Almost Three Months Left for 2014! How Will You Use the Time?

 More Re-edits. This time from 2011 model session. Art Model, Enyo. ©2014 Terrell Neasley 

"There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation - veneer isn't worth anything."

~ George Washington Carver

In a few short days, there will be only one-quarter of the year left. My, where has the time gone. Pretty soon the year will be over. So here's a challenge for you. How much can you get done in 3 months? What significant achievement can you accomplish before the end of the year? You can measure that in money, as in how much can you make, but I think a focus on the cash is a mistake for a lot of people. Tis' better to focus on the goals you have to be better and the money will follow. Never chase the dollar. But that's just my take. Better yet, how many doors can you figuratively knock on to get more photo projects under your belt before year's end? You have 3 months. What else can you learn in your expertise that can expand your business services?

Here's why I'm asking. I write the contents of this blog, not from the vantage of having mastered all these concepts myself, but rather they are realizations I make for me that I know are common to many other photographers. Every one of us usually enters a new year, thinking about what we hope to accomplish, resolutions, and where we want to be. And then that year closes and we're wondering where the time went so fast. Well, here shortly, it will be 2015 and you're gonna be surprised that 2014 has already gone. All those goals and ambitions are just going to have to be reiterated in January and you promise to redouble your efforts. But lets be honest with ourselves. Didn't we say the same thing when 2013 ended?

Art Model, Enyo. ©2014 Terrell Neasley

So here are a few things you can spend these last 3 months of 2014 doing that might help you break even or possibly get the jump on 2015.

1. Do the things you know you need to do today. Start the project and then see it through. I've been talking about redoing my website since forever. I've let that project get old and stale. So for me, that's on my daily list until completion. But every day, I gotta work on it, even if I just spend an hour on it. Have you done your back-ups? Mine are automated, but I've recently talked to a guy who's not backed up his work in months. Register your copyrights. Scout some new locations. Stay abreast of the latest photo news and developments. Read a book, for crying out loud. Read something to help yourself. Invest time and money in lighting workshops, photo conventions, or classes. Do an online tutorial on how to do lighting for sports photography. Network! Place yourself in a position to be made aware of where the gigs are coming from. If you don't know how to do that, ASK SOMEBODY who does! And then make sure you are doing the things that make you qualified to be considered for those gigs.

Art Model, Enyo. ©2014 Terrell Neasley

2. Make each decision you choose take you closer to your goals. You can ask yourself... "How does another trip to Zion National Park help my portfolio?" "How does shooting this project for free add to my business?" You may in fact, realize that Zion shots are everywhere and it could be that shooting in the Mojave National Reserve could be a fresher look for you. OR, maybe you can shoot Zion from a different perspective that renews people's interest in your work. It might be more beneficial for you to decline free projects. Exposure and Photo Credits, do not pay the bills. However, if its a volunteer project and you deem there is a high propensity to be introduced to a new demographic of clientele, it could be worth it.

3. Train up on something you know will be useful later. Here's an example. I spent time in Nicaragua living with a local family to learn Spanish. I got a good foundation but I have a long way to go. I plan to go back before long and it will be MOST EXCELLENT if I'm a bit more proficient for when I return. Sooo... I gotta stick with my notes and study regularly. I'm not planning on being back there any time soon, but that just gives me more opportunity and time to learn. I also know I can better my photo business by being more proficient in video. All my cameras do video. I need to be as proficient in it as I am with photography. But unlike photo, I have to add learning audio. I need to learn the gear as well. We just got classes on Canon's new XA-20/25 and the XA-200/205. I am much more interested in learning the professional aspects of video after that class. I sold my first XA-20 just last week and it was quite the experience speaking on it to my customer. Its a good piece of gear. I think I need one. The better I get, the more I can offer to my clientele.

Art Model, Enyo. ©2014 Terrell Neasley

All this to say that opportunities come you way most every day. But if you are not in a position to take advantage of them, fear not...someone else will. Time...you only have so much of it. Wasted time - its worse than wasted money, wasted food, or wasted anything else you can think of. Everything else, you can make up for it. Opportunities that came along for which you were not prepared for are simply lost. I've heard it said that Fortune Favors the Prepared. I believe this to be true. Be smart. Do the right things now. I believe this is a key factor that separates the successful from the "busy".