In appreciation of your labor, I’m going to do something different for this Monday Q&A. Today I ask YOU the question. Be vulnerable on this.
178 days into quarantine, have you felt a reset in your career? In what ways?
Please share your answers in the comments.
Keep your business moving forward as clients are looking at us to set the trends. Stay hot, fresh, and relevant – here is a helpful tool to get your ideas out of your mind to make sense of the plan you need to put into action ASAP.
Your topic can be “GROWING FORWARD,” write it on a piece of paper, circle it in the middle of a page, and set it free!
We are trying to adjust to a time we don’t yet know how to handle, which means we have to make decisions and plans. Yet, we are probably all dealing with many thoughts in our heads without much clarity, making it hard to decipher which ones to follow and how to proceed. One useful method is mind mapping. It’s how I became a rep. I started with a central circle labeled “ideal job” and branched out into various aspects of what that job would entail—what it looks like, what I’m wearing, where I am, whether I’m at home or in an office, the time of day I’m working, how much I’m making, and the skills I’m using, which in my case are sales.
Mind mapping helped me clarify my path. I even brought my mind map to a photographer, and he identified me as a rep, a term I wasn’t familiar with at the time. Recently, I did another mind map titled “What I Want from Photographers.” It’s a way to get all your thoughts out by starting with a central question and creating a plan by stepping back and analyzing what you want and how to achieve it. It’s like a vision board for your mind, helping you figure out your direction and strategy.
“You fly to Blockbuster, try and sell the business, and they laugh at you.”
-Marc Randolph, Netflix founder
This quote really speaks to me about the transition from what the world was to what it has become. Netflix represents the content of today, and our entire industry is shifting towards content creation. To keep up, we can’t be stuck in our old ways of thinking. We need to move forward and not just rely on logical predictions of what will happen. Decisions should be based on our intuition about where the world is headed. We must stay one step ahead of change to ensure the success of our careers.
“I liked this story because we placed an emphasis on failure. I find failure to be the very thing, the impetus for the next success.”
-Brad Pitt on Moneyball
This quote really grabbed me because it aligns with how I like to live my life and run my business. When something doesn’t go as planned or I don’t get what I want, I see it as an opportunity. I want the same mindset for my photographers. If we don’t land a job, it’s a chance to motivate ourselves and reflect: Why didn’t we get it? Who did? Check them out and learn from them. If agencies aren’t responding to us, ask why. What can we improve? Is there something new we need to learn or a different approach we should try? Use business setbacks as a way to advance and grow. As in baseball, you’re not going to hit a home run every time—you might hit .200, .300, or even .400, but that’s still a good average. If you find yourself taking things personally, consider reading “The Four Agreements.” Otherwise, view every setback as a chance to succeed and turn what might feel like a failure into an opportunity for growth.
I’m noticing a trend how people want to stay in touch and see what you are up to. We are in this human business of photography because it’s your “eye” we are selling. Clients want to know your “eye”.
Clients are going through a lot right now, just like the rest of us. As photographers, we need to let them know who we are because they want to trust the people they’re allocating their budget to and who will be shooting for them remotely. They need to get a sense of who you are, and social media is perfect for that. Be proactive and use any extra time you have to showcase yourself and let clients feel like they know you.
How do you feel about print promos right now? With many people working outside the office, it seems unlikely they will actually see them now.
Mailing printed promos would be a waste of your money right now since our clients are not in their offices. I use printed promos as leave-behinds at showings as well, since those aren’t happening I’d suggest not printing anything right now. Use your marketing budget on email promos and ways of engaging on Instagram.
Navigating the Unknown Episode 4 is now live on YouTube! This week we speak to photographer Jeremy Cowart about how to stay on top of your business and stay inspired.
Guest: Photographer Jeremy Cowart https://www.jeremycowart.com/
Navigating the Unknown is a Q&A series in collaboration with APA-LA where we speak to different members of the photo community about all aspects of the commercial photography business. https://la.apanational.org/
With Co-Host: Photographer Hugh Kretschmer https://www.hughkretschmer.net/
You don’t pitch 16 major league seasons if you don’t know how to evolve.
-MLB Playoffs Announcer Joe Buck
Joe Buck, who we should all listen to, was the announcer for the MLB playoff game and talked about Zach Greinke. Although Greinke is now an older pitcher, he had to completely change his strategy. As a younger pitcher, he relied on his fast velocity right in the strike zone, but over time, he adapted to become more of a command and control pitcher, focusing on getting strikes on the edges of the strike zone.
What does this have to do with photography? We all need to evolve. We can’t just be a flash-in-the-pan, trendy photographer and then not move forward. Our business, like baseball, is constantly evolving. It’s important to maintain a progressive attitude to ensure a long-lasting career. We should aim for longevity rather than just short-term success. So, be like Zach Greinke—adapt and evolve to stay relevant in the long run.
Normally I have this fire under me to get work. I’m SO happy gardening and with the dogs and how peaceful it is that I’m not trying. It’s so easy to get burnt out. So if I can get work, that’s amazing, but my plan is kind of to find inspiration in the stillness. Then marketing budgets come back and let’s goooooo.
Guest Post: Photographer Jenavieve Belair
I shared a personal response I received today from Jenavieve, whom I represent. I was discussing the importance of doing everything we need to right now and brainstorming ideas. Jenavieve responded honestly about how her stillness is feeding her inspiration. I was so taken aback, not only because she was honest with me but also because she was honest with herself. To me, that’s the whole point: finding ways to inspire your work. If we can all figure out and embrace what truly feeds us, then we’re on the right track. Go, Jenavieve!
What’s your plan right now?
How are you dealing with this?
Alleviate some of the constant stress we are all feeling right now by having a plan in mind.
Set your intention.
No matter how many zigs and zags it takes to get you where you want to go, you may discover a few things you needed along the way.
I mentioned the importance of having a plan during this significant time in our lives. I discussed this in the webinar series I recently started on Thursdays with APA LA. This time can be incredibly valuable, but it’s also very stressful. Finding ways to incorporate something into our lives that can help shape it and manage stress is crucial.
We’re all listening to these webinars and doing as much as we can, but we also need strategies for self-care and stress management. I plan to balance the personal and professional aspects of my life better. I love working and don’t often stop, so I need to learn to balance it out.
I do this by going camping and reading The Untethered Soul each morning. While camping, I read this book and observe the birds, wondering if they are communicating or singing. It’s these moments that give me the kind of life I want.
So, my question for you is: How are you taking care of yourself right now, and what kind of plan can you put in place to manage the stress of the current situation?
