Sandi Bradshaw Blog | Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ Photographer

Thanks first of all for being so REAL and open! The one that spoke the loudest to me was the Artist. I have had people describe me as an artist and I have corrected them and said I am a photographer. That’s true of photographer creating art … therefore, I am an artist!!! Thanks for the inspiration – much needed!

I want to take risks.. I want to take them with my business, my art, and my life. No risk, no reward right? Thank you for all of this wonderful inspiration. xoxo

“I need to BE INSPIRED because a stagnant photographer is not an artist. The whole world is filled with inspiration…and I need to allow myself the time and the freedom to indulge in it.”

I agree whole heartedly with this statement. My goal for 2011 is to continue to find inspiration in the world around me. I want my photography to constantly be changing and evolving.

Loved this post..all of it and would love to win a spot at your workshop. For me this year I want to be ME and have my photography express what I like.

Oh my…this would be terrifical!!

What most spoke/speaks to me is to BE REAL. While this isn’t something new to me, it’s something I need to be constantly reminded of. I can’t be something or someone I wasn’t created to be. I just would never fit into a mold that wasn’t shaped correctly. I struggle with finding out who I really am. I know Who I WANT to be. I am more real today than I was yesterday and will be even maore real tomorrow.

Lisa

This blog post is as if you reached into my brain and saw what I have been trying to verbalize. Thank you!

I think the “Be Me” is what is challenging me the most this year. I can’t be everything to everyone. In life or my work. I have to figure out how to be comfortable with that.

This would be an amazing opportunity! I am inspired by the whole post! But mostly about the taking risks!
I want to grow my business and myself… 2 things that can not happen with out taking risks!

Not only are you a fantastic photographer..but a beautiful writer as well! Everything you said is an inspiration to me, but I think I take heart to the idea of taking risks. I am terrified to step out..terrified of failure, so much so, that I don’t just take the risk. I think that it is very profound. If you don’t step out, you will forever be in a rut..and it really IS it’s own source of failure! Thank you!

If I win or not, I must say Thank You. From the bottom of my heart. Not only for the inspiration but also for your generosity. There is not enough people in the world like yourself.
That being said, what most inspired me from your list, is Be inspired. I think all artist derive there inspiration from the things around them and many other things. I just want to open myself more…heart, mind and soul to having a better ability of feeling that inspiration.
And in my own life I want to grow. There is always room as a person to grow, become a better person and hopefully help others to grow as well. But to also grow as a photographer and artist. Im still in the fetal stages of this amazing journey of photography. Everyday I learn something new, and I hope that daily growth never stops. In life and photography.

Thank you Sandi for the opportunity for someone to win such an ‘amazing’ gift. The statement that has inspired me the most is ‘Be Me’. I’ve experienced tremendous change in my life over the last three years (i.e., career change, moving to another state, becoming pregnant/having a baby after 15 years of marriage, to no longer having a career, to moving again, to being a stay at home mom). All this is leading me to discover a new me, without losing the real me, because it’s the only me. With this being said, I always pray that my pictures inspire or touch people; however, I know that I must be inspired first, for I am my hardest critic. This tells me to never stop learning, and to never stop growing in my work.

First of all, this post was truly inspiring. Thank you for such an intimate view into your heart. I need to GROW as a photographer. It is a blessing to be able to admire the talent and gifts of other artists, but I want to learn new skills so that my work will one day be as amazing as the others. Project 52 has been wonderful to stir the creative juices. Thanks for the post.

I know this isn’t ORIGINAL, but it’s genuine….THANK YOU for your words and your beauty. I stalked…err, looked at your blog yesterday for quite a while and I was truly inspired. Not just by your amazing photographs (they do rock) but by YOU. I loved to read your blog posts. Love that you always seem to post about being behind/trying to catch up/meant to post sooner! Love your Friday movie night and Sunday at your parents. You just seem so refreshingly real. Love that.

I loved your phrase “proverbial photographer PJs.” LOL I’d live in my PJs if I could.

