Top 10 Tips... Escaping the Cubicle.

I just got back from this workshop at MPLS Photo Center titled "Escaping the Cubicle." It was SO helpful. We were fed a plethora of helpful information, my mind is on overload trying to process everything and figure out where to start. I mean, I took 15 pages of notes...

Natalie Champa Jennings was the instructor, and let me tell you, she did an AMAZING job. A lot of instructors try to put way to much information into their classes, that the students start to just feel useless and feel they have to take on a mountain just to start. That is not how it was with Natalie. I left feeling empowered. I left feeling like I could take on this task of being a photographer. Although there is a lot of work to be done, and the road will be long, I felt as if I could do it. I could start.

Here are the TOP 10 FACTS I took out of the class, most of them can even be put forth in any small business plan.

1. Figure out your goal...WRITE it down- hold yourself accountable.
2. Figure out how hard you are willing to work.
3. Learn to shoot manually, then experiment with other settings.
4. Create a work flow that works for you and stick with it.
5. STAY ORGANIZED
6. Shoot well! everything will become easier and faster if you have a great photo to start with.
7. Create a business AND marketing plan- you need to know where you want to go before you begin.
8. Get on social media and blog/ update often.
9. Get an accountant and insurance.
10. Save 25% of every dollar you make.

Natalie also shared with us two quotes that I thought were spot on...I don't think I will ever forget them.

"Where focus goes, energy flows"

"There is no reason for a plan b...it will only distract from a plan a." - Will Smith

Stay curious my friends...

-M

And the winner is.....

So this year I made it a goal of mine to try new things and branch out as a photographer. This month I launched my monthly photo contests! Literally anyone can enter. These contests are meant to be fun and get people to share photographs, whether they are edited, been taken on a phone or on a professional dslr, won a professional contest, or just a favorite picture of yours. Each month hosts a different theme and a different hashtag.

For the month of April, the theme was of course, April Showers!
Here are some of the entries from this month...



yes, I did enter some photos... I didn't want to be left out of the fun!

And the winner of the FREE print is....
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REBECCA KEATON!! this is the winning Photo.. It is SO GREAT! so much going on in this photo, it is breathtaking.



That wraps up the April Contest! Thank you all for entering your pictures and stay tuned for the next contest in May! There will be a brand new theme, new hashtag, AND a new prize! There will be some updates to the may contest to make it a little easier to enter and follow the contest, so stay tuned for that! To see all entries to the contests throughout the year, follow me on instagram, twitter or facebook...or even my website. Yes, I am all over the place... it's great.

Keep it real,
-M