"Burnout is nature's way of telling you,
you've been going through the motions your soul has departed."
Unknown

by Skip Cohen

I started blogging in 2009 on Skip's Photo Network. In 2013, with a whole lot of help from Scott Bourne, we launched the SCU blog and website. I've been blogging ever since. Today, there are thousands of posts on marketing, business, technique, Throwback Thursdays, and Sunday Morning Reflections.

When I started to post a week ago, I hit a wall. Whatever you call it, be it writer's block or life simply getting in the way - I chose to pull the plug for a stretch, with a plan of being back after Labor Day. So many times I've reminded photographers that you can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it. But...it's hard to practice what you preach!

Well, that left me in a quandary - None of the last 17 years would have happened without my readers. You've shared your feedback, participated with dozen's of guest posts, and plenty of new content ideas, including several hundred podcasts and lots of speaking gigs over the years.

So, I'm sneaking in one post today to thank you for your encouragement and support. And more short-term, I want to wish everybody a terrific holiday weekend. Labor Day is right around the corner, leaving me almost speechless in describing how fast this year has gone by.

I'm still a work in progress, and really didn't realize how much I needed a break. It wasn't just
from writing, but social media and all "doom-scrolling" through all the garbage that's providing a never-ending stream of frustration over a government that's forgotten about We the People.

Here's the bottom line: If you're traveling this holiday weekend, stay safe and take your time getting to wherever you're headed. Remember to take care of yourself. You can't be there for everyone who depends on you if you're not keeping your own battery charged. Most important of all, cherish what you've got and the people in your life who have made it all possible. Savor the time you're with them and focus on making new memories. 

​Happy Labor Day Weekend!

“Self-care is your fuel…Whatever the road ahead or the path you’ve taken,
self-care is what keeps your motor running and your wheels turning.”
Melissa Steginus
​
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.
Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future.
Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family.
Every minute should be enjoyed and savored”
Earl Nightingale

by Skip Cohen

When I first started blogging, I used to post every day except Saturday; often, I'd post several times the same day. Ten years later, I was posting three times a week and doing a Sunday Morning Reflections. On August 2, I decided to go back to posting every day, as long as whatever I had to share seemed worthy of your attention.

Well, it's Saturday, and I wanted to share the piece on the right. It's from a Facebook group called The Daily Push. I know absolutely nothing about their origin - I simply liked this piece they shared.

I don't profess to have any medical expertise except that as I've aged I've noticed so many changes in my physical well-being. I'm also aware of health challenges that seem to be genetic, and as my old buddy Joe Buissink used to say, "You can't hide from bad genes!"

My family history includes plenty of issues with hypertension, heart attacks and my dad had 5-way bypass surgery in his 60s. It scared him into living a healthier lifestyle, and he died at 93.

I'm hoping you find these nine habits helpful to pay attention to, especially the ones that don't require a trip to CVS!

​Sleep, exercise, anger, stress, and laughter - all easy to pay attention to. Plus, you don't need to be a lab rat to know that you feel better when all of these things are in play to their maximum positive potential.

Have a great weekend, and if you're a wedding or event photographer and working, (and this is completely off today's subject) remember to save a few shots and do something completely different. Mix up your game a little - change the lighting, perspective, drag the shutter - act like a kid who just got a new camera!

Happy Saturday! Stay healthy!

by Skip Cohen

I rarely post on a Saturday morning, but now and then there's a point that deserves to be made. There's very little difference between Indiana Jones and me when it comes to my passion and excitement when I'm on the hunt for buried treasure. In this case, old photographs and the backstories that go with them.

Yesterday I was looking through old photo albums, hoping to find something I hadn't spotted before. The picture on the right had slipped behind an 8x10 group shot from 1944 (to be shared in a future Throwback Thursday post). Behind it was this shot of my folks on their way back from their honeymoon in 1947. On the back, my Dad wrote: "Handsome Twosome, Ausable Chasm, NY, returning from Honeymoon, June 1947."

