of us get so busy we rarely search out silence until the damage from the "noise" in our lives is well underway. Find a moment today and kick back and chill. Walk away from everything and appreciate the silence.

​Happy Hump Day!

Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly.
Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.
Mark Twain

by Skip Cohen

Ever get sad news that pushed you into a period of reflection?

Here's the short backstory: A friend from high school, Art Healan, passed away this week, and while it was a surprise to us, news like this is coming more frequently as we get older. Art sent me an IM on Facebook wishing me a Happy Birthday back in May. Getting the email this morning about his passing hit me hard.

When I lived in Ohio, Art and I would catch up for lunch now and then. He was a great guy—easygoing—and we kept in touch sporadically over the years. 

Thinking about being surprised that Art had passed away got me thinking about the challenges we all face in living life to its fullest. I went searching for a few great quotes to share. 

There'll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read 'em,
​but all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em!
Kevin Welch

Here's my point, life is simply too short and none of us can stop time. But as you get older, time seems to go by faster and faster. If you're unhappy with some aspect of your life, then start working to change it. Whatever dreams you have, figure out what you need to do to turn them into reality.

And to Art -  You will be missed buddy...we didn't keep in touch that often but thanks to social media, we kept the friendship going for a whole lot of years. "You have left some wonderful memories that will never fade from my heart."

by. Skip Cohen

One of the greatest benefits of attending any conference or convention is building your network and recharging your battery. While there were some early hands-on shoots yesterday, for me and most of the attendees, the event started with my keynote program last night.

If you haven't experienced the excitement of a conference, it's hard to explain. There's an electricity in the air fueled by anticipation, passion for the craft, creativity and the simplicity of people getting together who have many of the same goals. 

For me, it's been a special trip...catching up with old friends and making new ones. Kevin Gilligan came in from California, Matthew Jordan Smith came from Japan, and Chamira Young came from Michigan.  All three of them have been instrumental in helping me build my career over the years, and being together made the trip that much more special. It really was a reunion - Matthew lives in Japan, and we haven't caught up LIVE since before the pandemic. Kevin and I have been friends for ten years, yet this was only the second time we've been together in the same location. Chamira and I have done 150+ podcasts, yet we only met briefly at WPPI many years ago.

This was also my last official presentation, and I wanted to make it one of my best. For years, I've used the quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have me!" My point was easy to understand - The average person meets 80,000 people in their lifetime (resourced from Google). Each person contributes to our life, and combined with events, creates the infrastructure of who we are, not much different than an architect's design for a building.

In my presentation, rather than just talking about marketing ideas, I wanted to share the back stories and the people/companies who blazed a trail in imaging based on creativity, technique, and marketing. We're all made up of stories. So, when focusing on ideas to help photographers grow their business, the presentation became one of the most fun I've ever shared at a convention.

Today was the first full day of programming, and as usual, ClickCon did not disappoint. The trade show was busy; the models, makeup artists, and hair stylists were all going almost nonstop, and the attendees were everywhere! At a moment mid-afternoon, when things had slowed down a little, I wandered into the models' room. With a dozen "stations," the stylists and makeup artists were ready for every request!

If you weren't able to make it to ClickCon, check out the next imaging conference coming your way. Nothing beats the energy of being with other artists, educators, business owners, and vendors. It's that energy that gives birth to new ideas and unlimited creativity!

Plus - one of the best ways to recharge your battery!

by Skip Cohen

Remember the old Westerns? At some point, there often was a "new sheriff in town." He was always one of the good guys, and everyone was excited that he was there to clean things up!  Well, whether you like old westerns or not, when it comes to print competition - there's a NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN!

Meet the AIBP's (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) new Visionary Awards.

The AIBP Visionary Awards are an inspirational and educational photography competition open to all professionals, novices, and hobbyists who photograph boudoir. All entrants have the opportunity to work toward the AIBP Artistry Excellence degree as a Member of AIBP.

I'm a huge fan of image competitions, which all started with entering my first print in a WPPI competition in the 90s. I became addicted to the process—it's one of the best educational experiences in imaging. Why? Listening to the feedback from the judges, combined with seeing the styles of other artists, along with lighting, posing and composition, helped me raise the bar on my own skill set. 
​
Building this new image competition from both the participants' and judges' perspectives, the Visionary Awards start with two broad categories: commissioned and uncommissioned work. With eleven different award sub-categories, AIBP's goal is to make sure images compete against similar photos. 

They've assembled a stellar cast of judges to date that includes Lindsay Adler, Gary Hill, Jacqueline Tobin, Rhea Berkley Lewis, Andrew Hiorth, Cate Scaglione, Hiram Trillo, and Shawn Black. Combined with the support of a solid group of sponsors, these new awards have the potential to elevate the experience of competing from previous competitions. Click on any picture or banner in this post for more information!

And to the AIBP team - Congrats! It's going to be a kick watching this competition grow, along with the skills of your members!​

by Skip Cohen

​The true fun of this industry has little to do with photography but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. It's these friendships that we all cherish the most, and Kayce Baker and Bob Rose are at the top of my list—not just because of our love for imaging but mutual friends, scuba, travel, and FOOD!

