I love the holidays and the Ritz does it right. They have a huge tree right in the middle of the lobby and a cool life size gingerbread house. Families come from all over to gawk at the enormous tree. They also have a hot chocolate sommelier. OMG, someone after my own heart!
Anyway, I second shot a wedding the weekend after Thanksgiving with another photographer at the Ritz. Hence why I actually had time to visit. But I came early to meet with a couple who is looking for a photographer. They were amazed that I was actually working with the “competition” and that I liked doing it. “Well aren’t you worried people are going to see your work and think he did it?” “Don’t you think that helps your competition excel” Um yeah!! to the second question. I hope that the really good photographers do excel because it makes us all look good, there are enough weddings to go around and the couples get great photos.
I love photographing with other photographers. I get to see how they work, I have no pressure so I can play all day with my camera, fabulous gorgeous couples and awesome places. How can that be bad? We both get to learn from each other. It is also just a good time working with friends.
When we start looking at other photographers as colleagues instead of “the evil competitiors” everyone grows. We see new ways of looking at things, we inspire each other to do better and we give support and encouragement. We build new pathways. We are photographers of people because we like people. We like the interaction, the beauty, the essence of what makes each person unique. What if Einstein never shared his ideas?
Our client benefits the most from our sharing. So get out there, shoot with someone else, take someone to lunch, call up someone you admire and see if you can do something for them.
The holidays are for giving and sharing.
