16 New Year’s Resolutions For Photographers

Making New Year’s resolutions is a time-honoured tradition of committing to self improvement – out with the old and in with the new, and all that.

Whether you Tweet them, write them down, share them at forget-the-year parties or quietly say them to yourself, most of us see the change in the year as a significant threshold, a good time to make some kind of personal or professional improvement (whether we’ll actually stick with them or not past January 2). Most of our resolutions relate to our behaviour … good, bad or ugly -especially the ugly. However, we don’t always make honest resolutions. When we ask the magic mirror on the wall for a suggestion (I call mine “Tips” and he’s a dick), we more-often-than-not answer back “shut up!”

So, because I’m such a helpful guy, here are some good-to-go resolutions for you or the photographer you know:

“In 2016, I will …

… learn something new about my craft and apply it. Lighting, composition, what “M” means … doesn’t matter what, just something I didn’t know last year.”

… take more client images than I do selfies.” (great for business, even better for your friends on Facebook)

… stop asking other photographers what settings they used or “can we see the sooc?” Instead, I will ask them why … or just pay them a compliment on an image well done.”

… expand my vocabulary so I can find some other way of saying “that session ROCKED!”, “I LOVE my clients!” and “AWESOMESAUCE!”‘

… watermark the images I share on social media … or not. Ok, I’ll simply stop criticising other people’s choice to do either.”

… understand that shouting “GET IT RIGHT IN CAMERA!” – although true – doesn’t actually hide the fact that I can’t edit a photo to save my life.”

… create B&W images with actual blacks and actual whites in them because ’50 Shades of Grey’ is already the title of a book.” (it might also have been a movie … I think)

… acknowledge that ‘my way’ is not, in fact, THE WAY.” (although ‘Jaytography’ does have a certain ring to it, no? Damn …)

… show other photographers the same respect I ask from them by not trying to publicly shame their work, even though I’m ‘all that and a bag of chips’.” (I mean, you must be … right?)

… not share another passive-aggressive ‘oh, woe is me, the poor photographer’ meme begging for legitimisation from the social media crowd.” (all the cute kitten pics!)

… listen when an experienced shooter with a 20-year+ photography career gives me a piece of advice because 20 is more than 2.”

… give critique only when asked for it, take critique when I ask for it but otherwise remember what we all say about opinions.”

… work for more clients than I teach workshops … unless this is the year I’m turning 82 and will be retiring from active shooting. Is it? I don’t know. Someone remind me …”

… ask for no more than I’m willing to give. This will apply to fellow shooters, clients, models and my photographic Association … but not that Miller kid down the street. He’s a dick.”

… value myself and my craft by not offering ‘$200 sessions that include 30 retouched photos’ because I couldn’t possibly earn a living that way AND deliver a quality product AND still have time to poop.” (seriously, do the maths … no poops for you)

… break the GAS habit and learn to use the equipment I already own, because want and need are as different as having and knowing how to use what I have.”

Extra value! As you stuck with this to the end, a bonus resolution …

“In 2016, I will be less of a smart ass or, at least, try my hardest to be less of a smart ass. Failing that, I resolve to keep my smart assery to a dull roar.” (that one’s mine but you can use it, too)

Wishing you all the very best in 2016 – may the New Year see you healthy and happy!

What are your resolutions for 2016? Please feel free to add to this list in the comments below …