In my advanced PhoJ class, we watched a movie on Jim Brandenburg
Some thoughts my teacher brought up were:

There is no rewards without risk
Defy the predictable
Light makes the Photo
Give untill the very end to make it [the photo] work
Shoot to get the one frame, not the one photograph

When was the last time your heart was pounding prior to a shot/shoot?

If you dont know, Jim Brandenburg, was a newspaper Photog who was invited to work on a project for National Geographic and from there was invited to contract with them. His big project was take 90 days, from Atumnal Equinox to the Winter Solstace and shoot one frame a day. Not one photo, but click the shutter once and only once a day. His 90 day diary ended upbeing the largest project National Geographic published and the project consisting of the least number of rolls of film in their history.

What I am posing to you relates to the title and to some of the thought my teacher brought up.

Do you agree with those thoughts?
Do you get into a mindset where you shoot the same "thing" for every event, or do you try to make each frame, each roll/card unique?
What risks do you take in photography?
nothing like "oh i was leaning over a balcony 15 stories up while trying to shoot the couple standing on the floor below me"
more like what do you try to do differently each time you go to work
What do you look for when approaching a client's event/project?
How do you prepare for the event/project ahead of time?
What are some other thoughts regarding photography that you live by and incorporate into your work?

Hey, Jim Brandenburg is from Ely, MN. We discussed that project in class too! His work is truly inspiring! I know for me every shoot is a new adventure. I start planning day's ahead! I start by looking at people's work that I admire for inspiration. I am always looking for a new way to frame the subject!
Candy

Love Jim Brandenburg's work!

My mentor said something I always carry with me:

"Risk is at the root of all creativity!"

That's the best way to grow as a photographer.

Thanks for encouraging all of us to think about this!

Rachel

Great quote up there and also super great question. One of my favorite quotes is never stop learning or taking chances... I made that one up myself.. Kinda like it...

That is a great question how someone gets into that mind set before each shoot. My heart always races and my palms get sweaty and I get nervous! I figure that must be a good thing and when I don't feel that before a shoot, then I should change my occupation. No really I got to a wedding, sit indian style on the grass, crank up the enya and go ommmmmmm with a canon in each hand... Kidding, kidding!

I don't psych myself out to much before a shoot, I just go with the flow and follow where my mind takes me... Keepin it simple... I used to look at some great photographers work the night before, but now I want to go with a clean fresh mind, so I don't do that anymore. This last wedding I did, the couple was so so so fun, the bride wanted to do a shot of tequila with me as soon as the reception started. I didn't and said that will be the last thing I do because you want focused phographs right? I think I should do a shot with every bride now... Point being, that I usually end up becoming friends with the bride by the end of the adventure. It's cool, make some cash and gain a friend in the end.. I dig it! Yes, I even have a pic of us doing a shot!