dmacmillan wrote:
I encourage everyone to read this. Chuck did a wonderful job. It's honest and from the heart. Notice in the last paragraph how many times he used the word "you" or "yours".
It's hard for me to put into words why I do this. I'll try to sum it up...
We're only on this planet for a limited amount of time. I only really started to think about this once I became a father. More recently, my grandmother passed away a few months ago.
Life in general is filled with so many moments that go undocumented. Wedding in particular are such joyous occasions where family gathers to celebrate. I don't know of any other opportunity to capture great moments between family and friends.
I like to think that couples hire me to make them look sexy cool, but I know I can also capture moments that will be more important to them as time passes.
In the image below, the groom wanted a picture with him and his grandmother. She wasn't able to make it to the formals because of her age, etc. During the reception, I asked him to just go and talk to his grandma. There were a few shots before and after this, but for me, this was the winner. I'm thinking he'll appreciate this one more than just the two of them standing and smiling at the camera.
Inku Yo wrote:
It's hard for me to put into words why I do this. I'll try to sum it up...
We're only on this planet for a limited amount of time. I only really started to think about this once I became a father. More recently, my grandmother passed away a few months ago.
Life in general is filled with so many moments that go undocumented. Wedding in particular are such joyous occasions where family gathers to celebrate. I don't know of any other opportunity to capture great moments between family and friends.
I like to think that couples hire me to make them look sexy cool, but I know I can also capture moments that will be more important to them as time passes.
In the image below, the groom wanted a picture with him and his grandmother. She wasn't able to make it to the formals because of her age, etc. During the reception, I asked him to just go and talk to his grandma. There were a few shots before and after this, but for me, this was the winner. I'm thinking he'll appreciate this one more than just the two of them standing and smiling at the camera.
Because I do what I love and I love what I do. Simple answer? Yes. But happy husband means happy wife, happy father means happy doughter. Happy photographer means happy clients- mostly
Because I do what I love and I love what I do. Simple answer? Yes. But happy husband means happy wife, happy father means happy doughter. Happy photographer means happy clients- mostly
Wojtek.
With all due respect... that's a little bit of a cop out.We all love what we do... "WHY" do you love it?
RichardLavigne wrote:
With all due respect... that's a little bit of a cop out.We all love what we do... "WHY" do you love it?
With all due respect, you're asking the wrong question. Nobody hires you because of the 'why you love it' they hire you because of the 'why should i hire you'. There is a big difference.
I could say I'm a photographer because I love rainbows and the unique challenge of wishing and hoping for rainbows and, per chance, unicorns, in my images, to make MAGIC of my images.
But what am i doing to my clients' benefit that they give a crap about? That's what needs to be conveyed. Are you shooting from some unique viewpoint, are you delivering some special brand of service. Are you just a great value...? That's where they real why is.
TTLKurtis wrote:
With all due respect, you're asking the wrong question. Nobody hires you because of the 'why you love it' they hire you because of the 'why should i hire you'. There is a big difference.
I could say I'm a photographer because I love rainbows and the unique challenge of wishing and hoping for rainbows and, per chance, unicorns, in my images, to make MAGIC of my images.
But what am i doing to my clients' benefit that they give a crap about? That's what needs to be conveyed. Are you shooting from some unique viewpoint, are you delivering some special brand of service. Are you just a great value...? That's where they real why is....Show more →
TTLKurtis wrote:
With all due respect, you're asking the wrong question. Nobody hires you because of the 'why you love it' they hire you because of the 'why should i hire you'. There is a big difference.
I could say I'm a photographer because I love rainbows and the unique challenge of wishing and hoping for rainbows and, per chance, unicorns, in my images, to make MAGIC of my images.
But what am i doing to my clients' benefit that they give a crap about? That's what needs to be conveyed. Are you shooting from some unique viewpoint, are you delivering some special brand of service. Are you just a great value...? That's where they real why is....Show more →
Inku: I'd watch that, but he's standing in front of a red curtain and I have a policy not to listen to anything that anyone has to say who is wearing a scarf, is wearing sandals, or who happens to be standing in front of a red curtain. This has never led me astray, yet.
sboerup wrote:
Through a very long and very expertly directed analysis, I discovered that I really do not have a "why". Honestly. But I also learned that this is not why people hire me.
