Be the loudest Photographer and make the most noise

Step out and make some noise.

Be the loudest photographer and make the most noise…

Be the loudest.

Maybe not quite obnoxious.

But be loud and known.

Hey photographer friend, before you start reading can I ask you a couple of questions. These questions aren’t meant to trap you…there is no right or wrong…just put your thinking cap on for a minute.

When was the life changing moment that you wanted to step into the world and be a photographer?

Did you make it happen or were you scared? Maybe you did make it happen but you’re still scared to this day.

When someone asks you “so what do you do, where do you work?” do you cringe to say ” I’M A PHOTOGRAPHER”.

Can I strip my mask off for a minute? Can I be real with you here on this blog?

“I am a Photographer and I’m here to say I’d like to make a lot of noise in this already noisy photography world.”

Yet I must face the facts…

I am a nobody. I’m ok with that…

I am a nothing photographer. That’s fine by me…

are you with me here?

I’ve never been asked to speak at a huge photography conference or workshop.

CONFESSION: I’d love to- yes I’d love nothing better. Not to rub elbows with the big dogs, but just an opportunity to teach, encourage and support the rest of the photographers in my “photography world”.

With social media you can constantly be bombarded with the “big dogs” and their marketing and *thinking* oh wow they’ve made it big…how? Have they really made it big…or is that the face of their social media? It’s questions I do ask….

I’ve never been featured in a crazy cool way…like on a billboard in New York Times Square.

CONFESSION: I wish I had amazing enough work to be featured like that. The fact is I don’t. You could spend every breathing second submitting your work to publishers and contests…what’s the chances? that’s the question that lingers in my mind. Instead of chasing that with every spare second, I just continue to shoot and show my work to those who care.

I may never have 20 bazillion “followers”.

CONFESSION: I’d love it, why? so I know I was making a difference in the “photography world”…of encouraging the others that are around me to keep on keeping on…to keep on achieving your goals…to keep on reaching for the stars…keep on shooting and stretching yourself. KEEP ON KEEPING ON! But do numbers matter?

No.

But do we place value on numbers. Of course.

Everyone does in some way shape or form.

I’d love for an article I write to go viral.

CONFESSION: It most likely probably never will. At least that’s what’s in my brain. That’s ok with me though. I write because I enjoy it. I write so when others read it, they are encouraged and helped. So if I help a handful versus a bucket full, I’m content with that.

are you following these shallow thoughts?

So after those confessions…lets be real….Those are dreams of mine…maybe not reality. and if that’s not reality…that’s ok. Really it is. I choose to be content writing on this given blog to those who are interested. I’d rather have 20 that say- Keep on writing and telling me what I should be doing…than 10 million people that click on the blog and 2 seconds later click off…could care less and have no desire to thrive or grow.

All of that to say…we live in a noisy world…if you are a photographer- be real with me…you and I are one in a million within our own little towns. Right? Not to mention how many are in your state or country….there are so many sometimes we feel like if we did raise our hand in the mix of the crowd we wouldn’t be seen…

I want to encourage you to raise your hand and be seen.

I want to encourage you to be the noisiest business owner slash photographer in your little town. Post your images for the world to see…take the time to comment and encourage another fellow photographer. Reach for the stars and aim high. Stretch your skills and do something creative…it might just be what makes you the noisiest…don’t be afraid to try something new. Don’t be afraid to charge a little more for what you’re worth.

Be proud to say you’re a Photographer and tell other people…make noise and be excited about what you do. Whether you do 1 shoot a month or 1 a week or 10 a week…let the world know you’re photographer…don’t cringe…go make it happen.

Don’t shy away…go be noisy.