Month: July 2015

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Top Ten Reasons Everyone Should Travel

I’ve been a bit of a rolling stone

my entire life – moving 10 times before graduating high school and making a living as a professional photographer, which has taken me to almost 100 countries.

I think if I had to give up traveling, I would wither and my spirit would die.

Here’s my top 10 reasons every American (and other citizens of the world) should travel:

  • It gives you a much better perspective on our world than experiencing it virally.
    Gail Mooney as a student at Brooks Institute © Chad Weckler
    Gail Mooney as a student at Brooks Institute
    © Chad Weckler

    Let’s face it, when you are an armchair traveler, you are getting someone else’s perspective.

  • It makes you grateful for what you have. Many, if not most Americans are very privileged but you don’t really have an understanding of that when you contain yourself to your own environment.
  • You get to be a true diplomat for your country. When I’m traveling, I try to give people from other countries and cultures, a more realistic idea what an American is – beyond our government’s policies and how we are depicted in the movies.
  • It creates lasting memories of importance – or at least far more important than buying more consumer goods.
  • It teaches you a lot about yourself. When you travel, not everything goes according to plan all the time. You see how you handle stress in situations beyond your control.
  • You learn how to communicate. Many times, you don’t understand the language. You learn to read body language.
  • You meet people you would never get to meet at home.
    Gail and Erin in Egypt in 2006
    Gail and Erin in Egypt in 2006

    It makes you less fearful when you meet people from other lands.

  • As a photographer, my camera has given me access to incredible experiences, which I can share with the world.
  • You can affect change. When you travel, you realize that regardless which country you are from, you are part of the human race. We all share this planet and we are all stewards of keeping it healthy.
  • It brings wonder to your life. I have had many awe inspiring moments and not all of them were at your typical tourist sites. Some of my greatest memories have been simple conversations I’ve had with people from around the world.

 

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A Professional Photographer’s Manifesto

My creed:

  • I listen to a client’s needs and provide valuable solutions.
  • I have a strategy but I’m open to serendipity.Gail showing video to children of remote Amazon village, Peru
  • I evolve, explore and keep my skill set current and up to date.
  • I have a wealth of experience – on the job and in my life.
  • I don’t need to be “picked” or assigned to pursue what I love and that is to create.
  • I use my craft to create awareness and effect change.
  • I believe the message is just as, if not more important than the media.
  • I am a storyteller and use the medium that best fits the story that needs to be told.
  • I deliver on time and on budget.
  • I challenge myself and I’m not afraid to take risks.
  • I enjoy collaborating with people who are great at what they do.
  • I ask the right questions to get the job done.
  • I don’t make promises I can’t keep.
  • I’m a great producer because I think of all the details.
  • I am an observer of real life – and it shows in my work.
  • I have a strong desire to be the best I can be.
  • I care about my subjects and it shows.
  • I am curious and am always in pursuit of a project.
  • I am grateful that I love what I do and it provides value to my clients.
  • I am authentic and stay true to my spirit.
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11 Ways to Turn Random Thoughts and Scribbled Notes Into a Project

I watched a podcast last weekScraps of paper with Rich Harrington, Skip Cohen and photographer Don Komarechka. Don was taking about his snowflake project and book Sky Crystals. But the podcast was much more than just Don talking about what he did, but rather how he thinks about self-initiated projects and what makes them successful.

Here are a few of my take aways:

  • Make a commitment – If I tell myself that every day I have to do this (like photographing a snowflake every day for a month), then I will have something at the end.
  • Be passionate about your project. It must be a subject or topic that you are extremely interested in to be able to stick with it.
  • Find an idea that has depth. This will allow you to stay interested in the project over time as well as scale it beyond your original goal.
  • Pick a subject or topic that is unique to you. Pick something that everyone else isn’t already doing.
  • Think your project through – have a plan or a workflow.
  • Find the audience that thinks like you. Understand that you won’t make everyone excited about what you are doing.
  • Remember social media isn’t about selling – it’s about engaging people. The story about the process or project is almost as important and more valuable than the success of the project.
  • Be prepared to fail – lots of times.
  • Don’t pick a project with the primary motive of monetizing it. The projects that tend to go viral and resonate with people are the ones that come from the heart.
  • Think outside your box and imagine all kinds of possibilities for your project. Don is thinking about printing his snowflakes on a 3D printer and making ornaments or jewelry or all sorts of things.
  • Don’t force your idea. Think about it. Jot things down on scraps of paper. Talk to people about it. And when the time is right to act on it – you’ll know.