Power to Choose

Choice is one of the most powerful forces I can think of (after energy). This is the simplest concept that's the most overlooked. It's overlooked by parents, friends, relatives, teachers, managers, employees, neighbors, etc. Almost to the point of being ignored. Never by choice though.

Some of the hardest choices I made were the choices I didn't make. The choices I didn't realize I could have made. Think about it. You did the same thing. You also know someone who did the same (or did not that is). Every single step was determined by a choice catalyst from us.

Each of one of us has the power to choose anything we want in this life. You want something, it's yours if you want it. Such an idealistic concept some might say. I don't think so. I believe it to be more logical than anything else.

You made a choice when you decided to skip a day of work. You made a choice when you decided to study for that exam. You made a choice when you decided what career you wanted. All of everything you are now, or more like where you are now, are all the results of choices you made. In some cases, a choice of letting someone else make the choice for you. Regardless, all of the choices made aligned up the necessary steps to make your choice come to fruition.

The other day, my brother said we are destined with certain things meant for us. I sat there listening and my brain could not compute that thought process. I interrupted almost immediately as if I were attacking the poor guy, but I passionately disagreed.

Destiny is as proven as the earth is flat. It's a narrow perception until someone gets far enough to realize it's just not true. This is where choice comes in. You have the power to choose your destiny. It's not determined. If someone can prove otherwise, I'll be happy to listen.

Fate and destiny are the two most famous excuse words I can think of. Excuse of why you don't have something or why your life isn't where you want it to be. If you're using these words to this day, remove them from your vocabulary all together. Throw them out. Stop using these words as the ticket out of accountability. Not to others, but to yourself.

If you want a word, remember fault. It was always your choice to be happy. If you're not, it's your fault. Without going into writing an entire book, just contemplate the root of any complicated situation and where it began. The fault lies within the choice that was not made, leading to the domino affect. You may have never realized at that time you had the power to choose. Worse, you were never taught you did.

It's sad that you can trace back generations where this simple concept wasn't shared somewhere along the line. From my own personal experience, I can attest to how such a valuable lesson would have done wonders in my own life very early on.

Years from now when you are older and even wiser, you won't look at your life as a destiny, but a journey you took with the turns being the choices you made. Forget years from now, why not choose to do so now?

Choice is connected to our instinct. That gut feeling of doing what makes us happy or receive satisfaction.

Maybe it shouldn't be the power to choose, but rather the will to choose.

Well, it is your choice. Always has been. Always will be.

Wedding Invitations & Planning Made Easier: Google Docs

Getting addresses for all of your wedding guests is probably one of the hardest things about wedding invitations & planning. Watch this video on how you can use Google Docs to send out a form to all of your friends & family to complete, making your job a hundred times easier. Of course, you can use this for so many other things too. I've always loved Google Docs for all it's sharing abilities, but this will certainly save a lot of couples one less headache.

Letter To A Wedding Photographer

I've always been fascinated by the power a letter carries. Call me old fashioned, but someone taking the time to write to you is nothing short of wonderful. What makes it even more beautiful is when you have moved someone by just doing what you love. A few days ago I received just such a letter and it made my day.

"Subject: Standing Ovations

Spring has hit northern california with blue skies and a lowlying chill in the air but for a brief moment I forgot it finding myself captured by your photography.

The moment you held in your hand: the woman in a wheel chair watching the young man, the couple in love, a busy dance floor and lingering cigar smoke, I am enthralled and in awe of you talent.

My vision of photography has been that which you possess: to capture the moments that flee us. The notions that exist while everyone is busy posing and smiling. That which makes up the experience of life.

You made me cry this morning and for that I am thankful. I needed to know that I was not insane for feeling passionately about photography.

Cheers, Amina"

Dear Amina, thank you for sharing your thoughts & kind words. You can never be insane for being passionate about you dreams. Regret only sets in when you don't follow them.

