Wandering through cyber space I found the following on a site by Ken Lauher:

We have a tendency to make assumptions about everything. The problem with making assumptions is that we BELIEVE they are the truth.  We make assumptions about what others are doing or thinking, we take it personally, and then we blame them and react by sending emotional poison with our word.

We only see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear. We don’t perceive things the way they are; we literally dream things up in our imagination. Because we are afraid to ask for clarification, we make assumptions that we believe are right, then we defend our assumptions and try to make others wrong.

In the photo industry there are people who have taken assumption drawing to an art form. I’ve heard stories about major companies in trouble, cameras being discontinued, even people being let go. I’ve heard stories so severe that had they been more widespread, the companies involved would have actually seen a drop in sales.  

Then there are the personal stories that run through our industry.  Assumptions are drawn over why somebody left a company, why a new product was late for introduction, why a policy was changed and the list goes on and on. Assumptions are drawn, then they hit the rumor mill and suddenly they’re FACT - and not once does anybody along the way stop and simply call the people involved for verification.

Well, to everyone who draws assumptions, and we’re all guilty. The earlier quote is from The FourAgreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and his closing paragraph on the topic hits the nail right on the head:

The way to keep yourself from making assumptions is to ask questions. Make sure the communication is clear. If you don’t understand, ask. Have the courage to ask questions until you are as clear as you can be. Once you hear the answer, you will not have to make assumptions because you will know the truth.

Our home is like a gallery, filled with prints that span my entire career, but I don’t have one of Bob’s.   We sat down with his Ipad and started looking for a new addition last night. Like so many of us with friends, while we stay in touch, we lose track of what we’re all actually working on and doing. I hadn’t looked at Bob’s images in a long time and was simply blown away by what he’s been creating.

I’ve written so much about the importance of personal projects, never compromising on quality, listening to your heart and expanding your skill set. As we looked at image after image it was incredible to see Bob’s done just that. The images were stunning, many demonstrating new technology he’s been experimenting with. In fact, one image of an iris was the result of 43 different shots.

Talking about that image led us into a discussion about how you can never stop learning and that took us to a conversation about Ansel Adams and a comment he made.  I’m para-phrasing a lot, but in ‘84 he made a comment about wondering what people will be able to do with his negatives electronically in twenty years!

So, here’s the point this morning – as you look at your own portfolio are you producing images that are truly great? Can you look back at a year or two of your images and see your growth in the craft? Do your images represent a continuous expansion of your skill set? Most important of all, every time you click the shutter are you keeping your dream alive?

Motivational writer Jack Canfield wrote, I’m a big believer in growth. Life is not about achievement, it’s about learning and growth, and developing qualities like compassion, patience, perseverance, love, and joy, and so forth. And so if that is the case, then I think our goals should include something which stretches us.

And one more that hits home from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg:

If you love doing something, then like Nike’s slogan, just do it. Couldn’t be more simple and of all people Bob Dylan said it best:

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.

Sunday Morning Reflections is back after a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  For me it was a great time to recharge and focus on what I need to do to wrap up the last month of the year. I’m hoping all of you enjoyed the break as well.  I’m also hoping you’re buried in orders for this year or projects to help you kick off the new year.

Happy Sunday everybody!

I’ve said it a few dozen times over the years:

The best thing about the photo industry isn’t about imaging at all! It’s about the friendships that come out of everyone’s mutual love for the craft.

This morning is a prime example. I did my usual routine hitting Facebook and then going to Twitter. I had a fun posting to read from new friend, Levi Sim in Utah. Then I saw a post from Gokhan in Chicago and he’s playing with an old Hasselblad. Tiffani Dhooge posted something on the Summer School page and although I’d seen it already, I did a quick flashback to the part of Jerry Ghionis’ program that she and her husband Mark “starred” in. Kevin Kubota and I did a quick email exchange about a lens. Sounds like Kate Pease in UT had a great birthday and Mandy’s really happy living in Australia.

I just sent a quick email to Scott Bourne and can’t believe we’re finally close to the ship date for the book we did together. Mike Hanline’s back from Singapore. Paul MacManus is running around Spain or Ireland. Katrin Eismann, who I met when she was a senior at RIT, continues to set the standard for so many creative techniques in imaging. Seshu is out and about on Twitter and I’m wondering if we’re ever going to get time to sit and talk rather than exchanging waves in hallways at various conventions as we’re both running to a program.

Looking at the week ahead, I’ve got lunch with Pete Cardello on Tuesday and I’ll be able to find out what’s new at Album Epoca. Then  lunch with Leah Hoskins on Thursday and I’ll catch up on the continued growth of the F.I.L.M. Project.An old friend with Pete and a new one with Leah, but the common denominator is about the industry and photography.

Okay, I could fill a post with this stuff, but it’s the reason I’m always telling people to go to every convention you can. It’s important to be involved and not just meet people in the industry who share the passion, but get to know them. Enjoy and appreciate the way they can enrich your life and help you expand your skill set.

I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in photography. I continue to have an exciting career, but what makes it exciting are the friendships. Every day there’s somebody new who steps into your life and all it takes is a small investment of time to hold the door open. If you’re sitting on the sidelines and not involved, you’re doing yourself a grave injustice. As simplistic and hokey as it sounds, you’ll only get out of life and this business what you put into it!

From the movie Six Degrees of Separation: “Every person is a new door to a different world.”

and one more I couldn’t pass up…

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”- Anais Nin

Happy Sunday everybody – don’t settle for average today, make it a great one!

Here’s a prime example: I was able to talk Jerry Ghionis into coming to Ohio. Those of you who have attended his programs, know what I mean when I say they’re life-changing.  I guess a better word would be business-changing, but the reality is, Jerry helps everybody see the world differently.

