by Skip Cohen

​Sundays are always about going off the topic of business and marketing in imaging, but I have to admit I've run amuck this morning, and I'm writing more of a rant. However, I'm betting you're all in the same boat - I'm tired of telemarketing scams combined with a truckload of spam in my mailbox. 

I'm tired of being pitched extended warranties on a car I no longer own, health insurance, debt consolidation, and cruises I've been selected to sail at no cost! Then there's the IRS scam telling me my social security number is being withheld along with my PC sending out error messages. Last but not least, the people calling always have a distinct third-world accent in their voice, yet their names are almost always James, John, Robert, Michael, or William with an occasional Bruce or Sean thrown in.

​Just for the fun of it, I hit Google to see the most common American male names. Here are the top five, representing almost twenty-two million men. Plus, add in another million wannabe amateur scam artists.

For a long time, I had a fun routine, purely for entertainment value. First, I'd be upbeat and thank them for the call adding, "I'd love to take your call, but we have a home interruption policy. So I need a purchase order so we can bill you $150 for our time, and then I can talk to you for as long as you need!"
 
The hard part is often getting legitimate calls because I recognize where the calls are from, only to find it's a bogus phone number and somebody selling me something. And as I've gotten older, the calls have increased, especially this time of year when we're trying to decide what company to use for the new year's insurance coverage on drugs.

So, my rant this morning is really a tribute to Nomorobo, call screening software, and my phone system that screens unwanted calls. I can't imagine the volume of calls I'd get without this support. Unfortunately, my spam filter on my email hasn't quite caught up to Nomorobo's technology, but it helps slow things down. And then there's old school - the garbage can is my first stop up the driveway after hitting my mailbox!

And there you have it - just a few minutes of venting, and you've helped me kick off the day ahead. It's Sunday and perfect to get in family and friend time with the people most important in your life. So make it a memory-maker with time to simply appreciate all the non-spam in your life. And while you're unsubscribing from all those mail lists in your life, unsubscribe from everything and everyone who doesn't put a smile on your face!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else!
Erma Bombeck

by Skip Cohen

As ALWAYS, I'm way off the daily topic of business and marketing, and I've got to warn you, it's a sappy morning. I slept really well last night, and my dreams came and went like guests on an old Jerry Lewis telethon. But there was a common theme of pre-Covid life - you know, like the way things used to be.

In between the different dreamscapes, I was half awake and thinking about our industry and the business we're in. That led me to thoughts of artists who believe they've lost the ability to achieve their dreams while at the same time others who seem to be thriving.

My career path in imaging is a part of who I am. Like so many of you, and certainly my closest industry friends, we joke about it, but we really do eat, drink, and sleep photography. And here's my point...

Don't give up on your dreams! I absolutely believe we're going to get things back on track, and while there's no guarantee on the timing, I see things improving already. For me, I've shut off the news; I keep in touch with like-minded friends; I get enough sleep (never under-estimate the power of enough "shut-eye"), and I follow as many photographers as I can on social media.

Remember, if you don't like the path you're on, then change it! Nothing is cast in concrete in this business, and so often, an inspirational dream can carry you in a completely different direction from where you started. You don't have to change the world - just your tiny piece of it. And if we all work on our "tiny piece," think about how things will change.

What's my dream? I'm not slowing down in working to stay on track. Nothing has changed in the consumer's need to capture memories. The pandemic didn't take away my skillset, and it's not holding me back from growing and learning more about those things I love to do, the people I love to be with, and my future. 

So, you've got nothing to lose if you just hold focus. You know how to hold focus with your camera - now it's time to do it with your heart.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time to kick back and dream a little. The fun of daydreaming is that you're awake and can go anywhere when you're relaxed. And when it comes to the people you love the most, share your dreams. Let them be a part of whatever it is you want to build...don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs and make it a day to remember!

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

Angels exist...
But sometimes they don't have wings
and are called friends!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

​I rarely write about people outside the industry, but this week we lost an extraordinary friend. Only a handful of you knew Frank Fleisher, but hopefully, many of you are lucky enough to have someone like Frank in your life.

Ever had a friend who you didn't know that long, but you can't remember a time when they weren't in your life? Frank and I met just six years ago when we were both asked to be on the Board of the Senior Friendship Centers here in Sarasota. The friendship was instant, and as we sat together at a lunch meeting with Erin McLeod, CEO for SFC, I remember her declaring right there, we were never going to be allowed to sit next to each other at any board meeting.

