How should I shoot this?

As I am waiting for the next model to come out of the dressing room, I'm thinking about how I'll approach this shoot in terms of lighting. While doing my seminar a question was asked about the proper way to shoot a white background. One student heard the white background should be a stop and a half over the front reading. I've heard this several times but that information is wrong.

The proper way to shoot a white background is to use four lights on the background and to have no more than 1/2 stop to 3/4 over the main light. To ensure you have a clean white without any flare from your background get your reading on the front subject and then read your white background and ensure it's no more than 3/4 over the front. Then turn your front light off and shoot an image with the subject. If you've lit the shot correctly you'll have a sharp silhouette for a clean, crisp look!

Always Dream Big!

Ohio Bound

I'm currently casting for a jeans line all day today, but I'm still in the glow from the Los Angeles Creative Experience seminar which ended last night.

What a great group of students! Thanks to everyone who came out for both days. Akron, Ohio is next for the Creative Experience Photo Seminar tour.

Tomorrow is the shoot for the Jeans line. While we are casting to look for the perfect girls now we are also prepping for the shoot, booking and confirming other talent needed to complete the job.

Always Dream Big!

Day 1 of the Creative Experience

I am so excited! For the last two months I've spent every night working on a seminar that will really help photographers across America become better at what we all love. Making a better living and enjoying life as a photographer.

I've asked many friends, assistants and associates what they'd like to learn in a seminar and this is how I put Your Creative Experience Photo Seminar together. Come out and join us. I promise you will leave a different person.

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Today is a great day!

Congratulations again to the Twitter winner of the Creative Experience. She is currently traveling from Sacramento to Los Angeles for the seminar.

Sign up now: Seats still available on line! REGISTER-LA

The Winner of Twitter Contest

I am happy to announce the winner of the Twitter Contest for tickets to the Creative Experience Photo Contest in Los Angeles.

Winner: Sarah Dawson Risucci

Sarah has also won an x-rite colorchecker passport!

Learn how to turn your creative idea's into a successful career and more. The Creative Experience starts tomorrow at 7:00pm at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel LAX in Los Angeles. Learn how to enter your work in the top photo contest and the unknown benefits of photo contests.

YOUR CREATIVE EXPERIENCE PHOTO SEMINAR

Seats still available: REGISTER NOW

For information on the seminar go to www.YourCreativeExperience.com

Always Dream Big!

How I Started Working With Tyra

People often ask me about Tyra Banks. I recently finished a two hour interview the other day for PDN, Photo District News and was asked this very question. Tyra has long been one of my favorite subjects and even though we haven't worked together this year we've been working together since the start of her New York career. Long before America's Next Top Model Tyra was a favorite subject. When she first started modeling I was just starting my photo career and shooting jobs one day and assisting the next. The first time we worked together was 1994,in my Brooklyn apartment. We shot until 2:00a.m as her mother slept on my sofa. We've been friends ever since.

To learn more about the technical aspects of my shoots with Tyra, Oprah, Pete Wentz, Britney Spears and more come to my Creative Experience Photo Seminar taking place in Los Angeles this Monday and Tuesday.

To register for the Los Angeles Seminar click here.

For more information click here.

All paid attendee's will be eligible to win great door prizes including a Sony a550 Camera package, 1 of 4 x-rite colorchecker passports and much more.

Always Dream Big

How to Survive the Age of Turbulence in Photography

"I learned more in one day than an entire year at University"

These are the words from one student who attended a seminar I taught. Photography is going through a world-wind of change and the only way you can survive and thrive in photography is by learning the key elements needed for success. Knowledge is a must so invest in you! A cool ipad is great, but will it make you money? What good does the latest camera do if you don't know how to market and your photography? The only way to thrive is by gaining knowledge and investing in your future.

For the last two months I've spend every night preparing a seminar that will give you all the tools necessary to thrive in today's market and beyond. On a shoot yesterday, my freelance assistant told me he has been working with three other photographers who don't know photography but have learned enough to get work now. He said they shoot on program mode and then ask him why some images are under or over exposed? Doing this type of business may make money now for some but it won't turn into a lifelong career. Knowledge is and will always be the key to unlock success!