This is the first picture I've seen of my folks where Dad had a 32" waist as an adultt. Both my folks were in their early 20s when they got married and drove to Quebec.

My folks were terrific people, and were rarely seen without a smile...but the looks on their faces — well, there's just something special to me about the happiness this shot captured. It was at the beginning of what would become a 63-year journey together.

But showing off my folks isn't my point today...I wanted to share it because it's such a powerful reminder of the strength of imaging. Both my parents passed away over a decade ago, but that doesn't change the way an old photograph still makes me smile right now!

The other thing that doesn't change is the pride I have in being part of an industry that has helped the world stop time and capture memories. It doesn't matter what side of the business you're in - if it involves anything to do with capture, post, or presentation - you're part of the glue that holds people together! We're all in the construction business, helping people build roads that become Memory Lanes.

Wishing everybody a perfect Saturday - make a few new memories and don't forget to capture them with a camera...but don't let them get sucked into the digital Black Hole. My Dad writing on the back of this photograph added so much to the story. So, make sure you not only store those captured memories, but add a little documentation.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
Albert Einstein

by Skip Cohen

We've all heard the expression, "wearing many hats." It refers to multitasking and having a lot of different responsibilities at the same time. No matter who you are or what you do, you wear a lot of hats.

I've been really busy lately. Recently I've noticed a delicate balance between projects and the roles I play on each one. But as much as I complain when I have a lot to do, I love it! When I'm busiest, my creativity ramps up to meet the challenges, and I'm like the energizer bunny.

But my point is making sure I have balance between my goals and the time to accomplish whatever is on my "to do" list. What too often happens is I get to a point where something simply has to give. It's like slowing down when driving in heavy traffic.

Here's a perfect example - I was supposed to have lunch today with a good buddy. We haven't caught up in a long time, and I love catching up over lunch. To comfortably meet a couple of deadlines on other projects, I had to postpone lunch to next week. He understood completely, but that's also what friendship is all about. Again, it's all about balance.

Melody Beattie wrote:

The goal is balance. We need balance between work and play. We need balance between giving and receiving. We need balance in thought and feelings. We need balance in caring for our physical self and our spiritual self.

A balanced life has harmony between a professional life and a personal life. There may be times when we need to climb mountains at work. There may be times when we put extra energy into our relationships. But the overall picture needs to balance.

Just as a balanced nutritional diet takes into account the realm of our nutritional needs to stay healthy, a balanced life takes into account all our needs; our need for friends, work, love, family, play, private time, recover time, and spiritual time - time with God. If we get out of balance our inner voice will tell us. We need to listen.

And for those of you who feel God doesn't belong in a business blog post, get over it. Feel free to substitute whatever you believe in. The point is to pay attention to your inner voice. It's about focus and maintaining the priorities with each hat you wear.

What I love most about Friday is that its the gateway to the weekend and a time when I can take off a few of my hats and put more time into more personal things. Again, it's back to finding balance.

Wishing everybody a great weekend ahead and time to align your priorities while recharging your battery for next week. And if you're a wedding photographer and working this weekend, you already know about the importance of balance as your weekend moves a couple of days later.

  The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you've lost it.
Anonymous

Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.
Richard Bach

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and it's perfect for a midweek reflection on what you're working on and the "why" behind it.

I've met and talked with so many artists and business owners who sound like they're apologizing when you ask them what they do for a living. Somewhere in life, they got sidetracked by incoming revenue as the guideline for success and, in turn, happiness. While it's important, especially with the cost of things today, you still need more than that to wake up smiling every morning.

When I was trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up, after leaving WPPI and Rangefinder Magazine in 2009, Sheila's advice was Shakespeare's quote in today's title. And now, after almost 20 years of being together, it still comes up when I'm trying to focus on the next project.

Lou Mitchell, when he shared today's quote, wrote: Staying true to oneself is the core obligation in life, surpassing all external expectations. The approach encourages deep self-reflection and a steadfast commitment to living in alignment with one's true self. Authenticity involves understanding and embracing your own values, passions, and desires, even when they challenge societal norms or others' expectations.

