Sometimes I think, “What if I were 20 years old today, just starting as a photographer and storyteller in 2025?”

In 1982, when I was 20, I was at East Carolina University. I spent more time in the darkroom than the classroom—working for the school paper and yearbook, shooting black-and-white film and color slides. It was the beginning of everything. I didn’t have a roadmap, but I had a camera and a deep curiosity about people’s stories.

With more than 40 years behind the lens, I wonder what I’d do differently if I were starting right now.

Here’s what I’d tell my 20-year-old self—if that self lived in today’s world.

1. Don’t just shoot—tell stories.

In 1982, I was focused on getting the shot. Today, I’d be focused on what the shot says.

I wouldn’t just learn lighting and composition. I’d study human nature, communication, and why specific images move people. I’d ask, “What story am I helping this person tell?” Not just, “Is this technically correct?”

In 2025, gear is more accessible than ever, but the most valuable skill is empathy.

2. Build a personal brand early.

In college, no one talked about personal branding—we were just trying to meet the deadlines for the yearbook.

If I were 20 today, I’d create a simple website and share my best photos and thoughts. I’d post behind-the-scenes videos, caption stories, and explain my learning.

People don’t hire gear—they employ a person with a point of view. Start showing yours early.

3. Fail faster. Post more.

Back then, failure was expensive. A roll of slide film might cost you a week’s lunch money. Now? You can shoot a thousand photos in an afternoon, edit them that evening, and share a short film before bed.

So if I were 20 in 2025, I’d experiment more. I’d post more. I’d get feedback. I’d try new genres. I wouldn’t worry about being perfect—I’d be focused on growth.

The quicker you get through the bad work, the faster you reach the good stuff.

4. Learn business while you learn photography.

I didn’t learn how to price my work, negotiate a contract, or license an image until I had to. If I were 20 today, I’d take a business course before I bought another lens.

Photographers who succeed long-term aren’t just great with a camera—they know how to run a business. Your creativity gets stuck in a box if you don’t learn both.

5. Find a mentor—and be one.

Looking back, I was lucky to learn from incredible mentors like Don Rutledge. Today, I’d look for someone ahead of me in the field and also look behind me to help someone just starting.

You grow by teaching as much as by doing.

Final Thought: Curiosity Still Wins

No matter what year you’re 20—1982 or 2025—the most powerful thing you can bring to the table is curiosity. Ask better questions. Listen more. Learn from everyone.

Back in college, I had no idea that chasing photos for the school paper would lead me into global storytelling, working with ministries, nonprofits, and major brands. But that same curiosity drives me today.

So if you’re 20 in 2025—lean into the tools, but even more into the people, the stories are still out there. And they still need someone to tell them well.

Now it’s your turn:
If you’re in your 20s (or wish you were), what advice would you give your younger self starting in today’s world? I’d love to hear your story.

Photographer and educator Todd Bigelow shares real-world insights during the Business of Photography Workshop, hosted by ASMP/Atlanta. A powerful reminder that success in photography isn’t just about your images—it’s about how you run your business.

There’s a question I hear from newer photographers all the time:
“Why should I join an organization like ASMP, NPPA, or PPA? What’s in it for me?”

It’s a fair question, especially when so many resources, communities, and marketing tools are available online for free. But after more than 40 years in this industry, I’ve learned this:
A strong association isn’t just about what you get—it’s also about who you’re becoming.

Let me break that down and explain why I’ve remained a member—and a board member—of these organizations for decades.

What Is the Purpose of a Photography Association?

At its core, a professional association exists to:

• Advocate for your rights and the future of the profession
• Educate photographers on the best business and creative practices
• Create a network of peers and mentors who raise the bar
• Provide business tools—insurance, contracts, legal templates, pricing guidance
• Promote ethical standards and professionalism

But it’s also about identity and solidarity. You’re not just a freelancer in isolation. You’re part of a professional class of creatives who believe storytelling has value—and should be protected, respected, and fairly compensated.

You’re not just paying dues when you join ASMP, NPPA, or PPA. You’re contributing to the infrastructure that protects your ability to work, grow, and thrive in an evolving marketplace.

My Journey with NPPA and ASMP

I joined NPPA in 1984 when I was still wet behind the ears in photojournalism. A few years later, in 1987, I joined ASMP as I began taking on more commercial and editorial work.

