When I first started my business I viewed every other photographer as competition. I know I’m not alone in that. And as I spent my days stalking blogs and reading and watching anything I could get my hands on, there wasn’t anyone or anything saying go make friends with other photographers. Friends with planners, florists, makeup artists, etc? Oh ya they said that. But never said start relationships with other photographers.

While attending my first workshop ever, Big Sky Photo Summit, I asked Mike Colon how he got started in photographing destination weddings. The first time he answered with “well it just happened, I didn’t do anything special.” The next day I asked him the question again. His answer this time “I made friends with other photographers. And through their friendships my business grew. And referrals came in from them.” I thought on this for weeks. Everything else I had been reading and watching said nothing about making friends with photographers as a way to grow in business. They’re your competition. Right?! How can I grow if I become friends with them?

Months went by and I had started incredible friendships with other photographers. Not for the purpose of referrals or anything. I actually didn’t even have that in mind. I started talking with people I admired, looked up to. Asking advice. How they did one thing or another. And to my surprise others started asking me these questions. And friendships started blossoming. I sat in the living room of a cabin on a ranch one morning with 20+ other photographers bopping around. Getting coffee. Eating bagels. Fist pumping one guy sleeping on the couch with his arm in the air. I realized then, this is what Mike was telling me.

We’re all better together.

Not only am I better person, but I’m a better photographer, a better business owner, and a better friend because of these people. Photographers. Photographers that are my friends. Actually more like extended family. And this industry is better because of them as well.

Surround yourself with incredible people who raise you up. Regardless of what they do for a living. And do your best to raise others up. Regardless of what they do.

And the next time you hear, read, or think that other photographers are your competition and to look down on them,  don’t feed into it. It’s bullshit. Raise them up.

Life is richer with people in it who value the same things you do. I can attest. 3.5 years ago I viewed other photographers as competition. Now I spend my extra time helping them. And they not only help me, but empower me. And they’ve become my extended family.  We are ALL better together.

Aside from you can’t take us anywhere…..

*Photos by Trevor Dayley, Dee & Kris, and Justine Russo

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