And I loved Ed’s quote about his eyes being the equipment he uses. So tired of “friends” asking me what camera I use, what lens. It’s my eye people!

I believe I’d like to work on taking risks with regard to photography and perhaps one day a little business. I would like to spend this entire next year learning, experimenting, failing, succeeding, finding my voice/style, growing and having fun while doing it.

Intention is my word of the moment and I would like to be intentional about appreciating the beauty in the every day. All those every day moments and average snap shots where the kids aren’t dressed the way I want them = my life. The sum of my parts. To not worry if the laundry isn’t done (can I get an Amen?) or the house isn’t perfect. I will allow myself the freedom to do/look/visit/explore/create/admire – take in all that inspires me. It’s everywhere and it’s available to each of us.

I am already signed up for your workshop in AZ and am very much looking forward to it. Thank you for this post. I’m going to be intentional about making my own list that defines me! You’ve inspired so many.

You had me at “be inspired”… especially the part about giving yourself the time and freedom to explore your inspiration. This past year has been one of tremendous growth for me, but already I can begin to feel the spinning of my wheels as I get mired in the same kinds of photo shoots, poses, etc. Thanks!

Sandi girl, you INSPIRE me DAILY! This post in particular..I’m going to reuse the quote you found on Ed’s website in that I need to remember that MY EYES are the only thing that is truly unique. My vision, the WAY I see the world, and most importantly in this business, the WAY I CHOOSE TO CAPTURE IT! I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately (who knew!) and down on myself for not being financially able to get what i think i need to continue to grow and develop my craft more daily. What I’ve come to realize in the past few weeks is that i need to be TRUE to ME….and how I see things, and less how I THINK other’s want to see them. If I am not unique, I am not ME! Thanks to Project 52, my family, and yourself, I’m realizing that more every day.
Love ya “twin.”

To BE ME…I need to sit back and be me sometimes. I’m so many different people sometimes and I love to be (mom, wife, cook, driver, scheduler etc). I want to focus on who I am in Christ and show that through my life’s work.

Yes! I want to ‘be’ all these things this year too! But most of all… I want to be unique. I find myself drooling over very, tremendously, amazingly talented photographers and trying to ‘be’ them. But what makes my work special, my own, is that it’s MINE. And I want to tap into my me-ness this year and make my own way. Do I want to be inspired by other? Yes! I just was! But I want it to enhance MY art… THANK YOU SANDI! *i hope i win i hope i win i hope i win*

WOW!!!! Not sure I can pick one thing from your list. My last few years have been hard and full of risks, So I have had enough of that for now. This year we moved back to NJ (home) from Colorado where I was a high school digital photo teacher, I inspired and in the end found that teaching inspired me to find my love for photography (my college major) again. So when I moved home, I started my own business, well that’s kinda still a work in progress. That’s why I signed up for your workshop, I need some inspiration, direction, focus…so I can be an inspired artist. Ps. I checked out Ed Flores online, his work is quite impressive, thanks for the inspiration!

Although I would love to win a spot to one of your workshops it wouldn’t be possible for me…. Work, travel, kids, etc. But I still just wanted to let you know that you have helped me to come out of my comfort zone. I have always loved photograpy not only being behind the camera but looking at how other people see the world. I am by no means a professional photographer or an artist but it is the one thing that I really enjoy but have not had the courage to try to see if others see what I see when I look through the lens. So with that being said Project 52 has already helped me to be confident in what I am trying do and take to risks because thats the only way I will be able to grow and learn to actually one day be able to call myself a photographer.

Wow, just reading this has truly inspired and moved me. You are so willing to put yourself out there. I think that is truly a very important part of being a photographer. We must take the risk and put ourselves out there every day when we shoot. I am inspired the most by being *real*. How many of us are really comfortable with who we are as a person and willing to be just us in front of everyone. This is also a resolution to me, I know not everyone will agree with me, and hey, some might not even like me, but I am ok with that(I think) because I like me. This is not my only goal this year, the other is to take risks. By being a starting photographer, it is a risk in itself. I need to take the plunge the rest of the way and know that God is guiding me to where I want to be/am supposed to be in life.
Thank you Sandi for being YOU!

