Taking a step & Visual Mindset

Do you get to the point sometimes, where you take stock, and say – gosh, I really need to step this up a notch! Or I thought this was good, but hey, it needs to be a whole lot better!

Well, the last few weeks have been such a moment for me. So I’m embarking on a project over the summer to take my work to another level. I’ve already sketched out the major parameters of what I need to accomplish, have a general game plan and am starting to work out the more specific logistics.

But so that I can stay really focused and true to the goal of the project, this is all I’m going to say about it for now, and I decided that I won’t post any of those images until I’m done and satisfied that I achieved my goal. Look for a recap and what I learned about the experience when it’s all done.

Yeah, so am I saying, come back to this blog in a few months, nothing will happen until then? Well, that would not be savvy in terms of online presence. Nothing like a presence killer than telling everyone that nothing more will happen for a while. A good online presence requires a steady stream of effort, not some stops and starts. So, yes, there will be content on this blog on other topics. So I hope you keep stopping by.

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I do a lot of my work online (website, blog, etc.). So while I look at images for many hours of the day, my desk actually is not surrounded by visual feedback of my work. Have you ever gone into a studio and seen all the work on the wall? I recall walking into Don’s studio in Phoenix and seeing some of his work on the wall. Any portrait studio usually has the walls plastered with work from clients. It is very effective in affecting the mood when you’re in the room. At a portrait studio, seeing large prints on the wall will make the client more likely to pay for the larger size products. Likewise walking into your own studio, or office, and seeing some of your own work on the wall, will give you this reflection of achievement and put you in a more productive mood.

So this week I picked up a few frames, printed a few images on my printer, framed them and hung them on the wall at my workstation. Over time I’m sure I will get tired of some of the images, and replace them with fresher work. But it’s an important part of putting myself into the visual mindset. I’m convinced that surrounding yourself with visual cues throughout the day does train your brain more in terms of creativity when you’re on set and trying to put that next image together.