A string of events just happened, seemingly by chance, but “by chance” I think more likely means on purpose. I opened an email I don’t usually have time for (and delete, without reading, more often than I would like or care to admit…) and a link to this video caught my eye because I took a workshop with photographer Zack Arias maybe… Six, seven or eight years ago? I can’t remember exactly…
Anyway, I’m so happy I watched this! Thank you, Zack for making this wonderful video! If you’re a photographer or any other kind of artist or freelancer, I’m sure it will speak to you, too. Among lots of good reasons to watch, Zack confronts the anxieties many of us face and gives some of my favorite advice: Keep going and keep working because everyone sucks before they get good. I know I really sucked when I took a workshop with Zack however long ago it was and thinking about the progress I’ve made since is part of the drive I have to continue.
Why? Because it can be a dark road full of doubt, but other times it’s invigorating and exciting to be aware of your GROWTH and CHANGE and for this, among so many other things, I am grateful.
When the video ended, YouTube suggested I watch a clip from “Annie Leibovitz: Life Through A Lens” (http://youtu.be/dNyIUlra9LU) which was a great follow up to Zack’s piece (of course I’m having trouble imagining a time when Annie “sucked” before she got good, but I’m sure there must have been at least a brief moment!)
So, that’s that. I’m glad I watched these videos and thought about this stuff this morning. Side note: “Annie Leibovitz: Life Through A Lens” came up on my Netflix list while I was in Russia and my husband sent it back before I could watch it… Just before I sat down to write this I added it *back* to the top of my list!
If you don’t know Zack Arias, he’s a portrait and music photographer from Atlanta. I took his One Light workshop in New York and absolutely loved it. He’s wonderful, check him out!