It's just a short post today, but with a powerful message...don't let other people live your life. The only way to do that is to stay true to the face in the mirror. Most important of all is recognizing that when you're focused in the direction your heart tells you to go, creativity abounds!

Happy Hump Day!

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw

by Skip Cohen

Not too long ago, I started lightening up my Friday posts. Heading into the weekend, regardless of what you have on the agenda, it takes a little work to clear your head from the day-in-day-out stress of business and life.

On the business side, I've talked to so many artists who are frustrated by ever-changing consumer trends, keeping up with technology, and dealing with the competition. Then, throw in the fact that the world is upside down. The 6:00 PM news has become one of the scariest shows to watch. We're all buried under the stress of politics, the economy, health issues, and the list goes on and on.

So, a few months back I moved to a stronger lifestyle theme on Friday posts. My goal is to remind you that you can't control the outside world, but you can manage your little piece of it. It's all tied to your attitude and making fun a priority. "Fun" is one of those words so often lost under the pressure of being a business owner.

Lou Mitchell wrote the following with the quote above: Engaging in play and maintaining curiosity and enthusiasm can keep us young at heart, regardless of age. The perspective encourages us to incorporate fun, creativity, and joy in our daily lives...Are you prioritizing fun and creativity in your life, or are you becoming bogged down by routine and responsibilities?

Here's my point this morning: Whether you're 30 or pushing 80 - you're only as old as your attitude. To modify something I learned at least 40 years ago from a remarkable motivational speaker, Ed Foreman, and put into my own words: Life is for laughing, loving, and living - not bitching, moaning, and complaining. 

Wishing all of you a terrific weekend ahead. Do your best to focus on things that make you laugh and your heart soar! And if somebody tells you to act your age, subtract at least 10-20 years. It's time to bring back the Peter Pan inside you..."I won't grow up!"

by Skip Cohen

​I started the "Drilling Down" series as a way to share ideas to help you build a stronger business and increase brand awareness. Today is focused on "fun." Out of everything I've shared to date, "fun" might be the most important of all. "Fun" is one of those very special words too often lost under the stress of business today.

Having fun with what you're doing is as important as your skill set as an artist and business owner. In fact, it's at the very core of success. But fun doesn't just happen - it takes work! You've got to take the time to have fun. You've got to recognize burnout. You've got to use those Who Wants to Be a Millionaire lifelines and phone a friend.

When I look back on all my years in this industry, there are so many knuckleheads who have made it fun. For example, during his years at Kodak, Terry Deglau and I simply had fun, but we worked hard to make it happen. We often tagged on extra days at conventions - including driving Ansel Adams' Cadillac into Yosemite for three days with a trunk loaded with Hasselblad gear and Kodak film after PhotoWest in the 90s.

When you're hanging out with good friends and simply having fun, the process of laughing and enjoying each other's company brings new ideas bubbling to the surface. Great friends share so many common interests. It's not about fame, money, or your skills, but about being happy in whatever you're doing, and then sharing time with the right people.

I've written many times in the past, "You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!"  So, if stress is winning too much lately, here are some easy suggestions (in no particular order) to push it back where it belongs!
​

• Take the time to step away from the business.
• Make time to get to know the people you interact with.
• Go to lunch with a friend.
• Don't answer your phone for a few hours on an afternoon when you need a little time to yourself.
• At upcoming conventions, take the time to meet new people.
• Get to know the team at the vendors you work with.
• Don't "doom-scroll" in social media. Ten minutes of scrolling often sours my mood, leaving me hours to snap out of it.
• Keep music playing throughout the day in your office. It's not for everybody, but with my home office there's always something playing on Alexa.
• Keep in touch with friends on social media.
• Follow birthdays and anniversaries - I love Facebook for that.
• On the personal health side: exercise, get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and eat healthy.

Work to put "FUN" into your business life. And, don't let your business interrupt the time you need with family and friends. 

Have fun, work hard and money will come. Don't waste time - grab your chances.
Have a positive outlook on life. When it's not fun move on.

