So as a photographer, cinematographer, artist or wedding professional, what value does Fast Track hold for creatives in the Chicagoland area?  In one word: community. Relationships keep us accountable and motivated, deepen our experience, and allow us access to more resources than we could ever gain on our own.  Even in our age of independence and getting it done ourselves, the old phrase, “No man is an island,” still holds true.  In an industry that is always evolving and growing, whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, we all have something to offer to each other.  Fast Track serves as a vehicle to bring together industry professionals who share the same values who are committed to investing into each others businesses as we see ours grow.  To paraphrase one of Dale Carnegie’s principles, as we become genuinely interested in people, they will be genuinely interested in giving back.

Dane Sanders, author of Fast Track Photographer and founder of this movement takes some time to touch on our FEO- “For Each Other” values in a short video:

Only days after WPPI in Las Vegas, an annual conference and tradeshow for wedding and portrait photographers, has come to a close, I am more energized than ever this year to have connected with an international community of photographers committed to being For Each Other.  Among many of the events that took place last week were several Fast Track gatherings as well as the inspirational UNITE groups formed by David Jay.  Dane also hosted numerous guests on Fast Track TV to share resources with the industry worldwide.  I had an opportunity to share a little bit about our Chicago crew, and I have to say, I am stoked on you guys! I am just so proud of our group and thankful to have a such motivated and inspiring colleagues in our area.

Tonight we’ll be gathering at Calumet Photographic downtown at 7pm (1111. N. Cherry Avenue, Chicago, IL) thanks to Bill.  (More details here.) We’re so thankful he’s made this venue available to accommodate our quickly growing group! But he took it one step further and secured approval through the VP for a special 20% Calumet products from 5:30-6:30. Talk about being For Each Other! Thanks so much, Bill!! We are so grateful for you!  Looking forward to seeing everyone later!

My first encounter with Fast Track Photographer was last year at WPPI through my friend, Carl Johnson.  He had been so impacted by Dane Sanders‘ seminar that he had to get me a copy. Little did I know what a treasure was to be found in these pages.  I let a few months go by before I picked it up. I was a little skeptical. “Fast Track Photographer?”  I had been shooting for two and a half years, desperately seeking vision, but knowing there was certainly no fast track in the photography world. Like anything worthwhile, photography is a craft that must be practiced over and over and over to be mastered.  But one day in May I decided to pick it up and see what this “Fast Track” thing was all about. I could barely put it down.  What I was reading was not a photography manual or an inspirational book, but a resource that would help me discover my core strengths and passion as an individual and how to transpose those  abilities into practical skills for my business.  There is no fast track to honing our skill- or discovering who we are. But the concept is that as a business, as a brand, as photographers, we are more than the images we produce. “The real value is in the engine that creates the art- the photographer.” To invest in the value of our businesses, we need to invest in ourselves. Getting clear on what we do best and focusing on that is the heart of the book.

So when another good friend, Kenny Kim, encouraged me to go to Dane’s Fast Track Roadshow workshop in Chicago a few months later, I was all in. And it did not disappoint. I’ll save my review for another post, but the truth was it changed my life and business in many ways. And the biggest contribution was that Fast Track introduced me to an entire community of people (through the workshop and the forums) who, in this very competitive industry, were truly committed to being FOR each other.  A sense of community is cornerstone to truly thriving in all areas of our lives.  While our individuality must continually be cultivated, our personal, professional, and spiritual lives are enriched profoundly when we are connected to a group of people with common ideals and understanding. It is in realizing what we have to offer to a community that, often, our own sense of self is strengthened and we become clear on how our personal vision fits into the bigger picture.

Surrounding myself with individuals committed to challenging and contributing to one another has fueled my growth as a business owner.  It is with this same vision that Fast Track groups, an outlet for creatives to come together in a dynamic supported body, was birthed.  These communities are now being launched all over the country and are bringing together artists who share the same values, who want to invest in one another. It is non-exclusive and non-competitive. It’s not about any one personality, or a brand, but about a collaboration between individuals who share the same passions.  So when Dane asked if I’d facilitate in Chicago, greater than my fear of stepping into a new territory was my conviction to see such a group rise up.  And when 20 of us gathered 2 weeks ago at Matt and Stevi Savage‘s place in the South Loop for our first meeting, the response was overwhelming. After spending a good 45 minutes just hanging out and getting to know one another, we convened round table style to get to the heart of what Fast Track is all about.  As we went around the room introducing ourselves, it became clear there was a greater desire for collaboration, relationship, accountability, and sharing of our resources with one another.  I looked around the room, amazed at all the different connections that were made to bring us together that night.  We were blessed to have Bob Davis with us, and he shared from his own experience the value of building relationships and how being tied into a larger community can keep us grounded. Bob and Dawn have been such an incredible example to me and to the whole photography industry of what it means to be “for each other,” as they conduct their lives and business with a genuine heart to give, and an authentic desire to connect.  Ted Suss (Neil Enterprises and Wedding and Portrait Photographers of Chicago) also joined us, and offered himself to the community as a resource. We walked away after our first meeting, some of us having talked late into the night, inspired and empowered. Can I just say, I truly love these guys!!

(Image below taken by Matt Savage of Avery House Creative.)

Collage below includes images from Avery House Creative, Otto Rascon Photography and Jennifer Kathryn Photography.

So much of our success is dependent upon creating the right environment for ourselves. While I tend to be more spontaneous and gravitate towards things that don’t require planning, I’ve realized that things I do not commit to do not happen. We have launched Fast Track Photographers- Chicago with the goal of committing to be FOR EACH OTHER, as we meet monthly to continue facilitating these values in our community. Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 8th at 7pm. (More details can be found here.) We’d love for you to join us!!