Be the Change

If you want to make the world a better place, then be the change you want to see in it. This is the most simplest of advice that all of us have heard our entire lives.  However, it is the most effective and the more daring of methods, and so not enough of us instill this wisdom in our practices.

It might be that girl, the one you’re looking at.  She’s that model in the magazine and she is everything a girl would want to be.  But the world doesn’t know that she might have an eating disorder or be addicted to any kind of drug.  She is such a good actress that no one suspects a thing, and she makes both vices look cool to everyone around her.  However, the perfume in the ad smells even sweeter because she is selling it.  You’d never guess that your fantasy girl might have problems herself.  One day it’ll be too late, because everyone around her refuses to notice or intervene.

Or maybe it’s the actor on the big screen.  He can’t distinguish real relationships from fake ones and so he is depressed.  He abuses alcohol on a regular basis.  But it makes everything better for him, and he is able to smile on camera.  Perhaps he suffers from a recent accident, or perhaps a parasitic cancer is consuming his body.  But he finds a way to numb the pain and do what he loves.  It puts pep in his step and a twinkle in his eye.  And people idolize him.  He keeps it a secret until he can’t conceal it anymore.

It’s probably the song you can’t get enough of on the radio.  Did you know the songwriter committed suicide a month after her song hit the charts?  She found the passion to write after she was recently attacked and raped.  She experimented dangerously with drugs and ODed three times in a week before the fourth attempt took her.  She tried to cry out to the world through another voice, and still no reply came that would save her.  The artist now sings the song with so much emotion and honor, it is hard not to believe it is not her own and no one remembers the pain of the songwriter.

These are popular themes in all types of work, the entertainment industry included.  However if we take Michael’s advice, the world would be better instantly.  For example, I work out instead of eating too little, I prefer to use raw/minimally-edited photos, and I strive to lift others up along with me, rather than isolating myself from inspirational talent.  Be the change you want to see in the world and lead by example.  Make an impression that lasts a lifetime and put your efforts toward that which matters.  How can you make a change?  Go out of your way to throw that energy into the universe and see what you reap.  Maybe it’s eating better, not smoking, saving money, being more considerate or humble, recycling, etc.  Whatever you choose to pass forward, good luck and stay true!

Make Your Portfolio Scream Who You Are

Been thinking of joining the entertainment industry?  It's extremely simple to try it and get a taste of the life style.  However, like any other job, an abundance of hard work is needed to become a serious contributor in the industry.  The only thing you need to get started is a port.


A portfolio is a basic collection of pictures shot by/of you.  In other areas of the industry, it may be more dynamic to compose an audio clip that showcases other aptitudes.  Your port should be constructed of images that represent who you are and your relevant goals.  For example, a 5'2" hand model's portfolio would include pictures that established what type of work she is looking for.  It would be unwise and an inefficienf use of space for her to include runway or athletic shots.

A portfolio is merely a picture resume: it should be a small series of simple shots that display your talents, interests, and goals.  Start with what you have, a couple headshots, a body shot, and a swimsuit shot.  This is all you need to give anyone a glimpse of who you are so they are able to create concepts to shoot with you.  The more experience you attain and the more skilled you become will speak for itself as your port grows and new captures are added.  Remember that a portfolio is a small composite of your work, so as it grows, you should cycle out less recent or irrelevant shots so that it remains current. In this way, it is possible to control the type of work that presents itself to you because your desired role in the industry will be determined.  

One thing that I have noticed is that when a new artist enters the entertainment industry, they may not have the knowledge to focus their thought, efforts, and energy into one area.  The industry's size can be overwhelming and intimidating.  If you do not dedicate your talents to your prospective specialty, it will be reflected in your port and you will receive an unstructured variety of work.  Make sure you approach every task with intentions and objectives so as to continue gathering relevant experience and wisdom.  Concentrate your efforts and build a base beneath one centralized area so as not to confuse anyone watching you grow.

Being versatile is not a negative thing; one should take some time to explore the industry, as not everyone enters into the best field for them.  However, remember what it is you are centering your port around.  KEEP YOUR VISION CLEAR.  The correlations should make a spider-web pattern that is clean and crisp.  The more serious you are of remaining in the industry, the more effort should go into your port.  If you are enjoying a hobby, perhaps your collection should be one of playful images or one that expresses what draws you to photography.

Finally, your portfolio is your showcase.  Take the time to include quality pictures.  Rushing a shoot is the easiest and quickest way to sabotage it.  Good luck and be beautiful!