Embracing Beginner's Mind: Finding Lightness in Starting Afresh

[@KarltonKemerait]

What a marvellous video, thank you so much Daniel. I am 70 years old and a retired software developer. I have always had a camera around me for as long as I can remember, but now I need to find some work and I decided to actually learn how to use my camera. It is rare to find someone on KZbin that I can connect with and who thinks the way I do. Please keep making these videos they are invaluable. Oh, btw, since I now live in Colombia (due to cost of living and the fact that I am broke!) if you need shots of anything local to me, please feel free to ask and take a chance on an absolute beginner. :) Thanks again!!

[@danbrowning2418]

You are a regular source of inspiration, Daniel. I recently decided to shut down my fledgling photo business. I didn't want to do the marketing, and it got harder to justify writing off expenses on my taxes. But as soon as I announced that I was going to do so, while continuing doing photography for my own sake, I started getting a few more jobs. I actually dreaded some of those jobs. I realized that I just want to shoot what I want to shoot, and I didn't want to worry about having to cost-justify everything. I have started shooting grab shots in coffee shops -- my version of street photography. I plan to continue this, while also taking paying jobs as they come in. I have slashed my expenses (closed my studio, dropped my online backup in favor of periodic redundant backups off-site). I found I actually want to shoot more -- a lot more. Keep up the good work.

[@michag4955]

Rarely one can find such a positive and knowledgeable person, such as yourself. You are one of few people I still watch on yt. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

[@patrickgrant4804]

Daniel, I am a motorsports photographer and considered accomplished in my niche' market. This video came upon my radar at the perfect time. I got burned our a umber of years ago and backs away from professional photograpy for a while to "regroup". I have since come back with a vengence and super focused (pun intended) on my craft. Though motorsports brings in the $$$, I enjoy shooting landscapes and wildlife for my own enjoyment. I recently decided that I would like to expand my photography knowledge and try my hand at portrait photography. I must say that it is more intimidating than race cars screaming by at high speed. KZbin is full of content creators who seem more interested in proving how much they know or selling equipment, than teaching. I discovered your channel a few nights ago and I must say, it is very refreshing and informative. I love how you don't get caught up in technical aspects and explain things in a manner that a newcomer to a studio environment can understand.

[@stephanyfaycohen3842]

Thank you, Daniel, for this sensitive video. AS ONE DOOR CLOSE, ANOTHER WILL OPEN. GOD bless you.

[@mohammedomer9997]

The comment has nothing to do with the content. I am sure it is wonderful as usual. I found myself first, so I said why not express how grateful I am to you. I have learned a lot from you, whether in photography or other aspects of life. Thank you

[@philiphatton]

Fascinating story how you started with Adorama. Oftentimes unexpected connections transform our lives.

[@kevinmichener1914]

As always, thank you for the encouragement and teaching the skill set to back it up. Just finished our church directory and can you believe it, not only did I not get any complaints, everyone was pleased with their photo. I had a lighting setup that worked well for 1 to 7 people (thank you Daniel). Posing worried me the most, very little experience in that. Took your tip and suggested that they pick a pose that they're comfortable with and we'd go from there. Also your other tip, to take a number of shots even when you think you've got, "The Shot". On the lighter side. Something that I struggled with is roughly where to get them to stand. I would show them and they would be no where I was, so I put tape on the floor. Problem solved, well sometimes. You'd be amazed (or maybe not) of the number that just can't manage to stand over a piece of tape.

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thank you so much, Daniel. I have found you to be a huge source of inspiration over the years - your philosophical series during the pandemic was awesome and I created a playlist just to be able to dip into your wonderful thoughts: this video will be 'saved' too. Thank you so much 🌟

[@ericsarnoski6278]

Very timely video. I also felt like I had lost my passion. I had almost a 3 yr pause away from the camera. Same thing portraits and portfolios while also holding a full-time job doing something else . The pandemic gave me time to step away and see things from a distance. When I bought a new camera this year , it reignited my passion for B&W. Abstracts, nightscapes, scenic stuff . The focus changed from the pressure of pleasing the customer to pleasing myself. ( no pun intended ) .

