I’ve had an incredible year. Economically speaking, it’s been sub par and dismal, but I’m grateful that I’m still afloat and hopeful that things will improve. I don’t think my business will ever go back to the way it was pre-recession, but it has changed for the better in many other ways.
This past year, I got outside “my box” and really put myself out there. Whether through my video seminars for ASMP, speaking at other conferences, sharing through my blogs or dialoging through social media, I’ve been connecting with other people all over the world. I’m realizing the power of sharing and connecting with other people.
People ask me why I share so much information with others. They ask me if I’m afraid that I may be creating competition. The simple answer is no, I’m not afraid, because I don’t feel threatened by other people’s achievements. When others succeed in their pursuits, it can only make the collective that much stronger. And it doesn’t mean that I lose if they win. I’ve actually found just the opposite to be true.
I’ve been rewarded in many ways every time I’ve helped others by sharing what I know or my talents. I’ve had so many people tell me that something I’ve said, prompted them to do a personal project or take action on an idea that had been kicking around their head. That is the best feeling in the world because I know that I played a part in that positive contribution that person made.
I’m also realizing that in reaching out and sharing with others that I’ve built a network of people who are supporting me. A perfect example of the power of the collective is Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a website where creative projects are launched for a period of time (up to 90 days) to find funding. Crowd funding has become quite popular these days and Kickstarter brings donors and projects together to make them a reality, whether it is a music CD, a photographic exhibition or a film. I recently launched my project on Kickstarter and in just two days, it was 25% funded! If you have a personal project you are working on and need funding, definitely check out Kickstarter.
It’s an amazing time we live in because we can connect so easily and in so many ways. I think we’ve all experienced the beauty in sharing, even in simple ways, sharing knowledge over the web. Our collective groups can only make the whole stronger, whether they are virtual gatherings or real ones. Photographers by nature are such independent creatures. I can relate to that after spending a career and many years being a solo observer and shooter. But these days, I’m finding that putting myself out there and connecting with people is making my life full.