Comments on: CONTEST: $1,900 worth of Prizes – WordSmith Guides to Help Your Photography Business http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/ Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photography Tips for Photographers Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:10:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Danielle Simone http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21528 Danielle Simone Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:44:38 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21528 Hmmm. I think this business is mostly about confidence. Your photography can be so-so, but if in your mind you ROCK, then it will show in your confidence. Once I decided i was in a happy place with my photography, others did too. It also helped me be more creative without worrying about what others thought. So, I give my confidence level an 8, and give you this advice.....convince yourself that your the B-O-M-B...act like it (not a jerk, just bomb-diggity) and others will follow suite! Smiles, Danielle Hmmm. I think this business is mostly about confidence. Your photography can be so-so, but if in your mind you ROCK, then it will show in your confidence. Once I decided i was in a happy place with my photography, others did too. It also helped me be more creative without worrying about what others thought.
So, I give my confidence level an 8, and give you this advice…..convince yourself that your the B-O-M-B…act like it (not a jerk, just bomb-diggity) and others will follow suite!
Smiles,
Danielle

]]> By: Kiana Griffin http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21509 Kiana Griffin Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:13:15 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21509 I feel like I am very much lacking the confidence that I need to become a "real" photographer. I do find, however, that the more I educate myself, the better I feel about my talent and I think it shows. But, ugh, I don't know if I'll ever feel like I have it all together! These guides look utterly fabulous. Just sayin'. :) I feel like I am very much lacking the confidence that I need to become a “real” photographer. I do find, however, that the more I educate myself, the better I feel about my talent and I think it shows. But, ugh, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I have it all together!

These guides look utterly fabulous. Just sayin’. :)

]]> By: amy little http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21497 amy little Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:52:26 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21497 i also twatted (love that word!) @amylittlephotog i also twatted (love that word!) @amylittlephotog

]]> By: amy little http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21496 amy little Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:49:25 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21496 Confidence. Yea, that is a HUGE part of this job. I absolutely feel that you have to believe in yourself or this field could very easily take a very stressful turn in your life. I have spent the last 6 months fluttering in and out of feeling confident. It's one of those things that can be as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It's something that I am constantly working on. One of the things i have found that can either help or seriously hurt is when I spend my time comparing myself to others. If I consider what i'm looking at as inspiration, then I am motivated to push myself to be better. The downside, however, is when i spend my time comparing myself to others. This is not a good plan. When I start to do this, and tell myself that I'm not as good as_____ then my self confidence drops off the radar. My husband and I jokingly (or not so jokingly) refer to this as the "10:15 Meltdown". The nights I spend looking at other people's work and judging mine in a negative light, usually end in a breakdown at 10:15 and he spends the next hour+ pepping me back up. Which leads me to my next tip. GO TO BED! There is nothing worse for creativity levels than being overtired. It's totally a confidence sucker. And when that happens, it absolutely affects my skill. I'm not as peppy with my clients, I start to dread my sessions instead of being giddy about them, my stress levels shoot through the roof, and I second guess all of my instincts which is what my clients hire me for. Bad combo. The last big tip i have is to pray. I truly believe that we are given certain gifts to help and change the world. And my best way to tap into this, especially when i'm insecure, is to pray for help. It's such a good reminder for me to know that I am capable, and talented, and worth it in the eyes of someone who loves me unconditionally and believes in me no matter what. So, trust yourself, give your self a "you-can-do-it" pep talk before working, stop blog hopping for awhile, pray if your a praying type (and maybe even if you're not), and get some sleep. On that note, I would say my current level of confidence is about a 8.5. But ask me tonight at 10:15 :) Confidence. Yea, that is a HUGE part of this job. I absolutely feel that you have to believe in yourself or this field could very easily take a very stressful turn in your life. I have spent the last 6 months fluttering in and out of feeling confident. It’s one of those things that can be as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It’s something that I am constantly working on.

One of the things i have found that can either help or seriously hurt is when I spend my time comparing myself to others. If I consider what i’m looking at as inspiration, then I am motivated to push myself to be better. The downside, however, is when i spend my time comparing myself to others. This is not a good plan. When I start to do this, and tell myself that I’m not as good as_____ then my self confidence drops off the radar. My husband and I jokingly (or not so jokingly) refer to this as the “10:15 Meltdown”. The nights I spend looking at other people’s work and judging mine in a negative light, usually end in a breakdown at 10:15 and he spends the next hour+ pepping me back up.

Which leads me to my next tip. GO TO BED! There is nothing worse for creativity levels than being overtired. It’s totally a confidence sucker. And when that happens, it absolutely affects my skill. I’m not as peppy with my clients, I start to dread my sessions instead of being giddy about them, my stress levels shoot through the roof, and I second guess all of my instincts which is what my clients hire me for. Bad combo.

The last big tip i have is to pray. I truly believe that we are given certain gifts to help and change the world. And my best way to tap into this, especially when i’m insecure, is to pray for help. It’s such a good reminder for me to know that I am capable, and talented, and worth it in the eyes of someone who loves me unconditionally and believes in me no matter what.

