Happy Holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you are enjoying your Holiday Season. We are having a lot of fun in the studio, even despite my request to play cheesy Holiday music every day! :)
A recent little situation I encountered brought up some strong feelings I have had about business competition for a long time now. I don't frequent too many blogs just due to time constraints, but every now and then something will come up on the twitter feed or facebook pages that address what other photographers 'should' or 'shouldn't' be doing. Lots of evaluating! This, of course, is based on what that particular person finds acceptable as a result of their education, training, experience, beliefs, style... I have found this really interesting to me, because the worst thing that could happen in the photography industry is a sea of sameness by everyone following the same formula. The most important thing for anyone do for their business is be different. So... another photographer has a different style, approach, or philosophy? That is awesome! It gives you an opportunity to differentiate yourself in the market.
Does a formal approach make you different? Great! Find traditional, formal people to purchase your photography. Do you love dramatic, fashion-y photography, or natural, editorial styles? Work it. The worst thing we can do for this industry is say this is the 'standard' for how things 'should' be. Have you won lots of PPA awards? Awesome. You worked hard for that! Make that something that differentiates you. To me "great work" is work that you and your clients find meaningful, and whatever path you take to get there is admirable.
In my experience it's important to have acceptance around the idea that what makes us different, is what makes us successful. Different customers like different styles... good thing for us! So be confident, and proud, in what you stand for and the path you have created for yourself. Try not to doubt yourself, be jealous, or worry that because someone has an approach that you don't - that they are somehow undeserving. This philosophy is counterproductive to achieving your goals and dreams. Instead, know what exactly you want and how you want to get there - and try enjoy the journey on the way!
A recent little situation I encountered brought up some strong feelings I have had about business competition for a long time now. I don't frequent too many blogs just due to time constraints, but every now and then something will come up on the twitter feed or facebook pages that address what other photographers 'should' or 'shouldn't' be doing. Lots of evaluating! This, of course, is based on what that particular person finds acceptable as a result of their education, training, experience, beliefs, style... I have found this really interesting to me, because the worst thing that could happen in the photography industry is a sea of sameness by everyone following the same formula. The most important thing for anyone do for their business is be different. So... another photographer has a different style, approach, or philosophy? That is awesome! It gives you an opportunity to differentiate yourself in the market.
Does a formal approach make you different? Great! Find traditional, formal people to purchase your photography. Do you love dramatic, fashion-y photography, or natural, editorial styles? Work it. The worst thing we can do for this industry is say this is the 'standard' for how things 'should' be. Have you won lots of PPA awards? Awesome. You worked hard for that! Make that something that differentiates you. To me "great work" is work that you and your clients find meaningful, and whatever path you take to get there is admirable.
In my experience it's important to have acceptance around the idea that what makes us different, is what makes us successful. Different customers like different styles... good thing for us! So be confident, and proud, in what you stand for and the path you have created for yourself. Try not to doubt yourself, be jealous, or worry that because someone has an approach that you don't - that they are somehow undeserving. This philosophy is counterproductive to achieving your goals and dreams. Instead, know what exactly you want and how you want to get there - and try enjoy the journey on the way!
Great post. This is my first visit via finding a link to you at: http://joytotheworld.thejoyofmarketing.com/free-speaker-resources
Looking forward to reading more.
Posted by: CindyUtterback | December 18, 2009 at 04:01 AM
AMEN!! Love this!! So so so so very true!!!!!!
Posted by: Penny | December 19, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Great post, Laura and SO true! I've been experiencing a lot of bad mouthing and other forms of negativity - pretty much at the hands of one local, fellow photographer.
Posted by: John Wiley | December 20, 2009 at 03:00 AM
Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to photography. So do what you have a passion for and feel that satisfaction, that happiness, that sense of this is absolutely awsome. That's all that really
matters right!
Posted by: Charlotte Shimojima | December 21, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Thanks for the reminder about the importance of offering something unique, Laura. I expect to be investing some time in January to this very important, but easy to put on the back burner, side of my business.
Posted by: Carol Lundeen | December 25, 2009 at 09:22 PM
I completely agree... The more specialized we are the easier it is for our clients to find us in the crowd!
Posted by: Jason Grubb | January 08, 2010 at 03:56 PM