Wow. What a productive week this has been… I’m honestly so excited to share it with you all!
I will start by explaining that it is actually Saturday today and I’m writing now due to the fact that I have potential clients coming for lunch tomorrow afternoon and then MG and I are off to the gym for some calorie burning and perhaps a swim in the outdoor pool…dependant on the weather, of course. It’s been absolutely beautiful in London this week although today was a little colder so I’ve got my fingers crossed for sunshine again in the morning. I’m enjoying a rather refreshing Rekorderlig at the moment which brings feelings of sunshine regardless!
My cognitive perceptions for you this week are inspired hugely by information that I have learned from the ISA experience. I would recommend that you visit the website, so here is the link.
I want to speak with you about choice. This week has been a bit of a battle for a man that I admire named David Jay and I’ve been following it a bit via Facebook and Twitter. It seems that the industry in America (of those who know about this) has become divided and a large majority are trying to make it a negative experience. I’ll say right now, it is not. It’s good to be shaken up from time to time and I hope that eventually those involved on the negative side take something positive from it; even if it’s just to re-iterate to themselves what they want from their business.
David officially released The System website recently. I saw it for the first time a few weeks ago when it was launched in a Facebook group for feedback and, despite the fact that I don’t agree with everything written on it, I saw straight through to David’s ethos and philosophy of basically to use social media to your advantage and believe in yourself despite what all the ‘industry expectations’ tell you…and that is one that I agree with entirely. One page of The System advises photographers on their first wedding to switch to P (auto) rather than use Manual (which a lot of photographers use, including MG.) The System gave the reason for this that if you are not as confident or experienced then you should, rather than miss a key shot, let the camera do a bit of the work. This (among other things) was taken terribly badly by the photography industry and David has been torn apart… even had his religious beliefs questioned. A few of the seasoned professionals have made the accusation that David is giving those that ought not to be shooting weddings a platform to do so and starting them out with poor advice and they are urging people to learn their camera and learn their skill before shooting for paid work. Anyway.. the finer details aren’t necessarily relevant here. You can research them yourself if you wish to know more of this story.
Now, as I said, I don’t agree with all of the information included in The System. However, because I truly believe that there ARE enough weddings for everybody, I don’t feel in competition with anybody else and I base my business on myself, my ethics, my interests and my integrity, I was able to accept that these things didn’t apply to me and move on to focusing on the things that did. I would take the time here to note that I chose to read The System and I chose how my reactions were to it. This is the most important thing here so hold that in mind and bear with me….
Imagine this:
SITUATION ONE
Person A: Oh, dang, I really need a new dress for this wedding at the weekend.
Person B: *Hands Person A a beautifully designed, elegant black dress with subtle shoulder pads and sequin detail*. They know it would suit Person A a great deal.
Person A: Oh wow, thank you so much for this. It’s the most beautiful dress I have ever seen and I’m so honoured that you thought of me to wear it. I’ll feel a million dollars in it and plus… black is so slimming!
SITUATION TWO
Person A: Oh, dang, I really need a new dress for this wedding at the weekend.
Person B: *Hands Person A a beautifully designed, elegant black dress with subtle shoulder pads and sequin detail*. They know it would suit Person A a great deal.
Person A: Oh. I’ll never fit into this; the material will cling and I’ll look fat. Look at these sequins.. they are just cheap! Black is not my colour.. I’ll look so pale.
What is the difference here? Person A chose to look at the dress positively in the first scenario, and negatively in the second. The dress is exactly the same. It’s not dependant on ‘what mood we are in’ … it’s dependent on what mood we create ourselves to be in. Everything is a choice.
For me, the negative half of the divided industry should put this in to practice. Instead of attacking David for his efforts, why not say “Hey, well, DJ, I don’t agree with this. I feel photography should be more about the art. Still… I admire you for making a difference and I remember how overwhelmed I felt when I was just a beginner, I’m sure people will take this as a helping hand. I’m confident in that those who don’t have the business or technical savvy or indeed the passion will not be aspiring to be a major player in the industry in ten years anyway so it doesn’t really affect me. I know that what I should be focusing on is whether my clients are happy, and if I feel I’m doing everything that I want to be doing in and for the industry”. Perhaps they could even come up with an alternative to challenge The System.
It’s the wonder of being a human that we can have our own opinions on things. It should be cherished and welcomed and debate is good – just not personal attacks.
Now, on to the happy list!
Firstly, MG and I joined the gym this week and oh my, it’s made such a difference already. A first thing in the morning gym followed by a swim has set up our days so positively and energetically and I really feel on my way to achieving my weight goal over the next year.
I’m making this recipe for MG tonight when he comes home.. I found it on Pinterest!
I’m shooting the set up of a baby shower for event designer Jillian Manger of Mimi Nicole next week. I found this shoot of hers on Style Me Pretty – isn’t it beautiful?!
This article about Starbucks is really interesting – business minds listen up.
Elizabeth Messina was in Rock n Roll Bride’s Green Room.
A post about failure. Or, the lack of.
A last minute visit to France in two weeks for two days! More information on this to be revealed soon… :)
As always a very interesting and so truthful post. Claudia you are inspiring and I really enjoy reading your posts! Thank you! xxx
So much truth in this statement – “because I truly believe that there ARE enough weddings for everybody”
And if you feel there are not then you are doing something wrong and either need to change your approach or find another niche. Maybe thats the problem, you didnt have a niche in the first place.
DJ is not the only seasoned pro to suggest newbies switch to P mode if it may help them get the shot. If things are moving quickly and light is constantly changing then why not if it makes the difference between getting a shot and losing it. Many pro’s will use Av or Tv at times when light is changing quickly. P mode and its limitations should be understood though.