#1120 A winding Path with Grit

Posted on January 31, 2016 by admin

It is always nice to look back and reflect on the path traveled.

I’m 47. I’ve worked for about 20 years as a photographer / arts educator. Before that I worked as an outdoor educator with aspirations to become an elementary teacher. I couldn’t get into Teacher’s College in the 90s. But I’ve come back full circle to where I wanted to be.

After disappointments I gave up on traditional teaching and pursued commercial art through stock photography – it was lovely work – one of the most traditionally creative times of my life. I produced commercially viable photographs that were marketed through stock agents. My best sale for one grand use of a photo was ~$32,000 split three ways between two agencies and myself. Alas, the industry crashed (digital cameras and websites caused flooding of the stock photo market.) Time to move on!

Stock Photography

Someone suggested I teach photography. I built a broad base of photo workshops – live and online that culminated in opening our own studio / classroom on Preston St, below. Alas, workshop sales dropped off significantly. Why? Who knows, but I think it was tech, again – YouTube offered free learning and smartphones reduced people’s desire for traditional photography. Sigh. I was left scrambling again to re-invent myself.

Photo Workshops at our studio.

A couple of years ago I was very low and a friend inadvertently replanted a seed stored in a drawer of my memory. Teacher’s College… I was accepted, thrived and succeeded. I worked hard and was offered a contract teaching a Grade 4 class until Christmas. It has been extended until June, 2016. I love it.

My photo business has been reborn. Although the new business has shrunk enormously, I am only doing work I love – teaching a few clients and working on two innovative and exciting (to me) art projects.

Sunstreaks – tracking the sun’s path across the sky.

It’s been a long road… with many bumps and bruises. But it’s been exciting and I am grateful for where my winding path has taken me.

One of my favourite TED talks rings true as I look back… Angela Lee Duckworth talks about GRIT:

It’s worth a view.
Keep pursuing your passions.

#1087 Web Distractions – Exposed! Newsletter

Posted on July 10, 2014 by admin

“I’ve lost my photo passion!”
I hear many photographers that burn out creatively.

There are many remedies.
One is to look for inspiration.

In this month’s Exposed! Photo Newsletter we look at our reader’s new suggestions for inspiration from the web. A big thanks to our readers for continuing to send links that inspire and engage, creatively.

Twirling on a 30 deck

This month we link to:
• Stunning views of Iceland
• 6+ years of a selfie-a-day
• Tech news from Apple
• Photoshop variations from around the world
• A video interview of a National Geographic adventure photographer
… and more.

Read the newsletter. Get inspired by the links!

#1081 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Following your Passions

Posted on June 15, 2014 by admin

Last week we sent out our latest Exposed! photo newsletter.

In it, we explore creative passions and where they can lead. We also look at reality and those who preach based on their rocketing rise to success!

Read more.
Follow your own path!

Follow your own path

#1068 How to Boost your Creativity

Posted on April 29, 2014 by admin

This month’s Exposed! photo newsletter launches today.

“His photos were beautiful but he was stuck. Our workshop student was frustrated that he had hit a plateau and couldn’t get beyond it…

The workshop student’s photos made beginners jealous – they were classic compositions – beautifully framed and well exposed. He had come on the workshop to get out of a rut.

In this edition of Exposed! we look at ways to:
• boost your creativity
• fuel new adventures in your artwork
• get out of your rut….”

Learn how to ignite your imagination’s fire!

Boost your creativity – try new formats and techniques…

#1061 Finding Creativity – Exposed! Photo Newsletter

Posted on March 27, 2014 by admin

“Where do your creative ideas come from?”

Good question! Creativity is an intangible seed that grows under varied and unusual ways. What works for a creative scientist may not work for an artist but there are common, underlying elements that help unleash creativity.

This month we explore one of the ideas – unstructured daydreaming and aimless wandering.

Read more to fuel your creativity.

Learning to harness creativity.

#1045 Five Reasons to Leave your Tripod at Home

Posted on January 29, 2014 by admin

Some photo students secretly roll their eyes when I suggest they bring out their tripods. I can feel their loathing as they pull out the cumbersome, heavy, boring tripods.

In this month’s photo newsletter we offer FIVE reasons to leave the tripod at home. We also offer just one reason to bring it. And then we leave the decision whether to haul the tripod out up to you!

Read this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter…

Winter Landscapes

#1034 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Printing Your Photos at Home!

Posted on December 12, 2013 by admin

Printing Your Photos at Home!

Recently, I was approached by a biplane pilot I had photographed years ago for a stock assignment. He wanted reprints and I offered a digital file and permission to reproduce…

He wanted to print the photo at home.
That makes me nervous!
Why?

Printing is tougher than people realize and I often hear “the printer is broken” or “the file is bad.” Usually, the problem is somewhere else… and this month we help you navigate the printing process to help you decide what to do.