Soar above your competition by setting your creative genius free. FAQ Friday, October 10th 2014.
I am so glad you’re reading this week’s edition of FAQ Friday because I have some special sauce to share with you. So special I couldn’t wait until Friday! It’s the kind of sauce that can turn your business and your life around. How can I make such a bold claim? Well, it’s exactly what I did!
This week’s topic is dear to my heart because I’ve been exploring the idea and putting it into practice for the past decade. I’m sharing the real way to soar above your competition, create a fulfilling career AND take price out of the equation in your business. I think everyone, not just photographers, can take something away from this week’s episode. When we learn to rely more on our own creative instincts we align ourselves with our passion, our purpose and well, pretty much everyone great who has ever lived. What’s more epic than that?
So check out this week’s FAQ Friday and pretty please let me know what you think in the comment section of the blog when you’re done. Hearing from you makes me do a happy dance! You should see it. It’s awesome. Of course I would be honored if you shared this episode with those you love. I think everyone needs a little more creativity their lives!
If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our Newsletter for photographers. That way you’ll be able to receive this yumminess to your inbox every week (with some other goodie goodie gumdrops in the weeks ahead)!
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I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your passion and motivation not only for your photography/business but for us. It motivates me to take the next step or stretch myself into an area I’m unsure of. Thank you so much. OK — now…… do the Happy Dance and please video it so you can share on next video. haha
I just LOVE LOVE LOVE you for posting Jen! I am doing a happy dance right now. And I just might send it to your inbox!! lol Thanks for making my day 🙂
Great video Heidi! I identify with so much of what you said. When I’m done photographing a wedding, I too feel like I blacked out for the entire day! I know I was there — my body tells me I am exhausted — but my mind was in its happy creative land. I also love what you said about how creative people take in the world around them and observe and create new things. I’d say 90% of my research time makes me excited while the nasty 10% fear/doubt/envy tries to get the best of me sometimes. You explained everything in such a way that made super sense! Thanks for this!
Thank you for watching Mary! I’m totally the same way with looking for inspiration. Most of it gets me fired up, but sometimes I have to pull the plug!
Hello Heidi! I can completely relate to your brain going a mile a minute! I always say my brain will not stop working, especially at night, like now! Although I do know I am creative and I can draw and paint, doing so straight from my imagination is not easy. I usually just draw cartoon characters, Disney characters, dvd cases & book jackets for my children or their friends. I have to be looking at what I am drawing first. This causes me to feel as though I would be stealing someone’s work if I were to use it in a photo shoot. So my question for the past few weeks since I have discovered your Website and FAQ Friday’s has been:
Did you have to ask permission from an author, publishing company, or artist to use backdrops such as “Where the Wild Things Are” when you painted it and used it in a photo session?
That is awesome Karrie! I think any type of artistic expression is so great! I love your question and I am so grateful that you asked it because it is an important point. First, I cannot give legal advise because I am not even close to being a lawyer! Every particular artwork, representation and situation is different and may be held to different legal standards. For the shoot you have seen on my site inspired by “Where the Wild Things Are”, here are a few things that separate it from our typical backgrounds. First, it was an original composition imagined and inspired by the style and likeness of the illustrations in that book, not a direct copy of an illustration or character. The original painting was then hung in the background of another original composition (my photograph) which included other elements such as the branches, paper cutouts, cake and baby in costume, further removing it from the illustrations in the book. In addition to all of that, it was actually a not for profit shoot, it was for educational purposes as I was painting it to instruct how to paint a backdrop and then photograph a cakesmash. Because the purpose of the new mural is educational and not for profit, it’s unlikely to damage the market for the original, in fact, it’s likely to help that market by increasing the awareness of the book and film and other merchandise. In art school teachers often have students paint the work of the masters to learn technique and “Where the Wild Things Are” was a perfect example of the soft painting with sketching that I often use in my own paintings. The whole session was done using unpaid models. Unfortunately, I can’t advise you on your particular situation. It is definitely something to ask your business lawyer on a case-by-case basis. Thank you so much for that question, I think it is so important to get out there! Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on, since each state has different laws, each situation is fact specific, and it is impossible to evaluate a legal problem without a comprehensive consultation and review of all the facts and documents at issue.
Loved this! Exactly on topic for me right now 🙂
Thank you Kae!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Heidi,
I just am so thankful for you always trying to pay it forward by trying to help other Photographers. As I’m sure you know, there are so many amazing photographers who aren’t willing to help anybody. You are always so willing to share your wealth of knowledge, and not only that, you obviously have such a passion for it. Your passion helps me keep mine when it would be so easy to throw in the towel. You and your family and business inspires me every week to keep working toward my goals and dream. Thank you for week after week sharing and trying to help other women who are trying to make it other parts of the country.
Thank you so much Katie! I’m so glad that you haven’t thrown in the towel and grateful you join me each week!
Hello Heidi! I simply loved this video. There was so much to learn.. I got charged up after listening to you. It motivates me to do more. To Explore more. Thank you so much.
As I live in India there are very very few photographers who are actively doing Lifestyle Photography for kids and families.
Finding backdrops or baby props is bit difficult out here. People here are not explored to this concept of Natural light newborn, kids photography. Wedding candid industry is Big in India but not the baby and family. Most of the people are going to studio for the posed portfolios of their kids.
Trying to make a mark and spread awareness but as we are lacking in Marketing ourselves facing issues to reach the target audience. But now FAQ Friday’s are making us push our selves to enhance our strengths. We already started concentrating on our website.
My question is – When the concept of natural light photography is completely new in a country how to make a mark?
Hi Manasi! Thank you so much for following along with us! You are in an amazing position. When I started HHP, newborn photography in the current style I shoot was a very new concept in my area. It left the market wide open and allowed me to build my business very quickly. Just get yourself and your work out there as much as possible and you will have the whole market to yourself (for a while at least!).
Heidi, this video almost brought me to tears. I’ve had so much anxiety and doubt in growing my business with bills creeping up, that I lost sight of my creative voice. I started to look beyond myself at others with jealousy and constant comparison, instead of gaining any inspiration. This has helped ease the pressure and I’ll continue doing what I love and working to get where I want to be. Thanks so much for these videos, you’re genuinely helping others.