I am a perfectionist, but not perfect. This is one thing that sometimes can slow me down a bit. I sometimes get a new idea but want to make it perfect before I release it out, or sometimes even tell anyone. But before I get into my weekly post about who I am, I wanted to acknowledge a few people that are very important to Stagi Imagery and the work that we create. This blog is a mix of my business and also some personal things that I like to share to my clients and photography friends out there. I love to blog and even though my writing skills aren’t the best, it is a way of expression for me that I really enjoy. There is nothing cooler that being able to share my vision, my thoughts and dreams with all of you. But Stagi Imagery wouldn’t be where it is today without the hard work of many others.
First off Joey, our awesome other photographer. He has a great eye for moments and perfect timing to capture just that right expression from someone. He is also our master at lighting, and can turn any scene into an amazing dynamic image. He has been shooting for us for 3 years and always produces some amazing images.
Lisa my wife has been side by side with me for the last 10 years of this business. I actually started Stagi Imagery in her apartment in San Jose, when somehow I convinced her to let me put a little desk and computer in her tiny room. I will never forget that little $30 desk that could barely hold my apple monitor. Lisa has helped me out at weddings, helps with marketing and now besides being an amazing mom still answers the phones for me and responds to clients. I also have to thank all of the 2nd shooters that we use at weddings, they are always taking care of our clients, running around like crazy on the wedding grabbing gear, setting up lights, and on top of that capture the best shots! Thank you, Stephanie, Carrie, Jimmy and all of the other great 2nd shooters we have had.
So back to me trying to be a perfectionist. I was really thinking about this a lot yesterday and how sometimes my strive for perfection gets in the way of me doing what I am supposed to do. As most of you saw in my blog last week, I really felt led to help some of the homeless people downtown during this cold winter. I got an idea to post a video call out for help to people and put that out on twitter and facebook. My goal was to get 40 sleeping bags donated to help out people that are usually at St. James park downtown. I wanted to get these together in a few days to give them to people on the Thanksgiving weekend. I figured it might be a little difficult to raise money in a few days but thought that with all of the hundreds of people on facebook and twitter I know, no problem. Well when Thanksgiving came we only had 7 sleeping bags. I put off going downtown to give them away for a few days to try and get more in but nothing happened. Part of me wanted to wait and keep trying to get more so I could hit my goal of 40. So I tried to delay until I could do what I set off to do. My wife finally said to me “people are cold and need what you have” so I set off yesterday to give out the 7 sleeping bags. Thinking for a second I failed and couldn’t make a big of an impact as I wanted, my thoughts changed very quickly when I arrived. Not being out of my car for 20 seconds with 3 sleeping bags in my hand I had a guy run right over to me asking what I was doing with those sleeping bags. When I told him that I was giving them away and he could take one, the joy and happiness on his face made me realize that just helping out one person made this a 100% success. I was able to talk with him for awhile and encourage him. I prayed with him for his situation and for his family and know that if I can help touch one person then its all worth it. The other 6 were given away within a matter of minutes. In the end the needs of everyone weren’t met, but some were and I hope that it can help to turn their lives around.
By me trying to strive for perfection I almost missed the chance to impact the 7 people that I was able to meet. Perfection isn’t possible, the quicker we realize that and move on the better. From now on I will do the best that I can, put 100% into everything that I do, and then move on to the next project. I won’t dwell on making things perfect but will do the best that I can.
– Mark 
