Sunday Morning Reflections - Blazing Your Own Trail

It's Sunday Morning and more than usual I'm going with a theme in my heart, versus what's in my head. This was a bizarre week as I rode an emotional roller-coaster with more highs and lows than Space Mountain at Disney!

It's bizarre that I still can't find a live body at Facebook to listen and understand two key problems I'm having. And, in the process of sharing my frustration, they shut me down and then, thanks to so many of you confirming my name, brought me back to life, but that's not my topic this morning.

I'm out of my usual environment and in my hotel room getting ready to attend IUSA. In this morning's email was Chris Corradino's newsletter. At this point, I don't remember how Chris and I met in cyberspace, but I do remember meeting face to face at PPE in New York. He's a photo educator, and I enjoy his monthly newsletter because there's always something that gets me thinking.

He wrote the short piece below called, "Compose With Your Feet" suggesting artists search for a new spot to shoot whenever you notice the grass has been overly trampled. Well, that got me thinking about everything we do and yes, even Facebook's cookie-cutter attempt to determine what we should all be called.

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by Chris Corradino

At nearly every scenic vista or photographic landmark, you'll notice a definitive dirt spot where grass once grew. This well-worn spot is the final destination for scores of tourists who shoot the same photo year after year. Rather than following the crowd, take a quick loop around the area and search for unique perspectives. Perhaps it involves lying down, or finding a raised vantage point. Maybe you'll come across an interesting element to add to your foreground. You'll work a bit harder this way, but the effort can lead to unique captures of a heavily photographed site. In his book "You Can Do Anything," author James Mangan wrote, "The narrow mind stays rooted in one spot; the broad mind is free."

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So, no matter what you photograph, let's make 2016 the year where we each set new standards. Mix things up a little. In the film days, my buddy Tony Corbell used to say, "Save the last few frames on the roll and shoot in a way that's different from what you normally do!" 

I know for me that's exactly the way I want to live my life because life is simply too short and we've only got yesterday and today in our stash.  That brings me right up to two hours from now when I'm going to have breakfast with a good friend here in Atlanta.

The number one reason to make sure you attend at least two of the major conventions during "trade show season" is about relationships. They're at the root of every success story in your life. No matter how you define success, which for me is simply about being happy, you can't do it without your friends. Sometimes it takes a Herculean effort because things just get in the way.

Chris Corradino has suggested we compose great images with our feet. Well, I want to take it one step further and suggest that along with our images, we compose our lives with our hearts. Live your life the way it feels best. Don't be afraid to test out new directions and most important of all smile more and whine less, even when you're talking to yourself! 

As always, but especially relevant today after the first full week in the new year, take the time to appreciate everything and everyone in your life. Hug somebody special and make sure they know they play a significant role in your life. Most important of all don't be afraid to tell your friends what they mean to you. 

Note: A fun sidebar: I called Chris at 7:15 this morning to make sure he was okay with me borrowing part of his newsletter. I caught him at the airport on his way down here to Atlanta, and I'll catch up to him on the trade show floor later today, helping me reinforce what I so strongly believe in...the importance of friendships!

See Chris Corradino's complete newsletter

Images by Chris Corradino. All rights reserved.