The future will bring more photographer than ever before. How will you survive? Come join me in Los Angeles this Monday and Tuesday to learn the secrets of success and more. I promise you will be happy you took the time to invest in your future. Go direct to the registration page here by clicking this link: LOS ANGELES SEMINAR

This seminar is for you! Register for Los Angeles today and get 20% off with this special blog discount code: CEAP

REGISTER NOW

Ohio Seminar Date: July 19th & 20th - Early Bird Registration

Sign up for Akron, Ohio seminar- Direct to Registration Page

Always Dream Big!

This is it!

A year ago Michael Jackson left us but we are blessed to have his music that lives on. So many of my photo assignments have come to life with the help of his music and I will forever be inspired by him talent and music.

This is it! The final days to sign up for the only Los Angeles Creative Experience Photo Seminar.

Monday - June 28, 2010- $ 95.00

Monday and Tuesday - June 29th and 29th, 2010 $995

Sign up today with the special blog code and receive 20% off . This offer ends soon!

Promotion Code: CEAP

Click here to go directly to the Los Angeles registration page:

Learn to master your lighting

Discover your true creative vision

Learn the secrets of promotion

Discover the secrets to lifelong success and much more!

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Always Dream Big

Secrets for Mastering Lighting

I am often asked about different aspects of photography but lighting always seems to come up. The secret to mastering your lighting is simply to know your lights inside out. In order to do that you need to run test on the different types of lights and light shaping tools at your disposal.

During the first evening event of the Creative Experience Photo Seminar I will spend time focused on four aspects of photography.

Part 1: Creativity

Part 2: Lighting

Part 3: Promotion

Part 4: Secrets to making great photographs

Because these elements are involved in every sector of photography this seminar is for all photographers, from wedding to fashion, editorial to advertising. Come join us on Monday, June 28th at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles. Great raffle gifts include a Sony a550 camera package, four x-rite colorchecker passports, a one year membership to PPA and full Imaging USA registration. This event will be an exciting and inspirational night of photography.

Intensive Day- June 29th

For those who are serious about taking your career to the next level this day is for you. On June 29th we will start the day by working with one of my favorite models. Makeup and hair are provided by one of my stellar artist and then we will dive deeper into the business of photography. Students will work with the new Profoto D1 strobe lights and get hands-on instruction on how to master their light for better images. One of my advertising clients will drop by to share valuable information from a clients point of view and we will go deeper into marketing, promotion and secrets to landing jobs. We will also discuss how to get a book deal and editing to show your best work. Each student in the intensive class will receive one of my favorite books as a gift book compliments of Sony. Come and join us and leave inspired for life. I hope to see you soon.

REGISTER NOW for Los Angeles Seminar

Readers of this blog receive a discount by using this code: CEAP

Always Dream Big!

Win Free Admission to Creative Experience Photo Seminar

One lucky person in Los Angeles will win a ticket for the Creative Experience Photo Seminar and it could be you. The Twitter contest has started and runs until Saturday, June 26th at midnight. Follow the rules below and you could win tickets to both days of the Los Angeles photo seminar along with an x-rite colorchecker passport.

To select the winner I will keep a record of each tweet in a database and use a random number generator to select the winner. Due to the volume of requests, we cannot answer any questions about the contest on Twitter or via e-mail. Good luck and dream big!

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE: $1100.00

To enter just follow these three simple steps:

1. Follow Matthew Jordan Smith on Twitter

2. Follow Mac Group on Twitter

3. Tweet the following message:

Check out Creative Experience Photo Seminar by Matthew Jordan Smith and be entered to win a FREE ticket www.YourCreativeExperience.com

Here are the complete rules:

1) You must be 18 years or older to enter.