Richard Branson
​

by Skip Cohen

As I sat down to write my Friday post this morning, I had a hard time choosing a topic. Usually, I can find inspiration on my Facebook notifications, but today I was buried in stories about Trump and a Congress without a backbone. I hate what's happened to our country and the morons who continue to support a conman and his minions.

But it's Friday, and I'm not sure I've ever looked forward to the weekend more. I'm going to step away from my computer, limit my news intake, and appreciate what we can control in our lives. No doubt the grill will be slow-cooking something, and without question, Margaritas will be involved.

And in terms of the quote above...While I hate how Congress has forgotten about We the People, I'm celebrating the people we love and two pups who have enriched our lives beyond measure. Not only is Lucy asleep in my lap as I'm writing, but so are my legs! LOL

So, while the circulation comes back into my legs, I'm wrapping this up with a goal to do my best to follow James Murphy's lead above - and make at least a part of every day feel like a weekend!

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and time to simply appreciate everything that's going right in your life without being buried under the stress of what's wrong!

​Happy Friday!

Do not follow where the path may lead.
​Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Skip Cohen

As I've shared several times in past posts, Sheila and I read something motivational each morning from one of the books we select each year.  I've got Lou Mitchell to thank for the quote above, and he went on to write:

...Following well-trodden paths can lead to conformity, while blazing new trails fosters innovations and personal fulfillment. By daring to be different and create our own way, we contribute original ideas and inspire others to do the same.

When was the last time you worked on something completely different from what you do every day? We get too comfortable in our routines and fail to seize the opportunities that come along to take a different path. Then, one day, we start to lose interest in whatever career path we've been on...our heart just isn't in it, yet there are people who depend on us, so we keep trudging along.

If you're in a rut, then it's time to take a break - step back and think about what might be missing. Use the innermost circle of your network as a sounding board. Your most trusted friends know you the best, but so often we're afraid to ask for help. The point is, you're approaching burnout, and mixing things up a little might be just what you need most. Maybe it's just taking time off to chill and reflect on future paths.

Years ago, Dean Collins, one of the industry's most innovative commercial photographers and educators, was asked, "Aren't you afraid people will copy everything you're teaching and do the same thing you're doing?" Dean's answer, "By the time they do, I'll be onto something else!"

Here's my point - technology never stands still. Every day, new doors open in capture and post-production. At the same time, consumer demand to capture memories never slows down. As a photographer or videographer, you're an artist and magician - you help people capture the intangible and create tangible proof that time can really stand still.

It's a big responsibility and loaded with fulfillment if you do it right. But again, as I've written in the past, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if you're own heart isn't in it.

Blaze your own trail in life. Make your own choices and make your own mistakes.
It's the only way you'll find your own happiness, not someone else's.
M. Leighton

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday, and if you're in the US, it's Memorial Day weekend. In the "old" days, living up north, this was the weekend the grill came out and the first barbecue to kick off the summer. However, living in California and now in Florida, there's something to be said for a grill that's always ready... without putting on a parka!

I ran across the quote above this morning, and I love its simplicity. It was shared by Lou Mitchell, who went on to write: By nurturing positive, constructive thoughts, we create a foundation for a fulfilling life. Conversely, negative thinking can trap us in a cycle of dissatisfaction.

It's a holiday weekend, at least for those of you in the US. So, continuing Lou Mitchell's comments on a fulfilling life, I'm just starting with this upcoming weekend. Do your best to clear your head of everything negative and take the time to appreciate family and friends, and whatever you're putting on the grill!

Years ago, Colbie Caillat released a song titled "Think Good Thoughts." The chorus says it all:

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and plenty of time to think good thoughts!

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.
Helen Keller

by Skip Cohen

​I came into the professional side of imaging in 1987. For almost 40 years, I've met and worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of artists and business owners. Those who have been most successful have always had a vision of how they wanted their business to look and perform.

What makes me sad is the number of artists who either had minimal vision or treated their vision as if it were embedded in concrete, unchangeable. So, they stuck to the same path, forgetting the expression, "If you do what you've always done, you'll never get more than you've ever gotten!"

