 by Skip Cohen Sunday's are ALWAYS off-track from marketing/business but I hope always relatable. This week, Sheila and I are headed back to our hometown for our high school reunion. It's a milestone, and we're looking forward to catching up with old friends and hanging out at our roots. But there's a level of poignant sadness in going back. Because of the pandemic, it's been three years since we returned. Here's a fun aspect to a trip like this - it's like the opening act for a great concert. Sheila went digging for old photographs of family and friends - memories to share with people we know we'll see. The stories each photograph brings back confirm the power of the career path we all chose so long ago - photography. Before starting this post, I was wandering through notifications in my Facebook feed, and it was all about photographs of friends all over the country. In one scroll, I caught up to Bobbi Lane teaching in NYC, Tom Lardiere and his son were on the water in Ft. Lauderdale, Deb Sandidge was in Naples, William Innes was picking on Ohio State fans, Paul Neal was recovering from food-poisoning and biking in Michigan, Tom and Kristen are hanging out at home in CT, and the list goes on and on. While so many of us have a love-hate relationship with social media, especially Facebook, it's made the world a tiny place. We've shared each other's best moments and sometimes the worst - and each time, it's through photographs and video. Social media has become the mortar that holds us all together. I know it's not exclusive to me, but combine aging with limited contact through the pandemic, and I have an incredible appreciation for the friendships I've made over the years. They're reinforced daily with one scroll through Facebook. Throw in photographs and their backstories, and there's no other career path I could have chosen that would bring me this kind of joy every day. Look, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but that doesn't change my gratitude for this moment...right now, and all of you who have touched my life. As you get older you learn to take nothing for granted. And here's my point: Those who died yesterday had plans for this morning. And those who died this morning had plans for tonight. Don't take life for granted. In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never know when you may not have that chance again. Author Unknown Wishing everybody an incredible day ahead, and time to be with at least a few of those people who own most of your heart. Take nothing for granted and go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about. No matter what any of us are going through, life is pretty remarkable and it's sure better than the alternative!
Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.
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 by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and for those of you "regulars," you already know there's no chance today's post is about marketing and business. As I sat here this morning, I was having a hard time thinking through the last week and what I wanted to share. So, I procrastinated by scrolling through Facebook and even catching up to my buddy Erik Cooper on an IM. Then, an hour later, it hit me... Yesterday was a perfect day - nothing but smiles all day long. It was relaxed, nothing unique, just a full heart all day. Time with Sheila, the pups, a little work done in the morning, chili dogs off the grill for Lupper (Late lunch, early supper), and finishing off with a favorite new series we found on Hulu, "Harrow." But previously, Thursday was tough, and Friday started pretty bad as well. Both bad days kicked off with aggravation from a battle with Amazon. "Alexa" hasn't been playing in group mode. We love filling the house with music, and the group feature went down on Wednesday. When I called Amazon on Thursday morning, the Alexa team couldn't verify my account. They told me I wasn't in the system at the same time their retail side was delivering a recent purchase to my front door! After forty-five minutes and six calls, three of them disconnected while on hold, I finally got a supervisor in Atlanta. But it wasn't Amazon that screwed up my day; it was me letting them get to me. When they told me my account wasn't active and I wasn't in the system, I saw red! I allowed them to steal my peace and tranquility. As a result, it set the tone for a big part of the day. From demanding customers to Internet trolls, we all deal with daily challenges that are simply outside our control. Hindsight is always 20/20 - but yesterday was perfect because I pulled up the drawbridge and refused to let anything into my head that was going to take away one second of smile time. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I avoided the challenges of the day - just that I was able to get myself to a great place and shut off the negators! You know, those people or situations that seem to exist just to beat us up. There's a great Zig Ziglar quote I've loved for a lot of years: Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude! And there's my point - we all have the power to set the tone daily. We don't have to give up one second of our life to things that just don't matter. Remember that line about don't sweat the small stuff...it's all small stuff? While I know this is pretty trite, it's a basis for everything we do, and if you're a work in progress like I am, it's one of the hardest lessons to learn.
