Change is GOOD!

Change Is Good To Boost Creativity

Years ago, we were in Italy teaching a workshop organized by Drake Busath, and it was an experience that changed my perspective on photography and increasing creative thinking! 

What really stirred my thought was the admonition by Drake to stretch and record Italy in an intimate way, not just do postcard pics. As I thought about it, I realized we should do this every day in our businesses in order to fulfill the artist within us.

 Why stretch?

Because it changes us inside, helps us be more spontaneous and takes us to new levels. We don't like risks, but we need to learn to appreciate them. Embrace change, don't fight it.

One of the workshop participants came alone which caught my attention.

Tim and I are always together and I wondered what caused this young woman to come alone on this trip, so I asked her. She said she came by herself to grow and conquer her fear of being alone. I thought that was admirable! She had made a decision to stretch, take a small risk and grow from it. By the end of the workshop, she had many new friends and had a wonderful time!

 Let's look at a few ways we can stretch-pick one each week and commit to it...

1. Travel and do photography that is different from your normal daily work. The trip to Italy was so liberating and it allowed us to experiment without having to please anyone but ourselves. Take the time to make a trip, local or otherwise and take your camera.

Like Drake who gave us the challenge to look beyond the "postcard" Italy and get intimate, give yourself a challenge to look deeper than the surface of what you are photographing.

2. Read different materials than what you usually do.

3. Make a new friend and find out what their passion is.

4. Observe the surroundings in a restaurant you love and write down 3 things about it and how you can incorporate these things into your business.

5. See the ordinary in unusual ways. For an exercise (again from Drake Busath), walk around the block where you live and photograph it intimately, noticing small details.

6. Try a new food.

7. Take shots with your iPhone as if you were going to exhibit them in an art gallery.

If you have decided you want to rest on your past accomplishments, you are not standing still; you are going backwards.

Even if you are at the top of your game, shift out of your safety zone, stretch and find a new you revealed!

Here are a few apps we like to play with...be inspired.

DISTRESSED FX: https://www.distressedfx.com/

SNAPSEED: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/snapseed/id439438619

MEXTURES: https://www.mextures.com/