I love this entire post. How can I choose just one of your goals as inspiration, I find inspiration in all of them. I guess if I have to choose the one that most fits into my goals it would be to grow. It is a goal of mine to grow as a photographer (a person, a friend, a wife, a daughter…)and really expand my knowlege and hopefully grow my talent. I finally have the equipment that I think will help drive me. So I guess a goal of mine for this year would be to learn how to use my equipment better (camera & photo editing software) to create amazing photographs.

What a generous gift, Sandi. You are such a great mentor for me even if I never do make it to one of your workshops. I need to do all of these things, but the one that stands out to me the most, for sure is “Taking risks”. As a well known “non risk taker” I have decided that this is my year to end that – to step outside of my “safe zone” and dive right in. And WHILE diving in, work on ALL of the other things that you listed, as well.

Amongst many mentioned above, the entire BE REAL and GROW paragraphs suit me to a T! It’s unbelievable. Also, when I get down, I need to keep my PMA (positive mental attitude) in check and forge ahead!!! I’ve come a LONG way in a short time… and I want to KEEP ON GROWING! YAY!

Sandi, not looking to win but I was so moved by your words I just had to tell you!! I can’t wait for the DC Workshop!! Thanks for sharing this piece of yourself!

To really look past my lens and capture more than just a picture.

Great Post!

I need to take risks. I NEED to take risks. When I worked full time in my college graduate job I longed to do photography professionally. Now that I have moved to a new, small town with tons of amateur-wanting-to-turn-pro photographers and I am without that college graduate job I am forced to scrape for money…mostly through photography. I know I have invested more time, energy, and tears than a lot of budding photographers around here but they are putting themselves out there and I’m not. Because I’m scared. Of failure, of rejection, and sometimes even of succeeding. But now as our livelihood depends on it, I really need to take some risks, put myself out there, and just be ME. Because deep down I know I can succeed at what I love. I know I can…but I am so scared.

Oh…calling myself an artist…that’s the one the sticks out most to me. Photographer, yes. But artist is scary. I’ve been too afraid to take risks, to afraid to even allow myself to see my artistic vision. But an artist I am.

your work is amazing!
i need to be unique. i want to find my style/voice and be confident in shooting only that. i want to truly differentiate my brand and work.
your workshop has always been on my list to try and do. keeping my fingers crossed!

I want to grow. That has been the thing that has been eating at me for this past year, everything that life has thrown at me has been it seems to stop me from growing, stop me from wanting to grow. that was the word that was most inspiring in this post.. besides the fact that you wrote the whole thing… THAT was inspiring in its self. I am entering because life is trying to keep me from your workshop, I planned to attend in April for my birthday and my entering this contest is me telling life to STUFF IT, I am not done growing and I will keep striving.

So We’ll be meeting in 2011 whether I win this contest or not Miss B. I’m looking forward to it.

Oh, Sandi! I am so glad you wrote about such challenges today. I relate to all of them, however the one that stands out the most is to TAKE RISKS. I am not a natural risk-taker. And, I sometimes want to crumble in the face of criticism. However, without my taking risks I will NEVER do anything unique, inspiring, truly “me”, artistic, bold, challenging, or real. (A lot of the other points on your list are encompassed by this point.) I need to be brave enough to fail hard…if that is what God wills. So be it. And, the beginning of courage starts with your workshop in a few weeks. I know it will be life-changing for me! Thanks for the chance to win a tuition-free attendance! Bless you!

As a new photographer, I’ve spent the past year + learning how to shoot & edit (learning both Photoshop & Lightroom). I’ve shot for another photographer & a few times on my own. I’ve done well to be so new to the biz, but I’m been so concerned w/ “acting like I know what I’m doing” b/c I fear someone will see through me… And the problem w/ that is… I’ve failed to TAKE RISKS. In 2011, that’s exactly what I’m going to do, creatively & professionally…by marketing my business.

