We All Get Lost Without a Map (and every once in awhile that is a good thing)
[by Jenna Close]
Setting out towards the career you want is like planning a long trip. It requires a balance of forethought and flexibility. Just as with any adventure, stumbling blindly into unfamiliar territory without a map or a clue is not likely to result in wild success. Consider your photographic path and ask yourself a few questions: Where do you want to end up? When do you want to get there? What are you going to need for the trip?
Your map doesn’t have to be minutely detailed or formatted like a standard business plan (mine isn’t), but it should set a clear direction in which to start, a clear end goal toward which you aim and have a few progress markers set in between. That’s the forethought part of the equation. Once you have this worked out you need to allow for change. Just like with travel, sometimes the best adventures and the greatest experiences come from veering off the intended path. I think these unpredictable side trips are just as important as reaching your main goal. Once you have the basic map you can let the wind take you and all the while feel secure that you can find your way back again.
Whether you are just starting out or are a veteran trying imagine new ways to grow, drawing up a plan is paramount.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
