Post WPPI PassionIt’s been a while since I’ve been able to blog – so much to do before WPPI. Thanks to everyone who came to see us, it was a great show!
Of course, everyone was disheartened to hear about Joe Buissink, and his absence at this years convention was painfully obvious. Joe has been an icon at WPPI for years and I remember seeing his presentation years ago and becoming truly inspired myself.
What really moved me was his passion. His images are beautiful, but the passion with which he talked about his art really grabbed me. It lit a fire within me too. I decided that I would always try to be true to what really excited me about photography. I would follow my heart and capture the way I felt it.
Over the years, this philosophy has paid off. I have certainly lost clients because I did not fit with their traditional expectations, but I feel that it has also helped me develop a clear style and dedicated clientele.
As soon as I stopped trying to be all things to all clients, my problem clients disappeared.
I also learned the power of passion when selling yourself to clients. When you can speak intensely about your images, and share the emotion that you felt and the thoughts behind the images – the client becomes much more involved and attached to the images. They begin to understand the “artsy” shots, and stop asking why their heads are cut off. They also buy more.
After years of teaching and sharing my experience with other photographers, I began to look at what makes people in other professions successful as well. What they all have in common is passion for what they do and an ability to convey that passion to their clients or audience.
If you feel like you are losing your passion for what you do, run, don’t walk, to the nearest point of inspiration. You CAN get it back or at least get yourself on a different track.
If you’re already wallowing in a sea of passion for what you do, then don’t be afraid to share it! Let your clients see your soft side. Share what’s in your heart and watch your business transform.