2) You must be following Matthew Jordan Smith on Twitter,http://twitter.com/Matthew_JordanS and Mac Grouphttp://www.twitter.com/macgroup

3) You must send out the above tweet EXACTLY as it appears - failure to do so will disqualify you - do not put the @ sign in front of Matthew_JordanS anywhere in the Tweet.

4) The prize will be awarded on Sunday at 12 Noon by Matthew Jordan Smith via Twitter and on the Joy of Photography Blog.

5) Winner is responsible for travel to and from the Creative Experience Photo Seminar and responsible for any applicable taxes.

Twitter Contest-Free Seminar Ticket

It is important to give back in whatever ways we can and giving knowledge is one of the best gifts one can give. Starting today and going until Saturday, June 26th at midnight we are running a contest to give away one free ticket for admission to both days of the Creative Experience Photo Seminar along with one x-rite colorchecker passport.

To select the winner Matthew Jordan Smith will keep a record of each tweet in a database and then an random number generator picks the winner. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we cannot answer any questions about the contest on Twitter or via e-mail.

Total Prize Value: $1100.00

To enter just follow these three simple steps:

1. Follow Matthew Jordan Smith on Twitter

2. Follow Mac Group on Twitter

3. Tweet the following message:

Check out Creative Experience Photo Seminar by Matthew Jordan Smith and be entered to win a FREE ticket www.YourCreativeExperience.com

Here are the complete rules:

1) You must be 18 years or older to enter.

2) You must be following Matthew Jordan Smith on Twitter, http://twitter.com/Matthew_JordanS and Mac Group http://www.twitter.com/macgroup

3) You must send out the above tweet EXACTLY as it appears - failure to do so will disqualify you - do not put the @ sign in front of Matthew_JordanS anywhere in the Tweet.

4) The prize will be awarded on Sunday at 12 Noon by Matthew Jordan Smith via Twitter and on the Joy of Photography Blog.

5) Winner is responsible for travel to and from the Creative Experience Photo Seminar and responsible for any applicable taxes.

Life is Great

When you make a living doing what you love life is truly great!

As a photographer we get to share our view on how we see things. From weddings to fashion, journalism to children's photo's we are sharing our vision. Some photographers may think they are capturing what their clients want to see, but it is still your vision of that moment.

I was asked the other day, "how can I shoot more creative jobs when my clients want me to do the same old boring stuff"? My answer to that was to work on creating your personal work that you love and then only promoting your work with the new creative images. There are many ways to promote your work outside the standard approach. One way is to enter contest constantly. The best way to get your new creative work out in front of great new clients is to enter every photograph contest you can. You'd be amazed at the response and the results.

Learn more about being creative and much more in my Los Angeles seminar next week!

To learn more go to www.YourCreativeExperience.com

Always Dream Big!

Six Days Left

Register Here

Always Dream Big!

If I Only Had More Time

I'm sure we can all relate to not having enough time, but it's the one thing that keeps us all equal. Everyone has the same amount of hours in the day, but some manage to do incredible things with their time. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Confucius, Socrates, Abraham Lincoln, Pablo Picasso, Henri Cartier-Bresson and you all had and have the same 24 hours in a day. What are you doing with yours today?

A week from today I will begin Your Creative Experience Photo Seminar, and for those who have signed up for the intensive course which includes both days you will receive part 1 of your assignment today. If you're thinking about signing up please do so in the next two days so you have time to complete the first assignment which is part of day 2 and part of your awaking. The assignment is a large part of what makes this seminar different from all the others seminars. My goal is to expand your creativity and improve your photography with practical tips, techniques, lighting secrets, and ton's of information that will push your career forward in ways you've never dreamed. It's time to really dream big.

See you soon!

Register now

Incredible door prizes include:

Sony A55o Camera package

xrite color checker passports

1 Year Membership to PPA

Full Registration to Imaging USA 2011

Beauty and the Beast from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

The International Faces of Beauty from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

Photo Seminar Testimonials from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

Pete Wentz_Elle Magazine Photo Shoot from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

What a Story!