Wishing everybody a day that's simply peaceful, loving, and fulfilling. You don't have to climb Mt Everest to feel a sense of accomplishment - sometimes it's just the fun of going to bed at night and saying to yourself, "Wow, what a great day!" Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with everyone in your life that's important, and don't let anything or anyone hold you back from gaining maximum altitude! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.  ...but the hardest of all may just be understanding your own work. Photography is a language. Do you speak it fluently? Seth Resnick by Skip Cohen Seth Resnick is back with what may well be one of my most favorite of his posts. To take it a step further, it's a post I wish was mandatory for every artist to read. The issue isn't whether you agree or disagree with him, just the importance of understanding your "Why?" Obviously, there are times when just clicking the shutter has no deeper meaning than contributing to your revenue stream...but I can't help but feel there's always an underlying explanation for why so many of us love this industry. I've met so many artists in my career and the ones most successful, to Seth's point, speak fluent photography. They don't have to have a camera in their hands to shoot "neurochromes" and still see something most of us might miss. Their images tell a story, capture a memory, and often have a much deeper meaning than just what is shared in print. And it carries further into who we are and why - Seth got me thinking about my writing as well as each time I click the shutter. Seth is sharing a lot of great concepts on his facebook page. He needs to be on your radar! by Seth Resnick
Photography isn’t easy. Learning software applications like Photoshop and Lightroom are hard, and understanding all the buttons on the cameras can be confusing to say the least, but the hardest of all may just be understanding your own work. Photography is a language. Do you speak it fluently? I find that by writing down my thoughts I am better equipped to speak and write the language of photography. Like any language that is studied practice and time certainly help. In developing your skills about photography as a language it is critical to overcome the concept of what your work is about rather than what it is of. When I first started writing about what my photography was really about I thought it was about entering personal space. I interchanged the word breaking personal space and entering personal space and thought they were the same. In fact a good friend and student Jed Best suggested that I have a show called Breaking and Entering. I thought that was quite clever. For several years my description of my own work started with breaking personal space. After all I started as a journalist and much of my work was about people and to capture them in a personal manner I was either very close or used a long lens to isolate emotion. The more I started to write and as my work progressed I was bothered by the statement and one day while photographing a rock and writing about it I came to understand that it was really about an energy connection with my subjects or rather my subjects energy connection with me. The more I wrote the more I understood and writing led to my own discovery of Clairsentience which really put my understanding of the language in perspective. Certain people are born with a mystical sixth sense that allows them to pick up on information about the past, present, and future. We typically call it ESP but for me it is an awareness of additional senses. While we all have five basic senses that help us observe the physical world around us it doesn’t end with just five. There are a variety of ways that people can experience ESP. For me one of the most fascinating is clairsentience, which is the ability to literally feel and acknowledge energy. This week several things happened that weren’t coincidence. I looked at Leslie and said her son was thinking about her. She looked at her phone and her son just texted her. Three sand hill cranes that have been coming to my house suddenly flew in and they came right up to me as if they were telling me something. A dragonfly then landed on me. I showed Leslie the dragonfly and he stayed on my hand. I thought about him flying away and sure enough he did. No big deal but then I called him back and the dragonfly kept coming back to my hand for over an hour. At the same time there was no wind but the chimes in my back yard started to ring. There were bluejays and cardinals and all of these things were things that my mom loved. Life comes down to energy and as I continue to write I continue to increase my knowledge about the language of photography. Many photographers never figure it out and think it isn’t important. I hear so many photographers say that their work isn’t about anything they just like taking pictures. Well maybe, but learning what my images are about has helped me immensely.  