[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
all right so listen did you all like
all right so listen did you all like that because a little bit of a slideshow
that because a little bit of a slideshow
that because a little bit of a slideshow I didn’t want to go through the whole
I didn’t want to go through the whole
I didn’t want to go through the whole thing right rock that so listen did you
thing right rock that so listen did you
thing right rock that so listen did you all hear that greatest in the world
all hear that greatest in the world
all hear that greatest in the world Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought
Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought
Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought that’s over the hottest stuff on earth
that’s over the hottest stuff on earth
that’s over the hottest stuff on earth right that was me doing the voiceover on
right that was me doing the voiceover on
right that was me doing the voiceover on that work but listen here when at the
that work but listen here when at the
that work but listen here when at the time when I had that music made was when
time when I had that music made was when
time when I had that music made was when I first started in photography and let
I first started in photography and let
I first started in photography and let me tell you something I didn’t have a
me tell you something I didn’t have a
me tell you something I didn’t have a client in the world Sean Lee right
client in the world Sean Lee right
client in the world Sean Lee right nobody would hire me right and so let me
nobody would hire me right and so let me
nobody would hire me right and so let me tell you when when we had this music
tell you when when we had this music
tell you when when we had this music made I was getting tired of people
made I was getting tired of people
made I was getting tired of people discounting who I was and so I got my
discounting who I was and so I got my
discounting who I was and so I got my education bought the camera equipment
education bought the camera equipment
education bought the camera equipment which was not cheap and then you set out
which was not cheap and then you set out
which was not cheap and then you set out to price yourself at what you think you
to price yourself at what you think you
to price yourself at what you think you are valued at or what you think your
are valued at or what you think your
are valued at or what you think your worth is and people would come to me and
worth is and people would come to me and
worth is and people would come to me and say Sean why are you so high or they
say Sean why are you so high or they
say Sean why are you so high or they would compare me to a big box store that
would compare me to a big box store that
would compare me to a big box store that was charging a dollar fifty for an
was charging a dollar fifty for an
was charging a dollar fifty for an eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody
eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody
eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody say angry I got angry and so I had this
say angry I got angry and so I had this
say angry I got angry and so I had this music made in rebellion I didn’t have
music made in rebellion I didn’t have
music made in rebellion I didn’t have nobody knew who I was nobody would hire
nobody knew who I was nobody would hire
nobody knew who I was nobody would hire me nobody wanted to pay me what I
me nobody wanted to pay me what I
me nobody wanted to pay me what I thought that I was worth so I had this
thought that I was worth so I had this
thought that I was worth so I had this music made why because of numbers
music made why because of numbers
music made why because of numbers thirteen and three in the scripture and
thirteen and three in the scripture and
thirteen and three in the scripture and it says in there we saw the Giants the
it says in there we saw the Giants the
it says in there we saw the Giants the sons of anak which come of the Giants
sons of anak which come of the Giants
sons of anak which come of the Giants and we were in our own sight as
and we were in our own sight as
and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers and so we were in their
grasshoppers and so we were in their
grasshoppers and so we were in their sight well Sean what does that mean well
sight well Sean what does that mean well
sight well Sean what does that mean well God had promised the children of Israel
God had promised the children of Israel
God had promised the children of Israel the land of promise and he sent in spies
the land of promise and he sent in spies
the land of promise and he sent in spies and they went spied out the land and
and they went spied out the land and
and they went spied out the land and they came back with a bad report and
they came back with a bad report and
they came back with a bad report and they said listen the land is good but
they said listen the land is good but
they said listen the land is good but there’s Giants over there but here’s
there’s Giants over there but here’s
there’s Giants over there but here’s what this said it says that we were in
what this said it says that we were in
what this said it says that we were in our own sight as grasshoppers so we were
our own sight as grasshoppers so we were
our own sight as grasshoppers so we were in their sight what’s your point Sean
in their sight what’s your point Sean
in their sight what’s your point Sean people will see you how you see yourself
people will see you how you see yourself
people will see you how you see yourself Hince greatest in the world
Hince greatest in the world
Hince greatest in the world Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you
Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you
Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you something in my industry in photography
something in my industry in photography
something in my industry in photography things change all the time business
things change all the time business
things change all the time business models right equipment all of those
models right equipment all of those
models right equipment all of those things change the one thing that has
things change the one thing that has
things change the one thing that has remained constant with me throughout my
remained constant with me throughout my