Over the years, the friendship grew, and Frank and his wife Barbara became one of our favorite couples to get out to dinner with. And when they left town each summer for their cottage in Maine, we'd go through withdrawal, counting the days until they were back! 

My favorite picture of Frank is a grab-shot from my phone on the right. Frank and I were both trying to lose weight. So we had a little side-bet over a month or two, and whoever lost bought the next dinner for the four of us. Well, in the middle of the challenge, there was a Board meeting, and Frank decided to try and tip the scale in his favor - he came over to me with a full plate of blonde brownies and pumpkin roll!

When the pandemic hit, we went months without seeing them. They stayed in Maine longer than just the summer, but within two weeks after they were back, we reunited for dinner at one of our favorite places.

We hadn't had our vaccines yet, but we knew we'd all been careful and safe. So, we didn't hug, did fist bumps, and maintained social distancing throughout dinner. But for dessert, we decided to do what we usually did and ordered one dessert and four forks.

​As we sat there, all sharing one order of flourless chocolate cake, I started laughing. I pointed out how we'd all been so careful social distancing through dinner but underestimated the power of chocolate - we were all huddled together eating off the same plate!

That was our last dinner together last Spring. Frank was diagnosed with a type of leukemia, fought a hard battle, and passed away this past Thursday.  

​Look, life is simply too short, and while Sheila and I will miss Frank immensely, he's a part of us. His incredible heart, style, giving nature, and smiling face have contributed so much to the quality of our lives, and all in such a short time.

Frank always liked to pick on me because I rarely wear long pants. After all, I live in Florida, and a nice shirt and shorts work virtually everywhere. So he used to tell me to put on big boy pants. 

Well, Frank, I'm putting on my big boy pants today and doing my best to cherish the memories and our time as friends and fight off the sadness. You were like a brother and almost got me to like Scotch! You will be so missed. We love ya, buddy!

​As Erin McLeod shared in an email....

Gratitude make sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday, and if you follow me regularly, then you know there's no chance you're about to read anything about marketing or business. This is my day to let my head and heart go any place I want, and rarely does what I write have anything to do with work directly.

Last week Sheila and I were reading Melody Beattie; she talked about a "gratitude box." Well, we decided to take this beautifully carved box we have and fill it with messages about things we're grateful for. Well, that got me thinking about my life these days, the mess in the world around us; and the smile I wake up with every morning. And while they don't always seem to go together, I started thinking about the tradition of going around the table at Thanksgiving and talking about the things that make us thankful.

Now, go one step further - why do so many people only do it at Thanksgiving? No matter how bizarre you may think your life is - there's ALWAYS something to be grateful about. From big things to little - there's so much we take for granted. I'll admit, aging has an impact on my view of life. But, with age does come a certain level of wisdom, simply out of the experiences we've had for what works and what doesn't.

The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.
Frank Lloyd Wright

So, go back up top and read Melody Beattie's quote one more time. Take a look in your rearview mirror, then look where you are right now, finish with looking forward and cherish where you're headed. And if the path you've chosen isn't feeling right, look at why and then change it. Nothing we do or choose has to be forever.

And when it comes to what I'm grateful for - it starts with Sheila and the pups, our family, my health our friends and comes full circle to all of you in an industry I stumbled into so many years ago. What an incredible ride it continues to be!

Wishing everybody a holiday weekend (if you're in the US) filled with gratitude that outshines your frustrations and challenges. You know how to work with selective focus on your camera - well, now is a great time to view the problems in your life outside depth of field and let your optimism and appreciation genes go crazy!

​Happy Labor Day Weekend!

by Skip Cohen
 
It's Sunday morning, and I'm always off the topic of business and marketing. But, I sat down to write I had trouble with a topic. So, I started to get a head start on writing for tomorrow. Recently I got back to sharing some of my favorite quotes each morning on Twitter - every day at 10:15 am, I share a new one.

As I typed up tomorrow's and put it into the pipeline, it became the perfect foundation for today's post!

"If you hit a wrong note, then make it right by what you play afterwards."
Joe Pass

​In a program at ClickCon in Chicago two weeks ago, I told a story about Michele Celentano.

