the golden circle… inspiring our clients

Yesterday I wrote about deciding on the purpose and life you want, and creating it. I’ve decided to create my life as a full time photographer. In doing so I am in essence advertising and selling myself to potential clients, contacts and followers of my work. Once the reality of that truth set in i began thinking and researching the subject a lot. This is what I’ve boiled it down to.

I could show people some awesome shots and try to convince them they need me if they realllllly want to look good in their photo. But won’t make much of an impact on my audience if my whole advertising strategy were to go out and tell the world that I make some pretty cool images and they should hop on this train if they want some for themselves. Anybody can tell you that they do good stuff and ask you to buy it, and that’s what most photogs out there do. And many of them could provide an image that would make mine look like straight butt.

So what can we do to make ourselves stand apart and be attractive to the audience we seek? Belief in ourselves and our product. Like I mentioned in the last post, I wholeheartedly subscribe to the principal that “anything the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”. If we believe in ourselves, and why we’re offering the product that we do, people will sense that and want to believe in it too. If I’m putting myself and my work into the world with the sole purpose of making some cold hard cash, I’m gunna flop. No one is gunna help me along the way if they sense I just want their loyalty to help make me richer. But if I send the message that as a photographer it is my purpose to help you make your dreams come true, and i really, reaaaally believe it. I attract people that want to believe that too. As a result of our co-believe, people want to help me help them and a relationship with a client, student, follower or friend is born. The kind of relationships that act as fuel for our lives and businesses.

What I’m getting at here is that once you know the reason behind the service you offer, you will be able to inspire people to believe in, and pay for your service rather than trying to get them to pay for whaever product you might be pushing at them. And, if your reason is pure, your product will serve as proof for your reason. (For example. The reason I do what i do is to provide a service that helps people, companies, rockstars, couples etc. reach their goals and dreams. When my images are able to give a band sick promotional materials so they can finally take that next step, or a couple can go back and re-live their wedding day in happy tears with a total sense of reality because I was was along side of them capturing their whole story, that proves to them that I really am trying to help them.)

As I’m building my business and myself into what I want to be, I am really starting to live by these principals. The transformation in myself, my art and the relationships with my clients has way cool to watch. I believe these steps are crucial for those of us aspiring to be good, inspirational leaders an any area. Check out this video by Simon Sinek. He has a method of explaining this whole knowing why you do what you do called the golden circle. its much more comprehensible than my version above. so you should check it out here:

learning to fly

Holy moly its been a while since my last post. I’ve been spending most of my time examining myself, which in turn sent me through a fit of all kinds of fear and emotions. The dust is starting to settle, and I’m feeling a lot more clarity, so I’m back in the game. If ya haven’t noticed from most of my earlier posts, this past year I reached a point in life where I realized I couldn’t just sit on my ass and do nothing and call it a creative career, and I decided to do something about it. That decision has been the single most challenging, exciting, important, pull my teeth out, rewarding things I’ve ever taken on. This journey of discovery has thrown me deeper than I imagined it would. Actually, i suppose it did occur to me in a small way at the beginning, as a fear of finally having to understand and push myself instead of just being able to get high call it a day. But I took the small step of making a DECISION to believe in myself and get off my bumm, and all the sudden I’m swimming through the depths of my soul. Crazy how that works out, one small idea and a little commitment can change life as ya know it.

In my quest to discover the ‘meaning of (my) life’, for lack of a better term, I have come to grips that its not about discovery, its about creation. There are things that each of us are drawn to, or things that we excel at or feel like we really could excel at. I think those are little hints our soul leaves to help give us some direction towards happiness. Once we figure out how to take the hint already, its up to us to create a life that follows our folly (and to encourage and enable others to follow theirs). Happiness and rewards are bound to succeed. Not to say that it is an easy undertaking whatsoever, au contraire. Its damn hard work. But the magic of it is that our soul knows itself an what will make it sing. When we’re on that path all the sudden the work becomes a labor of love. I know I know, enough of the cheesy idioms already. But I’m learning more and more, those cheesy sayings are out there and so prominent because of the truth that hides in them. Couple finding your “labor of love” with “anything the mind can conceive and BELIEVE, it can achieve” and nothing, besides yourself, can stand in your way.

