Life’s Been Good to Me…. A Few of My Secrets to Success

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

I have already authored an article about being a professional photographer with specific things we all need to live by. You can read it HERE.

This writing is a bit different. Here I talk about some ideas about my life (it’s been pretty good so far.. pretty the operative word!), and what I think it takes as a person to be successful. I have done my best to keep this as short as possible. Life can get complicated at times

Pee Wee with the great Milt Hinton(Bass) and Cliff Lehman (drums)

I grew up preparing for life as a musician. I began playing the trumpet in the third grade. I lived close to a great trumpet player and a better man, Pee Wee Erwin in New Jersey, just outside New York City. Pee Wee had done it all. Pee Wee played with Benny Goodman in 1934-35, then with Ray Noble in 1935; the next year he rejoined Goodman, taking Bunny Berigan‘s empty chair.^[1] In 1937, he again followed Berigan, this time in Tommy Dorsey‘s orchestra, where he remained until 1939. Not Bad Huh? Man could he play—what a sound.

Pee Wee was on the CBS Staff Orchestra. When I was 12 years old, I got to stand behind the band on the Ed Sullivan Show the night the Beatles performed. (Remember them?). I could not figure out why everyone was going crazy. The guys in the band seemed a lot better than the Beatles and no one ever know who they were! He took me to lots of his gigs and to the TV Shows of Jackie Gleason and Garry Moore, which he also played on. I remember sitting next to Gleason at age 13 or 14 with Jackie telling me how great Pee Wee was. What a life!

I attended the music school at Indiana University, one of the greatest schools anywhere. I learned a lot and was fortunate to work a lot which helped pay for my college. I worked for Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and so many other famous folks from whom I learned things (both good and bad). After college I moved back to the east coast.

My friend and world class photographer and person Guy Tal

I learned so much in the music business I apply to photography today. Seeing how big-name folks like Sinatra (you better be prepared—he certain was and expected everyone to be always ready!), Billy Joel and others went about their business influenced me. In photography pros like Galen Rowell, Frans Lanting, John Shaw, Art Wolfe were equally influential.

In 1989 the music business changed. I found myself on the west coast where my interest in photography (which was always there) really grew. I could not do both. The music business was kind of a been there, done that thing. Photography won!

Bill Fortney and myself discussing something very deep!

Meeting Bill Fortney really changed my life. I attended one of his workshops. The Great America Photography Workshop was Bill’s pride and joy. Early in my relationship with Bill, I told him flat that, someday I want to be a workshop leader like the folks he had come in to lead groups. Without his help and influence I would not be where I am today. Bill is an expert photographer in his own right.

Every day I work harder to get better. I do not ever think I will reach to level I aspire to. But its ok. I really love my job, and finally my life. It’s all good.

Here are a few things everyone needs to at least think about if they are interested in being a leader or even a creative artist. It took me time to figure it out and I continue to try and grow as a person and photographer.

YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT

Something that has helped me in everything I’ve manage to accomplish so far and that which has helped me in my career(s) is that I have always had a passion for my work. I am totally in love and committed to what I do. Now, just as I was early on. I get to collaborate with other photographers, some at the top of the craft and a lot better than me, and I get to hang out with them. What’s not to love?

Tasilliq, Greenland-finally landing after 3 days, 3 attempts

If you do not have a real passion, you should probably take up something else. When you start out you do not make any money. The hours are crazy. Most of your friends are other folks in the business because, other than your customers, you rarely see anyone else. I can tell you how many times I was asked to go to a ball game, have guests over or go out with my wife and had to decline because I was working. It is a tough thing, but I am not complaining.

Out on workshops or assignments I always enjoyed being there, with attendees or sometimes by myself. We regularly talk photography, and chat about other things. I have become personal friends with so many of them and still hang out quite a bit. I hope the love I have for my work shows through. It makes my clients feel good to see my enthusiasm on workshops and I think that’s part of the reason so many come back and like to collaborate with me.

The “Old Days”

Very rarely have I ever been on a workshop or assignment that was tedious, or one that I really did not want to go on. I love to teach and try to teach by example with my clients and fellow co-leaders. I know that many of the up-and-coming workshop leaders, some who have assisted me are either now or will be at the top of their game. I have gone through the same process in the beginning. People like Bill Fortney believed in me and has helped to mold me into whatever I am today.

