A Seat At The Table

So I started this blog as a way to write about the things I love... photographs. I came up with a clever name Psycho Grafik, which is an expression of the crazy and graphic nature of some of my shots but also a play on the word psychographic... a word associated with my other love. Yeah that's right I am an idea polygamist with multiple loves, an experience whore. 

The other love of my life I will be devoting much time and space to is Advertising. Sadly I haven't been engaged in an official advertising role in some time but it still courses through my veins like a drug that beacons to my addiction for the next fix. Only the next fix won't dull my senses or assassinate precious brain cells, no. The next fix will surely liberate me from the false reality I have constructed to convince myself I can live without Advertising in my life.  I am teacher and student, both fictional characters Morpheus and Neo giving myself the red pill to WAKE UP and realize the truth. Sorry if you haven't seen the movie the Matrix and have no clue what this reference means, but I'm only sorry because if you haven't seen the movie you have missed a great cinematic work of science fiction.

But I digress.

I realized recently that if you're good at something, if it's innate and truly comes to you naturally then you have an absolute obligation to nurture it, to honor it. There is a parable in the Bible about the servant that buries his talents instead of using them. I'm afraid I've been guilty of some of this for too long. 

I have been lucky enough to have worked on fantastic brands like Jaguar Cars, and Mercedes-Benz at some of the hottest agencies: Ogilvy, MVBMS and Critical Mass. I participated in a learning exchange that few people can claim. 

Upon leaving Ogilvy, a move in hindsight I would not do again given the chance, my big boss, the brilliant Michelle Bottomley told me, to reconsider because... 

I had EARNED a seat at the table.  

She went on to say my problem was I wanted to hit a home-run on every swing. Well I hadn't really considered those words until recently. At the time I was young, naive and chasing the oh mighty dollar at another hot agency but Michelle's words have resonated deep within me and although it took over a decade or so, it's vibrating through me like a struck tuning fork.

I am a Brand Steward and a Photographer and a Writer and it's my duty to be true to all that am and all that I could be. Not sure how that translates into action but this is my first step on a journey that will no doubt include my share of stumbles... 

Cheers to all that step forward, stumble, fall and continue.