The Future & Moving Forward
The Future and Moving Forward:
Welcome everyone, happy to have you here! Today I am going to talk about the future and how things are moving forward with my Landscape Photography.
What changed:
Simply put, I changed. I changed how I was looking at things, how I was focusing on the negatives of the past and not on my happiness in the future.
Three months ago, I was having something call to me as I was working through some stuff and dealing with some personal issues. My DAY job is filled with me talking to a lot of the older population of the United States and during the end of August and start of September I kept having the same conversation happen and they would always tell me to chase my dream because when you get to their age, you living that dream is what helps you get through the times.
At the same time, I was very fortunate to come across a very powerful quote that I still read daily and believe is something that helped change my mindset. That quote is as follows:
“Believe that you are one new meeting, one new relationship, one new contact, one new action, one new decision, away from shifting your life to a totally different place.”- Ed Mylett
Honestly, I’ve never really listened to motivational speakers but something about that just hit home and, well, it changed how I started to see things. I wrote a five-year plan to shift from full time day work to full time Landscape Photographer.
I started planning things. I was invited to a couple art shows. Art galleries showing interest in 2023. Traveling to shoot photography again. Editing older images that I never touched due to me feeling something was lacking. Reigniting my artistic mind and it’s been an amazing three months. I would say I have accomplished more in the last three months than I have in 7 years and that says a lot. 2020 pandemic aside, I had a great year, but this feels different now. I mentioned in my Art Show and Goals blog that on November 18th, 2022 I closed the door on my past and only saw the future. That is where I feel things have changed completely.
I write all of this to tell you that if you are planning a YouTube channel, planning to teach or putting yourself out there more, know this, and believe, YOU CAN DO IT!! Go chase that dream and remember this, the people who want to help you and support you will do that without hesitation or question. They will push you and motivate you to be a better person and photographer. I know this because I found my people and I am blessed to have them.
Future Plans:
Starting next year, I am going to be focusing on my YouTube Channel and growing it. Also growing on social media more with videos, reels, etc. Finally, I am going to focus on article writing and trying to get into some national or international publications with my work and talking about locations. I also want to teach more photography to people. I would love to teach a workshop at the Lighthouse in Michigan City, Indiana. That is something that I have been planning in my head since I was there. I have a lot of work to do but will get it figured out and hopefully do that in the fall next year.
Lastly, I am going to be changing up the print portion of my online store. That includes pricing, types of paper, etc. Lots of new changes are coming soon and lots of exciting things for people to see and enjoy.
Thank you for reading and until next time,
Jimmy
Art Shows & 2023 Goals
First Art Show in 7 years:
Welcome everyone, happy you are here.
On November 18th, I finally did something that I had be itching to do for so long. I was able to present my Landscape Photography in an art show in Indianapolis and after 7 years of not being able to show my work in front of people. I can honestly say that was worth EVERY MINUTE.
I truly missed these little intimate events in the art community. I was able to show my work on a huge wall. Framed images hanging for everyone to see. Talking to new people who have never seen my work to friends who have only seen my work in person who came to the show to show me support where so blown away.
I had 20 framed images hanging on the wall and each image carries such a different story. Here are some of the things that where said and honestly I was so humbled and amazed by everything.
“The contrast between the foreground, middle, and sky is amazing.”
“Are these real, they look like paintings.”
“I get some serious Ansel Adams vibes from looking at your images.”
“Breathtaking”
Simply amazing that I would have these things said to me. I felt so good after hearing all of this from everyone. I truly feel blessed that I could do this and show everyone my work in person. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, talked, and bought prints. Nothing means more to know that my work is going to be hanging in someone’s house for everyone to see.
Special thanks to Bill, Kristen, and Shelby for helping with set up. Ashley helping me with getting some stuff for the show, and to everyone who purchased prints, ordered stuff, and listened to me during the build up and helping me keep my nerves down. I appreciate you so much and can never mention it enough but THANK YOU!!!
2023 Goals:
After my one show it opened my eyes and made me realize how good I truly and how proud I am of myself. I haven’t done goals in a long time but a couple months back I wrote out some goals in a 5 year plan to move from corporate work to being a full time Landscape Photographer and Educator.
2023 Goals:
5 + Art Shows
3+ Gallery Shows
1+ Solo Art Exhibition
10 Magazine Publications and at least 2 articles
3k following on Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jimmymcrobertsphotography
2k following on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmymcrobertsphoto
1k following on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBf8uQESR1gV8kj8ZxGXnSw
Also I want to create between 25-50 new images and possibly start doing limited edition print runs of certain images.
Last but not least, weekly videos on YouTube, teaching, educating, also showing various places that I have traveled to and creating images. I also want to talk about things that I see in the community.
See you next week,
Jimmy