Unfortunately, today, I do not think this kind of apprentice is as available as it once was. Photographers like me are growing older. At the risk of sounding like “The Old Guy” in the room, the younger generation wants instant success, to learn from YouTube, find locations using the internet as opposed to explore new areas. I try or offer as much help as possible and often learn from the folks who want to learn from me.

CONFIDENCE

When I was young either in music or in photography, I never grew tired of looking for new things or new ways to apply ideas. I always strived, sometimes successfully, sometimes not to get it right even if it was in a location I did not care much for, or on a job I disliked, or with people who were indifferent. Whatever it was I would be there focused on the goal.

Some of this attitude I learned from my mentors These influential people were really good at their craft. It always amazed me how most everyone liked them and how they had so many friends.

Bill’s the good looking guy on the right below

I always use Bill Fortney as an example. He is a really good guy, now my closest friend, and a talented photographer. He always knows what he is doing, and I got that from him. When you know how good you are at something and know you can do it well, you have the confidence. There is no fear. You might be photographing a complex scene or subject, but you know you can do it.

Bill gained confidence in me and always tells me so. That helps me as well. Now the more challenging the experience, the happier I am. You better have confidence and know how to do it or there is going to be a lot of trouble

It is true, the more you do something the more confidence you get. I learned that early in life. When I was Indiana University, I had to play a recital for the brass faculty (some famous folks there!). I walked out on stage, said hi to them, (You we not supposed to do that. They wanted you serous, sweating, and nervous!). I nodded to the pianist, and began to play the piece, and played my tail off! I received an A+. However, every faculty person there noted on their critique forms that I need to be more serious. More serious? Were they crazy? I was serious. However, unlike most of the other students, I have already been playing before large numbers of people, making money as a musician. I knew what I was playing. I know I could nail it and I did. They perceived this to be not serious. They wanted me to be nervous, sweating it out. It was a breeze. I knew the music; I knew I could nail it. It annoyed them, but I thought it was funny. I just stood up straight, held my head up and did it.

RESPECT

Unlike Rodney Dangerfield, for whatever reason I get a lot of respect. How did that happen? Well for one thing I am always prepared for what I must do. I am dependable and people know they can count on me. I am usually early for work. People like that. It inspires confidence.

I also learned about managing people from folks like Bill. Collaborating with folks like him and others I learned to pull people together and accomplish the tasks at hand. It is ok to have fun, and those who know me know I have a lot of fun, but I never let things get too out of hand.

This is something that has always been import to me. If you hired to do a job, that is what you must do. If having too much fun, or it detracts from where you are heading it might be ok for a minute or two, but you need to keep thing on track. That is what we are paid for. If you do not do what you re paid for you are stealing. I got that sensibility from my mentors.

You never want to be the bad guy. It is a fine line. Because if you are the bad guy the event can deteriorate. You must maintain a good relationship. You must maintain your composure, be positive and let your clients know you are doing your job. Sometimes you must keep your feeling concealed because it is all about the photography or your clients. You cannot run things like a Marine sergeant., you must find a more pleasant way.

Becoming friends of course helps with the relationships you form. When we are done for the day, we often spend time together, have a meal together. It is always fun to run into other photographers I knew on the road and grab some time together, tell stories and have a few laughs.

When you put your time in people get to know and respect what you do. They know you are good at your work, and it is nice when they do not have to worry about your job. I have seen it happen sometimes, when clients took over a workshop because the leader wasn’t delivering the goods as he or she should. This can be very humiliating for the leader.

It is important to establish respect, and some do it in diverse ways. No two photographer I have ever met are the same. They need to know how to get the best from their clients or even themselves. Everyone has their own style and their own way to make it work. I have learned from all of them

MOTIVATION and WORK ETHIC

A lot of my work ethic came from Pee Wee Erwin my early trumpet teacher in New Jersey. The taught me to always be ready and to always be prepared He also stressed to take care of your equipment and make sure everything works correctly before you need it. Your work does not start when the event commences, it starts well before. I am always thinking about how I am going to go about things days sometimes weeks before the start. I always strive to over inform my clients before the event.

