President's Message

JPPG PresidentJPPG President’s Message May 2011

I've heard it said that you only stop learning when you're dead. That same thought can be applied to business: if you stop educating yourself on your craft, your business will surely wither and die. With so many new photographers entering the market, it's no longer possible to continue doing what may be tried and true, and continue to think your business will go on as it always has.

It's easy for new photographers to dive into their photographic and business education because there is so much to learn. When I first started coming to the guild meetings my notebooks were packed full from each speaker! My brain was so full of new concepts and ideas that it was overwhelming, and honestly, it was a challenge to implement most of what I learned because there was so much! My recommendation to those that are having the same experience, is to pull out the 2-3 things that they feel are most important items that will have the greatest effect on your work and do that first. It's the concept of "eating an elephant"... one bite at a time.

Also, for those of us who have been learning for years, and may now be traveling and teaching ourselves, there's an even greater need to keep educating ourselves. Our recent guest, Parker Pfister, who is a national level speaker, came to our local guild and put on a world class program and seminar for us! He made the point that the learning curve is so fast these days, that it doesn't take years of apprenticing and training to become a good photographer anymore. So many new photographers are getting up to speed within a year and being competitive in the market. Parker also said that a lot of the work out there is also starting to blend together to look the same. That doesn't help anyone.

Continue to go to programs, seminars, Florida School, and conventions! And even if you no longer fill notebooks full with hundreds of new ideas, there may be that one idea that you get that can make you lots more money in your business.

Be open to inspiration. Be flexible to change. Be a perpetual student.

I encourage all of you to take advantage of the incredible line up of educational opportunities that we have on the schedule for this year! We have international speakers Ron Nichols & Curt Littlecott along with Florida legend Greg Daniel on the calendar. And I've seen a lot of you at the awesome mini seminars being held this spring. JPPG Is here to help you grow your business and make a career of the photography that you love!

Damon