I recently read a quote by Walt Disney where he supposedly
said, “We don’t make movies to make money. We make money to make more movies.”
I liked it because it was a reminder why I started a photography business in
the first place—because I enjoy it. I have acquired a lot of really cool
equipment this year: a new 5D MkII body, 70-200mm f2.8 lens, 100mm macro lens,
and a ton of Paul C. Buff lighting equipment, among other toys. At the time all
of these purchases weren’t very exciting. They were for my business after all,
and it was a lot of money I no longer had for vacations, eating out, hobbies or
for important things like savings or investing.
Walt’s words helped me look at the big picture. I now have a
collection of equipment that allows me to do so much more with photography than
I could a year before. When I’m stuck in the day to day of bidding on jobs,
meeting with clients, or sending out invoices it’s hard to see the progress I’m
making on reaching my long term goals. But when I look back at the work I was
doing a year ago and how I have progressed creatively (and in technical
knowledge) everything comes into perspective. All these tools have helped me to
practice my craft and ultimately to have the chance to keep making more great
photographs.
It helps to use the gear for things other than work
projects. Stephanie came to my office one day and sat while I tested some new
lights. It ended up being a lot of fun and I learned a few things along the way
without the pressure of having to deliver for a client. We even got some pretty
decent photos.
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