Kristen Steele Photography

Dane Sanders at Imaging USA | Day 10

My brain is officially on information overload! So many incredible speakers, but my favorite from the first day of the conference was definitely Dane Sanders.

He is definitely the motivational speaker for photographers. He asked all of the photographers (there were thousands!) the question: Do you remember why you started taking pictures?

For me, I started taking pictures to capture the amazing moments that I had with my family. I know that I was a big picture-taker in elementary and middle school. Then, finally in high school I asked my parents for a “nice” camera. Thankfully, I have parents who love and support me and had the ability to see that my picture taking wasn’t just a fading hobby, but much more than that. I know that the treasured moments we share with our family and friends pass by all too quickly and if we don’t document them, they could fade away.

I don’t want those special moments to pass by for you or your family. I have a heart for people, I love to become part of your family for a day, get in your world, find out what you’re passionate about and capture all of the emotions that come with those things.

He called letting life pass you by “going on automatic.” For photographers, when we shoot in automatic mode, it means we’re not in control, we can’t manually adjust the settings to make the photo the way we want. So for a life-analogy, not going on automatic means living your life awake at the wheel, being alive and active in every aspect of your life and going ALL IN on anything that you’re doing.

So for 2010: I’m going ALL IN. I am taking my photography to a whole new level. I’ve had some amazing mentors over the past 6 months walking with me, helping me learn more about the craft of photography, learn more about how to run a successful luxury photography studio and to treat your clients the best. Bottom line: you’ll see changes in how I do things and all for the better.

Tags: dane sanders, Fast Track Photographer, ImagingUSA, my 2010 resolution, tasra 365, the 365 challenge

1. Dawn Beirnes says:

   January 15, 2010 at 11:47 am

   Hey!
   I started following your blog just a few weeks ago (Tennessee always captures my attention!) I am WAY new to photography, but so hoping to one day make a career from it. I’ll be excited to see how you take things to a new level this year! I am slowly learning to shoot in manual (taking it slow for now). I just wanted to say hi, love your work, I’ll be checking in to see the changes your hoping to make.

   Take care,
   Dawn

   Reply
2. Tasra Dawson says:

   January 15, 2010 at 2:14 pm

   Great post and image of Dane on stage. The perspective makes him look larger than life.

   So now I want to know how you got those cool social media squares to pop up at the bottom of your post. Too cute.

   Reply
3. K. Crafton says:

   January 17, 2010 at 10:31 am

   Wasn’t Dane fabulous? Go all in girl…so excited for you!

   Reply
4. Anna says:

   January 21, 2010 at 7:44 pm

   YAY! All in! This excites me, Kristin. I love the notes you posted regarding Dane’s seminar–they were my favorite points, as well. It was so invigorating and very, very few things are at 7am!

   Reply
5. Kylene Gay says:

   January 22, 2010 at 2:00 pm

   We must have been sitting right near each other! I was way down front too, so funny! Oh well, we met that night and I’m so glad we did. You’re a sweetpea!

   Reply
6. Charlotte Stringer says:

   January 23, 2010 at 10:17 pm

   He was fantastic! GO ALL IN! Love that shot you got!! TFS!!

   Reply