How I am Becoming a Better Photographer
Is there a book, piece of gear, or seminar that can make you the best photographer and business person overnight? Of course not. There are so many things out there that promise you’ll be better and successful after you’ve read or done them. Most of them leave you on your own and you end up falling back to the place you began.
However, there are things that can open your eyes, inspire your creativity, challenge your intellect, fine-tune your business skills and create a community that will forever support you on your endeavor. For me it was: The Genesis Workshop
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I looked for a long time for something that wasn’t just a gimmick. I was tired of things that made empty promises. I wasn’t interested in a seminar with thousands of people all walking away with a catch phrase and no guidance or accountability to execute what they had learned. Then, I found Genesis in 2010 and went again in 2011.
I can’t fully describe how Genesis has changed the way I think about photography and how I do business. The community of other photographers from all over the world and continued support from the instructors are just two things that make Genesis so unique to me. I couldn’t be where I am or know how to get where I want to be without the people of Genesis. Over the last two years, I have become better because of them and their knowledge and encouragement.
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What are you looking for to become a better photographer?
Will what you choose provide long-lasting community and encouragement?
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There is one Genesis Workshop left. In Las Vegas. Will I see you there?
Came across this article today that has some simple advice for those who are dabbling in pursuing photography.
Time Clock
I downloaded an iphone app called, “Hours Tracker”.
Being self-employed is hard, long hours and sometimes things feel so… not concrete.
It’s easy to over-work, not divide your time up well, or just lose track of how much/little you’re working.
I love clocking in and out of my various work activities. It helps me stay accountable to my work hours and helps me evaluate where most of my time is going.
You can make your own categories, pay periods, etc.
I have currently have four working categories: edit, album, office work, and shoot.
Whether or not you’re self-employed, I encourage you to download this app, or one like it, to see where your time is spent. Hopefully it helps you manage and stay accountable to your own work schedule. Because being your own boss is seriously not as easy as it sounds. :)
Hours Tracker Icon
From memphisvision.org ‘s site:
- 80% of a child’s learning comes from their visual input
- 13.5 million children in America have vision problems.
- Vision disorders are the 4th most common disability among children in the U.S.
- 90% of children who need prescription glasses are not wearing any.
- Almost 60,000 of Tennessee’s 2 million children have problems reading in the classroom and only 31% will have a comprehensive eye exam this year.
When I began having blurry vision in third grade, I was too shy to say something and some of my educators didn’t really seemed concerned. I can’t help thinking how many other children feel the same way!
As a photographer, a person who can’t see squat without her glasses, and the sibling of a legally deaf-blind sister, I understand how important and meaningful vision is in any person’s life.
I applaud this group for their work! They are changing Memphis-area children’s confidence, education, lives, and eyes!
