The Secret to Success

Want to know the secret to success that everyone’s talking about? Well I’ll tell you – there’s not one. Seriously. Success is out there, and I’m here to tell you that everyone can achieve it. It’s not about what you know, or how much of it you understand… It’s about how you use what you know.

I’ve decided that the only thing standing between Jordan Tickle and the success that I want to achieve is (get this) ME. I’m my own problem. Success is out there, but I’ve got to reach for it and make it mine. It’s not easy, it’s not exciting, it’s tedious, it can be frustrating, it’s hard work and sometimes it can almost seem like it’s defeating… BUT it’s *sooooooo* worth it! Remember this: “Success is rented, not owned. You pay the rent every day!”

Success is not a state or platform that one can hit – success is an ongoing process that is effected by the choices we make. It’s all about your attitude and commitment.

A professor of mine always said this: “Those who win the race take one more step.”  It is ALWAYS too late to give up.

I’ve hit a place in my life where I’m seriously taking ownership for who Jordan is, and who he is going to become. I feel that so often in life people tend to blame others for the problems that they have and live victim to the things that they’re suffering, all the while focusing on the fact that they didn’t put themselves where they’re at. I’m trying to be easy here, but SNAP OUT OF IT! Regardless of who’s fault it is that you’re where you are – it’s now your responsibility to get yourself out of it! Maybe you’re reaping the consequences of something that you honestly didn’t do to yourself, or maybe the problems  that you’re going through are a direct result of choices and decisions you have made… Either way, NOW is your time to shine! You MUST MUST MUST choose to overcome what you’re facing, and get yourself to the place you want and need to be! You have to take ownership for the life that you’ve got now. You can’t change the past, but you most definitely can change your future.

Face the facts, take control of your problems and start experiencing success!

Living MY Dreams, One Shot At A Time!

I’m almost at a loss for words tonight – really I am. Over the last week or so I’ve been pondering just how truly blessed I am. Not only am I alive and healthy, not only do I have family and friends that would do absolutely anything for me and love me with all their heart, not only do I know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and have a home in Heaven one day, not only do I get to photograph great people and beautiful events, but I am a photographer. A real, live, full-time photographer! You have no idea just how many times I’ve dreamed about being able to say that – honest. To me photography isn’t a just a job, a mere way to make ends meet, or a hobby that I simply enjoy. It’s who I am – plain and simple. I live photography and all things camera. It’s my life. My passion.

I look back at the things I’ve been a part of, just in the last month, and I’m amazed. There are people that want what I have to offer them! Total strangers call me and book sessions because they love my work that much. When I stop and think about what all of this really means it almost brings me to tears. I’m living a dream that countless others would give anything to have! Yes, it has taken tons more work than I ever thought it would, I’ve dealt with some people that were less than desirable, and I don’t make near the profit that I always thought I would… BUT! I love what I do, I really really do! For every “difficult” client I’ve had there has been dozens that have been better to me than I could ever ask for. For every dollar that I’ve spent, I’ve made at-least something off of it. I might not be rich, but I’ve never gone without. God has blessed me with not only a talent, but some amazing people to support me – both financially and through encouragement! The words to describe just how I feel aren’t there… They just don’t exist. I’m the happiest that I’ve ever been, and I owe so much of that to my clients and the people that helped me grow my business! I wake up every day to a world that’s waiting to be photographed, and people that have memories they want captured! What a feeling…

I pray that this sounds just like it feels in my heart… I’m so very thankful for all that I’ve been able to photograph, and all that I’ll have the opportunity to “shoot” in the future. Thank you ALL for the support! I can’t wait to capture more of your life’s big moments! Never forget: “Your life’s too important to forget!”

AAF Membership Drive – Zombieland

I had the amazing opportunity to shoot the membership drive for the AAF Triad! (American Advertising Federation) The AAF is a great organization that is once again revving up it’s influence here in the cities of NC we locals call home. It provides much needed networking and support for all sorts of graphic designers, photographers and advertising specialists in the area! Head on over to the AAF website and take a look!

To kick off the start of this branch, the AAF Triad decided to have a membership drive, coupled with the showing of Zombieland! That’s why people are dressed accordingly – and why there’s a random zombie in lots of the photos! Enjoy!

Pictured above, Sarah and Brandon try to even recruit the zombie himself to be a part of the AAF Triad!