I want to go jump off a wall! 

How do I grow as a photographer? What do I do to push myself to create better work? My book looks like it did two years ago. While the images have changed the photography has stayed the same. I just finished watching another one of Chase Jarvis’ CJLive videos, where Chase and his guest speak about the need to constantly be creating work, on the one hand pushing the envelope while on assignment and on the other hand creating personal work when your not photographing for clients.

However, I always seem to come up with a lame excuse for not trying something new: “I’m too busy, shooting.” “I’m not busy enough, so I need to … work on the website, call up that new client, learn that new technique, …” So as my 2010 new years resolution – ok so I’m a little behind in those  – I’ve decided that I just gotta take the leap, jump off that wall. I have a few concepts in mind that I want to shoot, that I need to create, that I have to capture. Some piggy back on current clients assignment work (like the floral wholesaler, that I will shoot flower bouquets for – that I want to use to photograph some editorial bridal photographs) and some that will be completely my own.

I photographed one of those today: Nhan, a traceur, moving around some walls and corners as he practices the art of parkour for fun. Just as he has to commit to the jump all the way to reach his goal – in his case the wall on the opposite side – I must do the same. I must commit to stretch my photographic muscle, so to speak, otherwise my book next year, will look like it did 2 years ago.