Showing my work.

I did a couple of photoshoots nearly two weeks ago and I’ve been waiting for the results not too patiently ever since. I’m not the one who needs to do the culling and editing, so it’s hard not to expect instant gratification.

Although modeling is closer to a hobby than part of the free-lance puzzle that is my job, I still get very excited whenever I’m asked to shoot.

Seemingly unrelated, I went on a trip to Powell’s books today, with a particular book in mind. Powell’s is a dangerous place for me and I have to be very strict with myself not to walk out with an unmanageable pile of books every time.

I grabbed the book I was there for and then something else caught my eye. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. I’m a huge fan of his book, Steel Like an Artist and I hadn’t known he had a new book out.

Although it hadn’t been on my list his first book was such an inspiration to me I figured that this new installment was a worthwhile impulse buy. I’m only 40 pages in and already so glad I picked it up.

What does this have to do with modeling? Well, the book pointed out to me how fixated I am on end results. I did these photoshoots and now I’m waiting for images to show you. I do the same thing with writing – I wait for a publication announcement, complete with book cover, before I say anything.

But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. Maybe sometimes the process is worth sharing too.

I’m going to try to keep this in mind in my day to day life and work. I’m going to try to find more value in the process that other people might like to hear about. And maybe sometimes I can post behind the scenes details, too.

Heck, if a photoshoot involves being dunked in a cold river at 8am that’s going to get someone’s attention, right?