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fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 01:26:52 AM · #1

Ever feel like you want to be on a different path than you currently are? But don't know what to do about it? Or even where to start?

I see short-comings in my personality that are keeping me from reaching my goals. I'm not at all aggressive business wise, don't really care to make necessary contacts... but I don't want to be here forever either.

I dunno, I'm just kinda blah and know I need to pull out of this rut. I have bigger dreams, but I'm starting to think I don't have the skills to achieve them.

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

01/17/2007 01:33:51 AM · #2

Felt trapped since the day I got married.

Seriously though you need to remind yourself that we all have the ability to change if it means enough to us.

Determination and Courage are two words that come to mind right now.

Good luck
bazz.

Message edited by author 2007-01-17 01:37:43.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/17/2007 01:37:17 AM · #3

Leroy,

I know exactly how you are feeling as I have been there myself. I knew the marriage I was in was not working at all and I needed to get out - it took me 6 months to be strong enough to tell Paul it was over. Then I also knew I needed a new surrounding. I guess the divorce made me stronger as I was able to just take the leap of faith, quit my job, and move on to Alaska. Yeah it has been a rough start here, but it is making me even stronger. If you truly want something you need t just take the leap and pray for the best. In the end it all works itself out I find.

If you really want to make this change in your life, just do it! Take the leap and don't look back. I wish you all the luck in the world and pray you find what it is you are looking for.

You are worried you may not have the skills but you won't know until you submerge yourself in your dream. You know this family here at DPC has so many talented photogs that are always willing to offer advice and share their skills. I wish I were one of them and could offer you more - but I'm just one of the mediocre.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 01:41:32 AM · #4

Thanks guys. Determination, courage... do I have those? Seems like both of you are saying I need those things.

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/17/2007 01:43:57 AM · #5

Nothing is impossible - you just need to devote your heart and soul to the goals you set

DjFenzl

01/17/2007 01:47:03 AM · #6

I think we all feel that way at some point of another in life. We grow up hearing fairy tales of what life should be and then when we're in the middle of it we feel gypped.

You can change though, I know it seems scary and it takes a lot of effort but you can change.

Make a list. What path do you really want to be on? What is it you feel like you are missing? If you do change what will you lose that you have now? How could you make the situation you are currently in better?

Now make small goals to achieve the things on the list - but it's just a list, not your life, so don't be afraid to make changes if you need to.

Don't give me this depressed "I don't have the skills" crap either. You have the skills and the technical know how, I've seen it and heard it on this site from you over and over. You know what you are doing. You know how too take good, solid, marketable pictures.

So get out of this rut, get a good night sleep and in the morning commit to yourself that this morning is the morning you start to turn it all around.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/17/2007 01:48:35 AM · #7

Blah is a state. Fortunately its a state you can get out of. It needn't be anything huge to do so either. It can be a new hobby (hence my current interest in photography). It can be a project around the home. It can be mentoring. It can be volunteering. It can be just calling up your friends and meeting with them more often. It can be taking up an interest in a sports team.

If you want something more goal oriented (I.e. like a business etc.) just start the planning. A friend of mine who did day trading on the internet figured there had to be a better way to buy/sell gold online for his trading. He sat down one night and made out the plan. He got help from his wife and his and her family. Within 2 months they were doing 60k in transactions per day. (Of which the corporation's take was about 6-10%). He ended up selling out for 2.1 million dollars. Its always the next step thats the hardest. Thats why that first one is soo tough. Of course, I am not self made millionaire but I am content to live the life I have been given.

And in terms of determination and courage? Every one hase these in varying amounts. Its just a question of finding them and bringing them to the surface.

Message edited by author 2007-01-17 01:48:42.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:05:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Don't give me this depressed "I don't have the skills" crap either. You have the skills and the technical know how, I've seen it and heard it on this site from you over and over. You know what you are doing. You know how too take good, solid, marketable pictures.

I think I feel more trapped by my business skills than by my photography skills. I can usually figure out something I don't know when it comes to a camera and light, but marketing.... eeeek!

Quite frankly, I have a phobia when it comes to marketing anything, especially myself.

And thanks much for your compliments.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

01/17/2007 02:07:37 AM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Thanks guys. Determination, courage... do I have those? Seems like both of you are saying I need those things.

determination dont come easy. but anyone who got laid off at work would tell you, determination can come with desperation. Hey Leroy, you wanna know something? I've always felt like you're in better positions than i am (even when i reach your age someday). not sure how this helps, but maybe the grass is always greener over the fence thing is true.

hang in there buddy (literally speaking if you like)

crayon

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/17/2007 02:10:44 AM · #10

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Quite frankly, I have a phobia when it comes to marketing anything, especially myself.

so I guess you never worked as a gigolo, huh?

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/17/2007 02:19:48 AM · #11

Marketing can be a tricky thing. Fortunately as a photographer, you can let your work market itself. It seems that word of mouth is a very common and very good marketing tool. So get out there, get a client, and the referrals will start finding its way to you.