Approximately ten years ago, at a boot camp program SCU did before WPPI, she was a speaker. She got up in front of everybody and said, "Twenty years ago, I was right where you are - wondering how long it would be before my work didn't suck!" She then shared some of the worst wedding photographs anybody has ever seen.

Like the quote above - she hit a WRONG note...probably a whole album full! But the passion and love she had for this business never slowed down. She took every possible workshop she could and studied under some of the finest artists/educators in the industry.

Today's she's one of the finest family portrait artists in the world, but more importantly, she's never stopped giving back to other photographers who are just getting started.

And there's my point - whether it's your skillset as you grow as an artist, your role with family and friends, or building your business - don't waste time over-analyzing your mistakes. Instead, think of them as speed bumps and move on. You hit a wrong note - so make it right in what you play afterwards.

Wishing everybody a day with minimal challenges and if you hit a speed bump, remember it's not Mt. Everest. Drive over it and move on! Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with friends and family you care the most about and stop looking back at what you might have done wrong. Stay focused on the future and moving forward with what you can do right.

​Happy Sunday, everybody...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world!

by Skip Cohen

While I'm generally off the topic of business on Sunday mornings, there's another variable today. For the first time in at least ten years, I took the last week off, and it was for two reasons. First, we were heading to ClickCon, and while I usually always have posts in my stash, I chose to shut things down for this trip. Second, I was approaching burnout, and while I talk about recognizing when you need a break, now and then it's tough to walk the talk with my own advice!

Then, as I sat down this morning, feeling recharged and ready to get back in the game, I got an email from the crew at Story People. Sheila and I are both big fans, and we've got six of their prints framed on a wall in our home.

As I read the "story," it hit me - this last year was a year of growth. While the transition was often the result of dealing with the pandemic, we grew regardless.

We learned to find other ways to keep in touch with friends when physical proximity was off the table. We found things to smile about when at the time, things seemed the bleakest. And when it came to getting back in touch with people and traveling to Chicago for ClickCon, we discovered the pure joy of time with old friends and making new ones.

One of the biggest reasons you should attend every conference you can, is to recharge your battery. And that's exactly what this last week did for me. So, while I essentially shut down the blog in terms of new content - it gave me time to simply appreciate what a fantastic industry we're all a part of!

When we launched this blog in 2013, my buddy Scott Bourne told me to trust him and not do anything until he published a specific tweet, but he wouldn't tell me what it was. He had 100,000 followers at the time - today, over 200,000. He ran, "Skip Cohen is back!" and included the link to the new blog the next day. The response ranged from people checking out SCU to "Skip who?" to "What do you mean he's back? I just talked to him yesterday?" to "Where did he go?"

Well, here we are eight and a half years later, and after hundreds of podcasts and thousands of posts, once again, "I'm back!"  And I'm so pumped up for so many good things coming over the rest of this year!

There's my message - recognize when you need a break. Accept that even when you're feeling a little burned out, you're still growing, and never underestimate the power of your friends to help you get back on track! Take the time to recharge when you need it.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time with the people you appreciate the most. Don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs. Most important of all, remember that growth happens fastest outside your comfort zone!

Happy Sunday, everybody...or Monday to those of you on the other side of the world.

by Skip Cohen

Every couple of years, I share this incredible piece from Kodak created many years ago. Unfortunately, the quality of the video isn't very good but just listen to the story. It's a piece that should be mandatory for EVERY photographer to watch at least a couple of times a year.

I don't say this very often, but just TRUST ME and watch the video. 

The pandemic took a lot away from everyone in this industry, but NOT your creativity, passion, or the consumer's need to capture memories. It's the perfect vitamin to boost your emotional immune system.

We're headed to Chicago for ClickCon later today. The anticipation I'm feeling is almost overwhelming as I look forward to new friends and old ones we haven't seen in nearly two years! It's going to be a conference, mini-tradeshow and reunion - all jam-packed into the next four days. What a kick!

Wishing everybody a Sunday filled with memory-making moments and time to kick back and appreciate the incredible career path you chose when you stepped into imaging!

​Happy Sunday, everybody!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and as usual I'm a long way from writing about business. As I sat here thinking about what to post, I started to think about the last eighteen months.  I doubt that I'm any different than most of you - it's been a rollercoaster of emotions.

