#delivermagic

It’s one thing to serve experts…

…it’s another to be one.

For the past couple months, I’ve been working on a special project in my downtime between shooting gigs here, there and everywhere. 

The project is to build a training program that educates lifestyle portrait photographers on how to create better experiences and overall results for those they serve. 

And the way to achieve that goal is not by buying better gear or learning more about how to use it. Instead, it’s all based on strategy created before, during and after a session. 

It’s an idea that I’ve been kicking around for several years, but never really could wrap my head around. 

What I mean by that is that I was completely intimidated by the prospect of putting this idea out into the world on my own…

Who cares what I have to say? No one is going to show up. I’m wasting my time even thinking about it. 

You know, happy, fun shit like this anytime the thought would cross my mind.

Only very recently have I been able to shake off the self-defeating thoughts and put pen to paper and actually flesh out the idea from beginning to end. 

Better late than never, right :) 

Rather than jump right into selling this as a service for photographers, I received some sage advice from a trusted friend to give it a test drive first. 

So, I created a post to find a collection of shooters that would be interested in being a part of a beta group. Truthfully, I figured no one would respond, but I was fortunately wrong…

I ended up with 4 folks who raised their hand and wanted in on this 3-month training program. It’s called Deliver Magic.

And yesterday was our first official training call. 

Amidst the cohort introducing themselves and talking about where they are with their photography businesses, I had a thought pop into my head…

I’m becoming one of those that I serve.

I let that thought marinate a bit in my mind for a beat. 

I can’t believe people actually want to learn this shit…FROM ME! This is CRAZY!

It was a pretty cool moment - expletives and all :) 

What also happened was an acknowledgement that I am now responsible for heping guide these 4 photographers down a path that helps them improve their work in order to create more referrals for their businesses. 

Rather than react with a sense of overwhelm and fear, I went the other way with it.  

I immediately got charged up and my brain kicked into high gear. I’m really excited to share everything this course has to offer. 

I’m ready to jump through the screen and work with each photographer individually as they work through the exercises! 

In the same breath, a tremendous sense of gratitude washed over me as I reflected on the fact that I’m even in a position to share this information in the first place. 

I love the work I do so much, I cannot wait to spread the word to folks interested in creating better results for those in front of their cameras.

Listen, I have no clue if this test group will produce the proof of concept I need in order to attract paying photographers, or where this decision to lean into being an expert is going to lead, but I do know one thing…

…I’m going for it, regardless of the results. And I’m going for it with everything I’ve got at my disposal.

I believe in the work I do with those I serve, and I also believe that I can teach others to do the same thing. So, screw it - it’s worth a shot.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with successful business owners for the past few years, it’s that the only way to find out if an idea is a viable one is to not talk about it to death…

…it’s to just fuckin’ do it already. 

Message received loud and clear - now let’s see what happens. 

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

#yeahabsolutely