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John DeMato Blog

Welcome to the Deliver Magic blog, where experts who speak, coach, train, consult, and write books will find actionable insights to elevate their personal brands through visual storytelling. From strategy tips and branding photography to live event coverage and storytelling techniques, discover step-by-step guides designed to help you align what you say with how you show up in photos. Get ready to unlock the magic behind creating a cohesive visual identity that drives engagement, builds credibility, and inspires your audience. #DeliverMagic

There is no mountaintop moment

 

There is no “mountaintop moment” in our lives.

 
Lifestyle Portrait and Virtual Photographer John DeMato  sitting on fire escape thinking
 

Our constant evolution needs to be reflected in our photos.

 

The other day while on a photography podcast, I was talking about the how, what and why behind my decision to become a photographer who specifically shaped my business to serve speakers, authors, trainers and other expert-based business owners. 

Towards the end of the conversation, the host asked me a very interesting question:

What does success look like to me?

While I offered several examples of what this looks like in my life, I ended the answer very simply:

Success is knowing that evolving as a photographer and a human being never stops. There is no mountaintop moment. 

It took me years to understand that the key to building a memorable and sustainable business was to realize that growth was a constantly forward moving thing. There is no “making it,” it’s simply a constant re-prioritization of goals and achieving them as new experiences help shape and re-shape the direction in which I want to go.

My head would’ve been too exhausted to process that reality back then, so I’m glad it didn’t hit me until I was in a place in my life to accept that reality. 

But, the truth is that we adapt and grow on a minute-by-minute basis, with our businesses shifting alongside us. 

And that change needs to be reflected in the way we present ourselves online - from the insights we share to the images that we use to create an emotional connection with our audiences. 

On several occasions, clients have come to me to create additional photos for their image content library not because they don’t have an army of images already; it’s because when they look at those photos, they don’t feel like they truly represent where they are in their lives. 

It could be based on the way they looked and dressed, a new revenue stream of their business isn’t represented photographically, or the lack of emotional sentiment that they feel truly represents an important aspect of their personality.

In some of those client’s cases, they mentioned how they felt hesitant to update their websites because the photos they had felt stale and old, and they weren’t proud to see through this online refresh with stale pictures that didn’t excite them.

As a result, it’s essential to stay consistent with who you are and how you serve your people with image content that reflects the constantly evolving changes to your business and life.

Remember, you’re in the business of building relationships with your audience. Do so by keeping your image content portfolio current as a way to create best possible digital introduction you can offer.

This gives your audience a chance to meet you exactly where you are.

It’s pretty magical when you do, :)

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