Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 500, ƒ/14, 1/500
It is the beginning of a new year, and we need to look back to gain perspective on the year ahead.
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| Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM S, Sigma 2X, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/160 |
Aeneas Demetrius Williams is a former American football cornerback and free safety who played with the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was the featured speaker at the FCA Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Breakfast at Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Aeneas said his strength is forgetting foul play and focusing on what is happening now. He can move on, unlike many players who spiral into bad plays because their heads are on what they screwed up rather than on what they need to do. That is an excellent message for all of us at the beginning of the New Year. A New year is a time for a fresh start, and we should always focus on what we can do rather than what we could have done.
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| Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 1/500 |
We must choose between two paths or more. Which direction will you take in the year ahead?
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| Nikon D4, 28-300mm, ISO 800, ƒ/9, 1.3 sec |
Where do you want to go?
Take a moment and look around you, and be realistic. What are some places where you see the growth potential that the community needs–not just what you want to do? Then, bounce these ideas off a few people for their perspective and listen.
What is missing in the portfolio?
Once you have an idea of what you want to pursue, take a moment to review your portfolio. Does your portfolio show you have done what you want to propose to clients and potential customers? Find the personal project. Take the time to create a portfolio of work and specifically show what you can do if given a chance. Very few clients, if any, will provide you with the opportunity to shoot something for them that you haven’t done before. Please create a work package outlining what you can produce. A couple of things happen once you have made a portfolio package that covers everything you can do. First, you may get people’s attention and encourage them to ask you to do this for them. Since you have done this before, they may give you more creative control since they haven’t managed a project like this before.
Create a plan and timeline.
Once you have an idea, execute it. You need to get that unique project on the calendar now, not in a couple of months, or you are losing time to show clients. Find a way to execute your creative concept efficiently. Try to minimize the variables you cannot control. For example, you may want to shoot something in your hometown or backyard instead of traveling worldwide.
Make 2015 a Remarkable Year!
This time next year, you want to be able to say that you did something new and different this year to stretch and grow.