Blue Planet Photography

I think I’m an organized person. I’ve even been told that by my friends. And I am, compared to some, but not so much compared to others. I’m also, some would say, strongly independent. I’m not a fan of books by authors who are telling me what I should do because most of the ones I’ve browsed (and there have been many) are more about the author and how great they are than about any practical or useful solutions, programs, or processes I can use (or understand) in my own life or business. But, please read on.

When I was asked to review Stever Robbins’ new book 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More, I was initially reluctant, since I think I’m biased against “self-help” type books. I had never heard of Stever Robbins (the Get-It-Done-Guy) but, luckily, I was given a preview site for the book (www.getitdoneguynews.com). After reading a sample chapter, viewing a couple videos, and listening to a podcast, I agreed. I liked his style and thought he was worth a closer look, especially from the point of view of a freelance photographer. Maybe this guy did have something useful to offer.

In my experience (personal and otherwise), creative people would rather be creative than be organized. The business aspect of being in business is boring and takes away from our ability to create by distracting us with minute details, rules, paperwork, marketing, networking, managing our time, and other activities not related to the actual creation of the work we do. But, unfortunately, if you’re in business these are the things you must take care of or you won’t be in business very long and you won’t be living a happy, successful, creative, life. Freelance photographers (even staff photographers) are already struggling with organizing, tracking, and archiving our digital files. How much time does that take away from actually photographing? We need to be organized and lead a somewhat structured life to maximize the time we have available to photograph and just enjoy ourselves; even if that structure is fairly simple.

Stever Robbins has written a book photographers can use.

9 Steps to Work Less and Do More is just over 200 pages in, coincidentally enough, 9 chapters, each covering one of the 9 steps. This book is a guide to help you figure out what works for you, not someone you don’t know telling you how to fit your life into their “formula for success”. Ultimately, you are the only one who can make the decisions about what works for you and what doesn’t. Stever Robbins breaks down this process into easy to understand and very doable processes you can integrate into your daily routine. His writing style is conversational and reads like a transcript to one of his videos or podcasts. Stever is an entrepreneur, author, professional speaker, business coach, involved in some major business start-ups, and dabbles in stand-up comedy. It’s easy to imagine this book as a personal lecture from Stever.

The chapters (steps) go like this:

Step 1: Live on Purpose. This isn’t an exercise to “discover or craft your life mission” but to identify the goals that mean something to you and your life, then doing that stuff and not the stuff that isn’t helping you reach those goals.

Step 2: Stop Procrastinating. We all want to find ways to avoid procrastinating (can you actually do that?). Stever suggests several easy approaches to altering our behavior and staying on track.

Step 3: Conquer Technology. Technology can be a real time sink. In this chapter, you’ll learn some simple things to reduce the time spent messing around with it.

Step 4: Beat Distractions to Cultivate Focus. How to manage interruptions, set boundaries, saying no, organizing your work week.

Step 5: Stay Organized. File organization, tossing clutter, organizing your stuff, and tracking projects.

Step 6: Stop Wasting Time. Doing work that matters, the 80/20 rule, overcoming perfectionism.

Step 7: Optimize. Dumping useless productivity systems, using feedback, getting help, listening to yourself.

Step 8: Build Stronger Relationships. Don’t be happy with a mediocre life. Building close relationships, cutting the small talk, preventing conflicts and ending them quickly, taking responsibility.

Step 9: Leverage. “Getting outsized results without having to put in more resources or work”. Using your strengths and skills that come naturally to your advantage.

This book is an easy read with useful, simple, practical and common-sense suggestions to getting your life more organized so you can “work less” (spend your time more productively) and, thus, “do more”. If you need a friendly kick in the pants, you should check this one out.

Historically, inspiration has been believed to be an unconscious, internal, realization. Or, if you go farther back, it’s a whisper from the gods. Innovation is a cousin of inspiration (you need inspiration to drive innovation), and sometimes innovation is treated the same way as inspiration, a sudden clarity of insight. But, is that the way it works? Do we just “get it” all in one moment or is that one moment the final result of the slow cooking and churning of concepts and ideas, the moment when the tumblers fall into place and the safe door is unlocked?

