Communication Crisis or Opportunity?

This past week I was covering the Chick-fil-A annual meeting. Andrew Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, shared a quote I think we all need to hear now.

“When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near.
When your dreams exceed your memories, you pioneer”

– Andrew T. Cathy

The “Great Resignation” is when Americans quit jobs at a record pace during the second half of 2021, and more plan to resign in the new year.

If you have been paying attention, you will also know that this is complicated and not just a simple complaint. Experts continue to say the lack of adequate childcare and health concerns about Covid, exacerbated by Omicron, is one major issue.

The widening gap between labor demand and supply appears to be most significant in low-paying industries like the service industry.

Mothers with college degrees and telework-compatible jobs were more likely to exit the labor force and be on leave than women without children. Again, this seems to be directly related to the childcare issue.

What seems to be the issue is they cannot afford to keep the jobs they have for various reasons.

Shane Benson speaks to the operators of Chick-fil-A restaurants & the Support Center at their annual meeting.

Shane Benson did an excellent job with a video of a burning forest fire behind him on stage. It painted the perfect picture of all the stress of running a business today.

Four time Luge Olympian Ruben Gonzalez

Ruben Gonzalez was terrified every time he did the luge event until a coach told him to concentrate 30 yards in front of him. Ruben was no longer afraid, and his times got better with this advice.

“If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.”  

– Dolly Parton

The Vision must be communicated to be successful!

Your job as a leader is to generate a commitment to your organization’s vision. To do this, you must communicate the idea in a way that matters to people.

Through storytelling, Hawaiian natives pass on ancient cultural practices, values, traditions, and historical information. Hawaiian storytelling includes chants, songs, hula, and verse.

When you tell a good story, you give life to a vision. A good storyteller creates trust, captures hearts and minds, and serves as a reminder of the image. Plus, people find it easier to repeat a story than to talk about a vision statement.

Use visual aids as Shane Benson did above. Create updates to keep everyone aware of your progress toward your vision. 

In 2022 – Companies will be measured by the way they treat their workers

Employers have shifted from asking what they can get from employees to ask what they can do to support employees and their families.

One of the most significant gaps for the best companies is from what they do to employees to what they communicate.

There is a communication gap at the root of all company’s failures. If you are having trouble recruiting people, have you asked if people outside the company know what you offer to work for you?

Large companies that employ people all over the country and globe cannot have a one size fits. They must let the local leaders have the flexibility to cater to the local culture.

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) is knocked out of bounds by Washington Huskies defensive back Taylor Rapp (21) during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. [Nikon D5, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, Sigma TC-2001 2x, ISO 36000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Internal Communications BEFORE External Communications

Before the team took the field, the coach handed out a playbook for each person to memorize. They also ran the play over and over in practice. It wasn’t new to them when they ran the space for the world to see. If they executed it flawlessly, most likely, it was successful.

Effective communication builds a positive atmosphere where teams can flourish, when positive and encouraging communication, team members become more muscular and work better together. 

Good communicators are vital to a business’s profit margin and reputation. Employees who communicate well and understand the company’s vision help make the company successful. Using practical communication skills can benefit a business and its employees.

I believe the best way to communicate today is to be sure you engage in many ways people learn from your messaging. Therefore, writing alone misses how most people know.

Research has found that 65 percent of the general population are visual learners, meaning they need to see information to retain it. Visuals add a component to communication that written and verbal methods do not: speed. Studies have shown that the brain can process images and videos 60,000 times faster than text, making image-based communication remarkably valuable.

Call to Action

Call a professional communicator known for using visual communications and not just writing skills. Bring them in early. Tell them your vision and dreams for where you want to go this year and communicate this to all the stakeholders to make it happen.

How Can I Shoot College Football?

Georgia Bulldog’s Freshman Running Back #35 Brian Herrien Scored his first collegiate touchdown. At the same time, UNC’s Safety #15 Donnie Miles could not stop him during tonight’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, September 3, 2016, at the Georgia Dome. [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 45600, 1/4000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 240)]

I just got this question today and thought it would make a great blog post.

“How do you get credentials to be able to shoot at some of the college football games? Huge UGA fan and would love to be able to shoot at a game if possible.”

Instagram Follower

I would first send a link to my photos and ask for feedback on my work before I presumed I would be good enough to shoot the game. Always be sure people can see what you can do when asking permission to shoot for a sports team.

I highly recommend getting your domain name and a website. Your website will be your online portfolio.