Success is more than just the financial side of a business - it's also about waking up with a smile on your face, excited about the day ahead. It's about being able to pivot when necessary, keeping up with technology and maintaining momentum. ​

If you're not happy with what you're doing, or how your business is running, then step back, analyze the issue, and make the changes you need. 

Here's the bottom line - stay true to your passion. If your original vision needs to change, then don't be afraid to follow another path, just don't abandon your dreams completely. When I was a kid, people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. The truth is, I still don't know, but I know I'm happy and life is anything but dull. And as long as I'm still waking up smiling and charged up for the day ahead, then I'm on the right path!

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure.
Jon Krakauer

by Skip Cohen

I've gotten into the habit of keeping it short and simple on Fridays. Like my Sunday Morning Reflections posts, I rarely know what I want to write about in advance. Looking for inspiration, I was wandering through Lou Mitchell's book on positive thinking, and the quote above came up.

He went on to write: ...It's in our nature to seek out new experiences and push the boundaries of our comfort zones. This passion for adventure fuels personal growth, creativity, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

While most of my days are pretty terrific, every now and then, as I've gotten older, I miss the adventures. I define "adventures" as anything I've ever done that was out of my comfort zone; time with friends who I hadn't seen in a long time; virtually any conference or convention; or even starting or finishing a new project, just to name a few.

Yes, I now officially qualify as an "old fart," but aside from creaking for 10 minutes when I get up in the morning, I don't feel any different than I did 20-30 years ago.

Here's my point - it's the absence of adventure that ages us. And when we get that attitude of "been-there-done-that," we're doomed to boredom setting in!

Wishing everybody a day and weekend ahead that's an adventure. Growth doesn't just happen outside your comfort zone. It happens when you let your creativity run wild, spend time with friends who make you laugh, and when you take notice and appreciate the people who love you most.

Okay, so I'm getting sappy, but it's really just about appreciating everything in our lives and avoiding wasting energy on things outside our control. 

Seriousness is overrated. If you want to achieve more without ruining your life,
the first step is to approach your work with a sense of play!
A. Abdall

by Skip Cohen

This short post has a message many of us often overlook: life gets too serious, and that heaviness leads to more stress.

The bottom line is the way so many of us have done our best growing and surviving in business over the years - work hard, play hard. Some of the most successful projects I've ever worked on involved a team of people who simply refused not to have fun - no matter how hard the task.

These days, that quote above is the perfect reminder that we've all become too serious, mostly about things outside our control. And, if you're one of those people who think playing it safe requires a level of seriousness, here's one more quote:

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

Happy Hump Day!

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing.
That's why we recommend it daily.
Zig Zigler

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and the older I get, the faster the week seems to go by. As I considered what to share on a lighter and more general note, I remembered a quote from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking. He wrote:

Just as we clean our bodies to maintain hygiene, we need to refresh our minds and spirits with motivational thoughts and actions. Consistent motivation fuels our drive and helps us navigate life's challenges with renewed energy. It's not about a one-time surge but about cultivating a habit that keeps us focused and inspired every day.

From the "Drilling Down" series to "Formulas for Success," I've shared a few dozen ideas to help you focus on actions to build a stronger business and make 2026 a record-breaking year. But ideas alone aren't enough - you need to be motivated.

Motivation is the fuel you run on, much like a tank of gas in your car. The ongoing economic challenges that raise the cost of gas every day are a small part of the increasing pressures on our sanity, which make it harder to stay focused and motivated.

The more we're bombarded by outside influences, the harder it is to stay motivated. That's where having faith comes into play. I know I've shared this before - the quote below is in a frame next to my sink in the bathroom, and I see it every morning. Yet, I so often forget it.

Faith...is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Unknown Author

Happy Hump Day - Make the rest of the week as spectacular as you can! It takes motivation and motivation takes faith.

