So I’m listening to a story about a mom who goes on a bus and assaults this 17-year-old kid for being a bully. They’ve got Deepak Chopra on to talk about it all. And maybe he has something useful to say, I don’t know. It’s one of those things where you wonder to yourself, “Do we really need an expert to tell us what we should think about this?” Maybe we do. Maybe we don’t. Maybe we just don’t know enough to know.

But here’s what I do know. Instead, of telling us what to do, where to go, or how to handle it, he turned tail and ducked the question entirely. He told us what it is to be … Read more...

So you wanna be a fine art photographer? I’ve seen worse brand propositions. But think about this. How many clients really know what fine art is? Sure, it implies something valuable. But it also suggests esoteric and arty. Which could be sophisticated and creative. But it could be pretentious and odd. It depends on who you ask. But, let’s face it. Most people don’t really know, care, or agree about what fine art is, and the last thing you want is to define your brand by is something no one can agree on. Yes, it works for some (you know who you are), but I suspect not for most.

We might like the thought we’re artists, but how much does … Read more...

Good stuff coming out of the woodwork! Be sure to check out my latest.

A good business is about finding the right fit. It’s about doing what you do well, finding your efficiencies, and getting rid of the rest. From yesterday, on The Photo Life, we have: A Good Photography Business is About You: Take Care of Yourself

Lately, I hear a lot of talk about how hard it all is. How little we make, how much time we put in, and all the misperceptions that abound. All true, but don’t get derailed. I see too many people talk about the time and the labor to their clients. Don’t lose focus. From today, on the Musea blog, we have: … Read more...

Here’s the real killer when it comes to business and brand. The moment people see through you is the moment you die. Sure, some people even come back to life. But not usually. Because once the writing is on the wall, and you’re on the way, not many people can backtrack.

When you’re on the move, you’re ahead of the game. People can’t figure you out. It’s magic. There’s a reason magicians are always one step ahead. When you’re doing something new and different, no one knows what’s next. That’s drama. That’s excitement. Everyone is just enjoying the ride. But what happens when it all works out? What happens when you’re reaping the rewards?

Steve Jobs pushed paradigms. Change was … Read more...

You have a fraction of a second to make a picture count. That’s it. If someone looks at an image and doesn’t get it just about right away, you’re out of luck. Maybe it’s more than .2 seconds. I’m just making up numbers here. But here’s what doesn’t happen. No one is going to think through the essay you have in your head when they see your picture. And we all have those essays. The ones about the light or the story or the emotion. The ones about the style and what it means and how it works. That type of stuff.

The problem with all of the explanation isn’t that it’s useless. In fact, explanation is part and parcel … Read more...