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Learn Together: You wont meet interesting people if you sit in your house all day
🕑 Added 2023-06-16 09:12:36 +0000 UTCMorning all,
Yesterday was a great learning point for me so I thought i'd share it. (Skip to the break mark if you want to get to the point and don't have time to read it all).
As a blogger/ YouTuber I feel i'm always chatting to people (answering comments, emails etc) yet I might not talk to anyone for a multiple days (except a hello if go to the gym/shop etc). I tend to try to find models via Instagram (from the comfort of my sofa as they say)(I don't own much furniture..so, from home).
I know it's probably a fashionable thing to say these days but i'm probably classed as "socially anxious introvert". (Not 100% but I can't just walk down the street relaxed somehow). (I'm quite happy to run or cycle as it's fast!) So I tend to work from home then run or cycle (or gym/swim) but rarely just walk. I've not even walked down the high street of the new town i'm in yet and i've been here a month.
The weathers been so nice recently in the UK it makes you want to be outside. My legs were tired from "real exercise" so I thought i'd walk (as a good form of active recovery - get moving). I needed a purpose so I took some cameras with me and headed out.
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I walked along the canal looking for anything to test the lenses I had with me. I passed a guy sat down by the water. He had a camera and was doing something (hidden by the trees). I always get an urge to say hello to anyone with a camera so I went back to the bridge to cross over to his side. I then noticed he was doing a model shoot! I had to interrupt and say "hi i'm a model photographer so I thought i'd say hello".
I explained I was a YT'er out testing lenses and he said take a few photos if I want. (The model was his partner). I stayed for 5 mins then thought better leave them in peace. I passed on my Instagram and asked them to message me. (Later that day both of them sent me nice messages and now i'm hoping to do a shoot with the girl in the next week or so). It will be my first model contact after relocating closer to London. Great!
After walking a loop I headed home but thought would past the outskirts of town and a few shops this time. I saw a shop saying Kodak/ Printing etc so thought i'd go and say hello. To my amazement the shop was loaded with new and old cameras. I introduced myself to the guy and the shop was empty so we just chatted. He was clearly a fellow geek and smart so we just chatted and chatted. An hour or so went by before someone entered the shop and I left them too it. He gave me some interesting insights into who buy cameras, what cameras etc and a topic for a future video (which i'll 100% do). - https://youtu.be/aNS2qinnu_s
So two very interesting encounters all because I got out the house and went for a walk. If I did this every week i'd likely find potential models, interesting strangers and open the doors to many more opportunities. I'm very comfortable in my own company but as they say lucky people are those that put themselves out there. It was "lucky" that I met these people but if I hadn't gone outside neither would have happened.
I'm sure most of you enjoy a more well balanced lifestyle than me but food for thought all the same. Have a great day and you'll see a few shots of the model in a YT video to come. (Only candids*).
Matt
Comments
Thanks Kev, it was a one off.. like you, if they have a camera I will talk happily, like you and with dogs :)
I'm making a video soon but in general they didn't sell Leica, only cheap consumer film cameras like Minolta etc. It's not in the city but there are some amazing ones in London. Go to Aperture and RedDot sell Leica too.
Since you had such a great time chatting with the camera store chap, maybe you should highlight them in another video. I think these shops get more rare over time and if you can help them prosper with a little exposure, then in a way you are helping not only them but yourself and the rest of us. Even though I am in the States, I know I would enjoy hearing about them. Need to build my list places to visit when I get over there and want to include more shops than just Gray's of Westminster. Cheers!
Great story, thanks for sharing it Matt. I’m not sure if people are generally more guarded or insular now a days, but good to hear that you overcome the social awkwardness and had two rewarding encounters. I tend to find it easier to chat to people when I have our dog out for a walk as opposed to out walking on my own. If I could combine the dog walk with some people / pet photography I’d be on to a winner!