Remember that stress doesn't come from what's going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what's going on in your life. Andrew Bernstein by Skip Cohen I've lived in Florida for almost eleven years, and we're all used to the same thing in the rainy season. The day typically starts sunny and beautiful. Then, a few clouds roll in around noon, and usually, after 3-4:00 PM, there's a full-blown thunderstorm. After that, humidity usually skyrockets - but through the whole process, everyone knows it's coming. Boaters make it a point to follow the weather report, and if it's going to be bad - they plan accordingly. Even with our pups, Belle is totally neurotic and flips out with the first rumble of thunder. So out comes her "Thunder Shirt." If it's a really bad storm, we've got CBD chews for her, and it only takes a 1/4 inch size tab to get her back to being mellow. So, why can't we as business owners learn to recognize the same signs when things are stormy with our work? I get that I'm a work in progress, but you'd think I could see burnout coming just like the weatherman can predict and forecast an upcoming storm. This week was particularly tough - full-moon-tough. Logic for so many people wasn't in the cards, and my ability to keep things in perspective disappeared in the process. Stressed, angry, short-tempered - all the signs of somebody about to crash and burn were knocking at the door. This is a short post today with one goal - we all have to deal with a long list of daily challenges. So when the trolls take over, whether they're real or not, learn to step away. Don't respond or react. Instead, step away from the business and do something relaxing. Phone a friend; put some music on; take a walk - whatever it takes, just like when you were a kid - go to recess! You can find anything on the Internet: STRESS LESS* 1. Dance it out 2. Go for a walk 3. Talk about it 4. Breathe 5. Go to bed earlier 6. Focus on what you can control 7. Reminisce about good times 8. Ask for a hug 9. Smile It's Friday afternoon - wishing everybody a terrific stress-free weekend! *lovequotesmessages.com
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Now and then Melody Beattie knocks one out of the park. This was yesterday's reading from her book "Journey to the Heart." It's the perfect reminder to take time off, BEFORE you crash and burn! The book may have been published in 1996, but there's no expiration date on anything she shares. Sheila introduced me to her books years ago, and at this point I think, between the two of us, we've got just about everything she's written. "Recharge your Battery Rest when you're tired. Take a break when life stales. Take time to recharge your battery. Energy isn't something you have - it's something you are. To give and give and give, to put out without taking in, deplete your battery. It drains you, runs you down. Running on a low battery is no longer necessary, because now we know how to live differently. Taking time to rest, renew, and refresh yourself isn't wasted time. Recharge. Choose what energized you. Nature. A song. The voice of a friend. A nap. A hot bath. A cup of tea. A favorite program. A movie that makes you laugh or cry. A walk. A run. A poem. A prayer. A book that speaks to your soul. Actions that emerge from an energized source are easier, go further, accomplish more. Let your work and love come from a vital spirit." The only thing I'd add to her list of things to do would be imaging related. Get to a workshop. Attend a conference. Put the names of your favorite imaging icons into the search box on YouTube. Take your camera out for an hour or two and be your own client. The list goes on and on...but it's about doing things that remind you why you got into this business in the first place. As I've written before, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings, if your own heart isn't in it. Sometimes all you need is a short break and time to recharge!   by Skip Cohen
It's Wednesday, and it's been a hectic week. I often write about knowing when to take a break; it's not very often I walk the talk. Like so many of us, I'm still a work in progress. While I'll match my love for the craft with anybody, for the last few months, it seems I'm shooting with my phone more often than my camera. Unfortunately, I don't have the latest phone - you can guess that too often I've missed the shot I wanted. I love Panasonic's LUMIX G9, and the 14-140mm 3.5-5.6 lens is my go-to setup. But it's been on the shelf for way too long! Well, not lately. My camera now sits right next to me, on my desk. When I need a break, I've been getting away from my computer and clicking the shutter a few times, usually in the garden. Something about the click of the shutter is therapeutic, even if it's electronic. Although, for you long-time Hasselblad shooters out there, nothing compares to the thud of the mirror in the original cameras. From puppies to the garden - today was a nonstop adventure. Whenever Sheila goes out, the pups sit and wait by the front door, watching for her return. It's priceless, and yes, they are as cute to hang out with as they look. Here's my point - when we were kids, recess was a part of our lives every day - once in the morning and again in the afternoon. But we grew up, and the concept, especially when you're in business for yourself, evaporates under the barrage of deadlines, phone calls, email, and projects/people who need a piece of your time. Often I'm not even aware that I've missed lunch! So, turn back the clock and make it a point to go out for recess!  My boss told me to have a good day, so I went home! CatalogFavorites.com by Skip Cohen This will seem like a stretch to start, but trust me, it'll make sense in another paragraph or two. It began with a catalog loaded with t-shirts and some great one-liners. The quote above was worth a chuckle..., but at the same time, it got me thinking about so many of you who have "painted yourself into a corner." It's Friday of a holiday weekend, and it's also the end of Mental Health Awareness Month. So if you're feeling stuck in a dead-end career, job or just frustrated because too often things don't work out the way you anticipated, here are some ideas...