So, every business is different. I would say I'm very much in the minority though...
Don't take this the wrong way, but I kinda see that. I would hire you anyways. Why? Because you make kick ass imagery which is what I would want from a shoot.
Clients do not care about the why. They care about what they want and that they sense that you get them.
No one really buys an Apple computer because of their why. They buy Apple computers because it makes their life easier.
Any time one explains why it must come from a client needs based perspective at least. Unfortunately i think we are instead seeing photographers watch that video then writing bio's about how much they are obsessed with photography.
Almost all of our reasons are the same too. And sites and work is pretty much identical across the industry. I think aiming to create images that are fresh, creating an online presence that does not look like a generic site and working on how to make your clients feel valued and listened to are the real goals.
Hope that does not come across as insensitive given the content of the original post. Just my thoughts on the whole why thing that has people talking as if it is some revelation.
I don't really know if I'm getting this the wrong way (don't actually believe there is right/wrong way a this topic)
WHAT / HOW / WHY
wedding photography / by using my brain and the stuff I can affort / because I love it
And we can reverse the order.
Love is my foundation- not only my love for what I do, love that my couples have for each other, that positive energy in the air, emotions that shows while watching their wedding albums for the first time. I'm doing this by combining my talent with tools that I have, and I just happen to be a wedding photographer...
And a recipe for succes- combine "why should I hire you" with "why do I love what I do"
BTW- Sinek seems to be sure he found some universal law that makes the world go round. His observations are really cool, but now if it's a common knowledge, why there is only one "apple". It takes more than that. But his speech is definitely worth watching.
Why? Thats the most focussed, personal, intimate, selfish question asked.
But a very clear one.
Sadly most times the discovery of 'Why' happens after after something that touches your heart/soul.
I'm glad you realize how much your wife and sun give meaning to your live. I'm thrilled you will enjoy every second of it. No matter small or big.
Apart from that its wonderfull you know that what you love to do can touch the souls of other people. Putting your love and creativity in the photo to touch others.
You know the emotions but above all you can catch the emotions.
Beauty without emotions is just that. Beautiful.
But touching the people in the heart with photo's will attract customers
'Why' for me?
Catching emotions in an image which tells the story withouth words is a rewarding challenge.
'Carpe Diem'
For the past hour I’ve been trying to come up with something clever to say about myself. I’m not the best writer on the planet, I’m a photographer.
I grew up in the Philippines with a keen interest in Art, I drew alot in particular. I started drawing at the age of 3 and have been going at it since then.
Summer 2007, My brother was married in the Philippines. It was a huge wedding, probably the biggest I’ve attended. My brother hired the some of the best photographers money can buy in that area. My Grandfather was in attendance that day. He no longer walked and his failing health did not permit him to stay out of the house for very long.
That was the last big event that my Grandfather attended. He passed away months later, he was in Manila, I was in Los Angeles, the next time I saw him was in the livingroom of our house in his coffin. There was barely any photos taken of him at the wedding. One formal portrait with him, the rest was just a blur in the background.
Which is why I decided to be a photographer. Because as time goes by, our memories become harder to remember, and sometimes a photo is the best way to unlock that one detail that brings back the emotions, the sensations, the laughs, and sometimes the tears from that moment.
I grew up with 6 other children in our house, our parents left for our countries to provide us with better lives. During the years they were away, my grandparents were my parents, and to this day, that's how I look at them.
this is our only photograph together, where it's just him and myself.
WNStudio wrote:
BTW- Sinek seems to be sure he found some universal law that makes the world go round. His observations are really cool, but now if it's a common knowledge, why there is only one "apple". It takes more than that. But his speech is definitely worth watching.
well... because quite frankly, it isn't common knowledge... simply because we know it, doesn't mean we do it. Look how many people in this very thread after reading and watching simply listed why they do what they do... and not why that has effected the product they make. Not only that... but then it comes down to the presentation... Sinek argues that the why should be first... simply knowing it, is not enough. Your why should be first and foremost, driving everything that you do, everything that you stand for. It's true that this approach will not win over everybody, look at Apple for example. They have rabid fans.... but they also have rabid enemies. This speaks to knowing who your client is and knowing who your client is not.
