The World Just Keeps Getting Smaller

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I'm way off track from business and marketing. But, hey, it's what Sundays are all about, and here's a topic everyone can relate to - the world's becoming a tiny place!

Earlier this week, my buddy Wes Simpson in the UK won Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022
and Wedding Photographer of the Year North West at The English Wedding Awards. I knew he was nominated and in the running, but when he shared the video of the announcement, it was almost as good as being there.

I "met" Wes almost five years ago when he posted a bridal image I loved. That led to a spotlight post of his photograph - and the friendship kicked off. We've never met but stayed in touch through Facebook and IMs. And while he may be on the other side of the pond - it doesn't change the respect we have for each other or the fun of catching up here and there. The image he first shared is below - click on it if you'd like to read the backstory.

Well, being able to share his moment of recognition a few days ago got me thinking about how small the world has become. We're all connected to friends and photographers all over the globe.

I think back to grade school and having a pen pal. We were encouraged to write to a kid on the other side of the country or world. It took weeks to get a response, if any. And when we finally received a letter back, we were elated! 

I've written about the renewed sense of family coming out of the pandemic. Well, one other benefit is we're all talking more through social media, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, even the phone. We may not be physically together, but that hasn't slowed us down. In fact, I've stayed in touch with many friends more than I did before the world turned upside down.
 
Am I tired of non-contact friendships? Of course, I am, but there's also an incredibly bright light at the end of the tunnel as things slowly return to some level of normalcy. Attending IUSA in January is a perfect example of the excitement of being together. Last Sunday, Samantha Kennedy and her husband, Bill, were here for the day as they travel around the country in their RV. And on Friday, Erik Cooper in Colorado and I caught up in a great phone call. We got to know each other through PPA and then in person at ClickCon last year.

And there's my point - great friendships survive no matter what the challenges are. It's part of who we are combined with the pure joy in how much we all love the craft. It doesn't matter where we are; photography is the mortar that holds the bricks together. We watch each other's backs, are there for support when needed, and best of all, celebrate each other's accomplishments.

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday...or Monday if you're following me from the other side of the world. Take the time today to simply appreciate how connected we are, and while we all have a love/hate relationship with social media - we'd be alone without it.

Happy Sunday!

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Image copyright Wesley Simpson