From Honduras to Mexico to Bonaire, Catalina and even the Disney Aquarium, just to name a few, the three of us, with a circle of additional friends, have repeatedly created memories with one dive trip after another. (Many of you know Kayce from her days at Fuji and Bob from the MAC Group.) 

We lost touch over the last couple of years until a phone call last week. That's when I learned about Kayce morphing into an author - but not just any author. She's written and created one of the most fun cookbooks I've ever seen...and being foodies, Sheila and I can't wait to try the recipes.

If you know anything about Kayce, she never does anything halfway. The Sea of Thieves Cookbook, themed after one of her favorite video games, is now part of a cooking channel series with another cookbook due in October. Click on Godzilla to the right to link to the Amazon page for your pre-order.

Besides great, easy-to-follow recipes, the fun of the book is seeing Kayce's creativity. From the photography to the writing to the layouts and many of the props, she's been the driving force, with a small group of amazing contributors helping her along the way.

Here's my point: besides being excited to share the creative success of one of my best friends and a photographer so many of you know - we're a relatively small industry. Still, the passion for the craft is endless. That passion comes out in so many different ways. As the author's bio in the book shares, Kayce is a photographer, chef, cookbook author, cat lover, scuba diver, angler, virtual pub owner, content creator, snowboarder, and tequila expert...what a kick!

Order your copy of Sea of Thieves the Cookbook - I can promise you won't be disappointed!

by Skip Cohen
 
At the last minute yesterday, I decided to head to IUSA next weekend. I keep in touch with dozens of photographers weekly, and I felt free of the need to be in Louisville for the convention. But the closer it got to the show, the more I questioned my decision.

So often, I forget to practice what I preach. In this case, I need to recharge my battery when it comes to imaging. With a home office and most interaction online, there is no replacement for being together with other photographers, vendors, and friends.

My anticipation is almost overwhelming! Just the decision to be at IUSA has created some great energy. So, if you're like me and had decided not to attend, I was surprised that I could lock in decent flights and the hotel this late. 

Why IUSA? Well, it's the first big show of the new year for most of you. Next, you need to spend time building your network, and there's no better place than a great convention. With nearly 150 exhibitors, it's an opportunity to check out new products, services, and technology. Plus, PPA's educational platform this year is one of their best yet - it's a chance for you to fine-tune your skill set.

Here are just a few reminders if you're heading to the show.

• Don't be a stormtrooper when it comes to the trade show. Start in one aisle and make it a point to walk the entire show. You'll be surprised at companies you don't know, along with services/products that will make life easier...and more profitable.
• Get to know at least one person at every company whose products you use.
• Take a few classes entirely outside your comfort zone...it's the only way you'll grow.
• Talk to people! I'm not just talking about just the educators but the people sitting on either side of you in any program. Introduce yourself and find out what they do, why they're there, and what their outlook on business is in the new year.
• Get your credit line before the show! If you're considering new gear, especially high-end, know how much you can spend in advance. And on costly items, check into leasing rather than buying. Leasing allows you to utilize somebody else's assets without depleting your own.
• Never eat a meal alone! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all opportunities to meet new people and expand your network.
• Set up social time in advance. Thinking about getting out to dinner with friends? Make some plans in advance. It's so hard to chase down people once you're in full swing at the show.
• Remember to check out the print exhibit. It's not just about seeing award-winning photography but checking out the trends in printing techniques and styles.
• WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! I know this sounds pretty basic, but working a show effectively isn't about fashion. You're going to be on your feet all day!​

I'd love to catch up with any of you headed to the show - look for me at the Platypod booth 1226,  Marathon booth 727 or just out and about on the trade show floor. ​

Sometimes you gotta take a break from all the noise
to appreciate the beauty of silence.
Robert Tew

by Skip Cohen

The other day, I shared a post about gathering your "tribe" and taking the time this week to catch up with those special people who make your life richer. I'm taking it one step further today, and attempting to practice what I preach.

You'd think at my age, I'd know what I wanted to be when I grew up. *sigh* Well, it just hasn't happened, and as 2023 winds down, my head is filled with project ideas for the new year, things I want to accomplish, and new goals. It's all positive, but even strategizing on what I'd like to be doing in the new year makes indecision an adversary, and it's time to simply take a break.

I'm stepping away from the noise and, like the quote above, appreciating the silence. Silence is one of those unique business tools we all forget to use much too often. I need a few days to simply chill, appreciate everything in my rearview mirror, and figure out the route for the 2024 "trip."

Being able to step away from business this week is a luxury not everyone has, but if you can, I highly recommend it. It's a critical step to avoid burnout and recharge your battery. If you can slow things down, start celebrating New Year's today, and meet me back in the "office" on Tuesday, January 2.

Thank you for all your support, feedback, and great ideas on how I can help you thrive in the new year. I wish you the best close to 2023 and, even more importantly, a great kickoff to the new year. New technology, products, great conferences, and new friends are all setting the stage for 2024 to be amazing.

See you on January 2 - Happy New Year!

I simply want to take a break and catch my breath.
But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do
is deliberately keep some time free and see what the world throws at you.
Ruth Wilson