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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. Jordan Stead says:
    June 21, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Excellent post that defies boundaries and time. Thanks for posting. Retweeted.

    Cordially,

    Jordan Stead

  2. Michael Bowen says:
    June 21, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Damn! I like it when you get fiesty Chase. It’s about time for another “no f*%king around post.” It makes me smile to hear you tell the populace to challenge convention and to break shit while doing it! I have been following you for some time now Chase and you and your associates have finally pushed me to the edge, and I have to take the jump. I quite my job in El Paso, Tx and will be moving to Seattle on the 30th. I’ve been a fine dining chef for 13yrs. I love it but don’t feel it’s my true calling. So being the kind of guy whose not afraid of a challenge and scared shitless of not living the fullest life possible. I decided to take the jump and live my life through a lens. Thanks for all the motivation Chase but, remember. People really do listen to you, hell you’ll soon have me in your city running around trying to break some shit. Thanks again.

  3. Michael Bowen says:
    June 21, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Damn! I like it when you get fiesty Chase. It’s about time for another “no f*cking around post.” It makes me smile to hear you tell the populace to challenge convention and to break shit while doing it! I have been following you for some time now Chase and you and your associates have finally pushed me to the edge, and I have to take the jump. I quite my job in El Paso, Tx and will be moving to Seattle on the 30th. I’ve been a fine dining chef for 13yrs. I love it but don’t feel it’s my true calling. So being the kind of guy whose not afraid of a challenge and scared shitless of not living the fullest life possible. I decided to take the jump and live my life through a lens. Thanks for all the motivation Chase but, remember. People really do listen to you, hell you’ll soon have me in your city running around trying to break some shit. Thanks again.

  4. Valgas Moore says:
    June 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Just tried something new with a video for a regular client, they didn’t love it as much as the usual stuff I do for them -which is obviously hard to take, as a creatives’ work is a reflection of the creator -me-. But as I live and experience new things, I change –so will my work.

    1. Nicolae Cioloca says:
      June 21, 2011 at 4:48 pm

      Valgas, you`re sure your work is a reflecion of your person? Some say creative work comes from a higher power, some call it a muse, or the universe.

      Some artist feel like something makes them do what they do. And this moment is so precious when it happens.
      It`s not human. Lots of the classic antique artist said they have been just the medium, just the the one whot got chosen to have the right idea by the right time.

      Read: The war of art, to learn more about that. If you like.

      Greetz
      Nico – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R18ukiNNZcs

  5. Brian Sumner says:
    June 21, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    PERFECT!!!!!!

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