A Wonderful Surprise

Since it’s been a few weeks since I last decided to make a post (even though that one was JUST written yesterday). I have wanted to make this post for some time, because it’s exciting for me.

Since I have started down this road and and have made the headway I have, I’ve been and wanted to be - connected to a number of different memberships and organizations. One was the PPA - a great organization that truly supports and connects with their community of photographers on every level and allows them to grow and explore through numerous facets of that organization. I’m not a member of them anymore, it’s a me not them thing - I broke it off, sorry PPA. And then there is the ASMP - another fantastic group that I was a member of, and again want to get back in with (I’ll be back there someday).

There are two organizations that I am CURRENTLY members of. The first one is the AIAP. It is run by Alan Blakely of Salt Lake City, UT. Not only is he a fantastic photographer in his area of the country. He started this great organization to better catalog and make available the architectural photographers across the US! I have been a member since the beginning of the year and have been very pleased with everything that has happened because of it. Thanks Alan!

And then there’s this group of creatives. This has been the monster I have been chasing down for the last two and a half years. This is the one that I am so excited for. I tried two times before to become a member Those two times I failed. But I took the feedback I received each time and came back stronger. They were moments to continue to learn and grow. You see, at that point in my journey, I wasn’t ready for what was about to happen. I wasn’t ready to take on the challenges that would come my way, good challenges. So on the third try I got my act together made all the changes, did all the work, created the images I needed to to grow my brand and develop my skills to make the compelling case for admission. I submitted the work, waited two days to hear back (luck for me I submitted the day before they reviewed that weeks submissions), and received the email I had been longing to receive.

Not that this group is my end-all-be-all! But I felt that this was my measuring stick. This was a way for me to see where I was on my journey, to see how far I could have come, and how much further I had to go.

So because of the work. Because I decided that me, I - myself and my work were worth the effort. I am now proud to say that I am a member of one of the biggest, commercially creative, and established organizations in the US - WONDERFUL MACHINE! Since July of this year one of my goals for the year plan have been met, and since then I have continued to grow! My work has improved - not because of them directly, but because they have given direction, allowed me to focus, and been there as a support to guile me as I make decisions as to the direction and course I want to travel. As I grow it’s because of the WORK I do, and the SUPPORT they have given me. I had chosen to take on having a creative coach to push me into getting out of my comfort zone. I have been nothing but pleased with how that relationship has developed, Andrew is like my second set of eyes. He is a creative director by trade so he sees what I don’t. He gives me guidance, and allows me to discover while being there in the background. He even endures my constant email barrage of questions and feedback.

So this post is an announcement of sorts, even though the badges have been on the website since I was accepted. And a thank you to my team of support at Wonderful Machine for everyone’s hard work at making me more aware, more visible, more marketable, and more prepared to do and handle new, harder projects. And become a better photographer. Thank you Wonderful Machine!

2021 so far…

So here we are, literally 8 months through the year and I have had the blessing of a renewed opportunity and growth. I had two emails back in January, while still in lock-down so to speak. One was a small job, for an engineering firm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, wanting me to shoot a paving project for them at a warehouse facility near me. So of course I jumped on the opportunity for work! I mean I had one job ALL of 2020 - shooting paper products (yes you guessed it - toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins). And the second was one that would take some time. The projects had been completed back in April of 2020 but the firm was hesitant in hiring a photographer during the pandemic. But once the snow melted and the green came back in the spring (that’s what took so long), I was out in Pittsburgh shooting three hospitals for PhiloWilke Architects by way of Houston, TX!

I mean I couldn’t believe my luck - two firms. In the same week!?!?!? If I can be honest, I wasn’t really sure how this year was going to go? Was I not going to see any work this year? How fast would it come back? Would it come back? Would I have to close shop for good? I was nervous as most all of us were. But I held out hope for, better, brighter days.

Since then I’ve seen some projects come my way - real estate, commercial work, architecture, etc.. Companies like Nexii, and Little Leaf Farms have put their faith in me and my work. And have become long term clients of mine because of it. All of this has not happened by chance. But by me putting myself out there. Making things happen, making phone calls, sending messages and emails, making connections. Getting myself in front of the people that make decisions, and in front of the companies I want to work with and have as clients.

And as fate would have it, things have kind of progressed, and have come back to almost normal. As part of my businesses growth I am no where near where I want to be. But if I’m being honest again - I very optimistic! I have my one year, two year, and five year goals. So we will keep going at it everyday - making phone calls, sending emails, making connections, getting myself in front of the people and companies I want as clients in the future. It’s slowly happening, but it’s happening. And I’m so very grateful for every opportunity that’s coming my way.