Stop Thinking; Start Doing.

Well, I have a big change coming in my life, I am getting a place that needs some work, so I plan on making it habitable (and hopefully getting some good stock photos of the process). After living in my truck for many years, this is huge for me, and although exciting, it is also daunting.

In Feb I will be in an adventure race in Patagonia - unfortunately I won't be taking photos during the event - at least not w/ my dslr - in fact we will be lucky to finish. I plan to get the training in before then so that I am not only not the weakest link but so that I can contribute meaningfully to the team's finishing. Hopefully before and after I can get some good photos. In any case it will be an amazing experience. I am excited and terrified.

In the stock front I would like to catch up on some of the backlog of photos I've taken this year. I would also like to explore a few more stocky niches and do a better job of taking people photos during my adventures (and a better job of getting model releases).

My photography goals are mostly to do a better job of documenting the human side of my adventures. I also would like to do a little more with video - especially to tell a story.

Increase portfolio by 365 photos. (1 per day realistic goal ?) Microstock is only very part time.

that's what I thought this year but only just got over 200 done.

To 'not plan on anything' usually means that the person knows nothing in life is guaranteed.  More like the phrase 'Don't bank on anything'.

It's not the same as saying they don't plan anything.  Just that plans are made in the full knowledge that life can throw you a lemon and scupper those plans at any time.

Yes, you're brilliant Smiling Jack.  I'm sure you'll outlive me!  Keep on keepin' on

Buying the Pentax 645D!

Ohhh. I likes. I have dreamt of medium format a while too but never put it at the top of my investment priority list.

I will not buy any equipment for 2013! Now that is going to be a hard goal since I love to spend at the camera store...

You'll probably be a lot further ahead in the end if you invest in shoots instead of gear.

Quote from: stockastic on November 30, 2012, 15:11

It's still a bit early for this discussion.  Let's have another thread late on New Year's Eve when I'm sitting at the computer with a glass of bubbly.

Sounds good but my answer will be the same.

Quote from: leaf on November 30, 2012, 06:39

Microstock or otherwise, what are your goals for 2013?

I do agree with Lisa's discovery. I figured the same for myself a few years back. (and why people here sometimes criticism me) Everything isn't about how to monetize and market everything you take. I was driving down the highway thinking, can I shoot that, will that be good stock. And I said to myself, I'm not seeing things anymore. I don't enjoy nature, and the fresh air. I'm not enjoying the scenery or the ride. I'm only thinking MONEY!

actually I find I see the world differently thanks to my photographer's eye. I see the way light dances across the back of leaves, or even the back of a grubby fence, and i am delighted. Somedays I feel like I was blind before. Somedays I think others are blind. Somedays I think "it can't be this easy, I see the light there, looks amazing, shoot it". Some days it's not easy and on those days I am frustrated.

I love that everything I do/buy can be photographed for stock. I'm looking at a huge pile of receipts and stuff (doing tax work in my office) and I think, "that coud be a cool shot", so even during the drudgery of office work I see something that would work and it cheers me up. I don't always shoot it, but I capture the moment in my head and I feel good for it.

perhaps in a few more years I'll feel differently?

I just registered to tell you how inspiring your goals/messages are. Thank you.

Guess I'm answering this late but my goals for the year are:

1. Get out from in front of the computer more and walk everyday even when it's freezing outside (with or without a camera in my hand).
2. Get through some of my huge backlog of images and upload half to the micros and half to old and some new macros, with appropriate photos to FAA and for sale on my own website. If I can prepare and upload 1000 unique images among the various sites, I'll be extremely happy. I only managed about 375 this year and mostly those went to Alamy, fotolia, alimdi and FAA.
3. Spend less time processing images and get more of them online faster.
4. Have my work in at least 5 gallery shows - I got an invite on Dec 28 to submit work for a local gallery show in January and one in March so I'm on my way to meeting that goal already - an awesome start.
5. Market my work to various magazines, calendar companies, etc - not just old clients but those outside my comfort zone.
6. I've been hemming and hawing for 3 years now about whether to try for a few specialist libraries. This year, I want to take the plunge and at least try.
7. Shoot like I have a roll of film in my camera and not a 16GB card - shoot with more discernment so I can spend less time on the computer, helping out with goals #1 & #3.