More helpful advice

Mr. Canlas has done it again. He provided another link to a fabulous article from the blog PhotoDino.

In the article, Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai (CJ) has entitled Advice, she lists what she calls "What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know," though she believes her advice can be related to all jobs (I totally agree). I'm going to hit on a few of her points:

1. Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don't look outward for your style; look inward. I LOVE this! It seems that too many photographers layer their photos with actions and have a prop or two but my question is why? I know, I know I had little girls in tutus in my last shot, but that was mostly a "prize" for good behavior ;). If parents want to bring certain props-go for it! The photo is about you. Capture your personalities. And far as actions go, if you've read the About Me section then you know how I feel. Actions will be out of style at one point and then that picture will be dated. Not timeless like is should be.

2. Learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face. If you can't say it and believe it, you can't expect anyone else to either. This is something I struggle with. It seems my husband believes it more than I do. He is always telling people that I'm a photographer and I'm really good and they should have me take their pictures. I often roll my eyes when he does this and ask: "Why did you tell them that?!" Being a photographer, as with anything else, takes confidence. Like CJ says, if you don't believe it than no one else will. I'm working on it.

3. Remember that if your work looks like everyone else's, there's no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless your cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as the "cheap photographer." It's hard to stand out, especially when it seems a lot of photographers have the same look or style. I fear that if I'm not like everyone else and following trends that no one will want me. I have learned that is not the case.

4. Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated. See numbers 1 & 3.

5. Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive." No one ever does. I am guilty of this. I constantly compare: my journey. My work. I like the friendly reminder CJ gives me and bring me back to Zack Arias's video Transformation.