HERE is an article I wrote on Preparation some years ago.

This comes from what I learned as a young musician was taught to treat everyone the way you want to be treated. I hear a lot of other workshop leaders bark at groups and sometimes make condescending comments. I never want to be like that.

Also, folks like Pee Wee, Bill and other influencers in my life really worked hard. I learned from that. You cannot call in sick when people are relying on you.

“God Rays” at Tillamook Bay, Oregon

INTEGRITY

To me integrity is when you say you are going to do something, and you do it. When you give, your word, it is important you stand by it. It is one of the most important things in life.

It is part of me wanting people to think I am a nice guy. I care that people like me.

EFFICIENCY

I try to be efficient. I always try and send the message that I am here to do for what we are here to do. Another thing is that I am rarely late. I have missed two wake-up calls in almost 30 years of workshops when the alarm was not set right. Fortunately, my co leader was able to get everyone going. I got there a few minutes late. My panic was terrible, thinking I was letting my group down. Since then, I have been extra careful. I get to where I need to be early, all the time.

REINVENTION

Every project is different, and I let it dictate the direction to me. I have always tried to challenge myself by taking on diverse types of location and projects.

I am always learning, and I do not think there is any such thing as a perfect photograph or even a perfect workshop. I do not think I have ever done a project, played a job in the music business, made an image, or conducted a photo workshop that I was 100% happy with. But I do not know too many successful photographers, musicians or workshop leaders that would say they they have either.

KEEP YOUR CLIENTS HAPPY

Sometimes when you are sure where to place your tripod, it is ok to ask your clients. They may tell you, “Maybe let’s try the setting up over here” and it worked great. So, do not be afraid to ask. You can try and suggest, then walk over and look and make sure it is going to work.

You always want your clients to feel good and know you care about how they are feeling. I always ask them if they are comfortable and if everything is ok. It is common sense really. If they are happy, they are going to enjoy their time with you and have better results.

Sometimes I tell folks new to the business that in the field your clients are your best friends. I like to greet everyone and say, “Hi how’s everything, how’s the family”? Of course, by now so many of them are my friends I really do not need to ask and that makes it fun to go to work.

Again, it is something I learned from Pee Wee and Bill. When I was a younger and up in coming photographers I met folks like Galen Rowell, Art Wolfe, John Shaw etc. I was in awe of them. Bill showed me how important it was to talk to them and to pay attention to how they conducted themselves. The same goes for your clients. I always say that a happy client will always produce better images.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I really am a lucky guy. I have had my share of difficulties, even to this day. In my prior life I wrapped myself in my own pity. I’d just say, “I don’t need this” and not take time to deal with it. I would go on, hiding in perhaps a few too many Jack Daniels (Frank liked Jack), and keep working my tail off. This had profound effects on my life and relationships with family and friends.

I found that when I realized the reality and reorganized myself that all changed. I became more understanding of other people and their problems, and I learned how to be more of a partner and a better friend.

You cannot start your life over. You cannot go back to the beginning. But you can start from now and make your ending better. That is what I have tried to do. My wife Linda and I have been together for almost 30 years now, through lots of difficulties. It certainly was not easy dealing with my lifestyle including me being gone over 200+ nights etc.

A lot of making things work is not holding a grudge. I do not stay mad at anyone anymore. Instead, I will get whatever it is out of the way. If somebody is doing something that is bothering me, I will say something rather than holding it in. That works.

Fall in the Gorge

I have learned so much from travelling. I have seen and learned to appreciate other cultures and regional locations and how other people live. Sometimes we do not realize how lucky we are to have what we have.

I am learning that happiness comes from simpler things. Friends, Family, Faith are for sure important. When you are on the road for 250 nights a year, struggling to be better than the next guy, to work harder, to get more, I do not care how much you love what you do, it is tough. Now I am waking up feeling better, loving what I do, being happy with my friends and family. Having good friends is what makes me happy. It is important to give back to other. God’s plan is being reveled every day. As I always say, “ I am just driving the bus.. He’s deciding where it’s going”.

And above all I am still trying to get good!

So that is my view some of my secrets to success as a photographer/ workshop leader, teacher. Teaching and sharing is how I give back. I hope these thoughts may help people who are in or wanting to be in this profession.