I have been sleeping for approximately two hours per night for the last few nights, but those wonderful dreamy hours have been filled with visions of me attending one of (any of) your workshops. If randomness is the way to win, I’m ONE of the most random people I know! (I do tend to keep crazy, random, CREATIVE, cool best friends that keep me going on a daily basis with their random thoughts and humor, pieces of ridiculous conversation and support like some others could only wish for).
I am inspired everyday by things that appear out of nowhere that I could have easily missed but for some reason didn’t. I’m so thankful for those things and for your beautiful words that tug at my heart to try . . .to reach . . . to see . . . to grow and then to do it all again but differently the next day. My goal has always been to be unique. It seems easy enough, but it’s not. It is my constant goal, however, to find something new and different and special to that client, that day, that hour, that minute. After reading your list, I definitely need to work on more than one, and of course growing is the reason I am participating in Project 52 (This project excites me like nothing else). But I really need to BE REAL. I need to BE REAL in many ways: I’m learning the hard way to BE REAL about the expectations of myself. I need to BE REAL with MY expectations of what I want to accomplish and what I am willing to do. I can embrace the fact that when I take that first shot of the day, the REAL ME kicks into auto mode and I’m extremely happy with those moments. That’s it though. The rest of the REAL ME is a must to find, to love, to accept and to embrace. I must know who I am this year so everyone can too. Thank you again for inspiring me on level after level after level. ♥♥♥

I want to CREATE! I recently looked inside myself and realized that I am constantly creating… creating something… anything… creating things with a HUGE variety of evolving mediums. And when I’m not, I’m pretty restless and/or unfulfilled. I simply have to be producing something and creating something to get something inside of me out. This was all a revelation to me very recently. Now I’m gonna try and embrace it!
Nancy

Oh would I love this! I have been drooling over these workshops and really want to take one. i was most inspired by UNIQUE. I am trying to find my style right now, so this fits right in. One thing I will work on is growing. It’s a constant process, and I need to devote more time to practice.

This year I’m inspired to be ME. I’m quickly getting over being what others need or want me to be and I’m ready to do what I love and love what I do. Either I be ME or there’s no point to this profession. There are plenty of others that are great at imitation but I only want to be ME. ME. Feels good!

Probably depends on the time of year on which one resonates the most with me but right now….it’s GROW. During the slower periods, I am pushed to grow and learn so your workshop would be the perfect fit. What a wonderful post – it was so hard to choose just one. I am also inspired by Project 52 – believe it will make me reach many of the other items on your list. Thank you Sandi.

Sandi what an amazing “GIFT” you are giving! I would love love love to win this. The one thing that has struck me the most is taking risks. I am an aspiring Photographer and it is such a challenge for me to get out there and do what I love to do and to take risks get out of my comfort zone so to speek. I am constantly looking at other amazing photographers around me for inspiration and I need to just take that risk and me, be the one that inspire others! This year I am really wanting to get out there and market myself, to take that risk and to inspire those other than family and friends. I want to inspire people to look at my work and say “Wow she does AMAZING work… I want to hire her!” So I thank you so much for this opportunity of winning this gift and if I do not win I will continue to take challenges and better myself in any way possible because I know there is alot to learn before I am the photographer I would love to be one day! Again thank you.

A workshop, I have never done one, I am fairly new to photography, but this one sounds amazing! The one thing that inspired me the most about what you wrote is Seeing. I see beauty in so many things now that I may not have noticed before through my camera. I see things I want to photograph everywhere I go now, and when I see the actual result of the moment I have captured, it is so uplifting. I think seeing is KEY. The one thing I will be trying to do this year in my own life is learning as much as I can about photography. I have lots to learn, but love every minute of it. Thank you for your inspiration.

Great POST! Thank you for the inspiration you passed onto us! I felt most connected to the need to be inspired and to inspire. To me they almost go hand in hand. Sometimes, when I get so busy – I loose track of the art (which is why I started photography in the first place). My inspiration for my work disappears and I don’t even feel like sharing or passing on my work because I am sure it doesn’t inspire others. I need to get my photography mojo back. . . I’d love to be inspired more by you in Scottsdale!