One of the biggest issues facing freelance photographers is managing our time. As a sole-proprietor (unless you have a staff), we’re responsible for planning and executing photo shoots as well as attracting and keeping clients, accounting & bookkeeping, negotiating and servicing contracts, processing photos, maintaining a website, archiving and backing up digital files, networking, developing new and creative projects, upgrading and maintaining camera and computer equipment and software, learning new photography techniques, learning new business methods, filing, cleaning and organizing the office and studio, traveling to and from photo shoots and meetings, various kinds of research, continuing education about things not directly related to photography, keeping up with industry trends, goofing off, and a host of other tasks and activities.

Keeping up with this plethora of seemingly endless, often repetitive, and sometimes boring tasks can drive a person mad. Unmanaged time can create such a jumble and confusion that everything suffers. How do you keep it all in line? For most of us, having an organized life is not something that comes naturally. Growing up, we had parents to tell us what to do, then it was our teachers, then our bosses, then our spouse(s). As a freelancer, we’re on our own. Freedom! Nobody to tell us to do anything. And now we’re in trouble because we’re not organized and may not know how to be.

Admittedly, there are a ton of self-help books out there touting the Next Best Thing in personal professionalism, organization, networking, making a bazillion dollars with a toothbrush and handful of safety pins, etc. I’ve looked at a bunch of them and my primary complaint with many of them is fluff; lots of words (testimonials and case studies touting how great the author is to have saved so many people from disaster, personal stories and name-dropping that are peripheral to the point, etc.) to fill in the space around a few pages worth of helpful or sort-of-helpful hints.

Stever Robbins, a veteran of 9 start-ups including Intuit, FTP Software, and HEAR Music, has released a new book, “9 Steps to Work Less and Do More” (sample chapters and podcasts available for download on that page). My full review of this book will be coming soon, but it appears on first glance to be very capable of providing useful help to unorganized freelancers to the point without the fluff.

Stever has posted several videos on YouTube that are informative (here’s one on negotiating):

If you’re an aspiring model, male or female, and you’re not careful, you could get ripped off. This is old news to some, but there will always be a new bunch of boys and girls, men and women, who want to join the ranks of the Next Top Model. Really, it’s very simple.

Research the agency. In this day and age of the internet, why not take a few minutes and check them out? Just Google the name, followed by “reviews” and you’ll probably get several sites with comments. If you don’t, there might be something fishy about that outfit. The search will also show if they have a website, and a professional-looking one. While a professional-looking website doesn’t guarantee legitimacy, it’s a start. Look beyond the home page. If there are cracks, that’s where you’ll find them. Missing links, poor navigation, lack of information, cheap sales tactics and grand, sky-high promises will be indicators you should look elsewhere. Look for references and where models from that agency have worked. You can tell the caliber of agency by the jobs they get, local, regional, national, international, Mom’s Crochet Emporium or Vogue.

Up-front fees. If you have to pay an agency to join, walk away. Agencies make their money from the commissions they receive from the work they get you. If they think you’ll make them money, they’ll sign you up without requiring a fee. Some agencies also offer “training” classes for a fee and may charge a small membership fee. Look at these closely. Ask around. Do they provide a good service for a reasonable price? If you need some help with your posing or runway walk, these classes might be for you. But make sure you’re going to benefit from them before making a payment.

Don’t join an agency “on credit”, which would be an offer to take the initial fee out of the commissions you’d get from jobs. This could also come with an exclusivity clause that locks you from getting work elsewhere. Then, the ‘agency’ doesn’t get you work, but you still owe them their fee and must pay it to get out of the contract.

Review all contracts carefully before signing. Don’t be pressured into signing right then and there. Take the contract with you and have an attorney go over it with you before signing anything.

If you need If you are told you must pay the agency and use their photographer for headshots and portfolio images, and they won’t use the ones you already have in your book, be cautious. Many scams get you to pay $1500 or more for headshots then stop communicating with you.

Be wary of photographers, too, who make pie-in-the-sky promises and compliments. Ask for references and check them out. If you can, meet the photographer at their studio with a friend or in a neutral location like a coffeeshop before committing to anything.

Watch out for big promises and high pressure sales tactics. If you think you’re buying a used car instead of signing with a model agency, you probably are.

If you’re asked to do something you’re not comfortable with and are pressured into it, like posing topless or in lingerie or swimsuit for an unclear reason. Walk away.

If someone promises you guaranteed work, turn around and walk directly out the door and to your car. No agency can guarantee you work.

Check your Better Business Bureau website or call. If you do get taken, make a complaint to the BBB.

In the end, it’s your life and your decision. You have ample opportunity to do the research, take your time, and save your money. Take care of yourself and you’ll end up where you need to be.