Jackets football team playing at Roswell Area Park. [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 1000, 1/4000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

You must first establish you can shoot good action photos and the best place to start is in your community shooting the recreational leagues. Once you have 10 to 20 great shots, please put them in an online gallery that you will use to ask for access to the next-up venue.

Roswell’s (1) Sheldon Evans shakes off a tackle by Woodstock’s (13) Austin Bennett during the second quarter of play of the Roswell vs. Woodstock high school football game at Ray Manus Stadium on Friday, October 28, 2016, in Roswell, GA. [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 64000, 1/1250, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 360)]

The question you will get from the Athletic Director or Coaches is what you plan on doing with the photos. For example, you may say I want to offer these to the parents and players. However, if you sell them, you may compete with someone who has a deal with the school, and they will turn you down.

You ask around until someone wants you there to shoot photos. Then you build a better portfolio.

Auburn Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals Final Score Auburn 31 Louisville 24 [NIKON D4, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 12800, 1/1250, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 270)]

For college football, the Sports Information office for the Athletic Department is who gives out credentials. Here is a list of the type of photographers credentialed at Division 1 games.

  • Sports Illustrated
  • Associated Press
  • Reuters
  • USA Today
  • Local Newspapers
  • Wire Services other than AP
    • Zuma Press
    • Icon Sports
    • Athletic Image
  • School Newspaper/Yearbook
  • Shooters for Athletic Department

I suggest not going straight to the major Division 1 schools but finding those smaller ones. They don’t have everyone and their brother or sister asking to shoot the games. They are more likely to let you on their field. However, they may want you to make some of your photos available to them for purchase. When first starting, you may want to give them some to get your first access, but once you have a portfolio of good images at that level, start charging for your pictures.

There is a level of shooters above most of the editorial shooters. Those are the ones hired to shoot for advertising purposes. So, brands like Nike, Under Armor, Addidas, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, and brands around the sport, will employ the very best to get them those “unique” images.

Now along the way, you may find that you have an opportunity to help another photographer cover a significant event as a photo assistant. They help by carrying extra gear or are helping by editing images. So if you ever get that opportunity–TAKE IT!! Assisting is about learning from the best. You will learn about the expectations before all the pressure on you.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/4000, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 160)]

SECRET TIP!!!!!

While a list of people is lining up to ask for credentials for shooting University of Georgia football this year, very few are asking to shoot their Track & Field. Every Sports Information office has trouble getting photographers to shoot some of their other sports. If you want to build a good relationship with them, see if they need coverage of their other sports.

Always ask them for their photo needs. They have to fill out a media guide each year. Believe it or not, they need fewer photos of the seniors than everyone else. Sports Information people are looking for fresh images of the players before next year. The following year, they will need many more pictures of the rising starters. You still shoot the star players but keep the client’s needs in mind.

Study the photographers at the top in the industry. See what they are getting and do everything you can to make your photos as good as theirs. Also, look for unique shots as well. Just be sure always to have safe pictures.

Joe Burrow, #9 of the LSU Tigers, rolls out on a pass play during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday, December 28, in Atlanta. [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/4000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 460)]

Joe Burrow, #9 of the LSU Tigers, scores a rushing touchdown during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday, December 28, in Atlanta. [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 11400, 1/4000, ƒ/4, (35mm = 195)]

Nikon Z9 Great for Events

Shooting settings NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/200, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 170)

While all of my previous Nikon Cameras could have covered this meeting in past years, there are some adorable things that I see as valuable.

EVF vs OVF

An Electrical View Finder with mirrorless is much better for me than the Optical View Finder with the DSLR. You see, in low light, it is brighter in the EVF. You can see what you photograph so much better than natural light.

Chris Tomlin [NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 4000, 1/125, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 190)]

As I look through the EVF, I see what it will look like when I shoot it. That isn’t the case with the DSLR. You have to stop and check the images with the DSLR.

I have the settings on the Nikon Z9 set to show me what the scenes will give me.

Chris Stapleton [NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 7200, 1/200, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 28)]

Another thing that is good with seeing what you are getting is White Balance. You can see if you are off. When I was shooting the stage, I set the White Balance to Kelvin setting so that things like all this red didn’t have my camera compensating and adding a lot of cyan, which would make the skin color off.

Now while I am shooting RAW and can fix this in the post, the more you get correct in the image on the camera will save you time editing.

Chris Stapleton [NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 4000, 1/200, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 300)]

For metering, I set this to Highlight-Weighted.