Drop business cards at venues and photo labs, maybe an add in a local news paper, start small with marketing and see it develop from there.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:21:39 AM · #12

crayon, I suppose I'm not in a situation of desperation... just don't feel I've come near my potential.

And yes, that grass is always greener. I just want a taste of that green grass.

Oh and puggers, only for you sweety :-)

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:27:54 AM · #13

Originally posted by jan_vdw:

That's where I am now. And not where I want to be. I don't want to be a shoot ten-20-40 clients a week photographer.I want to create.

They had an interview with Gerald Ford's personal photographer on television the other night and I thought to myself wouldn't THAT be cool.That's probably not the path I want for myself, but I believe I want to make more of an impact than just pictures of people with disposable income.

DjFenzl

01/17/2007 02:30:52 AM · #14

how about photojournalism then? Maybe your rut is portraits. Perhaps you need to just shake it up a bit and shoot something totally different than you are used to.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/17/2007 02:31:42 AM · #15

When you say you want to create, do you want to, say, do wildlife photography and publish a book?

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:34:11 AM · #16

Originally posted by Megatherian:

how about photojournalism then? Maybe your rut is portraits. Perhaps you need to just shake it up a bit and shoot something totally different than you are used to.

That was my chosen career in college... and it just wasn't for me. I know how to do it, done it... got the t-shirts to prove it, but...

Well, maybe it was just because I worked for smaller publications, but I wasn't particularly fond of the newsroom politics. "You can't say that about him. His company is a big advertiser." I'm sure it happens in larger papers too.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/17/2007 02:38:14 AM · #17

I really like the way you did this:

I pride myself in providing you with photographic memories of your special day. Whether you choose those memories be in color, B&W or both, you will recieve top-notch photos that you will cherish forever. When you hire me for your wedding, you have me for the day, ther are no hourly charges and no rush jobs.

amber

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/17/2007 02:40:56 AM · #18

Leroy...

Here's an idea...why don't you do a trade - find someone who is good at marketing and offer them something in return for their help or advice? Offer them some prints, or offer to do photos of them, their family etc.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:42:15 AM · #19

Originally posted by jan_vdw:

Thank you, I think I might have borrowed part of that from somewhere... but it is how I work. I don't like doing rush jobs.

I do need to finish my site... that's been two months just sitting there.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:43:47 AM · #20

Originally posted by amber:

Actually, if I could partner up with someone that was good at marketing, I wouldn't mind sharing the profits with them. I like that idea. I think I need someone that is aggressive, not only business wise, but with me. I am a VERY passive person.

Message edited by author 2007-01-17 02:44:36.

goc

Apple iPhone 4

01/17/2007 02:45:51 AM · #21

my question is: how do you find yourself in this situation in the first place ?

let's start from here

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

01/17/2007 02:51:27 AM · #22

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by amber:
Leroy...

Here's an idea...why don't you do a trade - find someone who is good at marketing and offer them something in return for their help or advice? Offer them some prints, or offer to do photos of them, their family etc.

Actually, if I could partner up with someone that was good at marketing, I wouldn't mind sharing the profits with them. I like that idea. I think I need someone that is aggressive, not only business wise, but with me. I am a VERY passive person.

why settle with one person? spread news that anyone who could bring you business (good business) gets commission?

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 02:59:03 AM · #23

Originally posted by gooc:

my question is: how do you find yourself in this situation in the first place ?

let's start from here

Quit journalism, did bartending for quite a while. Realized that was not a lifestyle that was good for my health (one ER trip with a 250+ heart rate from yellow jackets and red bulls trying to stay awake all night).

Still had enough camera equipment to shoot weddings and portraits, so I did it, I had to. Mostly from word of mouth advertising and a few lucky breaks. That was four years ago.

I've reached the end of that chain. I can squeak out a income, but not much more. Not really sure I'm located in the right area to ask for much more. So many amateurs will shoot a wedding for peanuts and Walmart will do a portrait session for $4.99. Boudoir has kept me ahead a bit, but that market seems to be drying up too.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2007 03:02:37 AM · #24

Originally posted by crayon:

why settle with one person? spread news that anyone who could bring you business (good business) gets commission?

Ever took a long trip and wanted someone else to drive for a while?

amber

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/17/2007 04:25:32 AM · #25

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I know exactly what you mean;) When I first left school I took a 'job' with a double glazing company (I was so naive). I ended up 100 miles away from home, on a dark winter's evening, knocking door-to-door, interupting people's meals, trying to sell them something they didn't want. Going through the pitch in training was fine - in the real world I couldn't do it. Couldn't push the product, couldn't push myself and REALLY didn't want to bother the customers...I felt I was intruding.

One woman in her 40's took me into her house, sat me down and said you are staying here till your supervisor picks you up. Those streets are no place for a young woman. You don't know who is going to answer the door to you and what they might do to you. First thing in the morning go and look for a proper job.

Bless her.

Point is I can't ask people for things - time, money, attention...If I were really good at photography it would just sit at home gathering dust..nobody would see it. I'm passive with a capital P:))

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