No one blog post could cover it all. I've just scratched the surface, but here's my point: Nothing is ever cast in concrete in this industry. And when you feel like you're off a beat and just can't figure out why, stop, step back and take the time to find what's missing. We're all too close to our own businesses, and sometimes it just takes a new perspective. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you're doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer Wishing everybody a terrific holiday weekend!
  Dad and Me - by Don Blair at WPPI Intro by Skip Cohen My Dad was always my very best buddy, and a few years before he passed away, with a lot of arm-twisting twelve years ago, I got him to do a guest post. It was tough negotiation over his compensation! LOL Dad passed in 2015, but I was blessed to have him and his wisdom in my life for so many years. I was so lucky because there weren't very people around my age who still had their parents alive, let alone enjoy being with them! His experience in business was invaluable to draw from, a reminder that as much as things change, some things NEVER change - especially when it comes to focusing on your business, reputation, and integrity. Every year or two, I love to share his guest post. At a time when so many people think their opinion is the one to rule the world, Dad's wisdom is a reminder of the importance of staying focused on your own backyard. Even more important is one of Sheila's most favorite expressions, thanks to Shakespeare, "To thine own self be true." The world is upside down these days with opinions. The media and politicians bombard us and too often associates, friends and neighbors as well, but to Dad's point - just watch the left front fender! Dad might not be at my side today, but he's all around me. I like to think that right now, he's hanging out with his buddy Don Blair and my pal Terry Deglau. The three of them are watching over all of us. So, everybody, meet my Dad with some great foundation tips to help you build a stronger business. by Ralph Cohen
Yesterday was my 88th birthday. I have been happily retired for many years, and unemployed for at least 15 of those. Now, out of the blue, comes our son, Skip, threatening me with employment! The pay he considers adequate is $.02 per word. So gathering together, my 50+ years in business experience, I thought this would be a good time to put my two cents in. I am not a plagiarist, but I must quote my father who spent the last months of his life writing advice to his children: “Conduct your business in an upright manner and remember, the most important thing in one’s life is to be honest with one’s self. Maintain the high standard and dignity that your business requires. Do not go into deals hastily and be visible in your business as much of the time as is possible. If you take time to play, do it away from your business, because your livelihood needs all the attention you can give to it.” Early on, I concluded that the best testimonials came from my many friendly competitors. We didn’t really compete with each other, in the true sense. True, we were in the same field of endeavor, but we all knew we were there to help each other. Happily, the “tough competition” fell by the wayside. I remember giving Skip driving lessons and I told him, “Watch the left front fender…..the rest will take care of itself!” I’ve found this is really true of everything in life. An old axiom says “If you tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.” That is all part of reputation-building. I found that, sadly, in the field of real estate, truth is hard to come by for many. In our case, it was a major building block in the reputation which we enjoyed, and helped us to thwart the competition. Goodwill is all of the above, plus a lot of caring for your clients as well as your competitors. If life is a give-and-take situation, giving is the more important of the two. The taking will come with time and be far more appreciative. Just remember - you heard it here! Ralph Cohen, Founder and Creator of Skip Cohen!  "I'm always learning new things. If there isn't anything new you can learn go off and die!" Morgan Freeman by Skip Cohen Okay, that's a pretty extreme quote to kick off the week, but I've always been a Morgan Freeman fan, and if you think about it, he's right. It's Marketing Monday, and started the morning wanting to come up with something new I'd do this week. I want to change my routine and expand what I do every day. There's that great line about growth only happens outside your comfort zone. I've repeatedly suggested that when you're headed to a major conference - always take a couple of classes entirely foreign to your skillset. ClickCon is coming up next month in Chicago and is an opportunity to expand your skill set, but what if there's no travel in your near future? That doesn't mean you can't do something different this week, whether in learning or just expanding your presence. It's like the "365 Projects" that cropped up years ago - with photographers taking and sharing one different image each day. And years before the Internet, I remember my good buddy Tony Corbell suggesting everyone should always save a couple of frames on the roll and just mix it up - shoot differently for those last two shots. What are you going to do differently this week to grow your business?
The bottom line - every day is another opportunity to grow your business and your skillset. So stop worrying about making mistakes and failing, and just take the plunge. The great thing about this profession is your ability to keep growing and changing, and if something doesn't work as well as you'd hoped, step back and fine-tune the next step.