Throughout my process of discovery/creation I have spent a seemingly ridiculous amount of time in research and learning. I knew that there were people going through the same exostential crap I was, I even knew at some level that it is part of the human condition. Therefore, there must be some people that have some serious insight on the subject. I learned that there is a ton of hooooorible mumbo jumbo self help b.s. out there. Most people are just trying to make a buck, others are sincere and have the right idea, but have such huge followings of people just agreeing with them an not taking action that their message has become jaded. But i can tell you there are quite a few gems to be found out there for people that really want to make a shift in their lives and are willing to put their faith and hard work behind their decision. I’d like to share a few of my favorites I’ve found so far. (disclaimer: these resources are uber beneficial, but only if you put them to use. They pretty much all have a strong message and serious a call to action. But once you figure out what it is you want, its gunna take a lot of ACTION to get it)

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
This book is an intensive 12 week program that takes your through meditative, journaling and adventure practices in order to coax out your creative self. Everyone has their own level and definition of spirituality, Julia’s might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but if you go into it with a ‘childlike sense of wonder’ you will definitely benefit from it. I have to admit, I only made it a few weeks into the course before I felt my attention drifting to other studies, which is fine, you have to be in the right mindset to learn. I will dive into it more deeply at some point, but the few weeks I spent with it has had a huge impact on my life and creativity. I think about some of the principals it covered daily.

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Now this is an awesome book. I recommend reading this book today. It should be the first step you take if you’re serious about creating the life that YOU want. It pretty much has that cult cliché self help following today. But there is a purity to it that will reach you if you’re ready for it. Napoleon Hill was comissioned by Andrew Carnegie to devote his life to interviewing, understanding and documenting how 500 of the most successfull people in the world, including Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Ford, formulated and created their success. I advise that you read the original 1937 copy, which you can download for free here. The updated versions are good to read, and have information and examples that are relevant to our time, but it omits key points in my opinion. when hill wrote the book the U.S was in the middle of the great depression, people were at their lowest and the encouragement he provides is just as powerful today. READ IT YO!

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Most of us have a lack of understanding of money. Most of us don’t even understand that we have a lack of understanding of money. Usually we have a silent fear of money. It shows cause its the one subject we try not to think about too much or talk about. “Lifes not all about money” right? Well, life isn’t all about money, but its a hugely significant chunk. This book educates you about money, why we have it, how it works and that it can work for you. It has been the key factor in pushing my girlfriend and I to get control of our finances, straighten up our business accounts and plan for the future. digg this one.

• Flying Lessons and e-course by Kelly Rae Robberts
I just started this course on sunday. Its all about being a creative and having a creative business that thrives in today’s e-conomy. The course is full of encouragement, insights, bravery, valuable professional information and great people to journey along side with. It is actually responsible for my delve back into my online presence. If you’re a creative and ready to take yourself and your business seriously, you will get a lot from this course.

• One Light Workshop by Zack Arias
If you’re a photographer, like my badself, and want to learn some valuable information about simple lighting setups, the photography industry and how to be a cool dude with a cool dog, a cool wife, a kid with Danger for a middle name and a bumpin life, go hang out with Zack for a day. His class is awesome, he’s full of experience and knowledge and he’s a breeze to learn from. Hes a dude that just wants to give. Go receive. a little shoutout: Waaaaaattup Z-dog…. incase he ever stops by.
Be sure to check out Zacks free creativelive class. Starts June 11th and goes for 3 days. Ps. The image at the top is a straightup zarias tribute.