So, trust yourself, give your self a “you-can-do-it” pep talk before working, stop blog hopping for awhile, pray if your a praying type (and maybe even if you’re not), and get some sleep.

On that note, I would say my current level of confidence is about a 8.5. But ask me tonight at 10:15 :)

]]> By: tara http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21398 tara Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:06:42 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21398 i'd say the your confidence level goes hand in hand with your comfort level. i think when you are confident in your skills at finding the "sweet light" with your camera/settings - well, when you get that, it all just falls into place. you're more comfortable with your style, your camera, directing your sessions, standing your ground, etc. the more confident you are, the better your photography. the "confidence factor" for me is around 6 or so. i would be a much higher number for interaction if it was just with the kiddos that i photograph b/c i love silliness and playing around with them - that part comes naturally for me. however, when it comes to the parents, i am working on speaking up at the photo sessions about things like "mom, just wander over there and let me have a bit of time with them". it seems that when the moms hover, the kids get nervous and i see it but don't speak strongly enough to get them to scoot. then i regret it when i am proofing the images. the best sessions images for me happen when the mom is busy with another sibling while i am one-on-one with the other. so as my skills have gotten better, my style is coming out because i am not scrambling just to get the sweet camera settings. now i am more apt to "direct the session" more than before and it appears the clients appreciate the direction after all. huh, go figure. i’d say the your confidence level goes hand in hand with your comfort level. i think when you are confident in your skills at finding the “sweet light” with your camera/settings – well, when you get that, it all just falls into place. you’re more comfortable with your style, your camera, directing your sessions, standing your ground, etc. the more confident you are, the better your photography.

the “confidence factor” for me is around 6 or so. i would be a much higher number for interaction if it was just with the kiddos that i photograph b/c i love silliness and playing around with them – that part comes naturally for me. however, when it comes to the parents, i am working on speaking up at the photo sessions about things like “mom, just wander over there and let me have a bit of time with them”. it seems that when the moms hover, the kids get nervous and i see it but don’t speak strongly enough to get them to scoot. then i regret it when i am proofing the images. the best sessions images for me happen when the mom is busy with another sibling while i am one-on-one with the other.

so as my skills have gotten better, my style is coming out because i am not scrambling just to get the sweet camera settings. now i am more apt to “direct the session” more than before and it appears the clients appreciate the direction after all. huh, go figure.

]]> By: mahina http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21383 mahina Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:22:50 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21383 confidence is my biggest hinderance. i am not yet in business, but will be once my life settles. i tend to be on the shy side and not always sure what to say, but i am improving quite a bit. i have a great eye for photography, but am still learning the best settings for all the different types of lighting and shots, etc. as i gain more confidence in my ability to interact with others i know i will be able to succeed. it is a process. i would say that my confidence level is at about a 5 right now. confidence is my biggest hinderance. i am not yet in business, but will be once my life settles. i tend to be on the shy side and not always sure what to say, but i am improving quite a bit. i have a great eye for photography, but am still learning the best settings for all the different types of lighting and shots, etc. as i gain more confidence in my ability to interact with others i know i will be able to succeed. it is a process. i would say that my confidence level is at about a 5 right now.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21368 Wendy Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:10:32 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21368 Confidence building! I have ups and downs, like when I lost a catalog in Lightroom because I accidentally unplugged the power strip thinking it was the lamp, or up when I get compliments on my work. I think most of the time I'm at 7. I'm new in my photography business and reading and talking to everyone I can to get up and going. I know I can do it! Posting to my Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1655552323&ref=profile Confidence building! I have ups and downs, like when I lost a catalog in Lightroom because I accidentally unplugged the power strip thinking it was the lamp, or up when I get compliments on my work. I think most of the time I’m at 7. I’m new in my photography business and reading and talking to everyone I can to get up and going. I know I can do it! Posting to my Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1655552323&ref=profile

]]> By: Charlie http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21295 Charlie Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:21:43 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21295 Oh my goodness hasn't this question about confidence brought some memories and feeling to the surface! I can still see my old school reports. "Charlie has the ability..just lacks the confidence in herself" and "Charlie needs more confidence" Has my confidence level increased over the years? I would say yes. Is my confidence level stable?I would say NO. It doesn't take much for it to plummet.Do I work on building my confidence levels?Daily!How do I do this?1.Try not to be so harsh on oneself..in regards to photography I have a goal to be professional one day and its great to be critical of ones work, but its also wonderful to look for the positives and see how far I have grown.2. Trying to come to terms with the fact that its a competitive market and sometimes people say things that are in their best interests not mine and not let this impede my confidence levels.I have a goal and there is no limit to what one can achieve if you put your mind and soul into it. Working daily on my confidence levels will help me achieve this goal. If I portray to to future customers that I am confident in my abilities then they will be confident in my products too. Thankyou Charlie. I have twittered: http://twitter.com/charlen49 Oh my goodness hasn’t this question about confidence brought some memories and feeling to the surface! I can still see my old school reports. “Charlie has the ability..just lacks the confidence in herself” and “Charlie needs more confidence” Has my confidence level increased over the years? I would say yes. Is my confidence level stable?I would say NO. It doesn’t take much for it to plummet.Do I work on building my confidence levels?Daily!How do I do this?1.Try not to be so harsh on oneself..in regards to photography I have a goal to be professional one day and its great to be critical of ones work, but its also wonderful to look for the positives and see how far I have grown.2. Trying to come to terms with the fact that its a competitive market and sometimes people say things that are in their best interests not mine and not let this impede my confidence levels.I have a goal and there is no limit to what one can achieve if you put your mind and soul into it. Working daily on my confidence levels will help me achieve this goal. If I portray to to future customers that I am confident in my abilities then they will be confident in my products too.
Thankyou Charlie.
I have twittered:
http://twitter.com/charlen49