Both organizations gave me tools I didn’t know I needed at the time—legal knowledge, pricing strategies, ethical guidelines, and a network of seasoned pros willing to share what they’d learned the hard way.

Over the years, I’ve served on both local and national boards, and that experience gave me a new perspective: These organizations only work when members step up to lead, serve, and evolve them.

What It Means to Serve on the Board

Being elected to an association board is not a résumé booster or a vanity title—it’s a responsibility.

A board member must:

• Show up prepared
• Represent the full membership, not just personal interests
• Engage in hard conversations
• Help set policies, make decisions, and execute initiatives
• Be willing to do the work between meetings

The best board members listen well, lead by example, and build trust in the broader community.

And let me be clear: Ideas are cheap. Action is costly. If you serve on a board, it’s not enough to speak up—you’ve got to follow through.

Advocacy Is Essential—But Not the Whole Picture

One of the biggest strengths of NPPA and ASMP is their ongoing advocacy for photographers’ rights.

These aren’t just symbolic efforts. They’ve led to fundamental, lasting changes that benefit the entire photography industry, not just members.

Take NPPA’s work on drone regulations, for example. When the FAA’s Part 107 Drone Rules were being developed, NPPA was one of the only organizations advocating for journalists and visual storytellers. Their efforts helped ensure that the drone certification process allowed for legitimate use by photographers and videographers in newsgathering and documentary storytelling, without excessive barriers. Today, we fly legally thanks partly to their behind-the-scenes work with the FAA. (More here)

On the business side, ASMP has long been a leader in educating creatives about contracts, licensing, and intellectual property. Their push for fair business practices—including guidance on usage fees, indemnity clauses, and copyright registration—has elevated how professionals negotiate and protect their work. Many of us run stronger businesses today because of the standards and sample contracts ASMP has made available for decades.

But advocacy alone isn’t the whole picture. If you only want someone to fight your legal battles, that’s not a complete membership experience.

Their holistic support makes these associations valuable, from business coaching to contract templates to peer mentorship.

Evolving for the Future: From Exclusivity to Inclusivity (with Standards)

Some associations were seen as exclusive clubs—gatekeepers of knowledge, access, and status in the early days. That model no longer serves the profession.

Today, photography associations must be:

• Inclusive in their outreach
• Welcoming to new voices and perspectives
• Supportive of underrepresented communities in the industry

But inclusive doesn’t mean anyone can join without standards.

Every member should uphold core principles—ethical practice, creative responsibility, and professionalism. Associations should create pathways for newer photographers to qualify, not barriers to keep them out.

We grow stronger not by shrinking the circle, but by inviting more people in and giving them the tools to succeed.

So, Why Should You Join?

If you’re starting, joining an organization like ASMP or NPPA gives you access to:

• Contracts and business tools that protect you
• Legal insights and templates that save you money and stress
• A network of working professionals who can help you grow
• Continuing education opportunities you won’t find on YouTube

If you’re established, membership lets you:

• Please pay it forward by mentoring others
• Stay up to date with evolving legal and ethical standards
• Shape the future of the profession by participating in leadership
• Be part of a voice that advocates for our rights at the national level

Final Thoughts

I’ve been doing this long enough to know that no association can meet every need. But I also know this:

You can’t complain about the direction of the profession if you’re not willing to help steer the ship.

Organizations like ASMP and NPPA only work when professionals like you and me show up, contribute, and take responsibility for our collective future.

Let’s stop thinking of membership as a subscription and start thinking of it as a shared investment in the profession we love.

—

Would you like help choosing the right association for your needs or figuring out how to get more involved? I’d be happy to discuss your options.

As a freelance photographer and visual storyteller, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we compete for jobs, fight for exposure, and try to be the best. But here’s a thought that changed the game: business is not a finite game with winners and losers. It’s an infinite game where the goal is to keep playing and growing.

This idea comes from Simon Sinek’s concept of the infinite mindset—and it’s especially powerful for photographers, videographers, and other creative freelancers.

1. You’re Not Trying to Win Clients—You’re Building Something That Lasts

In a finite mindset, success looks like closing a deal, getting the biggest paycheck, or booking the biggest name.