It’s really hard to say that just one thing from this list inspires me because it all does! Especially this time of year. I feel that this time of year I tend to question myself, my artistic ability, my business smarts, etc., etc. Mostly I think it’s that I need to BE ME that might inspire me most. And not only because Oscar Wilde is one of my all time favorite writers and I absolutely LOVE that quote, but also because I need to remember that who I am is fabulous and that I should be proud to be who I am! Thank you for sharing this! It really comes at a perfect time!

I am so inspired by this post, your list is amazing and hit home on so many personal levels for me. GROWING is what inspired me on your list….i am also very aware of every flaw i have, and my need to keep learning and bettering myself. And allowing myself to get better instead of beating myself up about all my failures and misplaced efforts. Thank you so much for sharing, and i would be blessed to win this and attend your workshop….it genuinely would mean the world to me.
Carrie Weaver

“I need to GROW. I know where my weaknesses lie as a photographer…I’m acutely aware of them…painfully aware of them, actually. If I’m content to stay where I am…then I will never be where I want to be…” THIS totally inspired me the most and I feel exactly the same way this year. I know my weaknesses and I am trying to overcome them this year.

I would say the biggest thing I am working on in my life this year is to CHALLENGE myself. This goes for growing my photography business, staying on a budget, eating healthy and a few other personal items. If I think of it all as a challenge then I will work harder to get there. Life is a challenge afterall and how you rise to the challenge defines who you are.

Thank you for the awesome blog post and opportunity!

I love it! & i am telling you now i am going to borrow some of that.. Wow that is a lot like i feel but i just cannot put it into words like that. i need reassurance, even though i know in my heart of hearts i have done a great job, that is my biggest flaw. i think its that, that keeps me me, a flaw that makes me look for new & exciting things to do & create, to take risks. they dont always work, but when they do they are brilliant! thanks for giving me the inspiration with your wise words.
Keep being you!

Wow. This is a wonderful post. And exactly what I needed at the moment. I think the one that resonates most with me right now is “take risks”. Im too often scared to take risks for fear of failure, when in reality, Im failing myself by not taking those risks. Anyway, thank you for this.

I need to TAKE RISKS is what really hit home with me. Far too often (with photography and with other areas of my life) I am much too content to sit in my little zone of comfort and never reach out. It is outside of this little box, however, I have found that I can truly grow as a photographer, as a person and glorify my God. Thank you so much for the giveaway! It is very generous of you!

Wow. What a lovely post …and an awesome opportunity. Thank you for sharing and the chance to be touched by your generosity. Although your entire post is truly inspiring, the TAKE RISKS really speaks to me. It’s where I am. right. now. It’s like that quote…I cannot remember who said it…”If you set your sights on the moon, you might just become a star.” Well, I’m ready to shine.

I need to GROW – You can never stop growing and learning as a person and as a photographer. I want to grow in my knowledge of lighting, posing, and marketing. I want to grow as a person to become more patient and tolerant of things I can not change. I also want to grow in my service and charity work and continue to give back to my community.

Well, first off I’m not a photographer nor have I ever taken any type of classes. However, many people often ask me who photographs my twin boys and I tell them I did with my point and shoot camera. So the one that speaks to me the most is taking RISKS. This year I purchased my first “real” camera and I am going to take a risk and I am going to try this out. Maybe one day I can quit my day job.

This is wonderful The part you discussed about having the need to see, truly see, is what resonated with ‘me most of all. I am blessed to be married with three beautiful healthy children, a nursing career, and a burning desire ever pushing ‘me to photography. I have discovered recently that the glasses I was seeing through, were not the rose-colored glasses I once thought they were. I was stuck in a blur, running to this and that, with the end if the day approaching, so little being accomplished, seldom a heart felt laugh with my family, and exhaustion beyond anything I’d ever known. I decided around Christmas I need to see. Really SEE the beauty around ‘me in all things. The days of driving through the prairie have started to captivate me once again, as I am able to see the way the light illuminates the earth, and in appreciating that, it has begun to illuminate my soul! I am striving to love myself more this year. I believe this is important – as my children will grow learning the importance of self love as well. Once a person is comfortable in their own skin, beauty will freely pour. I want to raise happy, content and confident children, and their momma is right on track with that herself! Thank you for this opportunity, these last ten minutes of reflection have both grounded and inspired ‘me. Thank you for your generosity…