 "If you see me talking to myself, just move along. I'm self-employed, we're having a staff meeting." CatalogFavorites.com by Skip Cohen We recently got a catalog that had some of the funniest one-liners I've ever seen on shirts. The more I read, the more relevant they became. It got me thinking about my business life since heading out on my own in 2009. My entire adult life, up until 2009, I was always in an office environment. So when I decided to start my own business, I never anticipated how rewarding it would be or, for that matter, how challenging things might be at times. So, if you're thinking about heading out on your own, especially from a part-time small business owner as a photographer to full-time, here are some thoughts on my experience over the last thirteen years.
Being your own boss falls under "be careful what you wish for." It's been incredibly rewarding, but there's one more aspect that's made it an adventure. You need a partner - in this case, my wife, Sheila. She's not directly involved in the business, but she's my sounding board and muse daily. She knows most of the players and has had great insight into many of my challenges so often. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely, and no sooner than when I did. I'm not one of those guys who says, "I wish I'd done this earlier!" Why? Because I wasn't ready. I hadn't learned enough about business or understood what was in my heart to make the move. When I first thought about leaving Rangefinder/WPPI, Sheila asked me, "What are you afraid of?" My answer, "Failing!" Well, here I am years later, and while it's hardly been easy when you're on your own, you own all the decisions - there are no committees, managers, or co-workers to blame. And that's the greatest benefit of all. "My boss told me to have a good day.
So I went home!" CatalogFavorites.com  Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. George Bernard Shaw by Skip Cohen It's just a short post today to help kick off the weekend. George Bernard Shaw, gets the credit for sending me in the direction I want to write about. We're part of a word-of-mouth, creative and artistic community. And while it's driven so much by technology, the control over the creative process and how you choose to work with each client is entirely in your control. If I look back over the contemporary history of imaging, here are a few of the BAD assumptions people made:
My good buddy, Scott Bourne, had one of the earliest websites (I once heard 106th) in the world at a time when the rest of us all thought it was a passing fad. Scott is a visionary. We never saw the potential of expanded reach, the power of the Internet or the value cyberspace real estate. Now scale all of that down to everything you have control over today. Too many of you think because you set a specific course, you can't change it! Your success is all about listening to your audience while at the same time never ignoring your heart. Styles change, technology never slows down, and your skillset should continually be growing. And here's my point - you can do anything you want. You can be shooting weddings and events today and tomorrow decide you'd rather be a portrait artist. So follow your dreams and stop thinking that every path you take is the one you have to stay on forever. Just make sure before you change paths you've got the skills and the understanding to navigate in a new direction. And before you switch - remember why you went in this direction in the first place. Use the inner circle of your network to think through the changes you need to make in your life and your career. And if you're attending any of the upcoming conventions - take the time to ALWAYS sign up for one workshop/class completely outside your skillset. Growth only happens outside your comfort zone! Anonymous Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead! Find the time to look at your journey - it's never to late to change paths if your heart's pulling you in a different direction.
 by Skip Cohen I'm staying with my usual Sunday Morning Reflections theme of running amuck from business and marketing and going with whatever's on my mind. Lately, as more of my friends retire, I've been thinking a lot about aging. I have yet to figure out why people refer to these as our "Golden Years," especially when everything starts to go like a car just out of warranty. LOL We live in Sarasota County, which I've been told has the highest average age per capita of any county in the United States. And while that explains so many people driving around at 11mph with their left turn signal on, I don't really feel any older than I did twenty years ago. My body creaks for ten minutes in the morning, but according to Sheila, I have yet to mature! But here's one thing I have noticed - as I've gotten older, I've become more aware of the importance of simply living life with a smile, not just on my face but in my heart. Life is simply too short and not worth losing time to those hockey pucks out there who would like nothing more than to create stress. Maybe that explains 80 yr olds driving at 11 mph - they know they'll get there, so they're savoring each mile of the drive! Speaking at Skip's Summer School many years ago, my good buddy Scott Bourne reminded everybody to capture images as if each one was the last photograph anybody was going to see of your work. Well, at least for me, that's where the true quality of aging comes into the picture. As we get older, we get smarter and learn to pick our battles while appreciating each moment along the way. When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer And here's my point - I'm still a work in progress, but I'm learning to stop worrying about where I'm going and appreciate each moment. We could make the world even better if more of us just enjoyed each other, accepted our differences, and stopped sweating all the small stuff.