Garth Brooks [NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/200, ƒ/5, (35mm = 28)]

So which focus mode was I using?

Auto-Area Auto Focus in the AF-C setting.

Don Miller [NIKON Z 9, VR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 7200, 1/250, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 300)]

Now one other thing I love about the camera is not having a shutter and the ability to turn the sound off.

The lenses look sharper since the focusing is off the sensor.

I cannot say anything, but this is a great camera, and as I learn how to maximize all it can do, I hope I also deliver better images that the customer notices.

Nikon Z9 Backyard Birds

Northern cardinal in our backyard. [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 8000, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

“Cardinals appear when angels are near”

– Victoria McGovern

Today we had winter advisory for our area. So, I was having to stay put and decided to use this as opportunity to photograph birds in our backyard.

House Sparrow [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/2000, ƒ/11, (35mm = 600)]

When there isn’t snow the photos look like this. The snow changes the lighting, background and when the snow is falling creates more depth with snow surrounding the birds.

Cassin’s Finch & Brown-Headed Nuthatch [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/640, ƒ/5, (35mm = 420)]

When the snow started to fall the trees were still not covered.

Female Northern Cardinal [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/640, ƒ/5, (35mm = 420)]

Slowly through the day the snow steadily came down. Changing the look of the same spots where the birds came to feed.

Pine Warbler [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/800, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 420)]

One of the fun things to do is research and see what is visiting the backyard bird feeders.

Bluebird [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 6400, 1/800, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

White-breasted Nuthatch [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/1250, ƒ/11, (35mm = 600)]
Red-bellied Woodpecker [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/2000, ƒ/8, (35mm = 600)]

Eastern Phoebes [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 8000, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

My Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

This is what I have found works for me. You may find different results with other settings.

Here are some shots from my coverage of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl that I mixed in to show my results.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/3200, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

These are the settings that I use on my Nikon Z9 for shooting most all sports action. Nikon has made it pleasant to allow photographers to save these settings, so they do not have to remember every little scene they like to use for a style of shooting.

If you go to Menu and under the camera icon, pick the first item, “Shooting menu bank.” I have chosen B, which is my sports menu.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

If you toggle into the “Shooting menu bank,” you can rename those settings. Once you choose one of these settings, everything you do to change the menu will be saved in that menu bank. I recommend going ahead and trying all my settings and then tweaking them to your preferences.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

When shooting sports, it is widespread for the lighting conditions to change instantly. While the football player runs toward you, they may go from shade into direct sunlight. For this reason, I let the camera do some of my thinking.

Go to the camera icon and look for “ISO sensitivity settings.” Select this, and you will then see this menu:

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

I turn on the “Auto ISO sensitivity control.” Then I set the minimum shutter speed to 1/4000. You could pick something else. I used to shoot at 1/2000. The ISO setting is what you see in the smaller window below the menu. I set this to ISO 100 and the “Maximum sensitivity” to ISO 25600.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/4000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

Why 1/4000? Well, when you are shooting football from the end zone to the other end of the field with a 600mm, you may want to crop. I do crop to get even closer. Therefore this is more like shooting with a 1200mm lens or longer. The longer the lens [CROPPING needs to be factored in], the higher the shutter speed. If you are shooting a 200mm, then shooting at 1/200 shutter speed works pretty well for stationary objects. Following the football field action means your camera moves a lot.

I have found that my photos looked even better at 1/4000 than they did at 1/2000. I am moving the camera, and the player is moving–we are not always in sync. They may Zig while I Zag. That is, they are going opposite my movement, which accentuates the action.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/4000, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 160)]

While I am in Aperture Mode shooting, the camera will always pick 1/4000 shutter speed. If in sunlight I am at ƒ/4, the shutter speed may go as high as 1/8000 at ISO 100, but as the scene changes and the athlete is now in the shade, the camera will automatically drop to 1/4000 @ ƒ/4, and then change also the ISO up until I can still shoot at 1/4000.

The only time the shutter speed will dip below 1/4000 is if the ISO peaks out at 25600.  If my aperture is wide open, the camera is doing everything I would have done manually, but faster than I could ever adjust the camera. That is how you get more shots than the guy next to you.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

Next, select the Pencil on the menu and go into the Custom settings bank.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

Again just like the Photo Shooting Menu, create a Sports Menu as I have done here.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

Next, choose Autofocus in the menu.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

Then choose the Focus tracking with lock-on.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

I change the “Focus tracking with lock-on” from Normal to 4. What happens when I do this is the delay for the lens to refocus if something occurs between the camera and subject (like a referee). While I am following someone, the camera will not refocus right away. This is something you need to try and pick what you like. You may want the lens to be more responsive and therefore go to set one, letting the lens refocus instantly.

