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Chase Jarvis Chase Jarvis
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The Status Quo Will Do Just Fine Without You

As a matter of opinion, it’s time to get some cojones. Or whatever clever slang you’ve cooked up for the female equivalent, or whatever will help you understand the following point. Sure there’s plenty of good things to honor about the past of our photography industry. A lot of the trails have been intelligently blazed by those before us, a lot of ditches have been dug. But…ahem…generally speaking status quo in photography doesn’t know which way is up. Surely you’ve noticed.

So I ask.
What is your photographic vision?
What is your brand vision?
What is your business?
What is your marketing?
What are your effing goals?

This is not a fluff piece. This is truth: there ere are a bazillion photographers in the safe little ‘status quo’ bubble that will keep the status quo quietly marching along. So many that, in fact, it will be just fine without you.

Which is precisely why you should leave it behind.

What does that mean? It means take a chance. Or Three. Charge away from convention. Break shit. You can always go back to the status quo if you get scared or get knocked around a bit, because the reality is that it’s not going anywhere. You’ll be told that they won’t take you back if you leave, but that’s a scare tactic. In reality, they’ll take you back in a second, because… the SQ voice depends on numbers. If you don’t have what it takes, it will always be there waiting with open arms saying, “We knew you’d be back” or “I told you so.”

But the funny thing is this: I’m banking that when you push it, when you leave the status quo behind, and make some new in-roads, some new habits, that you might just get comfortable with the new you, and lo and behold you’ll be ready to push it again. That’s when the magic happens. That’s what we need. That’s what–I’m guessing–you need.

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68 replies on:
The Status Quo Will Do Just Fine Without You

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  1. high end imitation watches says:
    April 24, 2013 at 6:08 am

    Scott Parham is a well known author who writes articles or blog posts about of high end imitation watches Watches

  2. Aki says:
    February 2, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    Good questions and article, they put thinking…

  3. 7 says:
    February 2, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    Amazing post, I couldnt agree more. This is the #1 reason why I cleared out my scheduled on Jan 3rd and booked my first trip to London and Paris to just go out and shoot. Im sure my camera and I will find inspiration when we get across the pond!

  4. Bryson Steele says:
    February 2, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    LOVE IT!!! great post!

  5. clare says:
    February 2, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    effing great thanks!

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