What a great post and opportunity to win to participate in one of UR workshops! <3 I think we can all relate to almost every one of those points you mentioned. But for me, RISKS stood out the most. Why??? I think taking risks really pushes our creativity as the artist and many of us don't do this as often as we should. And for some, not at all. Some of us hold back, fearful of the outcome, or have all these amazing ideas but don't take the time to put them in action. What's the worst that can happen if you don't try? It doesn't work. So what? Start something new and discover what's fabulous and works for YOU! Not the photog next to you but something that makes YOU stand out from others. Each year, I TRY (although not always succeeding) to learn something new or photograph a new aspect of photography. Just to keep things "fresh". Try it.

Thankyou so much for the inspiration today…I know that I need to get working on my own list…a list of not only how I need to grow But encouraging reminders of how I already hacvehow I already have…

Your words which are most inspiring for me today are “See, Truly See”…I am just beginning my own personal journey in the Art of Photography, it has been a lifelong dream of mine…one that I have not had the courage to pursue until now…So it is my wish to Truly See Myself and how I can be the tool to Truly Capture the beauty in the faces and spaces that sorround me…

Thank you for your thought provoking list and for the generous offer of a free workshop :O)
Take care and Good Luck on your Journey in 2011 and beyond! :0)

Thank you for sharing your heart and your passion in this blog. What I am challenging myself with this year is **I need to BE UNIQUE.** So many times I look at other peoples work and compare myself and wish I had their photography style. I need to stop doing that. And hope that I can only be inspired by other photographers this year instead of feeling jealous or envious of their style. Not sure if that make sense but I sure would love to come to your workshop!

As a fairly new photographer, this is exactly what I needed at this point in my career. Thank you so much for the heartfelt inspiration and good luck to you in all that you do

Sandi, You have know idea how bad I needed this article. As I was reading I even got choked up a little. I wanted to jump out of my chair and run get my camera and shout to the world that I am an artist and I can do this!! As I was reading I thought to myself “I am totally going to leave Sandi a message to let her know how inspirational she is to me.” As I continued to read and found out that you were giving away a seat at your workshop I almost screamed out loud! You have know idea how bad I want to attend!! I am one of your biggest fans and blog followers!! This whole post gave me goosbumps but one part that stuck out the most was “take risks.” I believe that is the part that holds me back the most is the fear of failure. Thank you for being you and sharing your awesome talent and inspiration with others!

Thank you for being you! You are truly an inspiration to all of us. My goal for this year is to Take Risks. I always question myself when doing photos. Wondering what people will think of the place, or the lighting or anything else. You have showed me that amazing photographs can be shot anywhere. I have tried to sign up for your workshop a couple of times and when it gets closer, guess what something comes up and I can’t afford it. Winning this spot to your workshop would be the greatest thing. Any help from one of the most amazing photographers I have ever seen would be amazing. I learn so much even from the blogs, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to actually see you and work with you in person.

WOW. The Lord works in ways that the human cannot explain.
My preacher did a lesson on “pruning” two weeks ago that led me to rethink, reorganize, and like you said BE INSPIRED!

I’m not kidding when I type in the EXACT email I sent my photog BFF Katie McCrary last week. Here it is; Copied and Pasted:

Katie:
“You wanna know what conversation I had with Tyler: my love for photography was becoming a love of money…

I began thinking it was all about business and making a huge profit and it became more and more a money making hobby and less about the love for photography.

I quit taking my camera to peoples events because “I wasn’t getting paid.”

So that’s why I decided to keep my prices fair and make it more about the love of taking pictures than a “business transaction.”

So, I’m doing a glamour shot session with my close girlfreinds next week so we can frame pictures of just us to give to our husbands for v-day, so excited!!!

