You know, ours has become a very solitary profession.  We used to see our colleagues at the photo lab, see them at the camera store but the digital era has shifted everyone's business paradigm and ours is at the forefront of that change.

What I've learned over the years, from surviving the September 11th advertising collapse, to competing in the digital playing field, is that now more than ever, my colleagues are of vital importance to my sanity and the survival of my business.

I do believe in service, that by serving others, we are actually the greatest beneficiaries and that most of all, we are here to try to make things better.

Why am I telling you this?  Because my colleagues in ASMP are the ones that I turn to when I have a question that I don't have the answer for.  They are the people that I trust to tell it to me straight.

My fellow Board Member, Mark Greenberg  is one of those people.  Mark just celebrated a birthday last weekend and one of our ASMP members, Darren Abate hosted the surprise party.

Mark & I are in theory competitors for much of the same business.  But you know, it has never been an issue between us and quite honestly, it is one of the things that has helped to forge a common bond.  We both understand and deal with the difficulties of the freelance editorial photographer.  I'm friends with many of my "competitors."  We know each others families, children - who has what quirk or strength.  It's really been wonderful to meet so many creative people approaching this business in so many ways.

And so often, when one of us is busy and the other a bit slow, we commiserate and then before you know it the tides have turned.

So Happy Birthday Mark!  I'm glad you liked that smashed Dr Pepper can that I gave you since it seemed quite a treasure to me as well.

See you all soon.

  

 

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