So, im writing this today because im flustered. As a creative in the photographic community and experiencer of life in general (experiencer? really?), you deal with two types of people, type A- the kind of people who are open to sharing their wealth of knowledge for the greater good of the community, and type B- those who are closed books, who arent willing to help, who think that everything has to be a competition, who think that others are out there to steal their thunder or their livelihood, or in other words, people who are killing progress in the creative world. Well im here to tell ya, if you are one of those people, or are experienceing one of those people in your life, whether it be in photography or real estate or whatever, you arent going to have to worry long. These people are a dying breed. The fact of the matter is, especially in my neck of the woods, (the artistic community in this case lol) the vast majority of people are those who are open to sharing their techniques and ideas, their knowledge and experience.
In fact, the most successful photographers i know of do this on a daily basis. People are drawn to these people like moths to the flame. Why? Because an attitude of sharing and giving is infectious. Take a look at a few of these when you get a chance, Aaron Nace, Chase Jarvis, Jasmine Star, Jeremy Cowart, Trey Ratcliff, and you'll see two trends. One, the idea of sharing openly in a HUGE capacity, and two AMAZING work. And you know what the funny thing is? Each of these photographers took their work to 10x the level it was at, the minute they opened up and started giving guidance to those out there who need it. And lets face it, the majority lies in those who NEED help, not those who give it. I mean think about it, this business is all about word of mouth. And what spreads your name faster than being open about who you are and what youre doing, even to your so called competition" People need to understand a few things, (and again im talking from a photography perspective) that your "competition" is also writing your paycheck. How, might you ask? Well look at this way, at the end of the day, there are always going to be people in your own backyard who are as good, or better, or will be better than you. At any given time. Its a fact of life. Dont believe me? go out on flickr, and if you dont find someone else who inspires you to be better within a few clicks than you have your head in the sand. So, based on the fact that most likely there is someone in town who is on the up or is better than you, why would we see these people as competition rather than community? The fact is, if im photographer A, and photographer B is doing work equally as good as i am, and im charging 3000 dollars for a wedding, and hes charging 1000 for the same quality of work, who's losing business? But if this up and coming photographer is a part of my COMMUNITY, and we are both students of photography knowing that hes going to be better at some things than i am, and im going to be better at some things than he is, then instead of Starving ourselves trying to drive our prices to bare bones minimum to get more business than the other person, doesnt it make more sense to help each other out to the point that we can both be the leaders in our field in a given area? I know thats confusing but think about it. We sit here and try to "beat out" our competition no matter what it takes, we'll drop our prices because were intimidated, we'll change our own artistic vision to try and compete, we'll take the fun out of everything in the name of beating someone else when the fact of the matter is there is PLENTY of business to go around. "A Rising tide raises all ships" That means that when business is booming (the tide is rising), all of our ships (businesses) get raised together.
Look, business at the end of the day is all about word of mouth, and nothing spreads like wildfire faster than negativity. Run your mouth, be a douchebag, talk crap, and youre gonna be alone before its all over with. Open up, let people in, be fulfilled. You'll be much happier. Lets help each other be better. If you ARE one of those people (and ive been one) and youre reading this, Before you get all mad and says this is a bunch of crap, and how youre justified in your way of thinking, read it again with an open mind. and then read it again.
No matter what profession youre in or what youre doing, help the person who's up and coming, why?
Because WHEN not if the are better than you are, they'll return the favor
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