"We live in a society driven by the idea that everything must be counted and then judged on the basis of how many of something we have accumulated—more is usually better." - J. W. TRAPHAGAN

Let that quote sink in….because people, it’s so true for so many of us. And if it’s not true for you, it probably is for your kids or grand-kids. And we have to do better…because patterns are showing that the MORE we have, the emptier we feel.

I started noticing this trend several years after opening my photography business. I was tired of being a “delivers almost everything, even the mediocre” photographer and wanted to really begin focusing on quality and service for my clients. I changed my business model to be a “lower volume but higher quality” approach, and you would have thought I had declared war on some of my inquiring clients. “But Rosie in Timbucktoo gives me 300 pictures from my session….” “You mean I only get around 80 images to pick from? I would like to have at LEAST 150-200” …It went on and on and I couldn’t really wrap my mind around it…

Why would a client rather have 300 images that they had to sift and sort through, in order to find the 20 that they really, really loved (and would probably be the ONLY ones they would ever use for prints, screen savers, gifts ect) I mean honestly, what does one DO with 300 okay images they they aren’t really in love with? Well, I can tell you…nothing.

It certainly shook my confidence a little in the beginning, but I knew this mindset didn’t fit the service I wanted to provide. I wanted my clients to only see the BEST of the BEST, and that is what I have stuck to ever since. I KNOW it loses me bookings…but have come to terms with not being what everyone is looking for, because the clients who want to be taken care of and receive the best images possible, love what I provide them.

…THE WHOLE THING GOT ME THINKING…

When did we become a society SO obsessed with QUANTITY and quit caring about QUALITY. I can guarantee you that my grandparents did not get 300 subpar images from Olan Mills (if you don’t know, google it). They got 1-5 really amazing images that they loved and bought and still treasure and display to this day…

but this doesn’t just occur with photography

We as a society want MORE!

More Followers…

More Likes…

More Square-footage…

More Money…

More choices on…clothes and cars and chocolate chips (for crying out loud!)

More Christmas Presents …

Even in schools we get more money for more butts in seats…

Why is this bothersome? Because, the constant focus on quantity takes us away from something much more paramount: Quality.

A CHALLENGE TO CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

So I challenge you to see how the world looks different for you when you shift the focus to quality…and quit obsessing over quantity.

INSTEAD OF I wish I had 10K Followers…THINK: How many loyal and REAL friends do I have?

INSTEAD OF I wish I had more money…THINK: I am going to invest in experiences

INSTEAD OF I wish I had more time with ______ …THINK: I’m going to make every minute I have with _____ amazing.

The real value in life does not lie in numbers, in lies in meaning and quality.

Are you making the most of it?