We’re looking forward to introducing you to Colin Ward. Check out our conversation below.
Colin, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Fellow photographers have been getting me interested in flying to Europe for some photo workshops and opportunities. I have decided to go to Prague and Venice, despite the long flights and the fact that I will be traveling solo for much of the time. I think I am suffering from Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO)!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Colin Ward Photography is my brand and it hovers between a hobby and a business. Since I have moved from Florida to Georgia in recent months, my connections have largely been left behind so it is mostly hobby at this point. My photography IMHO is still pretty good and I am enjoying the new territory.
I am mostly working on portraits with an element of storytelling. I enjoy portraiture because I like working with humans. I don’t spend much time with other aspects of photography such as landscapes and street. I would be happy to connect with new portrait subjects.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I have an engineering degree and an MBA, but I have retired from the profession where I used that knowledge. Of course, education is useful every day, but I no longer think about my previous vocation.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Consider all the walks of life that are available before committing to something that you may not enjoy. I studied engineering and manufacturing because that was my father’s profession and it was a “safe” path to a secure job. As I have grown older, I have seen people succeed in so many walks of life that I might possibly have enjoyed more, but I never considered or was even aware of.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I believe in the concept of adding value. I worked in the metals industry where essentially ore was dug out of the ground and the industry converted it into useful materials such as steel and aluminum that could then be used to manufacture cars and thousands of other products. We added value.
Today, many people work in businesses that add no value other than shuffling bits of paper (or digital files) and moving money around. I see much of that as a house of cards.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I frequently do that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colinwardphotography.com/colins-work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colin_ward_photography/
