Jayne Jones wrote:
I mean, if you had to pay Donald Trump $5000 to sit down with you to lunch and tell you a "no lose" way to succeed at business. . .would you do it?

Yes, I would....

But I continually pay to learn in this business. Whether it be for a seminar, attend a convention (PS World) or hire a model because I want to explore something new. It's all money spent on education and/or bettering myself.

As a senior photographer I have to change continuosly. SOmetimes I think it's worse than the fashion industry...

Jayne Jones wrote:
are you willing to go to succeed in life?

My definition of success has little to do with Trump-esque business practices or shooting international supermodels, but I have sacrificed things worth much more than 10K in the interest of integrity, duty, honor, and compassion.  If you measure success in those terms, then I'm willing to go all the way.

Jayne Jones wrote:
are you willing to go to succeed in life?

That is my "thought" provoking question for today.

There are several individuals whose work I admire, and stand in great awe of.  These individuals are true professionals, and their lifeblood is what they do.  The quality of their work, speaks volumes of their talent. . .and suggests that their services come with a rather high price tag.

Now, I'm definitely not of the "typical" model mold. . .but the opportunity to work with these individuals is sooooo tempting. . .it's almost scary. 

Would it be crazy to pay an obscene amount of money. . .for the chance to work with some of the very best in the business?  I mean, if you had to pay Donald Trump $5000 to sit down with you to lunch and tell you a "no lose" way to succeed at business. . .would you do it?  Would you pay $10,000 to shoot an internationally known, internationally famous, profoundly experienced model. . .if you were an aspiring photographer?  How far is too far to go in the name of personal development, progression, and just plain good old fashioned "opportunity"?

Thoughts?

**disclaimer: the dollar amounts shown have not been quoted to me, but are mere examples to assist in illustrating a point**

Realism in all things I think.
If I paid Donald trump that kind of money and got what I paid for would I be guarenteed as succeeding in my venture no matter HOW "no lose" the situation was meant to be?
If I didnt have the buisness brains I would not be as good as those who do.

To pay all that money for an internationally famous photographer?
Sure I would get some awesome images and I would no doubt be very proud of them and love them.
But would it make me better as a model?
I doubt it because I would be paying the photgrapher for their talent to make me look better.
It wouldnt be anything I was doing, I would still be just me. ..though it could possibly make me a Paris Hilton type figure if I had that sort of cash to spend so easily in the first place.
Would it give me a better portfolio and hopefully more work?..probably!

We do what we have to to be as good as we can be with what we have.
Sometimes that is more than others and othertimes it is less but as long as we have the will to keep going and the mind to keep striving to make the best of ourselves its all anyone can ask.

Sita Mae Edwards wrote:
If you're talking about flying out to California to do figure work with me, then of COURSE it's worth it! 

Silly rabbit.

You know you're on my list Sita!

Jayne Jones wrote:
Try and think outside the box a bit people.  The Trump and Supermodel examples. . .are examples not scenarios.

I'm asking, if you wanted to further your career. . .I'm assuming that anyone that has a career would like to be successful within it. . .how far would you go to do it?  How far is too far? 

Maybe i need a lesson in articulation. . .I think some are drastically missing my point (question) entirely.

If I were to open a retail shop, I of course would have to invest in advertising for exposure.  I could put signs down the block, ad in the local paper or go nationally televised and hire a celebrity spokes person.  It all comes down to risk and the amount of return for the investment.  Can you recoup the investment in a reasonable length of time?

Jayne Jones wrote:
Now we're getting to the meat of the meal.

but what if we're vegetarians?

Jayne Jones wrote:
Now we're getting to the meat of the meal.

KM von Seidl wrote:
but what if we're vegetarians?

Then we're down to the brussel sprouts.  Happy? 

capturecharacter wrote:
I've already spent tens of thousands on my dreams... and it's resulted in a rich tapestry of experiences that no one else could claim. No holds barred. No lingering "unanswered questions". No regrets.  :-)

No regrets. . .I like that.

I'm saving what I can, and I plan to use that to take some serious steps to enhance myself. . .shoot with people I neve would have known about had it not been for MM. . .and hopefully grow.  Even if I don't get to where I want to be. . .I think that I'm going to be partaking in some experiences of a lifetime.  There are things that I hope to do, and are planning to do, that some people will never have th opportunity to do.  I think that would make it worth it.  Plus. . .if nothing else, I'll have some FANTASTIC images to put in my book. . .that my kids can pull out when I'm old and be like "damn. . .that's MOM??"

Jayne Jones wrote:

Jayne Jones wrote:
Now we're getting to the meat of the meal.

Then we're down to the brussel sprouts.  Happy? 

Actually, I'm not a vegetarian. I'm craving sushi right now.  But I was speaking up for them.  The presence of brussel sprouts will undoubtably give them immense pleasure, ty!

KM von Seidl wrote:
but what if we're vegetarians?

Jayne Jones wrote:
Then we're down to the brussel sprouts.  Happy? 

Hardly as tasty as a juicy steak!

KM von Seidl wrote:
but what if we're vegetarians?

Jayne Jones wrote:
Then we're down to the brussel sprouts.  Happy? 

Hardly as tasty as a juicy steak!

Curt Burgess wrote:

KM von Seidl wrote:
but what if we're vegetarians?

Hardly as tasty as a juicy steak!

Why do you repeat repeat everything twice?

capturecharacter wrote:
In my mind.... there's nothing more "costly" than being on my death bed looking back and wondering "what if I had just..."

I just finished watching and rewatching Kurosawa's Ikuru, a film about an older man who has spent his whole life shuffling papers, and who finds out he has terminal stomach cancer with less than 6 months to live.  The word, ikuru, supposedly roughly translates into "to live," and that's what Kurosawa examines.

It's a very good film.

theda wrote:
not very far

Wow. . .there's a lot of room between you and Marko. 

KM von Seidl wrote:
I'm willing to throw escorts into the wood chipper.

Isn't that woodchipper of your's getting a little worn out by now?

 

Electra T wrote:
I'm willing to sacrifice my time and energy and to a certain extent my money. I won't sacrifice my morals, my family or my pride.

Success is happiness, and i don't think one should equate happiness with material goods...so nah i wouldn't pay the donald. Maybe bill gates but not donald.

Hmmmm. . .interesting.

Dave Wright Photo wrote:
I'm not investing any money into a photography business, that's for damn sure.

Glad you have a sense of humor.

Electra T wrote:
Maybe bill gates but not donald.

prefer the billionaires to millionaires?