Who has heard of ‘SMASH?’ It is in its second season of pure glory on NBC and in my opinion….KNOCKS GLEE out of the ding, dong, dang water. It has music, theater, drama, comedy, satire, ugh….basically Im in love with the show and countdown my weeks until it airs.

Regardless of being an amazing show, it also has some underlying inspirational messages. If you watched last nights episode, or even if you have never seen the show, the underlying message/title of the show was “BELLS AND WHISTLES”. It paid homage to the fact that a well known, popular, BIG NAMED director JUST MAYBE was wrong in his depiction and execution of a play and that in truth, its no- named, younger, inexperienced, and unique writer/creator was actually SPOT ON. Derek Wills…the big shot director, top of his game, came around at the end of the show to realize that JUST MAYBE someone else’s idea, though not the way he would do it….or the most common approach, just may be what the show/play needed to remain true to the story at hand.

I couldn’t help but relate this to the photography industry and how often I see others foregoing their uniqueness and creativity to follow in the footsteps of the GREATS because they think that is the only way to be successful.

Truth: I WAS ONE OF THEM. I tried to copy ‘THE GREATS’ in this industry based on the gear they had, what they wore to sessions and weddings, how they packaged their products, how they set up their collections, and so much more. I had those BIG names tell me how they do it….and how NOT to do it. I had the BIG names tell me try this, not that. By the time I listened to all their advice without even considering if I liked it….it was too late…I was lost. I LOST MYSELF in a BIG NAME. I through away everything that made me me. I threw away all the quirks that so many loved me for. I became who I thought I should be and who I thought others expected and completely forgot why I wanted to do photography in the first place. IT WAS SCARY…AWFUL…AND A WASTE OF TIME!

I say this all the time, but I will surely say it again because its so true:

JUST BECAUSE IT WORKS FOR ONE, DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL WORK FOR YOU!

What WILL work for you, is simply….YOU! Stand your ground and fight to be unique. I know you see others gaining success doing what they are doing…BUT, SO WHAT? The most successful photographers in the world are not just the ones that make 6 figures…but the photographers that are 100% them in their industry. There can never be another like them. Sure at some point images, editing and posing could start to resemble each other…BUT NO ONE can be you and bring what you ARE to the table.

The message I took away from the show and the message I hope you take away from this blog post is this:

You are just as awesome and important as the BIG NAMES in our industry.Their way is not the right way….it is simply THEIR way. Take their advice into consideration before acting on it. “Does it work for me, my philosophy, my brand, my life?”  NEVER waste a moment of time wishing you were as cool, talented, or successful as someone else. Everyone has their own blessings, talents and gifts…God made us each in his image and therefore we have all greatest inside.

Don’t gawk at others work…go out and create your own. Don’t JUST buy a product because a BIG NAME said to…see if it works for you first. AND BY GOLLY….DONT BE AFRAID TO BE TOOOOO UNIQUE….Becuase honestly…that is what is going to make you a BIG NAME….how unique you are and how UNAFRAID you are to be it!

Thank you SMASH for the reminder that all the BELLS AND WHISTLES….don’t mean SHIT unless you are true to you!

xoxo,

Kaitlin Noel