Young or Old has it’s own advantages in this industry

by Stanley LearyPhotography

Bill Bangham is working as a coach/mentor with Jennifer Nelson on her story she is doing in Santiago, Chile, as part of the Storytellers Abroad Workshop. [NIKON Z 6, VR Zoom 24-105mm f/4G IF-ED, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/100, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 62)]

Having children in your twenties allows you to do more physically than in your thirties; studies show that living longer gives you an advantage.

A 2015 study showed that women who have their last child after age 33 are more likely to live to 95.

“For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest.” 

~Hasidic saying

When I worked on communications projects in my twenties, I was trying to cover the basics. I didn’t understand how any of what I was doing was helping the bigger picture.

The offering bags are two different colors, one for the levy and one for the offering at Bon Berger (Good Shepherd) Baptist Church in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. (Photo by: Stanley Leary) [NIKON D2X, Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 400, 1/15, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 60)]

Financial experts tell you to put money away early because it compounds interest over time.

While we often only look at money, we have experiences that go into our “EMORY BANK” daily. That, too, is growing with compounded interest.

At the age of twenty, I am just learning to shift those gears, and now, in my fifties, I am looking around and seeing those around me in the race. I look for opportunities.

Clients

When you hire someone new, they have unique things to bring. Their youth and lack of experience are likely flexible because they are not locked into a process.

When you hire someone with experience, they bring all that to the table. They can anticipate your needs better than you can often. They have been there before. Just because they are older doesn’t mean they are not flexible. Usually, those with experience are more flexible. They made the mistake in the past of not listening to the client when they should have.

Creatives

Never be ashamed of your experience level. Use whatever you have to your advantage.

When you are young, you realize you don’t have experience. That is OK. Many clients want to give new people a break to discover new talent.

When you are old, let the client know you are taking care of them. In your correspondence, use all that experience to ask better questions to help the client achieve their goals and to let them know you are thinking ahead and anticipating them.

“Getting old is a fascinating thing. The older you get, the older you want to get.”

~Keith Richards