But when you think infinitely, the question becomes:

“How do I build a career—and a reputation—that keeps me doing meaningful work for the long haul?”

That shift changes everything: how you price your work, build relationships, and position your brand. You’re not chasing short-term wins. You’re investing in long-term value.

2. Your Real Competition Isn’t Other Creatives—It’s Irrelevance

The freelance world is full of comparison traps. But with an infinite mindset, you stop trying to “beat” others and focus on staying relevant and helpful.

Ask yourself:

• Am I growing in my craft?
• Am I better at telling stories today than I was last year?
• Am I adapting to what my clients need?

That’s the race worth running.

3. Your “Just Cause” Is More Powerful Than Your Portfolio

One of the hallmarks of an infinite mindset is having a Just Cause—a purpose that drives what you do beyond money or recognition.

Mine is simple: helping organizations tell their stories well to serve their communities better.

That mission gives direction to every decision, attracts the right clients, helps me say no to projects that don’t align, and fuels the work I do with nonprofits, ministries, and businesses that are in this for the right reasons.

4. It Reframes Failure

When you’re playing an infinite game, losing a gig or a client isn’t failure. It’s feedback. It’s part of learning. It’s part of becoming more resilient.

Instead of asking, “How did I lose?” try asking, “What did I learn?”

That slight shift creates a whole lot more freedom.

5. You Make Decisions That Prioritize Longevity

A finite mindset says:

“I’ll undercharge just to land this job.”

An infinite mindset says:

“I want to build a business that lasts, with clients who value what I bring to the table.”

That means:

• Pricing for sustainability
• Creating repeatable systems
• Building trust with clients over time

Stop thinking about this month’s income and start building a future.

Final Thought:

I’ve learned that my best work happens when I think long-term—helping clients tell powerful stories, not just for one campaign but to shape their brand for years.

The infinite mindset isn’t about being the best. It’s about getting better and staying in the game.

If you’re a creative professional looking to build a career with purpose, this mindset might be the shift you didn’t know you needed.

Let’s keep playing the game that never ends.

If you’re a photographer trying to stay relevant and profitable in 2025, you already know just being “good with a camera” isn’t enough. The photographers who thrive today aren’t just capturing images—they’re building trust, solving problems, and promoting themselves personally, strategically, and consistently.

As someone who’s spent decades helping others tell their stories, here’s how I’ve learned to successfully self-promote in a way that builds long-term relationships and opens new doors.

Know Your Audience

Start here: Who do you want to reach?

If you’re like me, your ideal clients are nonprofits, faith-based groups, or small businesses that need strong brand messaging. These clients are often overwhelmed, understaffed, and unsure how to communicate visually. They don’t need someone to “take photos”—they need someone to help them connect.

So make sure everything about how you present yourself speaks to that. Your audience needs to know:

• You understand their mission.
• You’ve helped others like them.
• You’re someone they can trust with their story.

When your message speaks directly to their world, it becomes about them, not just you.

Identify and Solve Their Problems

A promotion that works starts with empathy.

Think about the actual pain points clients bring to the table. Maybe they’re struggling to get donors to engage, or their social media feels flat. Perhaps they’ve worked with other photographers who delivered technically OK photos, but missed the emotional connection.

What you’re offering is a solution. You’re helping them:

• Communicate value to their audience.
• Connect emotionally with supporters or customers.
• Build consistency across their visual brand.

Your messaging should reflect that on your website, blog, emails, and in person.

Structure Your Portfolio for Their Needs

Most photographers build portfolios that show what they like to shoot. However, effective self-promotion means showing what your clients want to see.

Instead of a general “highlight reel,” think about case studies. Break your portfolio into categories like:

• Brand Storytelling for Nonprofits
• Faith-Based Projects
• Event Coverage with a Mission
• Executive and Environmental Portraits

Show variety, but also show depth. For each gallery, include a short paragraph about the client’s challenge, your approach, and the result. A powerful image with a brief story goes much further than a grid of 20 random shots.

Promote Yourself—Consistently and Intentionally

In today’s market, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you must always be everywhere. Instead, aim to be intentional in the ways that matter most.