I've missed contact with friends and associates. I'm tired of arrogant self-centered politicians who refuse to focus on the people they're supposed to represent. I'm sick of not knowing who to believe on anything that's relevant. And God forbid somebody says to me, "I know it's true, I read it on the Internet!" Every day I'd bounce around from the sadness of missing friends and freedom to moments of joy thanks to Sheila and the two pups. 

Melody Beattie wrote:

"If you don't know when you feel sad and alone, you won't know when you feel good. Feel all the feelings that come your way. Each one has a lesson for you. And as you release that energy, you'll be releasing passion, too. Value your passions and the way you feel. Soon you'll find yourself knowing just what to do and when."

As you work to overcome the sadness of how much business has changed, the reality is you didn't lose your skillset. And while the path for the journey to your dreams might have changed - your passion is still intact - just buried under the baggage of today's world. It's time to let it out!

Here's what's remarkable - you're not alone! We've ALL felt those same frustrations, but it's incredible how bright the future can be if you look past the challenges. And while I know how sappy and hokey that sounds, just take a minute and think about it because it's so true.

"If you want to knock down the wall between you and the life of your dreams,
it's best to do it one brick at a time."
Paul McKenna

​Wishing everybody a day with time to focus on your dreams. Learn to appreciate the low points in your life because they highlight the high points. Your passion for life, business, creativity is still there, chomping at the bit to take off and help you grow. So go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people who mean most to you. They're the ones who will help you take down the wall and focus your energy on your dreams!

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

by Skip Cohen

I'm almost always off-track from business and marketing on Sunday morning posts. And it's most often in the same general area - something that hit me and usually took my spirit to a great place. These days, anything that makes me laugh is a quick charge for my "battery."

Nick Vedros sent me a chuckle this morning, and I'm sharing it because so many of us can identify with the sentiment. What makes me laugh is my love for coffee but my inability to handle caffeine. But, of course, that doesn't stop me each morning from the great smell of coffee when Sheila puts the pot on.

I grew up drinking my coffee black because that's the way my grandfather drank it. It started when I was fourteen, and we went to this little hole in the wall down from his hardware store. I wanted to show him I was no longer a kid, and when he ordered a black coffee, I proudly said, "Make it two!" 

Well, those days are long gone, but not the fun of the memories and sitting at "Kitty's" in Fairport Harbor, Ohio with my grandfather and two cups of coffee...black.

Fast forward to today, and I'm blown away by the cars lined up at the drive-through at Starbucks. And I'm trying to figure out when did $5 for a coffee become the norm, plus everything that's put into it. I also love it when I witness one of those knuckleheads described to the right.

And while it's not Throwback Thursday, I'm suggesting you find a memory and simply have some fun. Pick a moment from when you were a kid and just run with it. Then, share the story with your family, like I just did with Sheila. 

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. Whether it's over coffee or not, take the time to count your blessings. I'm so tired of people looking at everything we've lost over the last year rather than appreciating what we still have...and what's waiting for us in the future! And ALWAYS go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you care the most about.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

by Skip Cohen

​
It's Sunday morning, and I'm trying hard to stay away from my usual topics related to photography. Still, the anticipation I'm feeling for upcoming events is making that impossible! I've been working on my presentation for ClickCon in Chicago, and after a year and a half of Zoom presentations, the excitement of being with old and new friends LIVE is almost overwhelming.

As I wandered through Adobe Stock looking for a fitting image to accompany today's post, the snail above became the obvious choice. The finish line represents anything we've been trying to do through the pandemic and the snail's pace - well, that's obvious.

What am I most excited about? Bumping into people, literally! I want to be around photographers, vendors, educators. I want to hear noise that isn't coming out of the speakers on my computer. I want to listen to the chatter in the air. I want to enjoy that unique vibrancy in everyone's voice as we appreciate the relentless pace we were on to get to where we could share our mutual passion for the craft again.

It's been one hell of a year, but on August 9, a group of passionate, enthusiastic artists are going to be together to keep the momentum going. It might sound sappy or even hokey to say, but I've missed you guys. 

And there you have it - the excitement of stepping out of cyberspace and into the real world. Of course, it'll be a smaller show than 2019 was, but it's all relative to the new normal. And there's that old line from Mark Twain:

​It's been a snail's pace to get to today, but we've stayed focus on the prize - growing together! And if you're headed to ClickCon - make it a point to pat yourself on the back. Despite all the challenges, you never let the flame of passion for the craft burn out.