Today I’m photographing a soldier coming home…for all that he has done to serve and honor our country-I’m donating my God given talent.

Because when its all said and done, the pictures is what photography is all about. Using my talent for the Lord’s glory so that through my pictures the world can see the goodness of our Creator.

I’ve been pruning…putting my priorities back into check!

Love ya girl!! So thankful for our freindship!!

Kara

Either way of winning a spot, it’s so refreshing to read another photographer doing what my preacher said “pruning.”

Thanks for your post, I’m INSPIRED!

I love to capture the world around me and take it home – to capture is to remember, the experience, the feelings, and the wonder.

Wow!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration.
I was mBe ME!!! I think so many of us want to focus on giving the client what they want instead of giving them what you offer. Stay true to yourself!

I enjoyed the Grow comment the most. As a photographer, you grow so many directions as you learn. You have to “grow” into yourself as a photographer I believe. You have to gain confidence through growth and experience to truly get to a place where you can appreciate your own work and talent. You have to get to a place where you stop comparing your work to others work and just start challenging yourself on your own growth. Thanks for the opportunity!!! Your giving spirit is appreciated!

What a truly inspiring post- so much food for thought. I was most inspired by the “Unique” comment. I truly feel that for me to grow as an artist I need to learn to be who I truly am, take what I’ve learned from so many, not only photographers, but the many teachers in my life, and stand out. So when others see my work, they know how my heart felt when I took the picture.

I am going to work on “Growing”. As a person you never stop growing, and so many times we become very complacent. I want to learn to look at life and my surrounding with love and to learn to see the beauty all around me.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Sincerely,
Bobbi

I want to truly see. I LOVE the reply when people ask what equipment you use…your eyes! I really am trying to develop my vision as an artist this year. I heard Jeremy Cowart say simply “vision wins.”

Oh where to begin…i was inspired by one to many things you said, that i am almost sitting in tears right now…most specifically BE REAL, BE INSPIRED & GROW! I am struggling so much right now, coming off of the holidays and not being busy like so many others because i am still new. I am so obsessed with getting all my business practices in order that i am not using my camera as often as I should be or as I would like to be! I almost hate when people ask me how the business is going right now because i have to play it off like i am happy with it being slow because it gives me time to make everything just right, which is true to some extent…but i would so rather be shooting much more often than i am! I should be scouting locations but have convinced myself the cool urban ones are all in shady parts of town {i live in vegas so yeah most of them are} and the other locations are just boring desert which i am just tired of looking at so therefore completely uninspired by it!
I think for me, this year, i need to be okay with starting out slow instead of trying to hit the ground running. I have to be okay with what i tell others which is that i would rather achieve success doing it the right way the first time slowly, rather the wrong way fast! I have to have confidence when i say i am a photographer which is something else i struggle with because every time you turn around somebody else is saying they too are going to start a business just after hearing you did it…like it is so easy to come by anyone can do it! I feel committed to photography and that’s why i have invested so much into both financially and emotionally, as have so many of the other photographers trying to learn from you! And that is why i have just poured myself out to you…you can send the bill later for this therapy session:) But then again you did ask:) Thank you for such a great opportunity, whoever wins will be one lucky individual. xoxo ~S

While every last one struck a cord with me, Be ME really hits home. I am setting a personal goals to be myself. To stop comparing myself to others and striving to be like them but to still allow myself to be inspired by them. To take pride in my successes and to learn from my mistskes. And to be the best me I can be

I’m embracing my inner artist this year and striving to take risks and try new things. Not working on any 52 or 365 projects per se, but I am working on a personal project trying to represent some family stories through still life (which is new for me).

I was inspired by “I need to be me”

I have realized that I have forgotten myself and have let my gOals be overlooked for the well ring of my family. I realize now that being me is best for notonly my self but those around me as well. I have a lot to offer in life I just need the confidence to do it! Thanks for the encouraging words!