That’s what Have for you right now. Just letting you know where I’m at and where I’m going. I hope that some of you will join me on the way. Let me know you’re here, where you’re at, where you’re going so we can encourage each other.

canon g9 on the road

so after all, this is my photo-blog right. darn near time i started posting some more photos. these are just some snapshots we got with my trusty g9 point-n-shoot. i’ll post some higher quality shots from the 5d & 20d’s pretty soon. some really cool photos in those sets too.

tomorrow kris is coming over to overhall my computers. i’m about to jump head first in to an intense stop motion project for jessie & joy on warner mexico(more to come on that soon), but i need my computers running top notch to handle the load. i’m excited for leopard and cs4!

here ya go, in the order they was shot:

“…without it, i would go insane”

photo credit: nicole

chase jarvis says that about all the photography in his life. i love that passion, its really inspiring to me. at this point in my life, i don’t think i can honestly say that, in a good way, about anything. maybe nicole, but she’s a someone. i mean there isn’t any beneficial, everyday activities or artistic outlets in my life that i feel i would go insane without. I WANT THAT! i need to love something about myself and my life that much. theres so much negative built up in my mind and life, its gunna take love and passion that strong to win myself back over. i’m convinced.

beer, turkey, sleep…

…that pretty much sums up whats been important in my life since we got back from the road. when you get back from a vacation, its really difficult to jolt your mind and body back in to submission. at least for me it is. and it doesn’t help that the holidays are upon us. its a great excuse to stay lazy. and dammit i love me a good excuse. but thats a part of me that i’m fighting tooth and nail to put behind me. i’ve learned so much these past few months since i made a conscious decision to be better and do better than. now, when i’m lazy i at least get mad about it. one small step towards success eh.

just a few minutes ago i was sittin on my couch watching chef academy cause, frankly, it was the easiest thing to be doing at the time. my great friend, ian, messaged me saying he wanted to write a story about me to a pro photog who posted a compatitionish on his blog to write a story about a photographer you know who is desperately perusing their dream of success, yet is struggling along the way. the winnings go to said photographer to motivate and push them along in their journey. right away i got a nauseating chill of shame and lazyness. how was i struggling towards anything? i was on my ass, on the couch, in front of the tv. just one more slap in the face on the looooong road of slap in the faces. thanks ian!

i owe it to the people that believe in me, and to myself, to GET OFF MY ASS. not eventually, not when this show is over… right efffing now! so here i am. if any of you are like me at all, we wanna see some immediate gratification of our wark. its hard to see little achievements and still stay excited and motivated towards long term goals. but the path to success is just that, a path. not no star treck b.s. thats gunna beam me from mediocrity to awesomeness just because the last client loooooooooved their pictures and, in their delusion, thinks im the bestest. theres thousands more out there to impress before i even make a dent. piece-o-cake.
so, time for my mantras:
• i am in the process of becoming a successful photographer each and every day.
• time is my most valuable asset, and i get to choose how i spend it

holy geeeeez… georgia n back

…the first time i’ve had internet in feels like a month. but i guess its only been about a week. gotta run. its coles b-day. she looks efffin hoooot right now, and its time to go to dinner. we went to the new belgium brewing company (fat tire) for a tour, it was pretty rad. such a sweet company. i had no idea they had such a good story behind em. we hung out there n drank free beer with the tour guide. they even gave cole a free 6pack for her birthday. so for a little update. we left georgia and are in fort collins right now. i really really uber really like this town. my fave of the whole trip so far. i’ll do a fullblown update soon. gotta go. <3

CA>GA volume II

today has been a good day. got a lot done and spent good time with some great people. i tend to get weird around new people, nervous i guess. but i’m realizing its not actually the people that effects me. its the constant stupid thoughts, lies, running through my head. i judge people so religiously that its second nature. instead of being present in that moment with them, i’m thinking of what they might be thinking or guessing how they’ll react to what i say. but once i let that bullshit go, i finally let them be themselves, and finally show my true self as well. from there, whats left to worry about.

that ties in pretty heavily to my work. my interaction with people really shows up in camera. if i’m not giving my attention to the subject and earning their trust as the shoot progresses, the images really lack that little extra spark. little extra that goes a long way. i hope to eventually master my thoughts, which is no modest feat. hopefully that will begin to pilot my ‘second nature’ as i progress.