We all have a story to tell even when we think we don't. We are constantly exposed to an endless supply of images throughout out lives and sometimes there is so much visual stimuli that we become numb to it.

I lived in New York City for most of my life but now live in Los Angeles. I'm in New York about once a month but when I visit now I see it with brand new eyes and I notice things I never saw when I lived there. As photographers it is very important to stay aware of everything around us and see events with "fresh eyes" each day. If we practice shooting something new each day we grow as artist, as visionaries and as photographers. Get in the habit of keeping a camera with you at all times and photographing something new each day.

I am almost a week away from starting the Creative Experience Photo Seminar and I am excited to teach and inspire other photographers about the art of storytelling and creative vision. For each person who signs up for the full source (which includes both events) I will give an online portfolio review of their work and instructions on the first part of our classroom assignment. I'm excited to be a part of this journey of growth for my students and look forward to opening eyes and doors for all who attend.

I have always enjoyed shooting stories because they always leads to more than I imagine. For example, I entered an image into a photo contest last year, and learned via a friend last night from Dubai that my image was nominated in the fashion category. The Photography Masters Cup is a photo competition with photographer from all over the world entering their best work. Winning is great but it is never the goal for me. The goal is to have my work viewed by a very distinguished roster of judges from around the world. You never know what can happen when you place your images in front of the worlds best photo creatives! To view the winners and nominations go to Masters Cup.

Make it your daily goal to know more when you go to sleep than you did when you woke up!

Always Dream Big!

Are You Happy with Work?

How many people love their jobs? Sad to say many people work hard all week at a job they don't like and then look to the weekends to enjoy life. What if you could change that and love your life all together! We all have the ability to change our lives at anytime. Yes, we all have obligations, bills, responsibilities, etc., but who says we can't enjoy work as much as the rest of our life?

Making your living as a photographer is a wonderful choice if you can have the eye, skill and knowledge necessary to stand out from the crowd. I want to help you make your dreams come true by giving you the steps needed to stand out from the crowd and make a living in advertising photography, or portrait photography, fashion and beauty or weddings. The Creative Experience Seminar tour which will take place in Los Angeles on June 28th and 29th is the perfect opportunity to learn the steps needed for success in photography and to learn how to use them to your advantage. This seminar is for all levels of photography no matter if you're a seasoned fashion photographer or have never picked up a camera in your life. The beauty of the Creative Experience is that you will learn about the most important aspect of being a photographer, the creative vision. I spoke in upstate New York recently and an older gentleman walked up to me and said, "Matthew I've been a photographer for over 30 year's and I didn't think I could learn anything before I came to your seminar, but it's the best information I've heard in a decade". Knowledge is always the key to success and sometimes that knowledge is hard to find. Join us in Los Angeles! You may even win one of a series of great door prizes that I will give away on June 28!

Beauty and the Beast from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

See you soon Los Angeles!

Los Angeles door prizes include:

Sony A550, (the camera I used to photograph polar bears in Cape Churchill)

x-rite colorchecker passports

1 year membership to PPA and full registration to Imaging USA

Always Dream Big

Pete Wentz_Elle Magazine Photo Shoot from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

Photo Seminar Testimonials from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

From Polar Bears to Oprah from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

This past November I went to Cape Churchill to photograph polar bears. It was the first time shooting in an environment like this and I was excited about the trip. I had the idea of making a story out of the shoot even though I had no idea what to expect in Cape Churchill. The only thing I really knew was that I'd be in an all white shooting situation so I took the Sony A550 with me as this camera has a great HDR feature and would come in handy photographing polar bears in the snow. Cape Churchill proved to be better than I could have dreamed. Each day was filled with wonderful moments ranging from fighting polar bears to mother's with their young cubs.

While shooting in Cape Churchill I had friends brainstorm with me for a name for my story and we came up with Beauty and the Beast or Polar Opposites. These names would help to explain my story idea when I arrived in Los Angeles. I believe it's always helpful to give your creative idea's a name so that those working with you can better visualize and work with you to make a strong story.

