Sunday, July 08, 2007
out of my comfort zone, a bit anyway!
Ok, so I decided to do something nice for other people, not anything huge but kinda. I added a bunch of links to my friend's photography sites, now listed under 'links' here on the blog. May not seem like a big deal but let me explain. So as of January as some of you may know, I have had the wonderful pleasure of opening up my network of photographers by a bajillion, and it has really and truly changed my way of working, how I shoot, how I view business relationships- lots of things. We talk a lot about helping each other with no regard for what or how it can affect us. Nice in theory, but hard to truly embrace and act on for a lot of people, I have found. So. Deciding to add fellow photographers, who are my direct competition to my site can be seen as maybe not the smartest thing, business-wise, to do. I mean, don't I want to stay in front, be on top of the heap, pay for my marketing and dues in places that maybe not everyone is in, take advantage of that marketing edge I get from being in the WPJA, for one? Don't I? The reality is that this is not how I truly operate as a person. I am always looking to do things, fun things, like my fashion shoot in Elizabeth park the other day- now why would I go and invite Steve DePino to shoot with me, I mean aren't we each other's direct competition? Yes, we are! But you know what? It was SO much more fun shooting together and sharing in the experience together than alone. Yesterday I had an amazing wedding and invited Paul & Krystal from Studio Foto to shoot with me, and WOW we had a BLAST, and kicked butt! But aren't we each other's competition too? You bet we are! OK so maybe the bottom line with me is it is more fun to share in things together, which is why I constantly find myself initiating collaborations with other photographers who I totally vibe with satiates this need to work as a team of photographers in me, and I am so happy to have this pool of wonderful people from which to pull! Now, what do you guys think? Thanks to Robert Norman- I saw you had people linked and it motivated me to do the same! and RE! ;)
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14 comments:
way to snag a great idea! nice one RN and RE!! thanks for the support carla!! I've got your back 110% .... hey, it works!!!
I think that was a very nice thing for you to do. The truth is, the more we help eachother, the better we all become. We change the industry and make wedding photography an awesome industry to be in. We make the wedding photography profession more respectable and desired.
If you live in nice neighborhood you want everyone to keep their homes nice so that it keeps the home values up. You want your neighbor to have a nice house and to sell it for a lot of money. Run down homes that sell for less than market value drive down the other home values. This is why people in nice neighborhoods have CC&R's or home owner associations.
Think of us photographers as living in one large great community. The better we make our competition, the more they increase in value. The more they increase in value the more value all good photographers gain.
Girl, I know just what you are talking about. I am a giver. I love to teach. It is a hard thing to be in competition with someone and want to help them also. I have great friends that are photographers, and I hope I help them, but it is a difficult thing to put it out there like you did. I have been thinking so much lately that we should network with each other, help each other and have fun. I have a few that we do that together. And it always feels so wonderful. It is my nature and it is so hard to hold that back for the business side of it. I think you have inspired me. I love shooting with others, it is so much more fun. I remember going to weddings and having someone come with me and we cracked up most of the night. I now bring my son, so it is definately better than going alone. He keeps me organized and I have someone I love there to talk to. You keep up the great work. I am soo proud that you made this step. You will grow as a person, and you will inspire others to do so also. Congratulations! And have fun!
Wow, now I really know that I did the right thing! I am so glad to know that others feel as I do- love teaching, love helping etc. It is my nature, yet it may seem counterintuitive to help your competition run a successful business! One studio at a time, one region at a time, sooner or later we will all be one big linked network of people helping each other, really and truly!
You are a great talent to the industry and your work has been a great influence to me! If it wasn't for the good will of photographers like yourself, photographers like me, fairly new to the business, would have a lot harder time getting on their feet and being competitive.
Carla, it is true the more we help each other out and stop thinking of each other as competition. thanks so much for linking me. let me know if i can ever help you out.
Great post Carla!
You truly are a giver and more of us can learn (including myself) from example.
C, you rock!! You have the biggest heart and I know you would do anything to help anyone you could! Everything you said is so true, and you know I agree with every bit of it! Way to lead by example girlie!
M:)
Carla!
You are totally rockin' it out over here girl. I am so proud of you branching out and opening up... You will not be sorry for sharing with the community and spreadin' the love! Keep it up!
Millie Holloman
Great viewpoint Carla! Besides, the bottom line is that there is plenty of business to go around for all of us. If you are good at what you do, shoot with passion, and treat people the way you would like to be treated..then you will be successful. I recommend other photographers (like you, Steve, Justn & Mary) all the time..I mean..can't shoot everything!! I already take on too much! I presume we are all in the same boat..aye?
Carla- I'm finally getting a chance to comment on this amazing post....Mary totally said it best. You do have a big heart, and we love you. You are not only an amazing photographer, but a dear friend. Paul & I absolutely LOVED shooting with you this past Saturday. We feel honored to have been included in such an amazing wedding...and loved photographing every moment. We can't wait to do it again someday, and would love to have you come shoot with us as well (maybe at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC this coming April : ) Love, Hugs, and Kisses- Krystal
Aye! Thanks for the referrals Sam! I am flattered, you are a super talented guy!!
Rock on sister! Like I've always said, go with your gut. Live your internet life like you do your human life and network the crap out of people. that's what makes you you and that's why you are so freakin' awesome.
Amen Sister!
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