Wishing everybody a day of heart-pumping anticipation of working back to a new normal. Even with the restrictions we still have, it beats being hunkered down alone! Have a great day - go for those eleven-second hugs with those people most important to you and give yourself credit - you held focus!

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

​See you in Chicago!

by Skip Cohen

Remember, it's Sunday, and I do my best to stay away from business and marketing. It's my day to share whatever's bouncing around in my head, and it's therapeutic. I'm not sure whether it's my way of recharging for the upcoming week or cleansing my palate from last week's events.

While thinking about what I wanted to share this morning, I picked up a classic book a neighbor gave us as a joke, "Zen as F*CK" by Monica Sweeney. The book is hilarious, not for the faint of heart when it comes to profanity, but loaded with wisdom.

As we come out of the pandemic and so many of you are working hard to refocus and rebuild, I've been a little surprised at the number of photographers still bitter and stuck in analysis paralysis. If they were there by themselves, it wouldn't bother me, but the fact that they want to drag everyone else down with them does. Then there are those moments when we do it to ourselves - we allow the gremlins in our head to sap our energy and hold us back!

Monica Sweeney, in a section of the book, wrote:

Boredom and access to sharp objects are not a fantastic combo. While not everyone is a danger to society by running through life with miniature swords, there are times when you can feel like you're making haphazard decisions, running amok, and generally being a pain in the ass to others.

USE THOSE SCISSORS FOR THE BETTER! What are the things you can cut out that don't add anything positive to your world?

The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful. I sat here this morning pondering why. I've been running with scissors! If I learned nothing else through the pandemic, it's that all of us can get through anything with the right attitude. And we've all got the strength to walk away from the fights. From the battles with companies like Comcast to the news media to politicians and people in our lives who never put their scissors down - we're sometimes surrounded by too much negativity.

We've all got the power to use those scissors and cut out everything that doesn't matter. From annoying telemarketing calls to the nightly news to the battles on Facebook over things that in the long run are meaningless! Stop fighting with idiots with scissors because they didn't like one of the images you shared. Remember my favorite line from my old buddy Dean Collins, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder!"

And there you have it - let's all stop running with scissors. Some of you NEVER put them down, and the result is crumbling self-esteem, a lack of confidence, and a creative spirit that's flatlined! It's time to get it all back. I know that's easier said than done, especially in a blog post - but the opportunities ahead to grow and change our lives are endless!

Wishing everybody a day that's loaded with good friends and moments that make your heart soar. After what we all experienced over the last year, it's not hard to create times loaded with more smiles. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people in your life you cherish the most.

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

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, and I'm staying off the topic of business and marketing, but not the importance of something I've written about so many times in the past - taking a break when you need one. I've written so many times about recognizing the signs when you're on overload. Yet, when following through on my own advice, I do a horrible job of walking the talk.

So, I disappeared for a week and just had a great time with Sheila, the pups, and absolutely no agenda. A few odd jobs around the house, relaxing and just enjoying wasting time. No big goals, only one post during the week, and for the most part, just a "slug-fest." Seriously, a garden slug had more profound thoughts than I did over the last week.

However, this morning I wanted to get out and just play with a camera for a little while and test out a pre-production sample of the new Platyball Elite. So, I went to the community day-dock with a LUMIX G9, the 14-140mm lens, a tripod, and the new ball head. The bottom line - what a kick! Even with the sky not cooperating much, I was blown away by the ease of use, the ability to level, and the technology built into this industry-changing new piece of gear!

The image I'm sharing won't win any awards, but it represents a lot for me. I was the client, and all I wanted to do was have a little fun with no particular plan except to be outdoors for a little while and enjoy life. It was that simple. I even grabbed a shot of neighbors headed out on their boat for a little fishing before the storm comes in today or tomorrow.

And here's my point - recognize when you need a break. Catch yourself before you crash and burn, even if it means wasting time.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.
John Lennon

Wishing all of you a terrific 4th of July weekend and time to kick back and enjoy everybody and everything in your life. And however long you need to recharge your battery - take it! Don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people you cherish the most!