Two weeks from today, June 28th 2010, I will give away a Sony A550 camera kit which includes an 18-55mm lens. Come join us for opening night of the Creative Experience Photo Seminar taking place in Los Angeles. The first evening event is jam packed with great information to guide your photo career toward greater success. For more details log on to www.YourCreativeExperience.com.

If you're serious about your career and really want to excel join us for the entire seminar which includes the evening event and a full day intensive course in which you will be given an assignment to work on prior to class along with images taken in class to complete the story.

For details click here: Details

There will be ton's of other cool raffle prizes so be sure to make it out. Other prizes include:

x-rite colorchecker passports

A year subscription to PPA and full admission to Imaging USA valued at over $650.00

Always Dream Big

The Beauty of Promotion: Advertising Tips

These photographs are a series I've just completed for promotional purposes. The concept is to show three woman from different backgrounds in a manner that is timeless and beautiful. My hope is that these images lead to assignments doing more of the work I most enjoy, beauty advertising and editorial. The images will go out to the top ad agencies with cosmetic accounts via a small, targeted email blast followed up by a tangible mailer a few weeks later. To research my targeted list of potential clients I use Adbase. The video from the making of this shoot will go out on Youtube and other video sites to promote my photography as well. To learn more about marketing and strategy join me in Los Angeles this month at the Creative Experience Seminar.

For this project I wanted to photographed three models but ended up shooting four. The first model was from India, the second model from Japan and the third from German. After looking at the images I thought the Indian and Japanese models were too closely related as they are both Asian. I went back to casting and found a forth model from the United States that was great and I believe is the next Tyra. All together I photographed four models to find the perfect three for the story. The first model will still be in my portfolio and as part of the story but as a separate image.

To get advertising work I believe it's important to shoot what you love, as clients will see and feel your passion in the images.

Last night I went to a panel discussion on advertising photography that was very interesting. The panel consisted of four people: A photo consultant, an art director, a photo agent and a creative director. The discussion was slated to go from 7-10 but started almost an hour last. At 11:10 p.m. it was still going strong and I had an early morning so I couldn't stay to the end, but here are a few key points from the evening.

Is the printed Portfolio still important?

Yes! A printed portfolio is still very important at advertising agencies. Computers at agencies are not calibrated for color and you can't tell image quality on the web.

How many images should there be in a portfolio?

The number doesn't matter as long as they are the best. You will be judged by your weakest image so if you only have six great images only show six but make sure they blow the viewer away. If there is a weak image it raises a question and your client wonders if they will get that on their job.

What make for a good website?

Forget about all the bells and whistles. Keep it simple as no one has time for your pages to load. Make it simple, clean and easy to navigate. If they have to figure it out they will just go to the next website. No one has time to waste. Keep music off! You get five seconds to wow them.

Promotion- Are source books dead?

To my surprise, the source books are dead according to this panel. Even from two years ago, the books that many art directors, creative director, art buyers, etc. used to look at are now viewed the same way the yellow pages are. Don't waste your money!

A great small size mailer is still important but working on the relationship with a potential client is far more important. Remember one of my top three must have books. "How to Win Friends and Influence People."

Classes, seminars and workshops are a must for all professionals to stay current and relevant. As the photography industry changes faster and faster you must stay up on all the latest your your business will fail. I love photography, I love to teach what I know but I also must make sure I am informed as our industry changes.

Always Dream Big!

Los Angeles Seminar- June 28th and 29th

20% discount to blog readers (online only)

Discount Code: CEAP

June 28th: Evening Event Only- $95.00 Details

June 28th and 29th: Intensive Workshop- $995.00 Details

Includes photo session with models

Special guest: Art Buyer from top advertising agency

Raffle Items on opening night include:

Sony A550 Camera

X-rite ColorChecker Passports

1 year subscription to PPA and full registration to Imaging USA

The International Faces of Beauty from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

I have a gift for you!

How lucky are we! There has never been a better time to be a photographer. With digital photography today you can purchase a camera and start taking pictures right away, and almost without any photographic knowledge. Could it get any better?