Focus Settings

You want to pick Autofocus Continuous mode for sports.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

In the menu, Pencil selections, pick AF Activation under the Autofocus settings.

Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

Then choose the AF-ON only. This will mean when you push the shutter release, it will not focus but fire the shutter to take a photo.

By changing these settings, you will notice the camera will stay in focus and shoot faster frame rate. Great for following a baseball player sliding into a plate and another player trying to tag them, or maybe a football player is running towards you to score. You will find more photos tack sharp in a series.

I generally put my focus point dead center and lock it, so I don’t bump it. I am trying to get photos of moving subjects, and off-center is too tricky. I may crop later for a better composition, but I want the issue to focus first.

Now, this gets a little complicated so pay attention to the highlighted text above.

Here are the selections again with more explanation

Turn off VR on your lens. The simple fact is that VR is a solution to a problem, and if you don’t have that problem using VR can become a problem of its own. VR should generally be off if your shutter speed is over 1/1000.

After doing my findings, someone shared that Nikon came out with their guide for shooting sports. Here is that PDF for you.

More photos from the game

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Nikon Z6 helped with Topaz Sharpen AI

I have found the Nikon Z6, when attached with a flash, sometimes struggles to focus on the subject.

Nikon Z6, Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4 Art, ISO 10000, ƒ/5.6, 1/40, Flash Slow Sync.

Using Nikon’s NX software I can see where my camera was focusing when I took the shot. As you can see in the full-frame image below, it was sharp.

Then I took a second photo and zoomed in on the couple.

Same settings as before, but focus point was off.

After taking that second photo, I noticed later it was soft.

I wasn’t pleased with all. I had seen this ad pop up on my social media for a while called Topaz Sharpening AI. You can download it and try it. It just puts a watermark on the photo. I tried it with this photo and ended up buying the software.

A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds

Here is a closeup of the difference.

Topaz Sharpening AI used

While the software improved the focus compared to getting a camera, that is still the best.

As it came out of camera with minor Lightroom editing

Before & After with Lighting Setup

While a photo may look great–seeing the before gives you a peek into what a professional photographer brings to a project.

Tesla Service Center – 1875 Greers Chapel Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144

With a smartphone camera, anyone can get a photo of them before. However, a professional uses the skills of lighting and editing to transform this into an “Eye-Popping” photo.

I shot this photo with my cellphone to show the setup. All four strobes are set to full power.

I first shot this photo when I arrived.

Tesla 1875 Greers Chapel Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144

I was not a fan of that tree.

Tesla 1875 Greers Chapel Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144

I like them now, both for different reasons. I will let the client choose the angle to use.

4 Must-Try DAM Tips from Chick-Fil-A’s Visual Asset Manager

[Copied from an article featuring my expertise in Online Searchable Photography Catalog. Here is the original.]

If you’ve tasted their chicken sandwiches, you get it.

The last time we spoke to Chick-fil-A’s multitalented storytelling extraordinaire, Stanley Leary he shared how he project-managed the implementation of PhotoShelter to help unify the brand’s visual asset management and contributed creative content ideas to get people nationwide obsessed with eating more chicken.

During the Innovation Summit, Stanley shared a few more invaluable nuggets of wisdom about corporate visual asset management that cluckedstuck out.

Watch the entire session below or try the DAM tips out first:

  1. Add keywords as you upload your images to PhotoShelter; they’re “the hot sauce of content.” Adding metadata makes assets in your media library instantly accessible—more discoverable and easier to search for, and speaking from experience, Stanley agrees, “The turning point for Chick-Fil-A for using PhotoShelter more effectively—especially for people who are out there doing journalism and taking pictures and writing normal captions—if you put keywords in, your organization can use them for a lot more than just the initial concept of what you shoot them for…you can move your photos beyond the initial assignment and use them for a lot more,” he said. 

  2. Create a keyword list unique to your organization’s needs. If you’re in retail, make your keywords about your merchandise and brand materials. If you’re in higher education, try adding keywords for location, people, year, and campaign when necessary. Whatever your business may be, make sure your keyword list represents what your users most commonly look for and need. Stanley said, “If the user can not find the photos they’re looking for, it’s not a successful system.” After initiating a live exercise with the session audience—asking them to look at an image and submit their keywords to a group Slack chat, Stanley noted that people’s answers don’t tend to be consistently the same, so you can’t just onboard a team to a DAM platform with zero training. “You need to create a keyword list that’s structured for your organization,” he said.