​Happy July 4th!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, and while I try to be off-track from my usual daily post topics of business, it's photography that's the hero of Father's Day 2021. Looking back to my own early days as a father, along with missing my own Dad, it's old photographs that bring back memories. Put old photos together with "neurochromes," images you captured when there wasn't a camera around, and it's non-stop smiles all day long.

So, the fun of this morning is telling stories about my Pop. When I was a kid, he was the one dad who would tie a rope to the car's bumper and let us hook up our sleds as he pulled us around the neighborhood. Today he'd be in jail for child endangerment, but life was different back then. He was the pop who drove us around one July 4th, tossing cherry bombs out the window under bridges, alleys, and the arcade in the shopping center just to see how loud we could make them.

He was also that dad who, when something hit him as truly funny, he'd laugh until he cried. From the Three Stooges to watching Bobo Brazil and the Gallagher Brothers on Saturday wrestling, there was no better buddy to hang out with.

But most important of all, he was my best buddy. He was my best man for my first marriage, and he was the one person in my family to support me when Sheila and I got married in 2010. I remember thanking him for keeping an open heart through my divorce and later my relationship with Sheila. His answer? "When you love somebody, an open heart is your only choice."

And that was my Dad. While I miss him all the time, it's those photographs and videos we've got that keep his memory more than just alive. So often, I'll say to Sheila, "I wish Dad could see this," and her answer is always the same, "He does!"

So to all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day. Don't compromise on making new memories and capture them with more than just neurochromes. Nothing beats looking at old photographs and the memories they bring back.

And nothing tops Jodi Picoult's quote, which I've shared a few dozen times over the years:

“This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once,
even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.”
Jodi Picoult

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday, and time to savor your family, friends and those special moments that make life so worth living and remembering!

Happy Father's Day!

by Skip Cohen

​My wife Sheila always checks out my Sunday Morning Reflections posts before they're published, and she hasn't been happy with my last few posts. "What happened to not talking about photography or business on Sundays?" has been the repeated question. And in all honesty, I don't know - I get up, sit down at my computer, and let my fingers do the walking on the keyboard. Coming out of the pandemic, I've been a little obsessed with helping to get photographers back on track.

Well, Sheila is my muse, and based on the Google dictionary's definition:

Here's my point - there's Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays - but no Muse Day. No day where we kick back and spend a little time thinking about those people in our lives who inspire us. Sheila's my main muse, but every day there are people in our lives who, like Subliminal Man from old SNL shows, help to plant a seed of an idea, make us smile, and give us a little feedback on which path to choose in our journey.

So, I'm declaring June 13, the second Sunday in June, as Muse Day and simply having fun with my main muse. While I've got a little work I need to do, it's going to be a slug day, relaxing and simply smiling more than usual. I want to do my best to focus on everything right in my life instead of getting caught up in the storms and bumpy roads.

Wishing all of you a terrific Muse Day! Take the time to let the muses in your life know they're appreciated. You know how to selectively focus your camera - well, this is about your brain and your heart. It's like focus-stacking your feelings to produce one incredible emotional moment, in focus on each aspect of a relationship.

And, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs. I'm not sure there's ever been a time in our lives when they've been more important or needed!

Happy Sunday - Happy Muse Day!

If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor!
Neil Simon

by Skip Cohen
 
As usual, on Sundays, I'm miles away from thoughts about business and marketing. My challenge is trying to connect a couple of different topics with how we've watched our butterfly population grow.

This year our garden has taken off, especially with Monarchs. Monarch caterpillars are everywhere we've planted milkweed - their nonstop favorite meal! Watching them grow and realizing within the next few weeks, we'll have a few dozen new monarchs is incredibly uplifting.

I couldn't help but think about that line, "If it wasn't for change, there would be no butterflies!" So there it is, my topic for today's post.

I started by grabbing my LUMIX G9 with the 30mm macro lens and headed out looking for "talent" to feature this morning. I found the two guys above right outside our patio. They're just about fully developed, being almost 2 inches long. Soon they'll morph into a chrysalis, and 10-12 days after that, there'll be a couple of new monarchs.

But I want to tie in the changes I've watched in the butterfly world to what's going on in our industry. I found myself thinking about the way the pandemic has had an impact on all of our lives. I've found myself just in much awe of people working hard to rebuild business lost over the previous year, as I am of photographers caught in analysis paralysis.

