How To Be Unique

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.
~ Walt Disney

Have you ever thought about what it takes to be unique? We throw the word around all the time. You can hear it in many different advertising campaigns. When you’re out networking, people say they have a unique product or a unique idea. But do they really? What does it really take to be unique?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Unique means:

1. being the only one
2. being without a like or equal
3. unusual

And while it sounds easy to be unique, in fact it’s actually quite difficult. Each one of us was born unique. But something happened along the way. We were molded and shaped by the things around us – parents, peers, culture, school, society – creating who we are today.

You can’t be unique by heading out and copying everyone else. If you are using another photographer as a model, you’ll never be unique. Stating you’re a generalist – a wedding, baby, family, senior, commercial – photographer will lump you into the pile with everyone else.

But if you can’t use someone else as your role model, how do you do it? How do you create that new path for your business?

Remain True To Yourself

What makes you happy? What would you love doing more than anything else? Take that and create a path for your photography. If you really want to specialize in babies, don’t take on wedding just to pay the bills. It will take away from your true path.

Invent Your Own Style

People love an experience, not just a photo session. How can you give them what they want? Instead of playing dress up with small children, how can you turn your studio into a fairyland? Dump several tons of sand on the floor? Fill it with old-fashioned flowers, plants and furniture to give it an old-world feel? Think outside the box, and give people something they’ve never seen, and don’t expect.

Educate Yourself

Do you do the same ol’ thing day after day? Or do you do things for inspiration? The easiest way to find something new is to head over to your local book store for an hour or two. Head over to the magazine section, and start picking up magazines – cooking, family, technology, crafting and more. There are hundreds of titles, and many of them will start you thinking in a whole new way. Buy one or two that provide you with true inspiration – remember, you are looking for new ideas in different industries that you can “steal” and bring into your photography business.

Follow Your Heart

Find a way to combine your loves and interests with your photography. If you got into photography because of your kids, then follow your heart into children’s photography. If you’ve always wanted to photograph models for fashion shoots, start working in that industry. With over 6 billion people on earth, there is enough interest to go around, and millions of ways for you to combine your love with a great business idea.

Release Your Insecurities

Many people give up on their ideas when they hear the word “no”. Never believe anyone – even your relatives or close friends – when they tell you your idea is bad, or you won’t succeed. No or negatives mean you are on to something. You are getting close to a great idea. Have faith in what you are doing, what you are thinking, and keep moving ahead.

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clientexperience@todaysgrowthconsultant.com' About Virtual Photography

We're the co-founders of VirtualPhotographyStudio.com and have been writing on this blog since 2004. We started Virtual as a way to help photographers stretch beyond a part time income, and develop strategies to become a Five Figure Photographer or a Six Figure Photographer. Ultimately its all about lifestyle, and if your goal is to live as a photographer 24/7, we think you should have the knowledge and the tools to do so. Welcome!

  • http://www.creativeMphoto.com Monika

    Thank you!! I needed this positive bit of info today!

  • http://www.kerstenbeck.com Erik Kerstenbeck

    Hi

    This is a great inspiration note – I try to be unique by not looking at ordinary things in ordinary ways. For example, this photo is of a typical bench on a beach. But when I used this different perspective it old a whole new story!

    Waiting For You: http://t.co/nkMa9nb

    Regards, Erik Kerstenbeck
    Kerstenbeck Photographic Art