It’s “Guest Blog Wednesday” featuring Zack Arias!
Feb. 18
1:29 am
I have the honor of being a guest blogger today. I was told that I could blog about anything I wanted to. I’ve made a video instead of writing. I hope you enjoy this.
Cheers,
Zack Arias
zackarias.com
*Editor’s Note: To read a few thoughts on Zack’s video, check out his blog.
Wow.
I just returned home from a day at the hospital with my 93 year old grandmother. This video was such a blessing to come home to. Amen, brother, Amen!
Wow! Amazing. So deep and thoughtful. It’s hard for me not to fall in tears just before I go to work. Great job Zack!
Zack, Thank You.
The video was right on the money! Your have to suck at some point to be good or else you’ll never know the value of your accomplishment. Great job Zack, thank Scott K. and team for putting this on!
the buzz is that this video is really awesome…only i don’t know, because i’m hearing-impaired and can’t understand a word of it. =[
Amy,
Hi there, Zack’s wife here.
I just saw this comment of yours and showed it to Zack. We feel terrible that you can’t hear it! I’m deaf in my right ear, so I understand a little bit of what you go through.
Please email Zack :: zack@zackarias.com and we’ll get you a transcript of what’s being said.
Blessings.
thanks for posting this scott. and thank you zack….you put into words what so many of us think all the time. especially now with the economy at an all time low and with lots of us struggling to keep shop open.
Great video…touching…sobering…inspiring. You have a real talent, not only to see life, but to be able to effectively express and communicate those feelings.
We spend to much time focused on tomorrow, while overlooking today. We more often want what we don’t have, as we overlook what we do have. Photography can teach one more about themselves, creatively and emotionally, if one is only willing to listen to their dreams and know that an action plan makes these dreams reality. Our lives are made up of moments and every moment is a last moment, make them all count. There truly is no such thing as a great photographer, there are humble photographers of knowledge that create many great images.
For me, I chose to listen and constantly learn, hopefully my mind in a frame will capture images that the world may find interesting, perhaps the thoughts may be greater than the image. A humble mind is a hungry one and one that will see more than clouded arrogance. This is a GREAT video, as I take from it: Everyone has the ability to do great things, they just have to seek knowledge and not settle for the limited wisdom that we all abundantly posses. On one measure we are all equal, in that we are all equally distributed with the same level of base, it is in the principal of learn and application of new knowledge that our paths separate…
I do hope that you hear your fathers words again and that he hears yours. I can’t help but feel that he already knows your words and in your heart, you know his… God bless…
Thanks for sharing something so profound, your words and thoughts are the true art.
Zack,
Can’t really add much to the 400+ comments – expect Thanks. Fantastic perspective and inspiration to be grateful for what you have.
Seems that you figured out a LOT of the important stuff at 36,
Niels
Wow. Wow. I had to watch that again. Again. And again. Such inspiring words. I wish I could download the video and replay it every time I feel down and depressed. And every other day when I know I suck as a photographer. Thank you very much!
Thanks very much. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that it is okay to suck.
Normally, I wouldn’t post a comment, since more than 350 people already commented here, so I would be just another guy to say that your video is really awesome. But, I just feel I need to say how this video made me re-think a lot of things that I’ve been doing and what is really important for us.
Thanks, Zack.
Wow, it’s like he reached into my soul and pulled out all the feelings I’m unable to articulate. just a wonderful work of art!
What an incredible video! Thanks for the deep thoughts!
You just made me realize that what we do is LIFE. Without it, we are dried sticks on sale at IKEA…
It’s not often someone has the courage to share their inner-man with the world. This was such a profound and moving window in, thank you.
I watched this video and felt like weeping. I was up late last night editing. Sometimes..I get desperate to make a living in photography so that I can stay home with my 2 special needs kids. I needed to see this video. Zack pretty much said everything I was feeling and wow….intense.
Thanks Zach…I give God the Glory for you. You really nailed it. I must confess…I was excited to get a tutorial about the Ikea gig. I still can’t find my way out of that God forsaken store. Thanks Zack, Thanks Scott..and yes, I affirm Zach..thanks for allowing us to sponge off your knowledge so that we can go one more day with a better image.
In His Grip,
Andrea Hughes
Wow. Thank you.
This is the top 1 or 2 videos I have ever seen. I don’t really know what to say . . . I can not even begin to express how thankful I am to see a video like this. During those “dark” times that I go through, I often wonder if others are going through similar stages. Zack’s video is something that touches the soul of photographers and really puts into perspective what we, as photographers, get the opportunity to do. Awesome video Zack!
I usually not a commenter on a blog (and after 350 comments, why would i start) but this just moved me to comment. We are so blessed with so many great things, it’s kind of ironic that certain “tragedies” makes us realize this. Thank you Zack for making me realize this now… your words has inspired me greatly, and thank you Scott for everything you have done too, it really means a lot.
Luis from Puerto Rico
Please put this on vimeo.com! It can handle the tons of connections and HD nicely. I don’t work there or have any vested interest other than getting this video out to as many people as possible. Playback is sucking as of now and has been for a day or so…
Being relatively new as a pro photographer, I get a lot of acknowledgment from my wife and from my friends about how much progress I’ve made, then I see the work of a ‘Real Pro’ and I too go to ‘My work sucks!’ Thank you for sharing that even someone who puts out this kind of work has those same thoughts. I too will wait for ’spring’.
Keep being powerful in the face of all the reasons why not.