  3. Sync Google Analytics with your PhotoShelter account to get real-time analytics about the way users search for images and use that to inform your brand’s keyword best practices. Stanley said, “One of the best things that PhotoShelter offers is the Google Analytics [Integration.] If you’re not doing that, you’re missing out on an opportunity because the advantage of Google Analytics is that I can go back to 2006 and I can pull up all the search terms that everybody has searched for within Chick-Fil-A’s PhotoShelter account. So, the best way to massage your keyword list is to look at how people are searching in your catalog. You also, every once in a while, want to go to your user because you want this to be user-friendly.”

  4. Nothing lasts forever, (except PhotoShelter,) so back up your assets because you can never be too safe. Stanley told a cautionary tale about a former colleague who was the President Emeritus at Georgia Tech while he worked there. This former colleague, Wayne Clough, left to become the Secretary of the Smithsonian and eventually came back to Georgia Tech looking for images for a book he wanted to write about his time at the school, but all the archival media was destroyed in a basement flood. His firm advice? “Keep your images in 3 places: Your computer, external hard drive or server, and PhotoShelter,” Stanley said..

Things To Do On A Slow Day At Work

“Vision without execution is just hallucination.”

—  Henry Ford

When the phone rings and I are asked to do a project, it is rewarding and prosperous. What do you do when the phone doesn’t ring?

In business, there is so much work that must be done that while it doesn’t look like it is productive if neglected can make things worse.

Office staff working on the books the old fashioned way at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu, Ghana. [NIKON D2X, 18.0-50.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 400, 1/160, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 31)]

There is always paperwork to do, especially if you are an entrepreneur who is a one-person operation like me.

Working on my books is one of the first things I do on most slow days. This is to be sure all the ledgers are up to date. Often this means sending out reminders to slow payers.

Take the time to learn something new. Over the years, I have invested in numerous books, magazines, and many online videos to stay up to date on my industry.

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

—  George Bernard Shaw

Be proactive. Plan your life rather than just reacting to things.

One of the best ways to plan is to network. This means you must gather the names of people and organizations you want to work with in the future.

Work on creating a database of new prospects. Also, make a plan on how you will connect with these people.

These are ways that I connect with my audience:

  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Blog – tips for my audience
  • Postcards – small taste of my portfolio
  • Phone calls
  • E-mail
[NIKON D4, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 100, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 200)]

For the self-employed, taking some of this time for personal time is much easier. Many business owners are so busy running their businesses that home chores and projects don’t get done.

So many of my friends have discovered they can work from anywhere this past year. Many college students also realized that they could be anywhere if their classes were all online. I know some friends of mine went to Colorado and snowed skiing during their breaks.

Another friend of mine is planning to work from Hawaii for a month.

The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything.

 Theodore Roosevelt

For those who work the gig economy, having a phone and computer with you means you can work your downtime from anywhere. Visit your family and if a call comes that you need to respond to, then adjust.

Cluster Team from the Corporate Office volunteers at Hosea Feed the Hungry [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/60, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 16)]

Volunteer in your community. Find something that you can do to give back. It helps others and lets others know your heart for the community.

One of the best things to do during a slow time is marketing. You may be someone who needs to promote your products or services to drum up new business. Having authentic images of your product, company, or staff can put you ahead of your competitors, and I can help you with it.

Work on telling your story of your business and how it intersects with your customer’s story. Please hire me to help get on video client testimonials on how you made their lives better.

Do you need employees? How about letting me help you record the testimonials of your employees and why they like working for you?

There is much to do today in this downtime. What action will you take today?

Why Organizational Change Often Fails

There are many reasons your organization will fail in the next generation. Most of the reasons are the present leadership not planning for the change.

In this post, I want to talk about realistic planning for budgeting. Most of the time, organizations plan to maintain the same roles as they have now, which is one of the biggest mistakes. As you grow and mature your organization is developing just like you did go through school.

Many of us have gone through preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, college, and advanced degrees. Your organization also develops similarly.

The Citadel: The seniors just walked the Long Gray Line across the parade field. Now they are just celebrating. [NIKON D3, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 360, 1/80, ƒ/13, (35mm = 14)]

You start with one teacher, and then when you progress upward, you need more teachers in specialties to help you maximize your talents.

