May, 2010

I’m a *Photographer for Good*

My last post was about how doing good is good business. Here’s how I can work with you to help you “do and share good” as a “photographer for good”.

A lot of the work I do today is about digital business design for the technology and creative media industries. Often, that simply means integrated online marketing (web and social media) strategy and execution for photographers and companies in the photography industry.

Lately, I’ve talked about the need to companies to create context for their content, using examples of how photographers and photography-service companies have succeeded by building communities, bringing people together and injecting a bit of personality, humanity and meaning into their work.

Meanwhile, I’ve had many conversations lately with friends and colleagues about the businesses they’ve built and want to build that are draw on “meaning”. I’ve told many close confidants why “meaning” is important to me, and how I want to work on things that matter.

Many of the routes I’ve tried over time have been unsuccessful. Most of you have no idea how many times I’ve failed lately.

But one route that has always worked is photography. At the end of the day, I’m a photographer. I’m not a traditional commercial, stock or editorial photographer, but I’m a photographer. I’m not a full-time photographer, but I’m still a photographer.

And at the same time, I’m a photographer, business strategist, blogger, marketer, speaker and writer. I’m a photographer who cares too much about everything around the image to let my life, career and impact be just about the images.

I want what I shoot, the stories they tell, the messages they deliver, to have meaning. I want to work with companies that have meaning.

So here’s my pitch. For companies and individuals that are doing “social good”, building businesses and supporting things “too meaningful to ignore”, I’m here to take those photos, help you tell those stories and connect with people through imagery and stories.

For photographers and photography companies, I’m here to work with you to build “meaning” into your business to redefine your strategy, marketing, operations and finances to build a strategically and economically sustainable business.

I’m here. Let’s talk.

Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

Selection of live music photos from yesterday’s Gulf Aid Benefit Concert in New Orleans, Louisiana. Click here to view all photos from the Gulf Aid concert.

The Gulf Aid Benefit Concert was created in a a little over a week to bring together New Orleans to raise funds for the gulf oil spill cleanup efforts and to provide financial aid to affected fisherman and their families. Great food, great musicians (Lenny Kravitz! John Legend! Mos Def! Preservation Hall Jazz Band! Ani DiFranco! Kermit Ruffins! Big Sams! etc. etc.) and a lot of people came to support a great, albeit sad, cause. It was great to see everyone in New Orleans come together to create the Gulf Aid concert and contribute in their own way to its success.

Now let’s remember: this is just the start. The full impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster will be felt for years. Today is the start of a long battle. And as great as yesterday was, that’s the message we should hold in our heads and hearts for a long time.

Lenny Kravitz at Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
Lenny Kravitz at Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

John Legend, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
John Legend, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

Mos Def with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mos Def with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

John Legend, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
John Legend, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gulf Aid Benefit Concert, New Orleans, Louisiana

Click here to view the complete album of photos.

 

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