Be Yourself - Everyone Else Is Already Taken

Be Yourself - Everyone Else Is Already Taken
 

I saw this sign at a restaurant and thought it was really cool and so true.  When I photograph people, my goal is to get them to be themselves.  Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it takes a bit of work.  It is worth every bit of effort because the final portrait shows the real person, their personality, their character - the person they really are.  How many of us are really being ourselves?  We are so influenced by media, our peers and who knows what else, that we forget who we really are.  I have often struggled with this as I am sure some of you have as well.  You admire someone and want to be like him or her, such as the way they dress, how they decorate or in my case their photographic work.  The list goes on.  Why not be unique and a trend setter?  Do your stuff the way that only you know how.  You and only you, have a unique gift and talent that only you know how to make shine.  So what if people think you’re weird!  Who is normal?  If someone tells you that you are weird just look them in the eye and say “Good! I don’t want to be like everyone else.”  You are one of a kind, and you are important.