It was hard to express into words, and it still is, the excitement and the pride I felt. A year and a half ago, I was offered the chance to teach a digital photography class at the Art and Learning Center. I thought it would be great, instructing an art course on a college campus. I quickly rushed home and sat on the couch to renew my host subscription, to share my work through my website.
In previous years, I had been very enthusiastic about sharing my domain name. Although... nothing came from it. I had excited friends, but honestly, I felt sad and frankly over and underworked at the same time. I left the feeling, in order to pursue school work, thinking deep down that my future as a photographer would die away. When it was time to renew my annual subscription, I did not have any reason to talk to anyone about my photography. So I let it expire.
As a content creator looking for new opportunities, I think nothing is cooler than talking about your work and then giving someone a call to action. Like telling them that you have a site and that they should check it out, or a Youtube and that they should check it out or at least something-- that they should check out. The reason why I say this is because it's common to hear, "well I _____ as a hobby" or "I like to ___" but words at that point don't make much of an impact or grab at someone unless that person shares that common interest or hobby. That is why I think having something to show for your interest and work will give you that extra high over people with the seemingly same skill set. And people will derive your skillset from the words that you choose. What else do they have to go off of?
If I were to say "Yeah, I like to take pictures" someone could think I am an Instagram Foodie or that I take pictures of flowers, the range is quite large. This would be different if I was more specific: "Yeah I like to photograph portraits and I have a website, you can check out sometime if you're interested." The action of content sharing is often overlooked, especially if it has never needed to be deliberate (like if you're looking for a gig or selling something to someone). Content sharing is a skill.
Not only is it a skill, but it is also an inspiration. We know artists allow their work to be inspired by events, the world, other work, other artists. We see people get inspired by inspirational talks, self-help books, other people. I think content sharing and content creation, which go hand in hand, inspire people who may need that extra motivation to continue pursuing their work or their interests or their goals. It's rather disjoint, you can't share your content if you don't share it, and you can't create your content if you don't create it. But these two things are inputs and outputs in a feedback loop.
I hope this was an interesting little segway into creating and sharing photography and other blog content. I have blogged in the past a little bit, but I want to be more deliberate on what I post and have it be useful for anyone trying to navigate certain career and social aspects. I know I wish I had seen more content and advice early on.
Below are some links to people who inspire me. Comment below, whose content has inspired you this year?
For my artists:
Sue Bryce: Following Your Dreams and Emotional Honesty
For the inspirational:
Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
For my adventurers:
For the intellects:
Art & Learn Center (The ALC) plug here