If you retire and the organization is still in the elementary years, it may fail because they were not planning for the need for more staff, more supplies, and space to operate in the future.

Let me tell you the story of how one man [Zack] hurt a nonprofit because they were focused so much on the present that he was not helping the organization plan for tomorrow.

The most significant need of a nonprofit is to tell its story to its donors. Zack was one of the best marketing guys in the business. He was working for a fortune 50-size company. He knew how to tell stories to build a brand.

He had a huge heart for this nonprofit’s mission. They were an educational nonprofit that was changing communities all over Asia. Zack knew that the organization couldn’t afford him, so he donated all of his time.

The problem came when Zack could no longer help the organization. He had retired, and his health kept him from being able to contribute anymore.

He never helped the organization understand how they needed to budget for someone like him in the future. He didn’t groom the next marketing/communications person. He loved to travel, and the organization was thriving. He also loved to do a lot of the work himself. He took photos and videos and wrote as well. He found his friends to help as well.

This is changing the guard ceremony as part of the annual Corps Day/Recognition Day weekend ceremonies. This is when the Summerall Guards performed their last precision drills as a unit and then passed their rifles to the new platoon. [NIKON D3, 122.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 200, 1/800, ƒ/4, (35mm = 390)]

Don’t be just like Zack for your organization. Teach and mentor those who will replace you. Most of all, help set up the organization to afford later to pay someone with your skills. Help them understand how to budget for the organization with the next generation of leaders.

Great leaders prepare the next generation and work themselves out of their job.

You see, Zack had succumbed to pride and his ego. He loved doing the work and getting recognition for it as well. Zack was on an ego trip.

If you were no longer around and the rest of the staff as well all left, what would the organization need not just to survive but thrive? Take the time away from the present work to plan for future work. Create teams to help budget for the needs of the future.

You will discover that the time for the new leadership to start taking ownership is long before you are ready to give it up.

The Citadel: Commencement 2011 [NIKON D3S, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 12800, 1/1600, ƒ/3.8, (35mm = 35)]

Before & After Examples

Chase Bank, 4241 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30342 Six Strobes were used in addition to the natural lighting. [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, Mode = Manual, ISO 400, 1/4, ƒ/8, (35mm = 24)]

What does it mean to see someone in a better light?

This is an expression of seeing something from a different perspective. For example, you always thought someone was bad, but after talking with them, you now see them in a different light. (Now you see them differently and think they are very nice) 

It is an Idiom

The two words Better & Light together give us a new meaning in language.

Chase Bank 4241 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342

Without the extra light on the building, you are missing the “WOW FACTOR.”

Chase Bank 4241 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342

Even waiting for the dramatic sky and lights on the building were not giving the same results that I do with my “Dusk” or “Dawn” architecture photography. If you notice the street lights in the photo, I had to fix the one on the left that wasn’t on in the final image. Again another thing I do to help my client’s work to be seen in the “Best Light.”

Chase Bank 4241 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342

The key to Dusk and Dawn photos is that everything isn’t getting equal amounts of light as you get during daytime. If you want your photos to be more dramatic, be sure the light is where you want it and not just everywhere evenly.

Chase Bank 4241 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342 Three strobes are helping with the lighting. [NIKON D5, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Manual, ISO 400, 1/8, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 19)]

Now the differences between these photos are much more than just lights. More than 30 photos were taken at each angle—different exposures and light capturing. Then, after some minor editing, I select 3 to 5 photos blended in PhotoShop to give the results you are seeing.

Lidl Building – 670 Whitlock Ave – Marietta – GA 30064 5 strobes used in this photo [NIKON Z 6, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Manual, ISO 400, 1/15, ƒ/8, (35mm = 14)]

So when I arrived just before Dusk, I got this photo below.

Lidl Building – 670 Whitlock Ave – Marietta – GA 30064

I asked the manager if they could move those pallets. Again I took 30+ photos and, after minor editing, picked five pictures that I blended to get the final image.

Is Good Enough going to make you Competitive?

Today, so many people use their cameras on their phones and tend to say it is good enough. That lets you get these before photos I am showing here.

Can you continue to get jobs and projects with “Good Enough”? Can you pay your people good salaries with “Good Enough”? Can you deliver yourself enough for a comfortable lifestyle?

Hire a professional photographer whose portfolio shows they can put your products in the best light. Doesn’t your work deserve it?