The wheel is symbolic of many things within many religions and creeds. It has been known to represent anything from the Buddhist wheel of transformation to the wheel of Fortune. The wheel's strength is derived from the design of the center hub to the outer rim. The thought put behind its intended use determines it's useable sustainability. While all the same, the wheel remains a device to facilitate movement or transportation while supporting a load.
When building a photography business, it's natural to look for shortcuts to make life easier. But it's not always the wisest thing to do. Going through the process of doing the same thing as everyone else does is part of running a business. Everyone needs to apply for a business license and get a logo, have business cards printed and structure everything from processes, policy, and pricing not to mention developing your personal vision. This all takes up valuable time.
There are several plug and pray business models for photography. Like Glamour Shots® or Spoiled Rotten where you simply follow their instructions with all their materials, i.e., forms contracts, etc. a model of working someone else's vision and their business model.
The experience and expertise you gain from building your own unique business expressing your photographic vision is the most valuable process to your personal business success. You'll be happier, and most likely have a better chance for success.
I would suggest there are no shortcuts to building the business that's right for you as an artist. So pullup your sleeves and "Reinvent The
Wheel".
David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
Here is the season when families get together to celebrate Christmas. A time when some will return home to visit the folks. For me that' would be going back to the country. Fresh air, big sky, and lots of peace and quiet. The image of a country home is iconic to America. I'm grateful to live in a country where land is plentiful and beautiful.
The land of photography is plentiful as well. Recently, photography Peter Lik sold his image "Phantom" for 6.5 million at auction setting a record for a photographic fine art sale. Peter is receiving a lot of negative feedback about his image not being art, and some have gone as far as stating that landscape images is not fine art.
The Artsy folks think Peter needs to be playing in their sand-pile as Mr. Lik creates his own. He has no images in major galleries, and they go on to say that he has no official ties to the sanctioned photography community. Well, I guess he doesn't need it.
Today it's nearly impossible to succeed in Fine Art Photography through traditional means, i.e., gallery, etc. Ironically the two most successful American Fine Art Photographers I know about are Peter Lik and Alain Briot. Neither of which are sanctioned by the photography community.
Peter Lik is an immigrant that comes to America and falls in love with the Landscape and makes a life of photographing it. He engineers a career creating and selling stunning photos while innovating technology and exercising marketing mastery.
This record breaking sale inspires me. The message for me is, if you know what you want, you find a way to get it, and "There's a Plenty".
David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
Fortresses used moats as a preliminary line of defence during an attack. I think of moats in terms of offensive. Today's economic definition of Moat is "The competitive advantage that one company has over other companies in the same industry. "Warren Buffett"
Professional photography is very competitive. I've stated before that competition is something I don't understand within the context of stifling shared opportunities with the assumed competitor. Here I'm writing about the photographer's edge.
Moving to the next level ask why would someone use my services over another? Here is where the edge comes in by creating a personal template for your work, and this comes from your personal vision.
Constant growth is a given in the business of photography. Improving skills, vision and business is a way of life. Having the courage to manifest your personal vision is the only way to be different than others, and they won't be able to touch you competitively simply because you are you.
The advice given to me was "don't' shoot someone else's picture, discover your vision and have the courage to share it. Then wide and deep will be your " Moat".
David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
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Warren Buffett
Every day I have several thoughts, more than I can count. I often just pass these thoughts off and try to think about what I want to think about. But now and then I get a thought or an idea that isn't like the other thoughts. This thought has the volume, as it vibrates through my whole body. General known as intuition.
Intuition is always responding to something or has your best interest at heart. An artist that creates something the world hasn't seen listens to their intuition.
Art Photography is comprised of very hard work from a notion until drilled down to eureka. The Masters photograph so much, the technical skills are second nature. They are armed to meet opportunity with preparation. They work with a state of mind cultivated to be alert and see clearly.
I've posted before about going out empty to shoot. Don't expect anything. If you spend your time looking for something, you'll miss that intuitive or decisive moment; this takes mental preparation.
Recognizing the intuitive message requires preparing or quieting the mind through quiet time or meditation. You must live in a world that works for your creativity.
Creative blocks do happen. Fear, busy-ness, procrastination, perfectionism may contribute. But remember, bad habits and bad attitudes will always render a mind as if it's stuffed with "Cotton."
David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
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