]]> By: Denise Burridge http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21293 Denise Burridge Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:03:29 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21293 Bonus! I commented on FB about this awesome program! Sharing the blog love! Take care~ DB Bonus! I commented on FB about this awesome program! Sharing the blog love! Take care~ DB

]]> By: Denise Burridge http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/21/winguides/comment-page-4/#comment-21292 Denise Burridge Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:56:46 +0000 http://mcpactions.com/blog/?p=5068#comment-21292 Wow, this is a look at yourself in the mirror moment. okay if I think about this too much for grammatical errors or sentence structure I won't get to the meat of this question. Level of confidence in personal life. This is hard. I would say that in my marriage I have a solid 10 not because our marriage is perfect because its far from it. But because I have confidence in my marriage. I am a mil spouse and without that confidence I would not be able to push thru all the times I find myself being only half of a whole. My DH is gone on avg 200+ days per year so it takes a lot of confidence to know your marriage is going to make it thru all the sacrifices we make as a couple. As a mother I'm all over the place on your scale there are days I'm a solid 9 because your child comes up to you and says "Mami you are my Lovie" and then there are those days where I have 3 children sick, have been thrown up on more then twice in one hour and I am exhausted from being up all night those days I can give myself a 2. Then of course I have to step into my DH shoes when he's gone. He does the Daddy job a lot better then me and I don't measure up to that. ME, myself and I I would give us a 7 because after so many years of not following my dream I am grabbing the bull by the horns and I'm not letting go. I have always wanted to be an Artist. I have chosen photography to be my medium. I'm a creative person but tech savy I'm as dumb as a box of rocks. So I guess this starts the answer to part 2 Professional confidence I would have to say my confidence level is a 4. I'm new and I have so much to learn. I spend endless hours researching at night and when the babies are napping so that I can become the photographer I see in my mind's eye. I am taking online workshops, going to photography group meetings and endless internet surfing. I've been blessed along the way on this journey to have fellow photographers share their knowledge and provide advice. At the moment I am also working on finding who I am as a photographer what type of branding, how will I present myself to my clients, what is the best customer service I can provide for them, how can I capture the true essence of the moment and how to have a productive business. With the Wordsmith package I will be able to cover those areas that I need to grow at because in the end no matter how much I love photography I am also a business woman and that too has to have the same attention to detail as the photography part. Thank you for your time and for this opportunity to have a mirror moment with myself. Take care ~ DB Wow, this is a look at yourself in the mirror moment.
okay if I think about this too much for grammatical errors or sentence structure I won’t get to the meat of this question.
Level of confidence in personal life.
This is hard. I would say that in my marriage I have a solid 10 not because our marriage is perfect because its far from it. But because I have confidence in my marriage. I am a mil spouse and without that confidence I would not be able to push thru all the times I find myself being only half of a whole. My DH is gone on avg 200+ days per year so it takes a lot of confidence to know your marriage is going to make it thru all the sacrifices we make as a couple.
As a mother I’m all over the place on your scale there are days I’m a solid 9 because your child comes up to you and says “Mami you are my Lovie” and then there are those days where I have 3 children sick, have been thrown up on more then twice in one hour and I am exhausted from being up all night those days I can give myself a 2. Then of course I have to step into my DH shoes when he’s gone. He does the Daddy job a lot better then me and I don’t measure up to that.
ME, myself and I I would give us a 7 because after so many years of not following my dream I am grabbing the bull by the horns and I’m not letting go. I have always wanted to be an Artist. I have chosen photography to be my medium. I’m a creative person but tech savy I’m as dumb as a box of rocks. So I guess this starts the answer to part 2
Professional confidence
I would have to say my confidence level is a 4. I’m new and I have so much to learn. I spend endless hours researching at night and when the babies are napping so that I can become the photographer I see in my mind’s eye. I am taking online workshops, going to photography group meetings and endless internet surfing. I’ve been blessed along the way on this journey to have fellow photographers share their knowledge and provide advice. At the moment I am also working on finding who I am as a photographer what type of branding, how will I present myself to my clients, what is the best customer service I can provide for them, how can I capture the true essence of the moment and how to have a productive business.
With the Wordsmith package I will be able to cover those areas that I need to grow at because in the end no matter how much I love photography I am also a business woman and that too has to have the same attention to detail as the photography part.

Thank you for your time and for this opportunity to have a mirror moment with myself.
Take care ~ DB

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