Build your own dreams, or somebody else will hire you to build theirs.
Farrah Gray

by Skip Cohen

Ever had an idea of something you wanted to do, but pondered so long that you missed the window of opportunity? While I've written more than once that procrastination isn't a strategy, sometimes it's hard to practice what you preach.

Well, at 4:00 am this morning, I had an idea of something I want to do business-wise, and I've been on fire ever since. When I say "on fire," it just means I'm in the planning and review mode; lots of energy with no complacency. I'm the kid in Animal House with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. The good news is the devil is just throwing out challenges of everything that won't work...while the angel is helping me hold focus.

Put all that together, while I'm not ready to share what I'm thinking about, the process itself is about finding the energy for a mini-dream.

You're never to old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

Here's the challenge I've had lately...it's about aging. While I've slowed down on many aspects of my business, I'm not "done" yet. There are still a few ideas bouncing around in my head. Just putting them down on paper is energizing - now comes the challenge of doing a lifeboat drill - figuring out what makes it into the boat and what doesn't.

I've had challenges like this before...In 2009, I decided to leave WPPI/Rangefinder Publishing and start my own company. When Sheila confronted me and asked, "What are you afraid of?" My answer was immediate, "Failing." Later in 2013, Sheila found me in the middle of the night in my home office with a dry-erase board covered with ideas that evolved into Skip Cohen University and this blog.

Here's my point--If you've got an idea that's been hanging around long enough to appear more than just a few times in your thoughts and conversations with friends, then it's time to pursue it. Don't let it stagnate and get buried under the stress of life. Like the Nike slogan: Just do it!

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and time to do some daydreaming.

You have exactly one life in which to do everything you'll ever do. 
Act accordingly!
Colin Wright

We're moving into a new year and it's another leap of faith.
But, it's a whole lot easier if you believe in yourself!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

We've been in a new year for almost four months, but we're moving into prime seasonality. The bottom line - You have to have faith in yourself.  You have to believe in what you’re doing.  You have to understand not only the craft, but the human spirit. And, it’s the human spirit that should be at the top of your list.

For most of us, the definition of the ultimate photograph is one that moves people. You can’t move people and create images that tug at their hearts if you’re not comfortable with your own heart.  So, it all becomes sort of obvious – it’s faith in yourself that creates confidence and builds your strength of character and gets your heart where it should be.

The challenges in the outside world right now border on being overwhelming. All of us are at times filled with doubt as a result of so many things outside our control. But what is in control is your faith as an artist!

1. No career field, with the exception of modern medicine, gives the world what photographers do!  What would a newspaper look like without photography?  Or, a wedding album? The list goes on and on.
2. A wedding album is the first family heirloom of a brand-new family! The dress will never be worn again.  The food is gone.  The band has stopped playing, but the wedding album will last forever, sadly,  longer than half the marriages performed today.
3. Your images capture memories. You’re the eyes of your client.  You’ve been hired to capture the moments they missed, whether it’s at a wedding or a "day in the life" shoot of their children.
4. Your clients have hired you because they trust you. Think about the meaning of the word “trust”.  No matter what you’ve ever done in your life, right or wrong, here’s somebody who has simply put their faith and trust in your abilities to tell their story.

And for those of you who think you're going to be replaced by AI...it still takes a master storyteller to capture memories, regardless of the tools you use to create the finished product. I’m constantly accused of being one of the industry cheerleaders, but honestly, this is an easy job.  What could be more incredible than working with people who put their trust in you?  What could be a more wonderful job than being a storyteller?

Nobody can teach you to have faith in yourself – it’s caught, not taught.  So, how to catch it and keep it?  Stay focused on your career path and your subjects.  Learn every possible technique you can.  Make it a point to understand photography before you push the shutter button. Know your gear – know your lighting – know your lab – know your clients.  And never ever compromise on quality!

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created.  It is a major force in explaining man to man." Edward Steichen:  

"I wish more people felt that photography was an adventure, the same as life itself, and felt that their individual feelings were worth expressing.  To me, that makes photography more exciting!" Harry Callahan

The three big ones in life are wealth, health, and happiness.
We pursue them in that order, but their importance is in the reverse order.
Naval Ravikan

by Skip Cohen

Whether you're celebrating Passover or Easter, it makes no difference - Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and healthy holiday weekend ahead. The world is upside down, but that won't slow down Spring, and it doesn't need to dampen your spirits and faith that things are going to get better.

