Inherit a Legacy of Success
Friday, June 5, 2009 at 2:55PM 
The extraordinarily successful mentor can pass down his legacy of success to those he coaches. This is THE fastest and most effective way to learn anything. If you wanted to learn how to play golf, wouldn't it be amazing if Tiger Woods put his arm around you and gave you all his trade secrets and philosophies?
There are many ways to learn photography, books, forums, group shoots, webinars, etc. but if you want to go far in life, get a mentor/coach because the highly successful know things the rest of the world is dying to figure out.
Finding a mentor is not that easy, first of all a mentor must be highly "successful" at whatever it is you want to learn. Does this mentor fit your style? Is this mentor willing to pass down his legacy and is this person good at teaching? How often do you have access to this mentor and how often are your learning opportunities from this mentor? Find a mentor that is 10 steps ahead of you, not just one or two.
It is my passion, joy and sense of purpose to pass down the things I know to others. It is what I feel called to do- to teach, educate and lead others. I am so proud of many of my students, today I would like to single out a few photographers that are quickly becoming world class photographers if they aren't already!
Tauran Woo Los Angeles, CA
The legend is he booked 15 weddings in one month- and it is true! Hear his success story.
Bandele Zuberi Birmingham, UK
One of the best fashion portrait artists I know, travels the world on assignments. Check out his portfolio.
Junshien Lau San Francisco, CA
Travels the world for weddings and has developed a first class wedding photography business, heck he now hires me to shoot some of his weddings!! Visit his blog.
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All three attended my very first international workshop in Paris two years ago and their development is completely remarkable, they have accomplished in two years what took me almost a DECADE! 2007 Paris Workshop
I also mentor many others who are on the rise. Lyssa Marie Dormeus as another example- after just two workshops, she just signed a contract for an international tour- her images will be featured in art galleries around the world!
Lyssa Marie Dormeus Montreal, CANADA | Hear her success story.
These photographers have worked hard and have beat the odds. I predict 199 out of 200 photographers would have a very difficult time duplicating their success. How did they do it? Yes, they are gifted, talented (like many of us), and work hard but coincidently they have put into practice trade secrets passed down to them. They inherited a legacy of success that was instrumental in their development. I am proud to be their mentor and to see them develop their own style. They now work on assignments around the world!
It is my passion to create world class photographers who are successful in business and in life. I take joy in passing down my legacy of success. I freely mentor those I get to know through my workshops and continue the relationship afterwards. Check out my World Tour Workshops
Btw, Tauran is coming to my China workshop, Bandele will be coming to Venice and he quietly says he's gonna try to come to all of them again! Last year he went to every one of my workshops. Lyssa is planning the Montreal workshop. Come and meet these future superstars!!!
Perhaps I can help.
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Reader Comments (8)
Folks ... I've said it many times before, and I'm going to continue saying it: everything Scott says in this entry is true! There is no better or faster way to improve your craft and your business than studying under a mentor. The investment you're making by attending Scott's workshops will be returned many-fold. I am where I am today because of Scott. If it were not for him, I wouldn't be able to tell you today that I'm able to charge $5-8k for my weddings, or that clients are flying me all over the world to be their photographer. The tips and techniques Scott teaches are not easily found elsewhere. And the portfolio imagery you'll be able to build up from his workshops is invaluable. Do yourself a favor, and join him on one (or two or three!) of his workshops this year!
Scott's words are so true. I have seen how his students just take off and accomplish some amazing things. With Scott's mentorship I have been able to progress and grow faster than I could have ever imagined. But what is even more valuable than the knowledge that Scott passes on is that you gain a great friend in him and join an inspired and supportive community of others who have similar dreams and aspirations as you. Go to at least one of Scott's workshops. You won't regret it and you won't ever look back.
and the rest of us who have taken your workshops im sure have experienced much success in our own little ways. i have a full time job in a field which i love AND i am still able to book up my year comfortably with wedding photography...who would have thought. without scott, i would have never understood light and portraiture!!! even if i cant attend any workshops in the next foreseeable year...no doubt ill be back for more when i can. ive seen too many bad wedding photos
Don't sell your dream short! You all have talent and desire - now you need a way to put it all together! Sharpen the things you're already good at, identify and improve on the areas that you're lacking, so that you will be the 1 in 200 who succeeds! Scott is the best educator I've ever known for helping photographers reach their potential. Looking forward to seeing everyone in China this October!
Scott ignited a fire, when I went to his first (and my first) workshop in Paris 2007. HIs love of teaching is obvious, his passion for photography contagious, and the 2 combine make him a mentor of choice. I'm joining Junshien, Eric, Lynnkaichao, Tauran, and I foresee many more, in encouraging everyone to sign up for one (or more, no reason to put a limit to good things) of Scott's workshop. Scott is a master at finding and using the light to our advantage, and pride himself with a gigantic repertoire of poses (don't we all need some help and inspiration when trying to come up with yet a different way to direct our client in front of the camera?). I could go on forever praising Scott, I owe him so much, but like he will show you, the success of his students speaks volume and is the best testimony of his teaching skills.
scott ... well said you are one of a kind in terms of mentoring your customized approach in getting us to stretch ourselves and find our unique and signature style is priceless!! i have a loonnng way to go but am very hopefull for the future with the foundation you have provided. thank you:-) .. The SR workshop is a MUST!
I feel truly honored to have been mentored under a true master of photography, education, people and life! Attending Scott's first Next Level workshop rescued me from the humdrum and set me on a journey of discovery, enlightenment and the pursuit of excellence. With each workshop I attend the door of possibilities opens wider and allows me move closer to achieving greatness. His encouragement and support is relentless and his workshops a vehicle for success. Be there!
If you are serious about your craft and the art of photography and want to build your business you owe it to yourself to invest in at least one of his workshops. I promise you will see life and your business in a brand new way. I've said it before but to be successful you must follow in the footsteps of someone who has walked the successful path and scott's mentor ship will just that. It is the one investment not only for your business, photography but yourself that is worth putting down some cash for. I am not where I am today if it wasn't for Scott and his workshops. It's an absolute privilege to know Scott and to call him my teacher and long life mentor.