we’re staying with nicole’s bestie danielle and her boyfriend nick in tucson right now. danielle’s like a sister to nicole, known eachother since birth. and danielle’s parents are nicole’s godparents. its been rad to finally get a chance to come out here and kick it with the family. i can see why nicole loves em so much, they’re awesome folks. the dad made me chicken and mom was pourin me wine all night. not that that satisfies all the credentials for awesomeness, but its a good start. when we got back we had a quick photosesh on danielle’s porch. not technically the best shots ever. but i lovem. they make me laugh…

i’ve only known em for a couple days, but from what i’ve seen so far, this shot pretty much sums it up

thanks for letting us crash at you pad guys, its been a good time

CA>GA volume I

we’re only to tucson right now, but so far the road has been nice. the only thing thats been rough is the constant feeling that i have work to do nagging at the back of my mind the whole time. so i’m gunna sit here for as long as i can and try to blow thru a bunch of it. i really need to streamline my workflow and hone my post production skills. i gotta be doing something wrong when it takes me so long to get thru one assignment. i’m gunna start emailing some other photogs and do some research into how other people manage their work time. i got into the game without any experience, and without working with anyone else so i could watch and learn from their experience. i’m gunna try and find an opportunity to assist in someone else’s studio. i think it would really help, and it would definitely be a humbling experience. i could use some good humbling. if anyone reading hears of any such opportunities, lemme know.

so, back to the road. so far, the country seems like one big desert since we left. i’m not a big fan of the whole desert scene. a lot of mauve and way too much dry heat for my tastes. even in fall. but there is still beauty to be found. nicole was manning the g9 in the car so i wouldn’t have one hand on the wheel and the other on the camera. so far, the most enjoyable scenery was the windmills. looooove those things. something magestic about their sheer size. they’re like giant army of gatekeepers watching over everyone passing thru. right past the white giants the car started to shimmy a bit, so we pulled off at a 24hr service station… it didnt look abandoned from far away. i got it sorted out after we documented the occasion.

this is diggu’s new az friend, oliver. he lives in boxes of beer. i wish i was so lucky.

ok. my goals today. get at least 90% done with eve 6, touch on at least two other projects and take at least one portrait.

checking in

still in peoria, az with my my best frizzle dano. as soon as we got here we started drinking with dano. so, needless to say, i wasn’t able to do much of anything productive. wish i would have stopped drinking for a bit, gotten out my equipment to shoot a dano portrait, but time is too tight right now and we gotta head to tucson. no photos to post yet. i’ll try n gettem up tonight. toodles

to georgia n back

lifes been hectic since my first post. i’ve had a lot of work pouring in. which is good, but i guess i have mixed feelings about it right now. i have so much to work on personally, and within my art. so i want to put off the assignments sometimes so i can focus. but i have to pay the bills. i’ve commited to the lifestyle where i never know when the money might stop coming in. this is where i can learn sacrafice, priorities and ballance in my life. just cant let myself believe that i can’t handle all the work. thats when i get sluggish and mopey.

tomorrow i leave for 17 days with a few deadlines coming up fast. i’ve spent most of my time packing and running last minute errands and getting everything in order. and now, the night before, i’m finally getting to the packing. i told myself i’d have made it a lot further on all my assignments than i actually have by this point. just means i really have to dicipline myself in the next few days to not waste any of my downtime and get done what i need to.

ok, nicole n diggu are packing up a storm while i edit and type. gotta go help before i get in trouble. i’ll keep updating throughout our road trip.

fyi, here’s our list of destinations

peoria, az

tucson, az

austin, tx

dawsonville, ga

denver, co

yosemite, ca

san fran, ca

lotsa places to go, lotsa driving to do. i’m supposed to be shooting some bands along the way. i’m pretty stoked on that. i’ll post some of the shots if i do.