:: SEE, TRULY SEE ::

Sandi, I saw you shoot once, while I was out location scouting. I didn’t know who you were and hadn’t seen your work. You had a little girl sitting at table and she was little – maybe 2 or 3. And I saw the set up and the cute everything that went along with it but what stopped me in my tracks was watching YOU. You captured the honesty of this little girl because you forced NOTHING from her. You did not direct, you were not aggressive and in her face and you had a comforting command over the entire shoot. By allowing her space and letting her BE, I could actually SEE how you SAW HER, with complete acceptance and HONESTY. You captured HER and not how you or anyone wanted her to be. To this day that experience transcends anything I have learned about photography. If I want to capture WHAT IS, then I have to first accept what IS. When I accept what IS then I will SEE, TRULY SEE what IS.

“When people ask me what equipment I use, I tell them my eyes.” This sucked the air out of me. And I love getting the air sucked out of me because it makes me take action. Very profound and wowza. So this year I will be packin’ my eyes!

Thanks for the post, inspiration and for bringing us all together! And thank you everyone for sharing!!! I am inspired by all of you!!!

P FIfTy-2 RoCkS!

Wow! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Taking Risks is the one that most inspires me. I sometimes wonder what I’m so afraid of.

The one thing I will be working on is to go for.. to take the risk and cross the barriers that I am hiding behind.

Andrea

#5 Grow!
Grow as a person, wife, mother and photographer.
being a photographer isn’t just about pointing a camera and pushing a button. There’s many hats “like a mother” that you wear that people may not realize. I have to grown on so many levels that sometimes it can be over whelming. Like a mother I love my craft and want to nurture it so that one day I will be proud of the journey I took to grow.
Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity.

prosperity, peace and love
Denise

See. Truely See

Sandi, Thanks for the inspiration to get back to my photograph. I would love to learn more and do more. The See Truly See was the most inspirational to me. I did photography years ago before digital and see what I went to get but I stayed home with
my children and became afraid to say that I was a photographer because so many people out there say they are a photographer’s. and I feel they don’t see it the same as I do. I just need to follow my heart and bring the artist out that is within me and I just need to put it out here. Thanks for the inspiration!!

What an amazing offer! Why are there not a million comments yet??
I am inspired by all of this post! The one item that I am MOST inspired by right now is to take risks!!! I hope to start my business in the next couple of months and I just need to put on my big girl pants and just do it! I tend to over-think… over-worry… and to let those things slow me down.
What I will be working on most this year is to find my own unique style and voice in my work. I am inspired by so many great photographers… and I want to learn and grow from them, but at the end of the day for my work to be individual and unique to my own vision and point of view.

I LOVE your… “I NEED TO INSPIRE!” I completely feel the same way and I am working on inspiring others this year as well. And btw, YOU ROCK!

This list all hits hard with me. Be Inspired was the first one that really struck a chord. What a better person to be inspired by, than you at your workshop. Thanks for the opportunity!

I’m inspired by “See, Truly See” because I’m constantly trying to do this myself with my photography. And one thing I’m going to work on is Taking Risks! My youngest will be going to school full time next fall and I need to figure out what to do with my life!

Wow, this was amazing to read so thank you for that!!! As for me, I can relate to a lot of them but I would say I need to GROW!! I am my worst critic and I feel like I’m just stuck. I want to be able to take some workshops and expand my knowlege with photography. I need to be able to challenge myself, lay it all out there and never look back. I’m a very quiet person so to be in this business is a challenge for me. Looking at your work is so inspiring and I only wish I could be as good as you one day. I know in order to grow I need to take some workshops with other photographers and learn from them. I really appreciate this chance to be a better photographer, thank you so much!

I need to Grow… I need to challenge myself to learn new techniques in photography… I need to be challenged and to be supported in my growth… I need to put more of me into my images. I really want to get back to what I enjoy

Grow and Take risks, are on my bucket list of things to do. I have so much I want to accomplish and am so ever gratefull to be ready to take action. Love you for giving me this big PUSH and making me feel more confident. I look up to you as a mentor in helping me create the beauty that can be captured for ever by photographs. GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS………..