Why You Should Approach Life Like A Photographer

In the days of Instagram everyone and their mom is a photographer.

When we look to buy a new phone, the first feature we evaluate is the camera.

It seems like smartphones are more likely to have a camera feature than a phone feature.

We're all high end photographers that are ready to go at the blink of an eye.

Except we're not.

Real photographers have a whole different mindset to their craft than your aunt Gretta.

Photographers have the power to take any single moment in life and freeze it in time forever.

That's super special.

But professional photography is even more valuable than just taking impactful photos.

The way photographers approach their craft is exactly how we should approach life to get the best results.

There are many key lessons we can learn from the skill of photographers but here's one that I know will change your life for the better.

Look at the whole picture.

If I went through my phone right now and looked at my last one hundred photos, there would be an obvious pattern that emerges.

There would be some cool photos, and many photos memorable to my life. But there wouldn't be any professional photos.

And the biggest reason you or anyone else would be able to tell my photos weren't professional is because of the bad framing.

Some photos will be off center.

Some photos will have a random stranger walking in the background.

Side note: Go through and count how many times someone is photobombing in your last 100 photos. You'll be surprised.

And many photos will have a head, leg, or arm cut off by the edge of the frame.

Those are all unprofessional photos for one single reason.

We everyday people, fail to look at the whole picture when we take our photos.

And the same is happening in our lives.

When you go to work maybe you're doing all the tasks, showing up on time, and always dressing the part...

But you still can't get a promotion.

If you looked at the whole picture, maybe you'd realize you aren't putting enough effort into networking or socializing with colleagues. 

If you're trying to pass chemistry class for the third time while taking private tutor lessons but still not getting better...

Maybe you aren't paying attention in class and asking questions to your teacher.

There are so many different factors to finding success in any area of life.

We all have a tendency to focus in on just one or two areas. And that often leaves a key factor neglected.

I've been going to the gym every weekday for almost six months trying to get bigger.

And while I've seen some physical improvements, my weight hasn't budged up and has actually gone down some weeks.

After talking with a personal trainer family friend, I realized my diet hasn't changed at all since I started working out.

I missed the whole picture.

The best photographers in the world will analyze the whole picture before they snap a photo.

The background has to be clear, your hair perfectly straight, your head tilted 45 degrees, and nothing out of focus.

Then click!

The camera flashes and captures a seemingly perfect moment.

In what ways are you leaving things out of focus?

If you look at the whole frame and adjust your settings can you create your picture perfect lif...

In progress,

Tim Lightwork