Dreams do come true. Today you have the opportunity to win a free Sony A550 camera and gain the valuable knowledge needed to use it to earn a great living. You also have the opportunity to win a year membership to PPA and full registration to Imaging USA, a package valued at $678.00! All photographers want great color in our images and to help you achieve that easier I will be giving away x-rite ColorChecker's passport as well! To top this all off, since you're a reader of this blog you get an extra bonus. Use this code to save 20% off your purchase on one or both days of the seminar.

Discount code: CEAP

(limit one discount per person)

Register today: Your Creative Experience

Los Angeles, CA - June 28th and 29th

Akron, Ohio - July 19th and 20th

Listen to what people had to say after a seminar.

Photo Seminar Testimonials from Matthew Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

I hope to see you soon!

Always Dream Big,

P.S. A big thanks to my sponsors and good friends Skip Cohen and Me Ra Koh

Please check the following blogs:

www.skipsphotonetwork.com

http://www.merakoh.com/blog

The Million Dollar Camera!

The million dollar camera is out and available, but it has always been. How do you make a million dollars in photography? Is it the camera or the visionary behind the camera. The million dollar camera is the camera you have now, or it may be the camera I'm giving away in Los Angeles on June 28th. The secret to making millions in photography is unlocking the hidden gems that are within you already. In order to discover your true potential you will need help and guidance. Today I want to offer help in the form of a discount for the readers of my blog. Enter the following code for a 20% discount on the Creative Experience Photo Seminar coming to Los Angeles, June 28th and 29th.

This discount is for a limited time so sign up today.

Code: CESC

Register

Why should you take a photo seminar?

1) You have dreams of being one of the best photographer in the world

2) You want to advance your photography to the next level

3) You want to enjoy your life and photography more

4) You want better color in your images

5) You can't figure out if you should shoot jpeg or raw

6) You hate dust on your sensor but don't know what to do

7) You want to discover how to spend less time on the computer and more time doing what you love.

8) You want to be around like minded people who you can learn from and stay abreast of the latest in photography

9) You want to learn the secrets that others have used to excel in their career.

10) You want to learn more lighting secrets and how to use lighting to get better images

11) You want to learn how to work with celebrities, models and others for stronger images

12) You want to get into Advertising photography

13) You want to win a free Sony camera

14) You want to win one of several free x-rite ColorChecker Passports

15) You want to shoot fashion and beauty photography

16) You want your images on the pages of magazines around the world

17) Your intimidated by your new camera and all those buttons :-)

18) You want to enjoy the art of photography and create iconic images

19) You want to know why its important to join photo organizations

20) You want to learn how to dream bigger

Los Angeles Seminar: Register

Discount code: CEAP

Always Dream Big

How to Thrive in Good and Bad Times-Seven Steps to Success

It's not supposed to be easy but you must believe in your dreams and goals if you want to achieve them. The universe will always test you to see how badly you want your success.

How do you make your dreams come true?

How do you thrive and succeed in good and bad times?

If you're an artist, how do you go from unknown to achieve success and fame?

Seven Action Steps to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

1) Believe fully in your dreams. At this moment pull out a pen and paper and write your dreams down. Stop where you are and do it now. This must be pen to paper as it needs to be in a tangible form. Keep this where you can look at it every day, because if you don't have your dreams in front of you then will disappear.

2) Surround yourself with positive people. Years ago when I created my first book, Sepia Dreams, I interviewed and photographed 50 celebrities and spoke with them regarding how they made their dreams a reality. I asked each one this question: Do you think it's important to surround yourself with people who are doing what you aspire to do? From Halle Berry to Tyra Banks, Samuel Jackson to Boris Kodjoe and Vanessa Williams, they each gave their own unique answer but the overwhelming response was that it was not necessary to be around people did the same thing, however it is vital to surround yourself with positive people. Even when negative things are thrown your way you must seek out the most positive way to handle the situation as this is simply the universe testing you and making you stronger. This is also necessary as you must be tested! Remember, it's not supposed to be easy. Stay positive as this is one of the keys to success and has worked for everyone from Richard Branson to Warren Buffett.

