This evening my publishers – Peachpit – are hosting a video conversation with me at 5pm PST. The disussion begins with me addressing some issues related to VisionMongers, then the bulk of the conversation becomes just that – a conversation. You can ask questions which will be moderated and fed to me, and we’ll have an hour to hash out some of this stuff. I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m told there’s limited space, so go HERE and sign up to get the secret location and secret handshake needed to get past the big guy at the door.
The reception for VisionMongers has been phenomenal, and both Chase Jarvis and Zack Arias have had some really encouraging things to say about it. Amazon reviews are trickling in now too and the one I loved said “there’s nothing new here,” which makes me chuckle because it’s so true. The only thing new about VisionMongers is that some of this stuff just needed to be said. There are no secrets, it’s a challenge to combine craft and commerce, and the wisdom we lean on to build a business in the creative arts is the same wisdom anyone else leans on. If all VisionMongers does is pull back the curtain a little and give people a more honest look at some of the challenges and the skills needed to meet those challenges, it’ll have done what I aimed to accomplish. If you’re working your way through it, feel free to leave comments here or on Amazon. If the book leaves you with questions, then leave those here too and we’ll discuss them. I’d love to get a more consistent dialogue going – and that’s not only for the working photographers, but for all of us.
Speaking of VisionMonger issues, here’s two things you need to check out in your spare time – the first is last week’s guest article over at Scott Kelby’s blog. Scott continues to feed us an incredibly diversity of voices and THIS article by Ryan Anderson is excellent. The other thing is THIS article on Freelance Switch about raising your prices. Check them out when you have a moment.
Finally, be sure to check out the growing list of excellent Depth of Field Interviews by Matt Brandon, the latest installment is Ami Vitale and is a must-listen. And it’s free. You can listen to that interview HERE on Matt’s blog.
Comments
David, thanks so much for your time and generosity last night. Well worth it and I hope you decide to do that again in the future. Having read both of your books and all of the ebooks, it was great to finally have a real voice to put with the words.
I so enjoyed your chat tonight. Your spirit is pure and your vision is inspiring. Thank you for knowing who You are and giving it so generously to us. I’ve gotten all your ebooks and Within the Frame and just preordered the LR book for the spring. I’m not buying the business creation book for photography but may get it for my own writing intentions since much of what you have said tonight definitely fits there, too.
Blessings on your life, sir.
Thanks Uma – What a nice thing to say. You can comment here anytime you like 🙂
I was going to make it but now it’s not looking good .. I got my PST mixed up with my EST and probably a few other things as well … that’s 1am uk and i have a feeling my head’ll have hit the pillow by then 🙁
I’m about 20 pages shy of finishing Visionmongers. My first problem is that I can’t seem to start reading this book without grabbing a beer – which is costing me money and going straight to my over-head.
Good thing you linked to that “double your rates” article because I drink, mostly, premium beers and espresso.
Honestly I’ll have to read it again (no, not because I’m drunk) but because there was SO MUCH that made perfect sense to me, stuff that maybe I knew but wasn’t doing (or was doing and should stop) that I need to make notes from it – rules to live by. Because it makes sense.
You know how your mom told you “not to do that” and then you did – and when you did it it wasn’t great and, in fact, it was kind of bad and you didn’t feel good about it afterward because it hurt, smelled bad, made you cry, lost you money etc.? Well Visionmongers is like that; my mom, and I should listen.
JVL, this is certainly a problem and one not clearly warned against on Amazon. My apologies. The first chance we get to meet in person, the beer’s on me. Just make sure you’re sober-ish when you leave the review on Amazon, and please don’t tell others I’m buying the beer 🙂
Just finished VisionMongers….I take that back….I just finished reading it for the FIRST time. I love it, it is extremely topical for my particular case….situation! My biggest problem, (other than the things that are also touched upon in The War of Art) is “the niche”! I would have to say that I’m a ‘generalist’ and I love to shoot it all. As I’m putting together the current incarnation of my web-site, I find… ‘food’, yeah I like to do that, …people, can’t quit that…., buildings,….I like the symmetry, angles, graphics….scenery,….lot of that around….etc., etc. I’m afraid the first response will be, ” You must not be doing ANY of them well!” , But I think I approach them all with equal fervor and inspiration. Is there room for the ‘niche-less’….the ‘niche-deprived’ ?
I’ll try to join you all tonight – 7pm (CST) is right in the middle of dinner time @ the house but I’ll try to sneak away. If I miss it will there be a way to listen later on?
Also, I read the same review from the guy who said “it’s nothing new” but it’s all in how you deliver the information and how you can relate it to the reader that makes all the difference.
Thanks for the links – I’ll check ’em out today.