Snail Mail
Surprise still works. A professionally printed postcard with a handwritten note has a much higher open and response rate than another email in their inbox. Use it to highlight a recent campaign or image series relevant to their mission.

Email
A well-crafted newsletter—once a quarter or once a month—is a great way to stay top-of-mind. Ensure it’s more than “look at my latest shoot.” Offer value: a quick tip on storytelling, a link to a behind-the-scenes post, or a short story of a client’s success.

Blog and Website
Consider your blog your voice when you’re not in the room. Write posts that answer the kinds of questions your clients are already asking:

• What makes a good storytelling photo?
• How do visuals help with fundraising?
• What do we need to do before the shoot?

Ensure your website leads people somewhere: either to contact you, download something helpful, or read more about your process.

Networking and Speaking
This still works better than anything else, especially in the nonprofit and small businesses. Offer to give a short talk on storytelling at a local church, business group, or creative meetup. Speak from experience. Don’t sell. Teach.

You’re not just a vendor—you’re a guide. And the more people see you that way, the easier it is for them to say yes.

Choose the Right Images to Reinforce Your Message

Images matter as much in your self-promotion as in your client work. Choose photos that reflect both skill and purpose.

Here are the types of images to pull from your website and blog:

• Emotion-rich moments from nonprofit or missionary stories. Show connection, not just action.
• Before-and-after branding examples—how a campaign improved with visuals.
• Behind-the-scenes photos of you working, especially in faith or storytelling contexts.
• Photos with real people, real impact—portraits of clients or community members engaging with your work.
• Close-up emotional moments that visually reinforce the message of your post.

These aren’t just portfolio pieces—they’re proof of concept. They show that you understand how to capture images that do something.

Final Thought

Self-promotion doesn’t have to feel awkward or self-serving. Knowing your audience and speaking directly to their needs becomes something much more powerful: an invitation to collaborate.

You’re not just saying, “Look at what I’ve done.” You’re saying, “Here’s how I can help you tell your story.”

And that’s what people will remember.

Great teaching doesn’t just transfer knowledge—it builds trust, invites vulnerability, and creates space for laughter. Here’s a fun moment with students and staff from the YWAM School of Photography in Kona, Hawaii, where we didn’t just learn photography—we learned how to lead by showing up as ourselves.

“The best teachers translate complexity into clarity, not by simplifying the subject, but by personalizing the path.”
— Stanley Leary

Over the years of teaching photographers, videographers, and storytellers from all walks of life, I’ve learned that people don’t just need simplified information-they need relevant understanding. Whether helping someone understand lighting or guiding a nonprofit through brand strategy, I’ve seen that people needn’t just simplified information—they need relevant understanding.

Albert Einstein put it this way:

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

It’s a great benchmark. But here’s the next step: just because something is simple to you doesn’t mean it’s clear to them. That’s where personalization comes in.

Teaching vs. Leading: Who Needs to Personalize?

A workshop teacher works face-to-face with learners, adjusting explanations to match different learning styles. One person may need visual examples, another might learn best by doing, and a third might need the story behind the technique to understand its purpose.

Great teachers observe, listen, and respond—not just with answers, but with adaptation. The best ones know the material, sure—but more importantly, they learn the student.

Now, what about leaders?

They may not be teaching aperture or video timelines, but they are guiding people—staff, partners, clients, or donors—through complex decisions and missions. Clarity still matters, and so does personalization.

A great leader:

• Shapes the organization’s message to fit different audiences.
• Communicates vision in a way that each team member can own.
• Understands when to lead from the front and when to walk beside.

Like the teacher, the leader must also personalize the path.

Don’t Just Simplify—Clarify

It’s tempting to take shortcuts: simplify, eliminate the details, and assume people will “get it.” But that often leads to misunderstanding or disengagement.

True clarity comes from doing translation work—not removing the complexity, but guiding someone through it.

That’s what teaching is. That’s what leadership is. And that’s what storytelling is, too.

Whether you’re standing in front of a classroom or at the head of an organization, the goal is the same:

Help people make sense of what matters—by meeting them where they are and guiding them forward.

Friendships aren’t just lovely to have—they’re essential. Research consistently shows that strong social bonds improve physical health, mental well-being, and longevity. Friendships help us live longer, manage stress better, and give us a sense of purpose.