Well, here’s the point I’m missing. We had a really good crowd, but there are so many more photographers who should have been there. We’ve got one group of photographers here, who will remain nameless, only to protect the gulity! They meet on Monday nights and refused to change one of their meetings to encourage members to come to Jerry’s program. I even offered them free meeting space at the hotel prior to Jerry’s program if they wanted it.  I never heard back from them. They missed an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best speakers in our industry and will be the first to complain when photographers who did attend start picking up more business.

So that leaves me with a point to ponder, what is that secret ingredient that so many of you have that helps you stay focused on your education and growth?  From the emails, tweets and posts I’ve read following Jerry’s program here’s what I think you all possess:

• Passion:  Nothing seems to get in the way of your love for photography or education. You’re like sponges, soaking up every educational opportunity that comes along.
• Optimism: You’re all looking for new ways to find more business and you know it’s out there. Unlike the pessimists who have already given up.
• Kindness: It’s seems to be universal. I’ve received dozens of emails and phone calls just thanking us for bringing great programs to Akron. Everybody’s busy and it’s so unexpected, but the additional effort to give me feedback is so appreciated.
• Leadership: While I suppose the act of being a student, some would consider to be a follower, the truth is you’re all leaders in one way or another. You’d rather be part of the crew setting the pace than waiting for things to happen and then chasing a new trend.

Well, there it is for Sunday morning. Not particular deep, but therapeutic for me to write! LOL I’ll be the first to admit, a Sunday morning post is more for my enjoyment than yours, but I welcome all feedback!  Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there!

So, the thought this morning is just a simple flashback…this past week was the anniversary of the first drive-in movie theater in 1933! As much as I’d love to share stories about high school romances, hiding friends in the trunk and setting a scene that looks more like something out of Animal House or That 70’s Show, my memories are far more tame.  It was cheap family entertainment for my folks.

(See the original story and more images at Wired.com!)

Movie night at the drive-in and they’d drag me off in my pajamas to the movies. In between features they’d send me up to the front to play on the swings. It was a different time in life – nobody worried about a child being kidnapped – we were safe with all the other kids, just playing on the swings in the dark. And, at least from what I remember, they really did watch the movie!

Unknown to most of you, drive in theaters have played a big role in the life of another member of our industry, Tony Corbell. Tony grew up at the drive-in theater, because his Dad ran the theater and they lived in the projection house. Tony’s back yard was the swing set at the drive-in.  Tony’s inspiration and incredible focus on understanding lighting all started with movie after movie by all the great directors. He’d sit and watch the techniques in lighting such greats as John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracey, Katherine Hepburn – you name them, if they were starring in a movie when Tony was a kid, he saw it first!

I’ll leave you with your own memories of family moments in your past, but I’m grateful to the drive-in theaters. Just think, had Tony grown up above a restaurant, he might be teaching us how to cook a chicken! (Let’s face it though, it would be one incredible bird!) 

 Thomas Fuller wrote: Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories.  Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart.

Happy Sunday everybody – sure is fun to be back with a Sunday morning post!

Between the sale and Matthew I was inspired to pull out the camera and just for the fun of it get a shot of the Molly Dog in winter! After all, it got up to 30 degrees yesterday, supporting the idea we’re in a heat wave and any day now we’ll go crashing into Spring! 

However, Matthew did inspire me to just enjoy having a camera in my hand, without any specific goals in mind.  So, it’s Sunday – make it a great day. At some point follow Matthew’s suggestion and just photograph something for the fun of it!

Happy Sunday everybody!

But conventions aren’t the only thing you should focus on. Take the time to diversify with some new projects, revenue producing projects. It’s the perfect time to fine-tune your skill set in a new direction. For example, winter brings with it a terrific opportunity for day-in-the-life portraiture, especially effective with young children. There are few things more natural than photographing a child in their own environment and utilizing natural light and your skills as a photo journalist.

And, since it’s Sunday, it’s also the perfect time to just kick back and think about how you might start a few of these projects first thing tomorrow morning. Just kick back for an hour some time today and day dream a little. How many clients are in your data base? Who are the partners you might want to work with to make a new project that much more effective? What could you do tomorrow morning to practice some new techniques and expand your skill set?

And if everything you decide to try isn’t a raging success, don’t worry about it!

As you begin to take action toward the fulfillment of your goals and dreams, you must realize that not every action will be perfect. Not every action will produce the desired result. Not every action will work. Making mistakes, getting it almost right, and experimenting to see what happens are all part of the process of eventually getting it right. Jack Canfield

Okay, that’s it for this Sunday morning…catch you next week over at GoingPro!

So, it’s just a great day to relax and appreciate life and be happy!

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

Happy Sunday everybody! Make it a great one!

I’m in San Antonio and in a few hours will hit IUSA. I have very little true business I have to do at the show and I picked up a lousy head-cold on the way down, but that won’t hold me back from the excitement of seeing friends I haven’t seen in months, some, not  since last year’s show. My favorite vendors will all be here and who knows what new projects will come out of meetings at this year’s convention.

For those of you relatively new to the industry, this is what it’s all about, the fun of anticipation. It doesn’t matter whether it’s IUSA, WPPI, CLIQ, Photoshop World, a state convention or just a  workshop. The more events you expose yourself to and the more people you meet the more fun you’ll have attending each program. 

“Fun”, and I’ve written this before, is one of those words that just gets lost in business today. It’s fun to talk about the business with your associates. It’s fun to see people you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s fun to figure out new ways to deal with the challenges.

So, have some fun gang! Stay involved. Get yourself to conventions, trades shows and workshops. The more you attend, the more people you’ll meet and as your network grows you’ll find the answers to some of your biggest challenges will come out of conversations with friends and associates!

See you at IUSA!