Community over competition is a buzz phrase we've all seen a hundred times, but do we fully understand the concept? It's a positive mindset to keep and one that can revolutionize how you view your creative community. When you see other photographers as real people instead of competing businesses, you'll want them to succeed too.
So, how do we go about practicing it? Today, we have five actionable steps so you can live out the motto.
1. Compliment and encourage one another. A thoughtful comment on Instagram or an email to let someone know how much you admire their work could make their day and start a beautiful friendship! A kind word goes a long way. You never know what someone is going through and how much an uplifting message could mean to them.
2. Celebrate their wins. If you can't share the joy of someone else's successes, how can you expect others to share in yours? You'll walk a slippery slope if you feel others' victories rob you of your own. Someone else's success doesn't prevent or take away from yours. There is more than enough room for you and others to succeed.
3. Remember that sharing is caring. Share your knowledge or resources whenever you can, in generous amounts. Be an open book, and don't be afraid to share freely. Imagine yourself in their shoes and how helpful it would be if someone took the time to answer a question or to lend a hand.
4. Be genuinely kind. In-person, online, and at the job, always treat people with kindness. It's one thing to post about being nice to others and promoting community over competition, and another to actually live it.
5. Stay humble. Give back as often as possible, and remember where you started. Inspire others with your journey and help others in theirs. Continually learn and acknowledge that you don't know everything. Befriend everyone from newbie photographers to those very renowned. Everyone was a beginner at some point.
Valuing a community mindset over profit will get you further in the end. When hard times come, it's the community of kindred spirits you fostered and invested in who will be by your side to help you through. True friends are a rich blessing in life and the industry.