In a way, we've all become caterpillars, working to evolve into something different, and it's not without risks. Plus, everyone has to rebuild at their own pace, some taking longer than others to develop a game plan.

Growth only occurs outside your comfort zone. Now more than ever, it's time to reinvent yourself, starting with your outlook on the future. You can't develop that outlook and plan without kicking back and daydreaming a little - thinking about what you want your voice to represent. ​

You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell. And the world needs your story because the world needs your voice.
Kerry Washington

by Skip Cohen

Ironically, through the year of the pandemic, most of us recognized we suddenly had time on our hands. Business for many came to a standstill for at least the first 60-90 days; then things started to change - everyone's focus became a little more precise with a wide depth of field, blurry in the background. You used the time to expand your skill set, think about your business, and strategize, and many of you worked hard in social media to build new relationships. It was also depressing, frustrating and confusing!

Like many of you, I found I was more in touch with friends and associates because I had the time to track them down. Facebook and LinkedIn became indispensable tools for relationship building and growth. And the phone came back into play for live conversations along with Facetime, Skype and Zoom.

Well, as we enter the first month of the wonder of post-pandemic life, there are too many of you jumping the gun and looking for life to get back to normal with the flip of a switch. I don't know if this is the right way to look at it or not, but I'm savoring every new day like a fine wine. I'm sipping it slowly and genuinely appreciating everything I missed over the last year.

Melody Beattie started me on this kick this morning:

​Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and we've got neighbors coming over for a very traditional afternoon of burgers, dogs, brats, and Sheila's famous macaroni salad. Throw in a few beers and wine, and it's going to be a perfect day to kick back and laugh. And trust me, I'll savor every moment.

So, if you're the kind of person who's rushing to get everything back to normal, appreciate the "baby steps" and take it one day at a time. Business is coming back; there's a greater sense of family and friendship in the world, and we've all been through the most brutal year we'll hopefully ever face in our lifetimes!

Wishing everybody a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and time with friends and family who you appreciate the most. I know it sounds sappy and hokey, but we honestly are all going through a rebirth - so enjoy each step of the way. And as always - those eleven-second therapeutic hugs are back with a vengeance.  

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

by Skip Cohen

​It's a typical Sunday morning, and like every day of the week, one of the first things that happen is that one of us picks the music to play. We've got one Alexa tower and four of the "hockey pucks," all playing throughout the day through various sound systems. From music by "Back to Earth" to Chris Stapleton, Jack Johnson, and even the Boston Pops, the house is always filled with music. But lately, Alexa hasn't been listening to any of the commands, especially when we want her to stop, pause or change stations. She seems to have a mind of her own.

Well, it got me thinking about how many times a week I fight with a robot. This past week I fought with robots at Amazon, FedEx, Frontier Communications, and American Express. Even the telemarketing calls, most often from law enforcement fund-raisers, start with a pre-recorded message, often so real I start out thinking it's a live body I'm about to turn down.

For those of you old enough to remember, or just film aficionados, we're now living with the Hal 9000 from "2001, A Space Odyssey." This morning, no matter what I told Alexa, she wouldn't stop playing. And when I asked her why, she responded, "I don't know that one." 

​Ever notice how good it makes you feel when you finally get through all the prompts in corporate America and talk to a live body? I used to be grateful if they spoke English, but as more companies move Customer Service offshore, I'm now happy if I get around the robot and technology.

I've got no answers to solving the problems of communication in the world or my frustrations. I just wanted to point out how much we've given up to pre-recorded messages, single-button defaults, and logic when talking to the robots. However, I have discovered that no matter how much they take over the gateways to communications, there's still a certain satisfaction to using the F-bomb!

Wishing all of you a day of minimal frustrations and time to enjoy everyone in your life with an actual heartbeat. We're on the backside of the pandemic in most areas - so get back to those eleven-second therapeutic hugs. Take the time to cherish being alive, with people you love, and talking with friends whose only programming has been what's happened in their lives, especially when you were there.

Here's one to try on Monday morning, if you've got Alexa: "Alexa, skip to Friday!"

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

​by Skip Cohen

I started Sunday Morning Reflections as a way to clear my head for a new week and share whatever was on my mind, always away from my daily topics of business and marketing. Over my years in business, loving the industry as I do, it's always been enough to keep me inspired. Often accused of being professional photography's cheerleader, there's never been a day that I didn't find some sort of inspiration for my continued love for the industry.