Zach-
Your video was a kaboom to seeing my own endless self doubt that I posted and linked it on my blog for ALL my friends to see.
I am still blown away by how much watching your video has impacted me. Your work is so real, so from the heart and not the head. What comes from the heart goes to the heart and I thank you for taking the time to reveal your thoughts and feelings. I so relate to everything you shared about how you see yourself and your endless search to see and know more.
I’ve been told I have a disease of perception…..that I can’t see myself as others do. Well, you certainly have a disease of perception because you are so naturally gifted you don’t even see it. You are one very gifted person and I feel fortunate to have met you through your video. Thank you Scott Kelby.
Your blog site is now on my toolbar. I will be following along, way behind you, but nevertheless, following along. Please, please keep producing even when you don’t think you have something new to offer. You and your work is SO new!!!! and refreshing.
Gratefully,
Linda
Zack, dude – you make me think!
I found watching this video made me depressed at first. I can relate. I’ve been shooting people day in and day out for ten years and feel that sometimes I just want to quit. I feel that sometimes when I see new photographers they don’t know what is ahead. I think that photography for most is this thing that it’s not. I feel that most see it as a way to fulfill this passion they “think” they have. But while it can be a passion, sometimes by fulfilling that passion and doing it over and over and over and over and OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, you start to hate it…
I feel that you are there. But then you realize that you do love it. I think your point about the winter being a depressing time is also a time of much needed rest and breaking from this thing called our passion. It hurts but we need it. We may lose our minds otherwise.
I am glad to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way. I find it helpful to know that this is common.
Your thoughts on life and what’s important, that’s real. That’s real and too many people think fulfilling their dream is so important that they ignore what’s really important in their lives… Their families, their kids, their wives, their sanity, their health, their souls, their relationships… If you think about it, this is the worst kind of selfishness. Doing something you love so much because you are trying to fulfill a “passion”.
Thank you Zach. I appreciate you being real about this ridiculous inordinate need to be involved in photography. It is okay to be involved. It is okay to have a passion for it. But the reality, it isn’t LIFE, Photography isn’t life. If it is, then you have no life…
Zack -
Thank you SO much for your creative / inspirational message! I am truly moved with the entire video (imagery, music, production, narration, art and Message!). I’ve viewed several times now for motivation and perspective – would you consider putting into a format for download?
Thanks so much for this (and Scott, again kudos for this great forum you share with us!)
Doug
I am the mother of two young photographers in beautiful Cape Town South Africa and both are doing so well. I have given them cameras when they were young and saw their transformation from taking just nice pictures to producing art with the camera in their hands. I also see and experience their deep, utter and endless battles with all the work and this thing inside of them, their ART! Your video made me laugh but also put tears in my eyes as I could so relate to it. Thank you for this fresh outlook in the life of a photographer! God bless.
I found this through Zack’s forum, great video!
Since I am absolutely speechless, I will just say that I feel the same way as everyone else who has posted. WOW!!!
Well said Zack… Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Simply amazing. Easily the most inspiring blog post on photography I have ever come across. Thank you Zack Arias.
Coool site, greate design!
Holy crap that was a rollercoaster emotional ride through your thoughts – and truly incredible! Awesome music too… thanks for sharing an insight into your mind.
Tell your Dad everything you want to as soon as you can as you never know when it’s too late – I didn’t have the luxury (3hrs to make a 24hr+ plane trip) and it mentally screws you up for quite a while. He’s listening…
Thanks Zack !
for this great video !
Wow I was always hesistant to show people my photos because I’m a noob to photography and I’m self conscious about what people would say about my work. I am afraid they won’t like it and they will think I suck. I do suck at it but I’m learning and maybe one day I’ll be good and I’ll maybe one day pay my bills with a camera instead of punching that clock everyday. Thanks zack for making me realize that sucking is part of the journey and thanks scott k. for letting zack on your blog.
Yes!
All I can say is “Wow”
Zack Arias is an amazing human being and that short video clip may just have saved me from throwing in the towel in this career. Thank you Zack!!!
Just perfect! Thank you so much. . Transform, A word to live by. incredible! just love it.
Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart.
Unbelievable – very inspirational. Also quite touching regarding your father. I truly hope that you are afforded the chance to exchange words with him very soon. Thanks for the push.
The voice that emerges in this video is awesome. Brilliant. The music by your wife is a perfect complement.
Thank you for making this.
I don’t know if any of you know this, but Zack’s dad just passed away on 2/27/09.
Zack, I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
-Mark
Wow Zack, that video just plain blow me away, amazing stuff.
Damn . . . .
Thank you for this great vid..
Thank You Zack, Your video was a thoughtful and very moving.
zach, I feel your pain,
you have given me hope so many times , that I am forever grateful,
I hope you dad is looking down on you, and saying,
Zach, your living your life .
Keep up the good work and rock the one light, lets find some more triangle circles.
Brett
aspiring fashion photographer.
may the lord bless you and your family
This is truly the first time I have had the need to write a comment on any blog, video or tutorial ever.!!! I doubt Zack will read my post but I would like to thank him for his totally unbelievable sentiment. The video will be a favorite bookmark of mine for the foreseeable future.
Thank you.
This is truly the first time I have had the need to write a comment on any blog, video or tutorial ever.!!! I doubt Zack will read my post but I would like to thank him for his totally unbelievable sentiment. The video will be a favorite bookmark of mine for the foreseeable future.
Thank you. David