Pakistani Indian Wedding Photography Slideshow

Who doesn't love a sweet little slideshow? This is from a Pakistani wedding. Enjoy.

Upgrade to Aperture 3 or Not

Someone asked me on Facebook why I don't think it's the right time to upgrade to Aperture 3 from Aperture 2. I thought I'd share my opinion here.

Many of the features are not advantageous at this time to justify an upgrade. Looks are one thing, functionality is another. Cool brushes and gizmos sound great in A3, however A2 is still fantastic for its intended objectives. Things such as facial recognition and geotracking won't help much, especially if you're shooting weddings. If you need that, you can always use iPhoto '09, which has had these features for a year now. Video editing is nice, but you really have to identify your requirements before being sold on the novelty of it. If you're into the whole 'fusion' of photo & video, that's a different story, but then it's also safe to say your using video editing software already as well. The slideshow incorporation with video, photos, & music sounds lovely though.

At this time, I personally don't find it feasible to upgrade, especially with reports of it slowing down/crashing for users if you have anything 4GB or less. It's 64-bit, which makes it easier to add & utilize more RAM, however, this means you will need to purchase what?...More RAM because its made to utilize it knowing it will require it. What a conundrum. Another pain right now is migrating your A2 libraries to A3. If you try to do the entire upgrade in one go, it takes a crap and no one knows why for now. I guess the other option would be try migrating one project at a time, but boy that's gonna take up some time if you've got a bunch of those. It simply will not run fast enough or crash when on a MBP running at 4GB when you've cropped at 100% to edit a photo. So either upgrade the RAM or buy a new machine.

These additional stresses, headaches, & costs need to be considered and should probably be listed under *System Requirements* with "$99 for Software Upgrade Fee, Additional Hardware Costs Required, Motrin Optional." Best thing to do: Wait for all fixes or version 3.1, try a 30-day trial of v3, or explore other options such as Lightroom or Lightroom 3 Beta.

In closing, I see far too many photographers and independent businesses get sold on the marketing sheepdom of buying the latest equipment and the latest software. If you were running a 50-employee company all using the current software, you would make more logical assessments based on hardware/software requirements and costs for all 50 people. If you have to upgrade the hardware in addition to the software, you're talking more money regardless. You have to think like this even if you are running a one person studio. If you're in business, think and act like it.

How To Add Facebook & Twitter to Gmail

If you're confused about adding Facebook & Twitter to your Gmail interface, here are the step by steps:

1. Click Settings in Gmail upper right hand corner.
2. Click on Labs
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and Enable Add any gadget by URL.
4. Hit Save Changes.
5. Hit Reload on your browser to reload Gmail just in case.
6. Go back into gmail Settings.
7. Click on Gadgets.
8. Paste https://twittergadget.appspot.com/gadget-gmail.xml
9. Hit Add.
10. Now paste http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/104971404861070329537/facebook.xml
11. Hit Add again.
11. Done. Now send out a Tweet telling everyone how fabulous @asimsoofi is ;)

Some notes:

-Both Twitter and Facebook will be on the left sidebar.

-Click on ">>" next to Twitter to expand/refresh the tweets. No number indicator shows up, so you have to hit it to see the latest updates if you're in gmail.

-Under each person's Tweet, there's actually a "RT" button to retweet the classic way, i.e. "RT @asimsoofi blah blah blah". Much easier then how Twitter does it now. The entry field opens up right there so you can edit it if you want as well.

-If you want to see the follow status and details of someone you're following, click on their name and you can see if they are following you, if you want to unfollow and more.

-For Facebook, you have to click on 'Expand' in the sidebar upper right hand corner to view your FB account.

The Dynamics of Pricing

Regardless of what kind of business you're in, whether you're a wedding photographer, a wedding planner, or an employee in a corporation, here's a very interesting yet short read on pricing that's worth your time.

The following link will open up a new window to display an e-book in PDF written by Todd Satterston forwarded by Seth Godin: http://bit.ly/dm004R