Early this year, I was interviewed by James Robinson for his blog, “James Robinson Photography Blog”. James puts his spotlight contemporary photographers that he finds interesting. I was featured on his blog a couple months ago while we were on a sabbatical from ExposingFashion.com, so we never shared it.

A little excerpt from my interview:

JRP: How do you keep productive and retain your creative edge under the current economic conditions?

Kevin Michael Reed: A photographer is usually the captain of his ship, whether it’s a small one man shop or a large studio. I compare our job to that of a CEO. We are the CEO of our little company, but we also have to be the creative force behind the company. I have been very fortunate that my company has not only survived through the last couple years, in fact we’ve grown.

My secret is Compartmentalization. A long word for a really simple philosophy … Only think about what you need to when you need to. If you sit there and think about the economy all the time, you will get depressed.

David Allen has a work productivity system called “Getting Things Done”. The basis of his system comes from a martial arts technique called “Mind Like Water”. Simply, only react to what you have to with the right amount of force when you have to, just like water. I suggest your readers look into the David Allen “Getting Things Done” productivity system, it has kept me on track when I have one hundred projects in motion.

By keeping on task and separating those two important parts of my business, the business from the creative, I feel like I’ve been able to successfully move through the last couple years.

One other secret. See the world. Get out there. Explore. I said it earlier, I get my inspiration from the world around me. Whether it’s a long walk on a beach, or a trip across the country. Just go out and explore! It helps clear your mind and keep your mind thinking creatively.

Take a look at the full interview Spotlight Interview … Fashion Photographer Kevin Michael Reed over on JR Photo Blog.

About the author

Kevin Michael Reed
Kevin Michael Reed (Google+, Facebook) is a fashion & beauty photographer and producer/director based in New York City and Los Angeles, CA. He is the President/CEO of RedFOG Visual Media, a production company in New York City, and a partner in Passion of Photography, Inc, a company dedicated to teaching photographers and sharing our passion through charitable causes. Kevin has lectured and hosted workshops throughout the United States and the world teaching photographers the business and creative sides of photography. (Kevin's Fashion & Beauty Photography Portfolio can be seen here).

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