Just wanted to wish happy holidays and happy new year to everyone!

So what about resolutions? Instead of dwelling on events that happened this year, I am just going to list 11 things (because top 10 lists are for cowards) that I am going to do to change and that I’ve learned from my experience, or the experience of others so that I make the following new coming year even better:

1. New “no-stress policy” - When you have someone like me stresses over every tiny little thing, I am going to simply ignore the little things that are not an important asset to my life. That right there just knocks off 50% of what bugs me.
2. “Stay in school” - If only the new applicant process didn’t take FOREVER! I’m still waiting to get accepted into SCAD. The holidays don’t exactly help.
3. “Don’t be used.” – That statement pretty much speaks for itself. I can’t speak for other artists, however, I can speak for myself as a photographer. In this industry, a lot of people are full of crap, period. Especially when you are a photographer just beginning in the business, they’ll suck you dry and if they can’t get it from you they’ll get it from someone else. They don’t even support you 100%. They make announcements supporting (more like apple polishing) every other photographer with a bigger reputation, but what about the little guy? You have worked with them (for free) a lot, but are you even on their top friends on myspace among the other noteworthy photographers? (Myspace is a joke by the way – I don’t take that crap seriously however no harm in mentioning for those who do, haha.) Not everybody walks with their nose up in the air, but hey, doesn’t mean you won’t cross by one who does. Open your eyes, and you can see through somebody. This applies to things like relationships too! Stand up, and don’t be used.
4. “Stay positive!” – Even when it’s hard sometimes.
5. “Keep it to yourself.” – I should have learned from the mistakes of others.  If it doesn’t concern your friends, do not involve them. Involving people into things that should only be between you and somebody else is juvenile. Those who believe every little thing they hear, even worse. All applies, unless you are giving an informative review on a business on yelp.com or something.
6. “You are what you eat.” – You are also how you feel. Lets see how cutting back on fatty things and stress do for me next year!
7. “Let them say what they want to say, let them think what they want to think.” – When you are an artist, or an entertainer of sorts – nothing will stop this. Everyone is going to have an unjustified opinion about something or about you.  Whether it is true or not: refer to number 1.
8. “Focus on yourself.” – Actually this doesn’t apply to me but I’m putting it out there because it is good advice in reference to number 7. Don’t worry about others and instead, spend time perfecting your skill and craft.
9. “Take a challenge.” - If all else fails, at least you can say you tried!
10. “Be yourself.” – I am saying this because I’ve had quite a few cases were my work was ripped in one way or another for use of someone else’s promotion or “talented” abilities. We were all made different for a reason. Unless you drew or painted one of my pictures (which is flattering to me and all I do is add the drawing/painting to my myspace page with credits to the artist) it’s totally not cool to replicate in the form of graphic design or photography without giving proper credit to where your inspirations came from. Unless it’s something so generic like pin-up, some of my more “digitally creative” works have bit more meaning. “Digitally creative” in the sense that I had to manipulate the picture to get it to look a certain way because in real life that would be impossible. It goes beyond the editing process because some of the stuff I do is meaningful to me and my business.
11. “Don’t complain too much.” - Can’t say I’ve never complained about things not worth complain about.  But when is it too much? Oh, when your partner didn’t get you that brand winter collection Coach purse. Seriously, I think there are people out in the world that would never be able to afford something like a purse, period. Be grateful for what you already have.

It’s been an awesomely creative year for me and I appreciate having the opportunity to work with many talented individuals. I’ve learned so much about this industry, and I feel I’ve accomplished a lot in just one year. I even had my first cover, and several tear sheets this year, and to me that’s more than I could have asked for considering I’ve met so many awesome people along the way. I am going to continue to focus on what I love to do, and that’s create art! I am looking forward to another year full of creative challenges and positive energy!

Lets make next year better than the last!