Give Some Photos Away, Get Invited To Speak at The Apple Store


I've been using Unsplash for various work projects since they launched and a few months ago decided to "give back" in my own way. I selected some photos I shot that I considered to be my favorites (and ones that I thought might just be good enough for the Unsplash crowd) and uploaded them to my account. Turns out, some of them were well received.

Back in August, a photo that I took with my iPhone was featured at the Apple Store in Montreal during an Unsplash event. It was blown up to something like 40”x56” which is awesome and something I wish I could’ve seen in person.

Well recently, Unsplash invited me to two more events. One was an event at the SoHo Apple Store and the other was a very casual get together where I was their featured photographer. Both in New York City, which I love visiting whenever I can.





Why am I telling you this? Because while I don't consider myself a professional photographer, I think it's kind of amazing that Unsplash opened some doors that I'm sure many would be jealous of. If photography is your business, wouldn't you want to show off your work like this?

What I'm recommending is that you give something away (Jeff Goins gets this idea). In my case it was photos, in yours it may be consulting time.

I feel confident in saying that if I didn't give my photos away on Unsplash, I wouldn't have been asked to be on a three person panel in front of 70 people at the SoHo Apple Store. While I don't know what's going to come from my [limited] involvement with Unsplash, I'm proud to have been given the opportunities they've extended.

Consider loosening your grip and you may be amazed at what possibilities present themselves.

Countdown to Unemployment

Washington, DC, USA

I agree that by using that title, it can seemingly mark me as a pessimist which I am not. It's only stating a fact that is true at the moment of this writing. I guess you could describe me as an 'optimistic realist.' I know the realities of life but choose to look at them in an optimistic way. I refuse to sugar coat. 

Last Friday, the company I work for made an announcement that at the end of this month, they are shutting down. Long story short, 20+ of us are looking for jobs. From a legal standpoint, I can't speak directly on the conditions but I can refer you to the press release. 

[If anyone is hiring or knows someone who is, here are the positions that my colleagues have recently just held]
  • Executive Producer
  • Producer
  • Associate Producer
  • Community Manager
  • Public Relations
  • Assignment Editor
  • Reporter/Journalist
  • Booker
  • Photographer/Videographer
  • Editor
  • Online Content Manager
  • Media Manager

[Contact me and I'd be happy to pass along their information.]

I'm coming to grips with the idea that everything I do this month could be the last time I do it. If we have to move, I won't be able to enjoy even the little things I've come to experience on a daily basis.
  • Getting on the bus and using public transportation.
  • Reading or even napping while commuting on the Metro into DC. 
  • Running along the Potomac River.
  • Having the ability to visit museums on my lunch break. 
  • Being two hours from family. 

More realizations present themselves each day. 

My lesson from this is to never take things for granted. Make an effort right now to take advantage of your situation no matter what it is. Someone out there would love to trade you for it and chances are you'll miss it when you leave. 

Back to the main topic at hand, I'm looking for a job. 

This is the first public announcement I've made though I have told a few individuals that I knew I could draw support from. 

The responses I received have been incredible with people offering to help find me a job as well as provide prayer and thoughts. Some of these people only know me in the online world and even though we've never met in person, that didn't stop them from connecting on LinkedIn or helping in the search. 

I feel, in a word, humbled. 

Right now is when it's easy to feel as if 'the world is over' but I know there is more at work than I can see. Everything happens for a reason and something good will come out of this. 

This will not slow me down.

If you want to connect with me, be sure to hit me up on any of the networks below or even email me at mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

I look forward to bringing you good news soon.



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