Welcome
What’s up, SeniorInspire readers? Hope you took some time for yourself over this long holiday weekend.
Me? I was busy sending out a hundred congratulatory emails to the winners of this year's 100 Photographers I'd Like to Follow contest (PILFs if you want to get all controversial).
This past weekend was all about congratulating the winners, but today I want to take a minute to talk to the people who didn't win.
Don't let this set you back!
Personally, I've been entering the Senior Style Guide Hot 100 competition every year for close to a decade with one lonely win under my belt. Believe me, I know how it feels to check and double check that list of winners for your name.
But despite that humiliating string of defeats, I've somehow managed to build a profitable business with clients who love what I do and actually think I'm the best photographer in the world.
So please don't tell them the photo they loved of their darling Nikki got it's ass kicked by the SSG judges - they might want their money back! 😉
But honestly, winning contests is not what's important. Competition is great and wanting to enter them every year has personally helped me push myself to get better and try new things. Judges cannot take that away from me.
So do not let a temporary setback throw you off course. Keep working at your craft!
And this goes for the winners too! If this year's entries were re-judged a week from now I guaranty the list of 100 winners would look completely different. Judging in any photo contest is completely subjective!
Bottom line... How your clients see your work is infinitely more important than how some dufus looking through thousands of photos at a time sees them. Cherish your wins and grow from your losses.
Magazine Update
And the winners are...
The winners for our annual 100 photographers I'd like to follow contest were announced this past Sunday. You can see a list of the winners on our website.
If you are on the list, you should have received an email on Sunday with instructions for obtaining print releases from your clients. The releases are already starting to roll in and are due by February 22nd.
If you're on the list and didn't get an email please email me as soon as possible.
In order to appear in the next issue of SeniorInspire the magazine, you'll need to have one of our releases submitted for each photo of yours that was selected. My goal is to have the magazine available for purchase by March 15th.
Thanks again to everyone who submitted entries to the contest this year! All of your work was amazing!!
Meet the Photographer
Gettin' down with Darty
This week we're heading down to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida where Darty Hines is busy building the stage for this year's SYNC. Darty agreed to put down his wrench long enough to sit down and talk about the upcoming conference.
SeniorInspire Let's start with an easy one... who's the worst speaker you ever had at SYNC?
Darty Hines The one who never showed up. Did not call. Could not get ahold of them. Never heard from that person again. Also, that speaker is black-listed from SYNC for life...just sayin'.
SI I honestly thought you'd pass on that one, but no-shows are the worst. Totally get it. How about a funny story from SYNC? What's the funniest?
DH Easy. 80's night Lip SYNC Battle (see what we did there) at SYNC 2018. Jennifer Dunn sang Wind Beneath My Wings and half way through the song she pulled out an 8x10 framed photo of me and sang to it. It was hilarious. The crowd was rolling.
SI Are you aware of any couples who met at SYNC and wound up married?
DH No. But, I think there have been some hookups and breakups. Michele and I always hear about things after the fact. We feel like the parents sometime. Always the last ones to know.
SI Would love to hear a breakup story, but we'll save that for another day. Who's a dream speaker you'd love to have speak at SYNC?
DH Craig Groeschel. He is a pastor, but he also teaches on leadership. I have seen him multiple times and always leave with a notebook full of action items. He has a great podcast too.
SI Let's pretend Pastor G agrees to speak at SYNC 2022, but cancels the night before he's supposed to go on stage. Who's a speaker you know you can count on to fill in with little notice for the wayward pastor?
DH Gary Box. He is always my 'go to'. I can count on him to bring the truth. We all know he loves to teach and is one of the best. Luckily, at SYNC we have a lot of talent in the room. If someone is a no-show, I have plenty of options.
SI What's more frustrating for you at an event like SYNC. Sound problems or video problems?
DH BOTH. I hate tech problems. It keeps me up at night.
SI What's your favorite restaurant in Baytowne?
DH My insider tips for eating at SYNC. Slick Lips has the best Key Lime Pie. Hartells Diner has the best french fries. One mile away is the Donut Hole (need I say more?). This year, I am also looking forward to eating at the new restaurant at the resort called Ovide. It is run by Hugh Acheson who was on Top Chef.
SI Do you even get to eat during SYNC?
DH We eat when we can. Sometimes, we go to bed on a stale cracker and water.
SI I know this probably rarely happens, but if you ever find yourself with an hour to kill take a ride up 30A to Seaside and check out a food truck called Meltdown. Best grilled cheese sandwiches ever!
OK, just a few more and you can get back to building that stage. What odd talent do you have?
DH Hmmmmm.... is watching TV a talent? No, then I would say Landscape Design. Our backyard is a beautiful oasis.
SI What's the last song you sang in the shower?
DH I never sing in the shower, but a song that has been stuck in my head for a while is Happy Does by Kenny Chesney. I love tropical beach inspired country music. I have a playlist on Spotify with over 4,000 followers. The playlist is pretty popular and 'up and coming' artist DM me often to add their music to my playlist. Follow this link if you want to put some flip flops on and chill out under a palm tree.
SI Alright, let me toss up a softball and see if you can hit it... This year's SYNC is less than 3 weeks away. Do you have any seats left? And how would someone go about getting themselves signed up.
DH We were the last in-person conference for photographers last year and we are the first in-person conference this year. Someone has to lead the way. We do have a few seats left for in-person. We also have a virtual option where you can sit at home where ever you want. Head to SYNCrocks.com for all the details.
Alright people... SYNC starts March 5th in Destin, Florida where the temps will hopefully be up in the 70's. Now's a good time to make that investment in yourself. Go sign up
And Finally
If you live somewhere getting hit with crazy cold weather, don't lose hope... spring training starts tomorrow!
Summer is right around the corner!!