Wishing all of you a wonderful day ahead, and whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, or any other holiday, what an incredible time to be who we are, where we are and how we are. So go for those eleven-second hugs with those people most special to you - they're the ones who appreciate the "dance" and don't care where you're headed as long as they can come along for the ride.  When you dance your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way! Wayne W. Dyer by Skip Cohen As we get older, we get wiser, but I'm not sure it's as much about gaining wisdom as learning to appreciate every part of life's journey. And while that might sound pretty lofty, here's what's on my mind. It's thirteen years ago today that I resigned as president of Rangefinder Publishing and WPPI. It was 2009, and we were in a recession. Friends and family were convinced I'd lost my mind. Why I left isn't important except to say I disagreed with how the company was run and people were treated, including me. It was simply time to move on and see if, after living vicariously through so many of you, I could walk the talk as an entrepreneur. The strength of your dreams is only as good as your belief in yourself. I envisioned starting my own company and simply waking up happy every morning. It really was that simplistic, and I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. What I did have was Sheila, who believed in me and a network of friends who were there every step of the way. As we go into one of the last weekends of the "slow season," here's my point. Take time to do an inventory of your dreams. That's right - look at every vision you have of how you want your life to be. Everything is achievable if you stay focused. True, some dreams take longer to accomplish, and the journey is filled with a lot of potholes in the road - but your "suspension," just like an off-road vehicle, is your heart and built to take it! This is a short post this morning and perfect to close with a couple of my favorite quotes: Follow your dreams. Or you'll spend the rest of you life working for someone who did. Anonymous If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough! Anonymous Wishing everybody a great weekend and time to think about the year ahead for the short term, and for the long term, what do you want to be when you grow up? LOL
 by Skip Cohen I suppose today's post sounds like it would be better suited for Throwback Thursday. Still, it's a mini-testimonial to great memories, friendships, and the value of your skillset as photographers. Three years ago, I had to let go of Molly the Wonder Dog. I consider it one of the very worst days of my life, and the only reason it comes to mind this time of year is that it was the day after Valentine's Day. But my point isn't about how much our pets mean to us and the pain of losing them. Instead, it's about the value of those intangible memories turned tangible with photographs. The two photographs above, which I've shared before, were captured by my good buddy "Vanelli." We were doing a guys' weekend while Sheila was away, and he caught my two most favorite portraits of Molly and me. For weeks after losing her, I'd look at them every day, talk to them like a lunatic and try and imagine life without her. There's so much so many of you take for granted. You're magicians, capable of taking memories and giving people the ability to hold and relive those moments forever. You forget how important a role imaging plays in everyone's life. Where would the world be without photography? And while I have hundreds of old photographs of Molly, the hole in my heart has been filled by Lucy and Belle. Of course, Molly will always own real estate in my heart, but her spirit lives on in two more members of the family. And just like Molly, they know when there's a camera around, especially Belle.  Here's my point:
For most of you, it's the slowest time of year in terms of your business. It's the perfect time to think about the true value of your ability to capture memories. Build out your marketing plan for the new year around that skill set. As photographers, every client trusts you to capture those moments they miss with their eyes but catch with their hearts. That carries a huge responsibility to never compromise on the quality of an image, and never say, "That's good enough." Now take that one step beyond your clients and think about your own family. How often do you miss memories shooting "neurochromes," because you don't feel like picking up your camera? Never miss a memory-making moment for your own family album. And to my buddy, Vanelli, there's no way to put a value on the gift you gave me 3 1/2 years ago. We all use the word "priceless" to describe those special moments in our lives. Thanks pal! "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude!" Zig Ziglar  by Skip Cohen I wandered by this billboard in my travels to and from IUSA over the last week. I didn't know a thing about the sponsor, but I liked the message, and it's so true. And I did wander to their website just now and hit a couple of uplifting videos. But when it comes to uplifting, I'm not sure anything could be as uplifting as the IUSA convention. This isn't meant to be a long drawn-out post about attitude, But Zig Ziglar's quote above really says it all. Nothing could demonstrate Ziglar's point better than the crowds at the show this week. Platypod had a booth, and we were busy, non-stop right up to the last minute. And most of the other exhibitors I spoke with had a nice flow of traffic as well. In terms of the attendees, people were excited to be back out and in personal contact. Zoom meetings have been great to keep in touch, but it's not the same as being with live people. While masks came off in the restaurants, various dinners, the bar, etc., for the most part, everyone was respectful of the relevant health issues. People were hungry to talk to the vendors, instructors, and each other. Plus, it seemed like a younger crowd than I'm used to seeing at PPA conventions, which was outstanding. It was a good mix of photographers just starting out combined with those more established, as well senior veterans. When it came to a strong platform of education, PPA covered all the bases. The class selection was terrific, plus "Networking Avenue" on Sunday evening, gave attendees a chance to enjoy various demonstrations, and ask questions of the speakers in a more informal environment.
