Image Credit: muha

Whenever I tell people that my dad is a photographer, they always respond by saying something like, “Cool!” or “That must be so much fun!” or “Awesome”.  They assume he’s “living the dream”.  I guess to a certain extent, he is.  But, that’s the question I’m raising to you today – is this your dream?  Is your dream (purpose in life) to be a photographer.  Because, if that’s it, then you’re going to have a rough time getting the fulfillment out of your work that you need and chances are you’ll have a tough time making ends meet financially as well.

This is a real soul searching exercise, but its as essential as anything you’ll ever do in your business – you must figure out what your “dream” is.  The trick is, your “dream” cannot be self serving.  The only way to be truly happy in life is to serve and help other people.  Your photography should solve someone elses problem.  Your photography should improve the world in some way.  Your photography should serve a much greater purpose than to hang on a wall or to pay your bills or to be glanced at occasionally in an album.  Your work must serve a purpose and your dream should be to fulfill that purpose.

The motivation to acheive your dream is what will propel you in your darkest hour.  The thought of the people that your work serves will energize you when the lights have dimmed.

The truth is, your work will be better when your whole heart and soul are in it and your passion comes through.

I’d love to interview and highlight some photographers with BIG DREAMS.  So, if that’s you, comment on this post and let me know.

If you’d like more help on defining your dream and discovering your purpose, you must read Michael Gerber’s Awakening the Entrepreneur Within: How Ordinary People Can Create Extraordinary Companies.  I’ll be revealing the Dream, Vision, Purpose, and Mission of Think Big Art very soon.