Read the Dan Bailey Photo Newsletter, Jan 2020 Edition
Published: Thu, 01/09/20
Happy new year and happy new decade!!
This is always an exciting time, as the beginning of the calendar always spurns a combination of reflection on the past year and new ideas for the coming year as well.
As you look back and also look forward to 2020 and beyond, take some time to consider where your photography has come during the past year, or in the past few years. Give some thought where you want it to go in the coming months and years.
I hope that you saw your own photography grow in 2019. Maybe you visited some memorable locations, or had some breakthroughs in skill or mindset and got at least a few images that you’re really proud of. Even if you felt you struggled in 2019, remember that photography is a journey. Sometimes the road leads to small gains, but as you keep traveling it, improvement will always come.
I can’t even believe all the stuff that happened last year, let alone last decade. As I look back briefly on the photography-related events that shaped my life between 2010 and 2019, I’m astounded to see where my career and artistry have taken me.
Ten years ago, I was still shooting Nikon DSLRs, I had only just started exploring the world of aviation and my life as a blogger was in its infancy. In addition to building my own blog, I was writing for a site called The Photoletariat. I know that some of my readers today were actually introduced to me on that site. (Let me know if you’re one of them!)
Essentially, that’s when I first started to gain a following as an educator and someone who worked to inspire others to increase their own skill and confidence with photography. It’s amazing to think where that has led me in ten years, because as it’s turned out, that’s become the prominent focus of of my entire photography life.
Of course, I have you to thank for that. It’s followers like you that have allowed me to pursue this road with photography, and it continues to motivate me day after day, year after year. The bottom line is that I know just how satisfying it is to create a compelling image, no matter if you’re a pro or a total novice.
I also know what kind of potential we all have for influencing the world with our imagery and our art, even if it’s on a very small level. Even if you only create images for yourself, that still makes a difference in the world, and it's this notion drives me with so much dedication.
So, with the deepest gratitude, I want to thank you again for your support during the past year, or the past few years, if you’re one of my longtime followers. In a very large world, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you continue to tune in to what I have to say and show on a continuing basis. It makes me feel awesome to know that you guys genuinely appreciate all that I do.
New Ideas for 2020 and New Ways to Explore My Work
Continuing on, I want to give you even more. I want to expand the ways in which you’re able to enjoy and connect with my work that don’t always involve looking at my photos on computers and mobile devices.
This is an aspect of digital photography that I’m not always totally in love with, and I know the same is true for some of my readers. In fact, many of you have told me that you’d rather have print books that eBooks, and while that isn’t always feasible on my end, as technology marches forward there are some exciting things that we can do.
Starting this year, I plan to create limited edition magazines and photography journals that will allow you to connect with my work in even more personal and intrinsic ways that what you get on a screen.
These will be filled with some of my latest and most favorite imagery, and photo essays that take you behind, and even beyond the imagery and offer you even greater insight into my creative process.
These will be special, exclusive publications that won’t be available for purchase on my site. In fact, they won’t be for traditional purchase at all. I’ve decided to offer these through my brand new Patreon page, which I’m excited to launch this week.
If you haven’t heard of Patreon before, it’s a site that allows creators to build a community with their followers, and allows people to offer direct support to the artists and creators they feel enrich their lives.
In that way, it lets creators build a deeper relationship with their most dedicated fans and reward them with exclusive benefits that reflect this kind of personal support.
Through my Patreon page, I would like to offer you a unique experience to partner with me as I explore new creative avenues in my photography, and give you something extra in exchange for their direct support. Something special.
Each month, I’ll create special content that’s exclusive to my Patreon members. These could be PDF files, audio or video clips, interviews that answer question you send me, “behind the scenes” materials etc… I’ll also have specific rewards to recognize and express my gratitude to members who support me in different tiers, as well as the special publications I mentioned above.
The Possibility for Greater Things
I feel this platform offers a wonderful two-way street, because if on a fundamental level, this kind of direct patronage allows me to produce and deliver better, more targeted content to you, which will in turn, help you learn and be inspired in new ways. It can even lead to greater things for both of us.
For example, I could set specific earnings-based and community-based goals that would offer you an even better learning experience, maybe things like:
• Getting rid of ads on my blog
• Specially published books & journals
• A monthly chat or webcast with members
• Increasing the style, quality, location of my video lessons
• Making it possible to do in-person workshops with you guys in some cool location.
Of course, this is entirely voluntary. There’s never an obligation to subscribe to my blog or any of my free content, but if you would like to support my efforts in a way that extends beyond purchasing the occasional eBook, then Patreon gives you an outlet to do so. It’s completely optional, and you can donate, invest, whatever you want to call it, in whatever amount or time frame you wish. Or not. It’s your choice.
If you are curious about this new outlet, or if you would like to offer me your support in this realm, you can read more here. Or, contact me directly with any questions.
What Do You Want From Me in 2020?
During the past year, I’ve expanded into new areas of instruction, with free video tutorials on my YouTube channel, my exclusive monthly video series, Photography On The Brain, while continuing to write more articles and features on my blog, as well as writing & updating my books & ebooks. I definitely keep myself busy, but I want to make sure that I’m giving you what you guys want, and what you feel will help you the most.
So, I’d like to ask you, what you want to see from me this year? In addition to the new offerings I mentioned above, are there specific tutorials or subjects you’d like to see me cover on my YouTube channel? Webinars, podcasts, new ebooks or other types of educational content?
Different types of videos or article types you’d like to see? New course types? I do plan to start doing some standalone video courses that cover a variety of topics, so let me know what topics you’d like to see me cover.
Please know that I welcome your feedback, so I’d love to hear your input on this.
Shooting Close to Home
In our social media world, we’re forever bombarded by amazing photos and checklists of “bucket list” destinations that make us think that we have to travel far out of the way in order to make great photographs.
While I would always encourage traveling, as it’s good for the soul, don’t fall into the trap and think that traveling is the prerequisite for creating great photos.
We all have beauty and visually appealing subject matter within close proximity to our front doors, but the truth is that we often get jaded by our familiar surroundings. It happens to everyone, and so it takes extra effort and a relaxed mindset to go looking for the beauty that exists right under our noses.
Even as you plan for far away adventures this year, make sure you’re taking some time to explore the scenes that are close to you. It might take some extra effort to overcome the natural apathy we often gain from seeing the same stuff every day, but if you exercise your creative brain pay closer attention, perhaps try a different lens or photography approach than you usually use, then it will pay off. I promise you.
No matter where you live, there’s something very close to your house that has the potential to be the subject of an amazing photo.
I know this a lot to think about, so I’ll end this issue here. Thanks again for your support , and if there are any awesome images you’d love to share with me, feel free to tag me on social media or post them to my Outdoor Adventure Photography Flickr Group.
I wish you the best of luck, good fortune and maximum creativity in 2020 and I look forward to being part of your photography journey this year.
Very best regards,
Dan
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