Last but not least, as an exhibiting vendor, because the show was smaller than past years, although PPA managed to give the show a big feel with 80-90 companies represented, attendees got time to talk to each company. It was definitely a time for network building. The shot below was the Pixel Connection booth on the show's last day. They were mobbed every day with non-stop traffic. So, circle the dates for 2023 in Nashville, January 22-24, at the Gaylord Opryland. And if we can get the covid issues into the rearview mirror a little more, it's going to be another outstanding show. Platypod chose its booth for next year, and by the end of the show, the 2023 trade show floor was on its way to looking pretty good!   by Skip Cohen Many years ago, Sheila and I visited the butterfly exhibit at one of the Cleveland Museums. It was my first time, and it left an impression on both of us, along with the desire to someday have a butterfly garden. Moving to Florida gave us that opportunity. We built the butterfly garden almost six years ago, and now, depending on the weather, we see butterflies nearly every day. Yesterday I grabbed a shot of these Monarch caterpillars feeding on milkweed. It reminded me of being in Las Vegas over the years, with groups of us hitting the legendary seafood buffet at The Rio. At one point, seven caterpillars were munching away. It's hard to believe they turn into the stunning creature below. Okay, so that's the backstory, but watching these guys got me thinking about what we've all been through over the last two years. That, in turn, brought to mind the quote I used as today's post title. Here's my point, it's been a challenging year for everyone, both professionally and personally. But, sometimes you can't appreciate where you're going without a look in the rearview mirror and giving credit to where you've been.  IUSA is coming up this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited to be with old friends and make some new ones. I know it might seem hokey and even tacky to suggest the convention is my "butterfly," but it's simply the way my mind works. Am I a little apprehensive about health issues? Of course, but I've had my vaccines; I'll mask up; never be without hand sanitizer, and I've stopped watching the news. There's already a drop in new cases, mostly the spike from the holidays.
So, whether you're headed to the convention or not, look at the new year as your butterfly. There's a renewed sense of family in this country because of everything we've all been through over the last two years. It's creating an opportunity for photographers to do what they do best - help people capture memories and turn the intangible into the tangible. There are opportunities everywhere to build your business and get revenue back on the right track, from weddings to maternity, children, family portraiture, and pets! Hope to see you at IUSA!  by Skip Cohen One of the challenges many of us face is needing something inspirational each morning. For example, while Sheila and I read Melody Beattie every day, I love getting something else. You're missing out on a daily smile if you don't get the StoryPeople email blast. They don't always hit me like this one did this morning, but each one has made me smile. Just click on the banner above for more information. In the meantime, this is probably one the shortest posts I've ever shared, but I loved today's "Story of the Day." Happy Hump Day!   by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and as always, I'm nowhere close to talking about marketing and business. We're coming down to the wire for a year that's been overflowing with stress, politics, misinformation and the list goes on and on. But despite it all, what I love most about this time of year is simply "tradition." Even something as simple as an apple cider scented candle burning in the house makes me smile. For me, after the insanity of the last year, combined with now being on the edge of another round of Covid issues, I'm hanging on to the pure joy of the season like a life raft! I love this time of year, and it doesn't matter what holidays you celebrate - there's plenty of optimism out there if you let it into your heart. Okay, so it's sappy, hokey and there are those of you already rolling your eyes over the direction I'm going in, but the only way we're going to get through the garbage that keeps getting dumped on our doorsteps is a positive attitude, combined with some practical action. I shared a Sunday Morning Reflections post featuring my good buddy, Robert Vanelli, back in October. The issue was the requirement to wear a mask at an establishment he needed to visit and not having one. So, he went and bought one next door at Walgreens - no big deal. We all have choices, it's how we choose to react to our choice that makes a huge difference. "Vanelli" Here's my point - I love this time of year because nothing gets in the way of my holiday spirit. But I want that spirit to go deeper than just the December holidays. So I'm working on letting it carry right into the new year and beyond.