3) Find your team! You can't do this alone and this team should be supportive of your dreams. Years ago when I dreamed of being a photographer everyone around me said photography was only a hobby and not to be pursued as a career. When I wanted to do my first book everyone told me it takes years to get a book deal and most fail. I got my book deal in three days for a six figure advance. Now, what is your team? Team stands for Together Each Achieves More. These are the words Dominique Dawes spoke to me as I interviewed her for Sepia Dreams. Your team may be your best friend, teacher, mentor of simple somewhat else who is planning on success in their life. Become an success team together to empower each other when life throws a curve your way. Right now write down your team members for success. Do this now.

4) Devote Time. Give yourself the daily time you deserve for success. We all have busy lives and many of us say we have no time to do this or that, but Einstein, Kennedy, Martin and all the great people throughout history were all given the same amount of hours in a day to achieve their success. You must devote at least 15 min. a day to your dreams. If you work or attend school and give your entire day away then devote the last 15 minutes each night before bed for you. This is your time and you must take action for your dream to grow.

5) Roll the ball. The next 48 hours must be spent getting the ball rolling toward your dream. Don't put it off until next week or the weekend, or when you get your next check, etc. The universe is calling you to action now. You've been lead to this blog for a reason and it's the universe calling you to action. Today really is the first day of your new life and you can make your dreams come true. Get going!

6) Visualize. Spend five minuets a day in quiet with your eyes closed and visualize you at the point in your life when you are living your dreams. If you want to write a book then visualize yourself on the Oprah Show. See yourself in the outfit you will wear, feel the light from the stage on you and visualize the audience as they look at you and applaud all your hard work. If you don't have time to do this then do it when you are in the bathroom taking a shower or bath. This is a necessary step. You must see it in your mind first!

7) Get Out! Life doesn't happen behind a computer or on an ipad or ipod or iphone. Get out and do something you've never done and enjoy life. How does this help you achieve your dream? When you enjoy life your mind is fresh and able to create new and exciting things. You must be inspired to be great and our life experience is what connects us to the universe and all the secrets that it holds. Yesterday I photographed a hot air ballon launch for the first time and it made me feel alive.

This is your time to dream big, this is your time to make the most of your life no matter what you are doing now and where you are in your life. I dream years ago of being a photographer and shooting images for magazines and more. The funny thing is that when you have a dream the universe always makes it bigger than you ever thought. I am the only photographer in the world sponsored by Microsoft and Sony. I could not have planned that or even thought of that. I'd never heard of a photographer being sponsored before when it happened. Dream Big!

How do I dream big now? Even though I am living my dream it's not always easy, but again it's not supposed to be. We all have the ability to take control of our lives and change our future. I love photography. I may be photographing Polar Bears one day and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy the next, or Oprah one day and Cynthia Nixon the next for press on Sex and the City. Ray Allen from the Boston Celtics or kids in India and Nepal the next but it all started for me with a dream. Sometimes the universe takes over as in the case when Oprah decided to use my photograph of her to turn into an avatar on her show as she interviewed the director for Avatar, James Cameron.

The recession has slowed work for a lot of artist, photographers, models, etc, but it was slow after the dot.com bust and slow after 9/11 but those years where when I really excelled with my personal projects. Now during this recession I am again working on my personal projects. They range from my next book to the Hero's in the Struggle project, to a new project for charity in Switzerland in which I'm photographing young hollywood. Alyson Stoner, Robbie Amell will all hopefully be a part of this project but more on that later. The most important thing I can say is dream big each day and believe in yourself. Even when everyone around you tells you that your dream is not possible, believe in yourself and dream big!

Always Dream Big

To bring your photography dreams to life join me in Los Angeles on June 28th and 29th for the Creative Experience Photo Seminar: Details

Time is running out so register today!