[@janetanderson8831]

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm really glad that you decided to change things up professionally because I have been watching your videos over the years, both the instructional videos you've made in the store and the ones in your own studio. I have learned a lot from you. You often bring a fresh approach that I appreciate. And, honestly, you are a born teacher. You not only teach well, but you engage your viewers in a personal way. There are a slew of other photographers out there making instructional videos, and some are very good, but you inspire a connection that I don't feel with the others. You are like a friend I have never met. Thank you for providing us both solid, practical tips and the inspiration to push forward.

[@emiliemarzoughi]

Hi! Im an absolute beginner trying to figure out everything. And the excitment is real! Glad to find your channel and these words of wisdom ✨️

[@marcthibault8723]

Always great insight from you, Daniel! Thank you! 🇨🇦

[@DavidVelezPhotography]

Thanks, Daniel. I will save this video to keep my motivation up! Turning a long time passion / hobby into a business, hasn't been easy. Finding myself doing other work to subsidize income. I'll keep honing my craft with family and friends in the meantime.

[@djsugarbear6079]

Hey Daniel, I’m glad that the person at Adorama asked you to work on video. You and Seth have been instrumental in the photography world with advice and product reviews etc. Thank you for that! Personally I Been feeling burnt out when it comes to shooting models. I been published as well and now it’s like “now what?” lol I feel like I’m stuck in a grit 😢artistically. I need to be a beginner again and have the hunger again. I am going to venture into video work next to see if I can get a new spark lol. Thanks for always shedding light on the industry (especially during the pandemic).

[@TomReplogle]

Thanks Daniel! I've been reading about beginner's mind recently and when this popped up on my feed of course I had to check it out. :) Always enjoy your videos. 🙏🏻

[@barryburns911]

Hey, Daniel. Thanks for this. As always, your insights and suggestions are timely and spot on. I'm a retired stage manager who is not entirely in love with retirement. We moved from the Toronto area to a small town on the east coast. Lately I've become interested in voice over as a new creative challenge and "side hustle". I am getting professional tutoring and building a small sound booth in my basement. There is so much to learn and absorb. It's a bit daunting but I am stoked to see where it takes me. The great thing is that there is no real pressure to be "successful". Best wishes, BB

[@marcusprime357]

This was important for me to see. Keep that good work coming.

[@jacob63]

Thanks for the inspiration Daniel!

[@adampryke7118]

Great Advice Thanks as always Daniel

[@stigmatedbrain]

Wow, no comments yet? How is that? Maybe I'm wrong, but I do appreciate the talk about 'what's beyond that hill' I assume that u are American, that's double the value for me. Thanks for sharing this content and please, do accept all my respect, you deserve to be human, quite rare lately. Kudos

[@Deruzejaku]

I'm just about ending my few months of break / artistic block / burnout. I've been shooting for cash with quite good reception from people despite my shortcomings in the field. Been tormenting myself over unoriginalty of my work, about how boring and emotionless my photos are. This kind of killed fun for me I starting to think like people expected of me something I could not deliver, but that was me twisting clients expectations then trying to deliver on this, and making myself feel bad about it. Took me about a year to realize I only need to please myself, to make art for myself. because if I'm not having fun, if I feel bad about doing it, people will feel it as well, and will not want to work with you. And in my case it's not even like this was my main source of income, even with little hanging on the job you can feel overwhelmed, most likely with your own twisted expectations. Well in the end I just decided to do things my way to pursue what I will find enjoyable, and hopefully bring people along for the ride *we will see in few months if anything comes out of that xD*

[@250157andyw]

Insightful as always :)

[@AndrewBassonZA]

thanks for the vid man, funny how helping others has an impact

[@smarissmarason3504]

Thanks for this good video, good topic

[@TikiTim]

I loved this video Daniel. Although I feel I have had almost the opposite problem, I have always been a multi-disciplinery creative across photo, Video and animation. I rarely hit that wall that you talk about but equally it is hard to not be "the guy for that thing" 🤷‍♂️

[@KwokKaySzeto]

I always try new things and now try to take photos and videos with a drone. I am 71 years old.

[@PaulSemineth]

❤❤❤

[@UsedProfessionalStrobes]

I think your messaging would work with people that are transitioning from work to retirement or in retirement and stuck. Perhaps a different audience than this channel - but as you mention in this video - perhaps a new avenue on your end if you explore that audience.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

First.