Collaborate

Maybe I am unusual but I am always looking for ways to be better than I am today. I am always happy to help others who are looking to learn as well. I believe in passing it forward. I have been blessed over the years to shoot along side some really creative people. I never saw it as a competition. I saw it as opportunity to be better and to collaborate. It never mattered who got the shot, as long as someone did. I’m not saying I haven’t been in the presence of arrogance. There have been several photographers, that for whatever reason, couldn’t stand that I was at the same event they were. To this day, I refuse to allow anyone to take the pleasure of shooting away from me. I will never be the one who will put down another creative for their passion. I will always welcome others at the same events I am at. I think creatives should find ways to collaborate and learn from each other. Photography is so diverse. There is so much to learn and there is probably no way of ever learning it all. Certainly no way to master it all. The thing is, that even if you are collaborating, each creative will always bring their own style to the project. Collaborating doesn’t mean you have to change your style. It can allow you to add to your style or you can simple feel that what works really well for one , may not work the same for you. I’ve had the pleasure to collaborate quite a bit this last year with Jack Nutter. We share a similar phylosophy. Collaboration can trigger creativity inside of you. It can invigorate you and keep you from falling into a rut. Everyone has aspects they are better in than others. You can learn so much if you stay open to the possibilities. It’s great to see photography through the eyes of another creative. It’s also great to be able to share your own perspectives as well. The photo for this post is one of Jack’s that he took of me when I invited him to shoot professional wrestling with me. We shoot a lot of the same local shows and he does a lot of portrait work. I do more sports action. Shooting promos of the wrestlers is a part of shooting wrestling. It was great to see how he got the talent to pose. I learned from that experience. He got to experience something he had never shot before. I think we are both driven by the challenge of something new. Collaboration also allows both people to try something new. Even if it doesn’t work it’s satisfying to try things you never gave thought about before. In the end it’s about growing as a creative. I will never stop growing.