Besides the basic "how to make a picture" techniques, there are several important life lessons I've learned from the art of photography that have changed the way I look at life. Not only do I try to apply these lessons to my photography, but also to the way I live my every day life. Just the simple act of changing your mindset can completely change the way your life interacts with the world. I hope that you take these lessons I've learned and apply them to your own life.

1. Take the time to stop and plan.

One key rule in photography is that you need to stop, stand still, plan out your composition, all before ever pressing that shutter. It’s hard to break the habit of shooting while walking and not taking the time to compose properly. Sometimes this bad habit works, but most of the time you end up with blurred pictures or a badly composed picture. Many times in our life, an opportunity comes up and we rush to seize it before our window disappears. Sometimes we have a struck of luck and nail it, but most of the time we seem to lose the opportunity before we could ever even touch it. If you just slow down and take the time to plan out how you're going to seize that opportunity, you would be more successful.

2. Sometimes a new angle can give you a better perspective.

When I’m taking a photograph, I am always analyzing how I can achieve a unique perspective. Whether it’s climbing up on a rock or lying on the ground, achieving the perfect angle is my goal. Life is much like this. Sometimes we get “tunnel vision” and get dead set on something and don’t realize that we’re going about it the wrong way. That’s why it’s helpful to have others give their angle on the situation that you might have not thought of before and shine light on a new perspective.

3. Great results come from hard work.

Photography is surprisingly a lot of hard work. It may seem as if the super fancy cameras do all the work, but truthfully the camera couldn’t make the picture if we didn’t tell it what to do. Aside from working the camera, there also countless hours spent editing those photos! And not to mention all the knowledge it takes to know how to make a good photograph, and all the practice it takes to perfect those skills. In life whether it's hard work in school, family, marriage, or your job, your dedication will always bring about great results.

4. Don't live behind technology. Go out and be present.

This one is the most important to me. Every time I go out to do something, I debate with myself whether to bring my camera or not. On the one hand, I could get some really amazing pictures; but on the other, I knew I tend to get too invested in my camera and not live in the moment. I usually end up leaving the camera at home and just taking a bunch of iPhone pictures, but I wouldn’t trade those crappy photos for anything because of the amazing memories I make when I'm out from behind the camera. Most of us today have become too reliant on technology as entertainment. I can’t tell you how many times when I’m out and about that I see families gathered around all staring at their cell phone, or couples on dates nose-deep in their Instagram feed that they aren’t paying each other any attention. Get off your phone. Turn off the TV. Put down the fancy-camera and be concerned with the moment right in front of you.