This weekend, try to shut out the noise and appreciate what makes your heart soar. It may sound sappy, but maybe that's what we need today—more sentimentality and a focus on what truly matters, together with the people who have helped to make us who we are.

Happy Passover...Happy Easter...Welcome Spring!

Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers.
Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.
Luther Burbank
​

Whatever you do, you need courage.
Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you're wrong.
There are always difficulties arsing which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to the end
requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and just for a change, I wandered through my bookshelf and pulled out a Walk the Talk book. Years ago, I bought a set of them to help me find more motivation when I was struggling with a challenge.

In the past, I would have shared the quote above for those of you dealing with major decisions about your business and career. But in all honesty - with the world currently upside down, we're all having to dig deep to find the courage to not give up the fight.

So whether your fight is within your heart in dealing with skepticism from people who don't believe in you, or you're having trouble dealing with the insanity in the world, starting in D.C, no matter what you're feeling, you need courage. We all still need to believe in each other and do everything we can, in our own communities, to prevent anything or anyone from undermining our values.

Wishing everyone a great day and the courage to focus on what matters most.

"The darkest nights produce the brightest sunrises."
Unknown

Despite everything that's wrong—or at the very least challenging—in my life, so much is right. Yet, amid the stress of living, I've wasted too much time focusing on what's missing instead of what's in front of me. Maybe the difference between a curmudgeon and a dreamer is simply more sunrises. Perhaps how a day starts matters more than watching the sun drop below the horizon.

I recognize that I'm sounding a little too much like Jack Handy from years back with SNL, but this morning I have a feeling I don't want to lose. I can choose to celebrate that thorns have roses, or be miserable because roses have thorns—it's all in perspective.

Wishing everyone a day filled with memory-making moments and inner peace. Treasure those who bring you happiness, and share an eleven-second hug with the one who matters most. Make today meaningful.

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it!
Skip Cohen

by Skip Cohen

I've made that statement a few times over the years, and it's so true. As a professional photographer, you've chosen a career path that requires interaction with clients, whether they're in front of your camera or interacting in business negotiations.

With the time change last weekend, I'm having a harder time than before adjusting to waking up in the morning. I was trying to sleep in a little this morning, getting up at almost 7:30 rather than the usual 6:30. What got me up was the noise of a delivery truck backing up across the street and the annoying beep.

Wouldn’t it be great if the human body was equipped with a backup signal?  All we need is a simple device that just lets people know we’re “backing up”. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the problem. It isn’t letting people know we’re backing up, it’s accepting that we should back up in the first place!

I’ve seen so many photographers, determined to stay on the path they’ve chosen, who are miserable. They’re determined to prove a point and stay true to the road they’ve chosen to travel when a slight turn or even starting the journey over would put a smile back on their face.

I’ve met wedding photographers who admit they hate weddings and “would have loved to be shooting commercial work, but the money just wasn’t there!”  I’ve talked with studio photographers doing portraits who wish they had “the variety of situations wedding photographers get to enjoy!”  Then there are thousands of photographers who insist on running EVERY aspect of their business, never considering outsourcing tasks that take them away from what should be their core, shooting and marketing themselves.

Here’s my point:

Don’t be afraid to change paths. Stop feeling like you have to not only inform the world but also get everyone’s opinion. You need to believe in yourself!

Many years ago, my good buddy, Matthew Jordan Smith, when I asked him for a quote for new photographers just starting out, said, “You’ve got to find your own voice!” I guess I want to change that slightly – yes, you have to find your own voice, but then you have to listen to it!

You can’t please everybody, and you’re only one person. The only person you really have to keep happy is the one looking back at you every morning in the mirror. So, if along the way you have to change your path to increase your personal satisfaction, then go for it!

Your most important client is YOU!