Simon Sinek, the leadership author known for books like Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last, has been thinking a lot about this lately. While he hasn’t yet released a whole book on the topic, he’s shared in interviews and blog posts that he’s become increasingly obsessed with friendship. He discusses how real friendships are the foundation of trust, connection, and good leadership.

As someone who works in visual storytelling, I’ve seen how photography and video can celebrate, reinforce, and deepen those connections. It’s one of the most meaningful uses of our craft—capturing the small, unrepeatable moments that define our closest relationships.

Photography: A Celebration of Friendship

Taking photos of your friends isn’t just about making memories. It’s a form of honoring them. It says: “You matter. This moment with you matters.”

Here are some powerful ways photography and video can strengthen and celebrate friendships:

1. Capture the candid, everyday moments together.
2. Document your shared adventures—whether a road trip, mission trip, or just a weekend lunch.
3. Make portraits of each other that you both feel good about.
4. Show each other how you see one another through your lens.
5. Create albums or reels that remind you how far you’ve come together.
6. Revisit old photos to reflect on growth and shared history.
7. Take video clips of conversations or moments that are often forgotten.
8. Celebrate milestones together—birthdays, graduations, reunions, or just surviving a hard week.
9. Turn ordinary hangouts into documentary-style reflections of your friendship.
10. Being present with a camera says, “This is worth remembering.”

The Real Tip: Photo Reciprocity

Here’s something I’ve learned as a visual storyteller and as someone who archives personal photo collections for families: your collection becomes more powerful when it includes your friends’ perspectives.

Two clients had children who went on the same Spring Break mission trip in 2005. One of the boys gathered photos from all his friends on that trip. I believe he also shared his own with them. Because of this exchange, his family had far more images of their son—photos of him, not just the ones he took.

When we only keep our perspective, we miss half the story. But when our friends take photos and share them with us, we see ourselves through their eyes—and that’s a powerful gift.

So here’s my advice: ask your friends to photograph you. Then swap, trade perspectives, build shared albums, and celebrate each other.

How Sharing Photos Builds Connection

After the rise of Facebook and Instagram, something unexpected happened: we started seeing photos of ourselves we didn’t know existed. Moments from a mission trip, a birthday party, or even just sitting in a coffee shop—all captured by someone else.

This helped us feel more seen, more included. Some studies suggest that people sharing photos with friends feel more connected. Even sharing lighthearted images like pet photos or travel snapshots has increased emotional closeness.

When you see yourself in your friend’s story, something changes. The relationship grows deeper. You start to see how others value you, not just how you see yourself.

Ways to Share Photos with Your Circle of Friends

Here are some easy ways to turn your photo habits into a friendship-strengthening tradition:

• Create a shared album where everyone adds their best photos each month.
• Host a photo night and swap prints or slideshows.
• Send surprise prints in the mail.
• Start a digital picture frame rotation where you preload your favorite moments for each other.
• Keep a running photo journal together in a private social media group.
• Build an annual photo book or scrapbook that you all contribute to.

Celebrating Customers with Photography

This same principle applies in business, too. I’ve visited restaurants that take photos of their guests and hang them on the wall. It’s not just décor—a visual celebration of their community. These walls of smiling faces invite new customers in and remind regulars that they’re appreciated.

Today, that’s moved mostly to social media. Businesses share customer photos online, creating digital versions of that wall.

If you run a business and want to do this well, here are a few tips:

Do:

• Always get permission before posting.
• Use a consistent style or frame to make your images feel on-brand.
• Celebrate your customers, not just yourself.
• Refresh your content often so it doesn’t get stale.
• Make your customers feel like VIPs when they’re featured.

Avoid:

• Posting without consent or using photos out of context.
• Letting the feed get outdated or inconsistent.
• Posting poor-quality images that don’t reflect well on your brand.
• Ignoring customer engagement in the comments or messages.

Done right, these photos can turn casual customers into lifelong fans.

Final Thoughts

As a storyteller and brand builder, I believe professionals don’t tell some of the best stories—they’re lived and captured by friends.

So don’t just take photos of your friends. Ask them to do the same for you. Share them. Celebrate one another. Archive your friendships as you would a legacy—because that’s what they are.

Want to build deeper bonds? Please pick up your camera and hand it to your friend.