Photo Marketing Mentor

They’re two camps of professional photographers that I’ve noticed lately, their are those who are lamenting about the way things ‘used’ to be and how tough it is right now, and those who admittedly aren’t sure what to do next, but, who have made the decision to remain open to the possibilities to reinvent themselves. Which camp are you in?

Recently I was having a conversation with a new photographer friend and business colleague over breakfast. He had traveled here from Minneapolis to do some work with a new client and connect with new friends he had connected with via Facebook, myself included. As we ate we discussed the prevalent attitude amongst many in the professional photographic community about how tough it is right now and how they long for the ‘good ole days’ days to return etc, etc.

Soon after we started talking about the new breed of thinking that’s gratefully starting to take hold. One that’s focused on more than just mere self-preservation. We spoke about the new conversations happening now from within the community, conversations that are centered around re-invention, social media and social consciousness and philanthropic contribution.

We spoke about the new generation of entrepreneurial photographer whose decided to take control of their lively hood as well as their personal life and collapsing divide between the two.

So as a result of this conversation I came up with this analogy that I would like to share with you, you may agree or not, but none the less I hope it at least provides you with some food for thought.   In my personal observation I find that today’s professional photographer have found themselves in the position of  the “reluctant performer”. Essentially finding themselves cast as the lead in a film that they knew nothing about and didn’t necessarily sign up for.

And yet the lights are set-up, the stage has been set, your co-actors are in place, the camera crew is in place and finally the director is ready to roll and yells, “Action”! “But wait”… you say, there’s no script! “Where’s the script?” Then the director yells CUT and he walks up to you and says, “Oh, I forgot to tell you, you are the screenwriter as well”.

That’s what many photographers are facing right now, having to perform as well as write their own script.  The new breed of entrepreneurial photographer has elected to write and develop their script even as they continue to show up for rehearsals, that’s one camp.  While the other camp is complaining, dazed and confused and refusing to perform claiming that it’s not their job to write their own script and essentially refusing to show up.

The bottom line, everyday that we are alive we have to show up, prepared or not. Remain hidden at your peril.

Keep this in mind, for those who are bitching about the the good ole days please remember, the good old days weren’t good for everybody. Business as is life is cyclical. There will be up days and down days, but if you’re doing what you love and it’s truly your passion then make the decision to remain in the game regardless of what’s going on “out there”.

I’d like close with a quote that I came across recently that truly resonated with me and I believe really encapsulates what I’m talking about with you. The quote is about faith. “Faith, is not about having your wings in place before you jump of the cliff, true faith is about taking the leap and building your wings on the way down“.

I’d love to hear your comments, please feel free to share your thoughts below.

(c) Rodney Washington

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