Here is an awesome destination engagement session that we did in Florida with Bethany and Andy.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Guest Blogger - Rob Provencher
I recently e-mailed Rob and asked him if I could borrow one of his all time favorite posts. With all that has gone on in the past two years, I just felt like it was a great take on the wedding industry as a whole. I learn something every time I tune into one of Rob's online webinars, classes or blog posts. There are individuals in this industry that I go to in hopes of developing my business into a respected vendor within the wedding world... Rob is one of the absolute greatest. If you want to check out more, feel free to check out his work and some of his insight HERE.
Talent is over-rated.....
Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic talent,
is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set. A 'gift', so to speak.
Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success's are
learned behaviours. It doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed
over decades.
Whether you believe in what I'm saying or not matters not. The good news is,
you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.
If you're upset, threatened by what I'm saying and totally disagree, let's duke
it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, 'cuz I'm coming in all guns a blazing in
total defence f what I'm saying here.
If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born
with 'the gift', don't for a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.
Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better
with time and practice.
Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in
photography, and the intrinsic 'glamorousness' in being called a
photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the
gods.
Bullshit.
This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me
explain. I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events to listen to their
fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset,
you won't be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending
photographic workshops and seminars. Instead, you'll be mesmerized and in awe.
The bigger the name, you more the awe level. The big name marquis, celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of
amazement, maybe a tad more. Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles
that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you'll
swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and
photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable. Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.
So, the alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them
your own. Grab inspirations that evolve in your in your mind, and when you get
back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this,
or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations
visit upon them.
And then they flop. Why? Lack of practice.
I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large
groups of photographers. We're no different, not better than any other creative
discipline.
When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don't show up at rehearsal
never having practiced any thing. They must study and practice until their
fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro. With musicians, it's obvious. You don't know the piece, it sounds like crap.
In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and
believe what they see is a great photograph. Until they see something better, and
get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better
and educate them on quality.
Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness's and egos.
And the bs shoveled by others. They think they have enough because the got some
gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and
rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.
yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
Talent is over-rated.....
Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic talent,
is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set. A 'gift', so to speak.
Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success's are
learned behaviours. It doesn't come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed
over decades.
Whether you believe in what I'm saying or not matters not. The good news is,
you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.
If you're upset, threatened by what I'm saying and totally disagree, let's duke
it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, 'cuz I'm coming in all guns a blazing in
total defence f what I'm saying here.
If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born
with 'the gift', don't for a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.
Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better
with time and practice.
Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in
photography, and the intrinsic 'glamorousness' in being called a
photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the
gods.
Bullshit.
This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me
explain. I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events to listen to their
fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset,
you won't be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending
photographic workshops and seminars. Instead, you'll be mesmerized and in awe.
The bigger the name, you more the awe level. The big name marquis, celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of
amazement, maybe a tad more. Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles
that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you'll
swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and
photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable. Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.
So, the alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them
your own. Grab inspirations that evolve in your in your mind, and when you get
back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this,
or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations
visit upon them.
And then they flop. Why? Lack of practice.
I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large
groups of photographers. We're no different, not better than any other creative
discipline.
When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don't show up at rehearsal
never having practiced any thing. They must study and practice until their
fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro. With musicians, it's obvious. You don't know the piece, it sounds like crap.
In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and
believe what they see is a great photograph. Until they see something better, and
get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better
and educate them on quality.
Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness's and egos.
And the bs shoveled by others. They think they have enough because the got some
gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and
rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.
yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tracy and Jon - Day Of Presentation
This is a sample of the "Day of" presentation we can do for weddings. Thanks to Tracy and Jon for letting us show this presentation of their wedding day.
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