So this is a short true story about ignoring people that try to put you down, and doing what you believe in!
In 2012 I went on a 10 day holiday to the great New York City. A vibrant place with amazing views and an incredible choice of food. I inevitably ended up taking thousands of photos!
It was while I was out one evening taking some night photos, that a New Yorker passing by stopped me and asked in an annoyed voice ‘why are you taking pictures of the buildings?’ I was in Times Square so I was doing what everyone else does, take photos! I told her that, but she said I was unoriginal and I was wasting my time, taking ‘the same photos as every other tourist and taking photos of lifeless buildings!’ She had a point. I WAS taking the same photos as everyone else, but I was doing it because I wanted to capture my own view of New York and have some memories of an amazing holiday. I hadn’t really stopped to think WHY I was taking the photos. But this lady did make me question what I was doing and whether it was a waste of time.
After getting a lecture from this random woman, she walked off and I carried on taking photos. I was somewhat uncomfortable as I was worried other people might say the same thing to me!
Something Awesome happened…
The point of the story is, a few months later an advertising agency in Canada contacted me to ask if they could use one of the photos taken that night! They wanted to use a photo to advertise a premium brand Vodka called Svedka. I of course said ‘YES!’ and they asked how much I would charge. Not being experienced in selling photos to big companies, I told them to make me an offer, and they did…£1300 to be exact.
A month later with the contract signed, I had sold my photo for a tidy sum. So there you go New York lady, next time don’t judge people doing what they enjoy! Especially when they’re doing something they believe in! Here is the photo I took…
And here it is after being transformed into an advert…
They used it on billboards and on the famous New York subway…
Always trust in yourself and follow your dreams!