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Get OBSESSED. Like so obsessed within your creative process that you grow, evolve, and become more as an Artist. Jerry shares how if you're only considerate of the outcome; the final shot, the revenue, then the joy experienced from achievement is only from the result. It lasts for a fraction of a second, and it is in his obsession with the process of creating that he stays IN the joy of being a professional Artist. That's the key.
There are seasons, & one of those seasons is in building the workflows and systems required to maintain and grow a business BUT, we chose to create the business because we love creating. Photography is the vehicle in which we create for ourselves, and our clients. Without our connection to the creativity, we cannot grow. The season of creative exploration should never sideline for long. Arguably, it should be a priority in every season.
There are multiple ways in which we can grow creatively; workshops, conferences, studying under a mentor, but one of the ways in which this photographer has found to be effective in that exploration is through awards submissions and accreditation. Can we play and grow in that exploration without it? Sure. Of course you can, but something shifts a bit in your mindset when you're submitting for review in these spaces: you obsess over details, you push yourself and hold yourself accountable TO every step of the process of creating. You're competing with yourself.
Having entered into the photo space in the 90's, Jerry discovered how he loved being in the room with the Olympians of photography. And so many can feel intimidated in competition spaces because of those "heavyweights" however Jerry took it from a different approach, he was inspired by them.
He took that inspiration and dove into unearthing his obsession with the creative process to deepen his love and connection with his work and those he was creating with and for.
Jerry became immersed in the awards space that he connected to his client work with the mindset that "Today will be the album of the year!" because he was in competition with himself at every step, and has since elevated that connection to the photo industry in carrying the torch for WPPI and The Portrait Masters with the ICON Awards, led by he and his wife Melissa.
Buy yourself some creative freedom. In the beginning stages of our businesses, our work doesn't always fit the vision we have in our heads and hearts. But in the business, we HAVE to serve, we have to connect, we have to get clients - but it is in that work that we are able to buy ourselves a bit of freedom to yes, sustain the business, but also to create on our terms as we grow as Artists too.

Join us for this year's ICON Award submissions
Early Bird deadline is August 31

• Submissons here: https://www.iconawards.com/
• Instagram: @myiconawards

Find more about Jerry Ghionis here:

• Education website: https://www.ghionis.com/
• Photography website: https://www.jerryghionisphotography.com/
• Instagram: @jerryghionis

Full conversation on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/y8kTZqgiaPM

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