Upskilling with side projects: 7 widely applicable learnings from working on a photography competition
Side projects aren't just hobbies; they're filled with opportunities to learn.
Read time: 5 mins
Self-reflection is a practice often overlooked during our hectic daily pursuits, yet there are hidden gems to be found in taking a moment to reflect.
Today, I'm sharing lessons learned from working on a photography competition. As with any new project, there have been highs, lows, and countless learning opportunities.
I made a point of documenting what I learned along the way. As I documented our progress week by week, I realised these lessons extend beyond photography and side projects; they offer universal principles applicable to any future pursuit.
With that in mind, here are my 9 non-obvious learnings from the experience.
Planning is Overrated. Doing is Underrated
We started meticulously crafting a detailed Google timeline, seeking the perfect plan with flawless timing.
But perfect timing is a myth.
We launched the competition in December, one of the busiest months of the year, all while at home we were anticipating the arrival of our first child.
Instead of waiting for the stars to align, we took action.
The team wanted to make this happen, so through belief in the project, we made the project a priority, and made time for it amidst our busy lives.
Source: Liz Fosslien
From now on, if it's a priority, I'm blocking out my calendar to make time for it.
Shareable Content on Socials beats Traditional Press
My recent experiences with marketing and communications departments have highlighted the impact of shareable content on social media. Either obsessed with press releases or paid campaigns, then either cry about not getting published or complain about poor ROI.
While traditional press releases have their place, shareable content empowers our audience to become advocates, extending reach organically.
It's similar to a word-of-mouth recommendation.
Without asking or paying, the content is shared by the community with others in their network.
By Roberto Ferraro
Accounts reached on the @focus-positiu Instagram account
The result: new potential fans and, in our case, participants in the competition.
Feedback leads to new perspectives
"There is no failure, only feedback." — Naval RavikantThis is a difficult mentality to adopt, but ultimately it is a game of perspective.
Operating with the assumption that you'll get something right the first time you try is not only unrealistic but counterproductive.
My favourite feedback was from a seasoned landscape photographer. More familiar with competitions focusing on technical aspects of photography, he challenged our criteria where it only made up 25%. As a wellbeing focused competition, we prioritised creativity and storytelling. This interaction made us both recognise and celebrate the significant presence of female winners in our competition.
Photo of the winners, by Anna Martinez (IG: @lacirileta))
Spot the difference in the demographics from this other competition in town
This "zooming out" delivered a valuable perspective.
It would have been impossible without being open to feedback in the first place.
What we often neglect is the frame in which we're viewing things.
People want to do good
This project reaffirmed my belief in the inherent desire of people to do good and feel good doing so.
Collaborating with like-minded individuals not only enriched our project but also fostered a culture of positivity that extends beyond our competition.
In the competitions I've taken part in, there has been an unhealthy obsession with being a winner.
In this competition, the winners were celebrated by everyone, even those who didn't take part.
It's one thing to be able to put together a competition and convince people to take part. It's another for that competition to become a channel for a community of local do-gooders.
Embrace Rejection as Part of the Process
Securing prizes and sponsorship for our competition involved facing numerous rejections.
More times than I'd like to admit I was stood frozen at the front door of a local business, and about to give my audition for worst elevator pitch. But I owed it to the team and myself to suck up some courage and try.
If I didn't try, I wouldn't know.
But after many attempts, I learned that the reverse is also true.
If we don't know, we don't try.
by Visualize Value
This was obvious but a welcome reminder. In any pursuit, mistakes are guaranteed.
Failure is only guaranteed if an attempt isn't made.
"With or Without You" Energy
The best ask has "With or Without You" energy.
It's the determination that this project will proceed, whether or not you choose to join.
From day one, the team was committed to making this competition a reality.
While more partnerships and sponsorships were welcome, the competition was happening regardless.
In our pursuit of sponsorship and collaborations, this energy transformed our pitch.
Rather than pleading for support, we offered an opportunity to be part of something significant.
It shifted from "We need you to make this happen" to "We're proceeding with or without you, but you can be a valued partner."
This mindset was evident when we presented Focus + to a group of influential entrepreneurs. We explained that the competition was already underway, with submitted photos, participating companies, and attractive prizes. Our message was resonating with thousands of people. This approach impressed them enough to offer their support in various ways.
I learned from this that the best asks convey a message that something is happening, regardless of involvement. The positive energy and drive are attractive.
For businesses, requests framed as "we need your support or this won't happen, and we might give up" appear desperate and unattractive.
"With or without you" presents an exciting opportunity rather than a desperate plea.
Prioritize Emotional Intelligence in Teams
Emotional intelligence is often undervalued in many professional settings.
Comparing my professional experience to that of working on this project, the significance of emotional intelligence became apparent.
Despite the uncertainties and challenges, the team showed unwavering support and understanding of my exceptional circumstances. They recognised the importance of prioritising family and personal well-being, and their empathy allowed me the flexibility to take care of life at home and with the competition.
Even amid uncertainty, the moments I found to work on the competition served as a positive mental break from the demands of my new home life, thanks to the team's empathy and emotional support.
The next time I'm involved in forming a team, emotional intelligence will be high on the list of qualities I look out for.
Conclusion:
If you got this far, thank you.
Each of these learnings has been invaluable, shaping not only the outcome of our photography competition but also my own personal and professional growth.
Did one of these lessons resonate with you? Which one?
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