Pursuit of a dream

No one person starts out ahead of another. We all start from the same point. As artists we all start out with a desire. A desire to create. How we go about satisfying that desire determines how far it will take us.

A post on Facebook this morning by an amazing photographer and business woman got me thinking. Having so many 'newbie's' ask me for help, advice or encouragement, I thought I would share her post and then try my best to encourage all of you who are working toward your dream.

Here is the link to her post:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=342924395719581&set=a.210074142337941.55824.210070485671640&type=1&ref=nf

She quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Every artist was first an amateur"

So what is the difference between an amateur and a professional?

Define "Amateur": A person who engages in a pursuit without pay.

Define "Professional: 'A person engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation / Having or showing the skill appropriate to a professional person / A person competent or skilled in a particular activity'

I picked out some key words PURSUIT/ENGAGED/SHOWING/ACTIVITY

I have several people that have asked me when they can call themselves a professional photographer, whether or not there is a key  point they need to be at or surpass before they can call themselves a pro... this is my opinion, and opinions do vary, but... I think by definition if you are regularly pursuing and engaged in photography, showing your work to friends, family and the community then you are engaged in the activity of professional photography. Skill levels come with time and practice.

Who am I to determine whether you are a pro or not? We all have different tastes and different ideas of what art is, so what one person finds enjoyment in as art another may find lacking. Oh, and just because you don't take portraits, doesn't mean your are not a professional photographer. There are so many different aspects of photography, you can't possible limit it to one and say that is the only category that is considered professional.

When you get to that point, YOU know! Don't wait for some great and wonderful event to tell you that you are a pro, sometimes you may miss it, or it may not happen at all, but it doesn't mean that you aren't a pro yet. As long as you are moving forward, continue to work toward your goal, grow, learn.... let your work speak for itself. You don't need anyone else's stamp of approval, trust me!

All of you are doing very well and all of you are artists in your own right! Remember, this post is meant to encourage all to keep going, keep learning, keep shooting! Don't give up just because you are not 'as good' as another photographer you know or admire... you are a completely different person, with a completely different eye. Your style, your art will be yours and yours alone. You are an artist! You are amazing! Don't ever give up and don't ever compare yourself to someone else. Be uniquely you, not someone else.

I told a friend earlier when we were commenting on the post, you don't start out great, you start out hungry and as you feed that hunger you become great in you own way.

Not one of us professionals, (photographer or some other profession), can say that we have achieved the ultimate level of professionalism, we are done, reached the absolute top and there is no possible way to get any better... that's just not realistic. No matter how many paying customers you have, no matter how many years you have done this and no matter how many classes you have taken or conducted, we all have room to grow. There is always something new and different. As with most other professions, photography is constantly changing, with technology and society.

Don't let the term "professional" hold you back. It's just a word. I said it before and I will say it again: Let your work speak for itself. Just keep moving forward.

Keep on snapping,
Bobbie

Lady of the Month Spotlight Interview - August 2011

Well it's past due, but here is my Lady of the Month Spotlight Interview:

Meet Sunny. She a young woman with a passion for health and wellness. She has great credentials and knows what she's talking about. Her business is relatively new, and booming! So, take note and enjoy her interview!!!

1) What kind of business are you in and for how long?

I have an online store that I run from my home where I market healthy fast food for people who are tired of eating fast food and junk and who want to replace it with a daily dose of nutrition like my husband and I did. And I have an acupuncturist and a hair stylist who both sell my products in their offices. I've been doing this for about 3 years.

2) What was it that got you interested in that?

My family and I have been longtime customers of this healthy fast food for 18 years. I liked the idea of having my own business marketing them, but I wasn't sure how to go about actually selling them. My mom started taking classes on online marketing and she started up a website. I still remember when she got her first sale online, we were both so excited and I went to work on my own website right away.

3) What is your must have product that you offer?

The most popular product that I'm selling right now is Fortune Delight Tea which is a healthy drink that boosts energy and work focus and is a replacement for sodas and sugary drinks. My customers love that when they're drinking it, they're actually drinking plants, fruits, and antioxidants.

4) How has owning your own business been challenging to you and how has it been rewarding?

With my online business each day I get to talk to people from all over the U.S and it's so exciting. Sometimes it's hard to stop thinking about my online store. That being said though, now I have a system down that makes it simple and I love that I'm able to do something that really interests me and makes my life fun. And with the money that I make on my online store, I pay for all the vacations and trips that my husband and I take.

5) What are your other interests or hobbies besides work?

My husband and I love to hike, ride our bikes downtown, we spend alot of time working on our house together (we're slowly renovating and almost done!). I also love cooking and trying out new recipes and fun vacations to the beach.

6) If you could give one bit of advice for anyone who is trying or thinking about starting their own business, what would it be?

Don't give up if it's slow-going at first or if you don't see alot of success right away. Just like any business, it takes learning how to do it and time to find customers. My first month I only had $30 in sales. But this month I had $1500 in sales which has been my best month so far. I'm glad I didn't give up that first month.

6. What is your website and how can our readers find you?

My website is www.HealthyFastFoodStore.com.

You can also find me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/SunnyLMT

and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HealthyFastFoodStore.


You can find a link to her page on the left of this blog! I hope you enjoyed meeting my friend, Sunny. Please be sure to stop by her website and get some goodies for you and your family! If you happen to stop by her facebook or twitter, let her know you read her interview here!

Have a great day my friends, and please, keep it snappy and happy!

Accidental refreshment fires up the artist inside of me...

Well, I have been a busy bee, finishing up a few projects this week. I have some prints to order, discs to mail, and still more to edit and upload! My oh my!

I thought I'd share a juicy little snack from my latest outing with my son....

I just had to take a break from all the projects and run outside with him for a while.... it was well worth it!

He had a blast and I felt his energy and absorbed his giggles... I needed that recharge!

It amazes me at how, as an adult, I can get so caught up in my daily to-do list and all my projects, and forget how fast this time is flying by. I cherish every moment with my son and I must remember to take these outings every day with him, to remember where I am, who I am. He can, without any words, correct my course, lighten my mood, warm my heart and inspire my inner artist in ways that no one else can! I have found that my approach to work has shifted so much since he came along. He's made me a better person and a better artist. I love him for that and for everything he is!

Just to see him smile makes my day!

I watch him at play, he finds enjoyment in such little, insignificant things. He freely forgives, immediately almost! He lets his imagination take over. He sees no limits, no restrictions. He feels completely, loves intensely, and trusts wholeheartedly. He finds treasure every single day, views all things as new and exciting, and the explorer in him knows no boundaries!

If I could be more like him, in even in the smallest degree, I think I should increase my happiness a hundred fold!

If ever you find yourself slipping away from your goals, missing yourself, or in need of inspiration, go outside and play with your children. Really play. Don't let your adult-hood get in they way, let yourself, go! Put on that cape, fly around the yard like superman! Make those silly car noises as you drive them around in the grass. Put the camera down, the papers away, the phone silenced, the tv off. Loose yourself in their childhood, it will do you a world of good.... it did me!

Until next time, stay Snap Happy!

Grateful

I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am right now. I absolutely love what I do and I am so grateful that I have people surrounding me that support me and enable me to pursue it! You all know who you are, and I love all of you so much! Thank you!

I am so excited to see what this next year will bring for me and how much I can grow and expand in photography!