A Golden Perspective
My work has won several awards over the years. Local & National. I provide the visual. The concept or idea was in place long before I was called in. My work was just one piece in a bigger plan. I am proud and thankful to be asked by great creatives to work on great concepts. But I have always felt the award goes to the concept creators. The idea is the winner and I was part of a support staff to the idea.
I still feel that way, but now I have a different perspective. When my Baby Book won a Gold ADDY in the Cincinnati show I felt the joy of my idea winning. Gold- Industry Self Promotion – Print. My concept.
The idea was simple. In this world of promotional e-mails, that fly by the billions into every creative’s in box, I wanted my promotion to return to the physical world. A hand assembled book so beautiful and impressive that just picking it up would make a statement about me. I challenged Mike with this, and once again he delivered a design that was more than I could have ever dreamed of! I remember telling him that even if I don’t get a single job out of this, thats OK. If somewhere a chief creative officer gets one of these 50 books and takes it into a meeting with their creative staff and says “ …we will never use this guy, but why are we not putting out work like this?”, I will consider this a total & complete success. Thank you Mike for listening to me spout wild ideas and molding those rants into this amazing book!
My perspective has also changes on what its like to be the support staff to a great concept. Without great support staff one will never reach their full potential. My baby team is beyond words! They find a way into a child’s soul and make them shine on set. It inspires me to watch you two in action. Sharon & Di you are simply the best. A client once emailed me after a shoot telling me that my baby wrangles are the best in the midwest. I responded “ midwest???… try planet earth!”
So, I think I have come full circle. From thinking its all the concept and seeing my role as a support supplier, to having my concept win and realizing I could have never won without my suppliers! Winning a Gold Addy from either side is still a win! Now the Lang Photo Baby Book is off to the regional 5th district ADDY show. No matter what happens from here on out, winning this Gold has changed my perspective forever and for the better!