But the pandemic came along, and as every paradigm in business shifted, it became harder and harder to focus. Business for many photographers simply disappeared, and as much as I practically begged readers not to give up, the destruction and often hopelessness was like standing on the sidelines during the Civil War, watching Sherman's March to the Sea.

Despite my frustration in finding ways to help artists stay focused, these past couple of weeks became a challenge - but then along came Lizzy Gadd! She's a talented artist who needs to be on your radar. It doesn't matter whether you like her work, only that you recognize what she's accomplished.

Lizzy's a fine art photographer who I met through my CMO role at Platypod. After seven years of developing her craft, she decided to create a limited edition gallery and put her very best work on sale.

Creating a catalog of her very best and most favorite images, she launched everything online on May 6 with a forty-eight-hour sale at 50% off.

​In the first twenty-four hours, she accepted 90 orders for 150 prints - one of them, the image at the top of this post, which Sheila and I both loved, will be hanging in our dining room very soon.

There's a great anecdotal story about the bumblebee, who's designed completely wrong for flying. ​

​"Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway!"

A little like the bumblebee, Lizzy set out to launch her fine art site, and sales exploded. Being a young photographer with somewhat limited experience, she had no predetermined negatives in her mind - she simply had incredible quality in her images, as well as her work ethic. 

And here's my point - I'm inspired by Lizzy's work, her incredible outlook on life, her art, and her optimism. If you think about it, her timing couldn't have been better - she launched this aspect of her business at a time when the world needed to see something new. Coming out of the pandemic, everyone's tired of the restrictions of the last year, and in turn, tired of looking at the same old artwork in their homes and offices. Well, along came a new artist with a fresh outlook, and feel to her images.

I'm not writing this morning to help Lizzy sell more prints, but to have you look at your own world after the last year and find that point of inspiration that puts a smile on your face or, more important, in your heart. I've been in the industry my entire adult life, and I'm so proud to have friends like Lizzy, who keep pushing the edge of the creative envelope and reminding us that if we keep an open mind; nothing is impossible.

We're all a little like the bumblebee, but after the last year, nobody would blame us for thinking we couldn't fly!

Wishing everybody a day of inspiration - a day where you can do more than just refocus on something new with your camera, but a day where that Lizzy-like spirit can take over your soul and give you the optimism to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

As always, go for those for eleven-second hugs with the people you care about most. Remember, long hugs are therapeutic.  You need them to establish the right frame of mind to get back on track with your life, your family, friends, and your business!

Happy Sunday, everybody...and to Lizzy Gadd - thanks for the inspiration you've given so many of us!

Alone we can do so little,
Together we can move mountains!
Sarah Petty and Family

by Skip Cohen
 
Sunday Morning Reflections is always about something completely off topic from the business and marketing of photography. However, getting yesterday's holiday card from Sarah Petty got me thinking about one of the coolest relationship builders so many of you could be using right now.

Here's the short backstory: Sarah was late getting her holiday cards out and mailed them in February. On the front of the card, she printed "Better Late than Never." So, the card was lost in the holiday shuffle and got to my PO Box in late March. I don't use the box that much and picked the card up yesterday.

That's the front of her card above with Sarah and her family. There's something about opening a card like this in April, months after it was meant to be sent. It simply made me smile. I won't deny for a second I'm one of Sarah's biggest fans, but the idea of sending a holiday card out of the usual timing sequence is remarkable.

I've written a lot about relationship building being your top marketing tool, but this takes it to a different level. This past December holiday season, everyone was scrounging for a bit of faith in the future. While we're still not out of the woods, things are better for most of us today. We're slowly returning to a level of normalcy, and little by little, every day, things improve.

So, why not send out a card to your clients and friends to celebrate? Why wait until December to wish people peace and prosperity? I've shared the idea of holiday cards in July in workshops in the past. Still, this year the idea has a little more strength. There isn't a better way for you to remind your target audience you're there for support and to be their number one resource for all their imaging needs.

Wishing everybody a Sunday filled with things that help you bring back a new level of normalcy. And let's not forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I used to write about. They've been on hold for the last year, and they couldn't be more needed or important right now.

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