It's all about self-fulfilling prophecies - which are simply "if you define a situation as hopeless, then it will be." Well, it works for the positive too - if we all concentrate on everything good in our lives and do whatever we need to do to work together. Then we can change the world - well, at least our little corner of it. Wishing all of you an incredible day ahead and the joy of the season - only let's make the season last. Savor those memories from the past and blend them in with family and friends today. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people most important in your life. Happy Holidays!  Click to visit the IUSA website by Skip Cohen
I know the title for this post sounds trite and hokey, but I can't think of a better way to express my thoughts on the state of the industry right now. I get that I'll get criticized, but there isn't a comment anybody can make these days that makes everyone happy. There are still many of you undecided about going to IUSA in January. The issue holding most of you back relates to information from the media about Covid, new variants, mask mandates, etc. I don't know about you, but Sheila and I don't know what to believe these days. So, we trust our doctor, have had both vaccines and our booster, and if we're going somewhere with a mask mandate, we simply put on our masks - no big deal, just a way of life today. PPA has done an incredible job doing everything they can to help get our industry back on track. Next year is truly a healing and rebuilding year. The IUSA show, from a financial standpoint, has intentionally been designed to run at a loss. PPA has under-written part of the hotel cost for all of us; they've taken registration cost down to the minimum, and throughout the convention, they're doing everything they can to support the industry we all love dearly. Here's my point - PPA can't do it alone! The responsibility for a great conference is shared by the hosting organization, the attendees, and the vendors! It's everyone, and that's where teamwork plays such a huge part. It's up to ALL of us to get this industry back on track, and while the host hotel is sold out, there are so many alternatives incredibly close by. After almost two years of insanity, this is an opportunity to network, share new ideas, expand your skill set and recharge your battery to get your business and love for imaging back on track. So, if you're still on the fence...please plan on joining all of us. IUSA is already over 5000 pre-registered attendees, and this is destined to be one of those shows we're all going to look back on with pride at having been there! See you at IUSA! Happy Holidays!  by Skip Cohen Well, it's a typical Sunday morning; the house is filled with music, the pups are coming in and out of my office, Sheila's in her home office, and I'm chasing ideas for a blog post. I love Sunday posts because you've allowed me to run with whatever's on my mind. I woke up and found myself lying in bed, feeling very reflective about my life. I keep looking at how I got here - not just my career, but living in Florida, living with a wonderful partner, two knucklehead pups, and a pretty remarkable life. Of course, it's not without stress, challenges, the horrible communications with your partner that every couple experiences now and then - but it's a great life. What amazes me is how I forget those times when things seemed hopeless and how everything worked out for the better. It's that old line about as one door closes, another opens. That's been the story of my life and my career. So many times when things seemed the bleakest, even standing in the unemployment line after the Internet collapsed in 2001 - another door opened. The past almost two years have been tough for everybody, yet somehow so many of you have grown as artists, business owners, and simply members of your community. So, here's my bottom line - if whatever you're doing right now seems like an uphill climb and at times almost hopeless - don't lose sight of your ability to find another "door" to walk through. Don't lose sight of your skillset and passion for the craft. And especially don't forget one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes: Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer that You! And for those of you stuck in looking back at the good old days - it's great to look back, but we can't go back! So, if you're like me, missing good friends, HATING Zoom, tired of Facetime and Skype, and just wanting to be together with other members of this industry that I love dearly, there's a new year, right around the corner, and it's destined to be amazing! Stop looking in your rearview mirror and just focus on what's coming up, and to hit Dr. Seuss one more time: Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory! Wishing everybody a day with time to be a little reflective. Don't waste too much time analyzing your journey; just appreciate the people who came into your life because of it. Take the time to smile about all the good times and trust more of them are around the corner. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about with the people most important in your life - because they're the ones next to you your next chapter!
Happy Sunday - make it the best one yet! |
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