Today's conversation takes us deep into personal territory, we seek to help you define and understand what will make you a better photographer, and maybe a bit more well rounded too. :) Links Mentioned in today’s show: Create Photography Retreat Rick’s Book Rick's Website: https://ricksammon.com Richard Bernabe Episode: http://www.latitudephotographypodcast.com/episode/the-creative-principle/ Emotional Intelligence 2.0: https://amzn.to/2SxwioL Real Magic: https://amzn.to/2Swi1Zn The Artists Way: https://amzn.to/2OWsr26 Wildlife Photography by Richard Bernabe: https://amzn.to/37yVTl8 On Photography by Susan Songag: https://amzn.to/2Huf4SE _________________ Palouse Shoot-n-Print Photography and Printing Workshop: https://latitudephotographyschool.com/workshops/palouse-shoot-n-print-workshop/ Sign up to be the first notified when the new Latitude Photography School is available and open for business: https://latitudephotographyschool.com _________________ Lensrentals.com affiliate link: https://www.gopjn.com/t/SENJRktJT01DR09OS0lLQ0dLT0tGTg Use this link AND the code "latitude15" the next time you need to rent gear. I'll get a small percentage and you'll get 15% off. ThinkTank Photo affiliate link: http://bit.ly/2IMRhOT Need to carry your gear in style? Treat yourself to a ThinkTank Photo bag with the link and get a free gift at checkout Main Topic. Today I’m talking with Rick Sammon about some items found in his most recent book, Photo Therapy, Motivation and Wisdom. Rick, welcome to the show Let’s start with this idea of “Emotional Intelligence.” What is that all about? In the book you cover some of the basics about your early career as a photographer. Let’s start there, you were working for an ad agency and… Chapter 3, Photography can improve your health and sense of well-being. You quote your friend Richard Bernabe, who was on the show back in late November, 2018. He says, “For me, the very act of walking through a forest, desert, or a beach with my camera, regardless if I take a photo or not, is a form of mindfulness. I’m not ruminating on the past or worried about what I need to do tomorrow or next week.” Let’s unpack that a little bit, the first time I “realized” this deeply was in shooting Tunnel Falls in the Columbia River Gorge…  Chapter 4, Getting in Touch with Nature. From the chapter, “Thinking about how fast time goes by is also an escape from our normal reality that gives us an appreciation for how fast time passes, which, I think, gives us a better appreciation for life, which in turn can make us better people. Again, photo therapy at work.” Chapter 6, Creating your Own Reality. From the chapter, “We need to envision how a three-dimensional scene will look as a two-dimensional image, how light will be captured by our cameras, which is different than how our eyes see light—highlights and shadows.” “I shoot with feeling, I shoot with passion. I show respect. Above all, I shoot for myself.” Chapter 7. Looking vs. Seeing. Let’s talk about your “One-Picture Promise.” Listener questions: Nick Dag asks, “What key changes/developments in technology have had the greatest impact on your journey through photography and how did these alter your path? Jeremy Lanthorn asks, “In a world where we’re told to specialize, how do you continue to be successful in ‘specializing in not specializing?’” If we haven’t covered it already, Kirk Keyes wants to hear more about what lead you to the decision to create a photography book without any photos between the covers. Kirk also wants to know if you plan to put more music lessons on your YouTube Channel. And what’s your take on music and photography, would learning music add to the photographic experience and creativity? Drake Dyck asks, “How did you decide to write your first book and has your process changed much over the course of writing 40 books now?” Tell me about your next book.