A theory: to succeed in today’s capitalist economy, you must be creative.

THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER.

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER Marketing, Branding, Entrepreneurship Principles For Success.

1. Why did Apple win?

Apple/Steve Jobs stealing from Picasso

For example, I think the reason that Apple has beat Microsoft is that Apple was a much more creative company.

Apple has the DNA of artists — they seek to simplify, where’s Microsoft seeks to complicate and make more complex.

Apple also helps empower millions of artists and creatives around the world — they create tools (devices like their MacBook laptops, their iPads, iPhones) and creative software (iMovie, garage band, Final Cut Pro, logic x) which allow individuals to CREATE artwork.

2. Creativity is good money

Cross pollinate with MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER

Creative capitalism is this:

Make money in today’s capitalist economy, by empowering regular individuals to be more creative.

Or,

The most creative companies and products are the ones that will succeed.

For example, HAPTIC INDUSTRIES is a creative visual company — a company that seeks to make tools to empower individuals to be more creative (books to be creative every day, or photographic equipment that encourages photographers to make more photos).

CREATIVE EVERYDAY

CREATIVE EVERYDAY BY HAPTICPRESS

CREATIVE EVERY DAY by HAPTICPRESS

What if you were CREATIVE EVERYDAY?

3. You can cultivate your creativity

Spread from MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER // yes to creative experiments

As an aside, I want to distinguish between “creative” as being resourceful, and “creative” as making stuff.

Creativity: the mental trait and character to come up with novel solutions to difficult problems.
Creative: Productive as an artist, to CREATE a lot of stuff.

To be clear, “creativity” isn’t some trait that you’re either born with or not. I think creativity is like a muscle — something that grows stronger the more you practice your visual muscles, and something that gets weaker or atrophies when you don’t use it.

For example, treat your photography and visual art like muscles. You must use it or lose it. Do daily visual pushups by studying any form of visual art, and always push yourself — muscles only grow when we stress and challenge our muscles.

Conclusion: Creative principles to succeed in today’s world

How to Become Your Own Master Marketer from THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER. Design by ANNETTE KIM

If you’re a photographer to succeed in today’s world,

Make more creative photos, that stand out — photos that don’t look like the photos of others. An idea, if you’re a wedding or portrait photographer, don’t just take pretty “bokeh” photos shot wide open. Be like NEIL TA — combine and cross-pollinate street photography with wedding photography.
Empower your clients: as a photography workshop instructor, I seek to empower my students, to have more confidence to make photos in street photography, to overcome hesitation, and to have more creative confidence. Any service you offer that empowers your client in terms of their creativity is a good thing.
Make sure design and art is part of your company DNA: don’t just make functional products, make them beautiful. Make your website as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing as possible, but also make sure it is functional and usable. As Einstein said, make it as simple as possible, but not any simpler.

How do you stand out as a photographer in today’s fragmented and over saturated digital world? Pick up a copy of MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER, and learn practical and philosophical tools to empower yourself.

BE BOLD,
ERIC