remained constant with me throughout my entire career is my own attitude toward
entire career is my own attitude toward
entire career is my own attitude toward my own success rock that what I submit
my own success rock that what I submit
my own success rock that what I submit to you all is that if you’re going to be
to you all is that if you’re going to be
to you all is that if you’re going to be successful it has to be because you have
successful it has to be because you have
successful it has to be because you have decided to be whether people think you
decided to be whether people think you
decided to be whether people think you should be or not bring the pain
should be or not bring the pain
should be or not bring the pain so I say to you failure is not an option
so I say to you failure is not an option
so I say to you failure is not an option and so I took this photograph of a high
and so I took this photograph of a high
and so I took this photograph of a high school student who was pretty passionate
school student who was pretty passionate
school student who was pretty passionate about basketball back then and so
about basketball back then and so
about basketball back then and so attitude is everything and so keep this
attitude is everything and so keep this
attitude is everything and so keep this in your heart not that you go around
in your heart not that you go around
in your heart not that you go around brimming at everybody and making that
brimming at everybody and making that
brimming at everybody and making that face but this should be something that
face but this should be something that
face but this should be something that you carry in your heart is that Alright
you carry in your heart is that Alright
you carry in your heart is that Alright need is and always will be the biggest
need is and always will be the biggest
need is and always will be the biggest driver of innovation and so in my need
driver of innovation and so in my need
driver of innovation and so in my need to be relevant what happened was is that
to be relevant what happened was is that
to be relevant what happened was is that I ended up along the line becoming this
I ended up along the line becoming this
I ended up along the line becoming this kind of lead of diversity for the
kind of lead of diversity for the
kind of lead of diversity for the professional photographers of America it
professional photographers of America it
professional photographers of America it is the biggest trade organization in the
is the biggest trade organization in the
is the biggest trade organization in the world for photographers with 30,000 plus
world for photographers with 30,000 plus
world for photographers with 30,000 plus members in 54 countries and me this
members in 54 countries and me this
members in 54 countries and me this chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit
chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit
chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit Michigan is the diversity leave for that
Michigan is the diversity leave for that
Michigan is the diversity leave for that organization right rock that yeah money
organization right rock that yeah money
organization right rock that yeah money from that I am an affiliate of the PPA
from that I am an affiliate of the PPA
from that I am an affiliate of the PPA and founded and started the
and founded and started the
and founded and started the multicultural association of
multicultural association of
multicultural association of professional photographers so if there
professional photographers so if there
professional photographers so if there are any budding photographers out there
are any budding photographers out there
are any budding photographers out there join get your career on the map baby
join get your career on the map baby
join get your career on the map baby rock that that was shameless plug
rock that that was shameless plug
rock that that was shameless plug alright and so it is built around not
alright and so it is built around not
alright and so it is built around not just photography education but also
just photography education but also
just photography education but also business inspiration outreach and
business inspiration outreach and
business inspiration outreach and community why because even though I am a
community why because even though I am a
community why because even though I am a professional photographer it is how I
professional photographer it is how I
professional photographer it is how I make my living I absolutely love people
make my living I absolutely love people
make my living I absolutely love people I run my mouth I love people I will walk
I run my mouth I love people I will walk
I run my mouth I love people I will walk up to you in a second and give you a big
up to you in a second and give you a big
up to you in a second and give you a big old hug please do not be afraid rock
old hug please do not be afraid rock
old hug please do not be afraid rock that right and so just last week we did
that right and so just last week we did
that right and so just last week we did this very first conference of minded
this very first conference of minded
this very first conference of minded it’s called the rock that photography
it’s called the rock that photography
it’s called the rock that photography conference why because I say rock that
conference why because I say rock that
conference why because I say rock that all the time it is my term it is my term
all the time it is my term it is my term
all the time it is my term it is my term for making life happen and so what makes
for making life happen and so what makes
for making life happen and so what makes us pretty unique is that we brought here
us pretty unique is that we brought here
us pretty unique is that we brought here to Detroit and you all may not know
to Detroit and you all may not know
to Detroit and you all may not know about it some of the best photographic
about it some of the best photographic
about it some of the best photographic talent in the world to Detroit to teach
talent in the world to Detroit to teach
talent in the world to Detroit to teach now what makes that interesting strong
now what makes that interesting strong
now what makes that interesting strong because there are a lot of conferences
because there are a lot of conferences
because there are a lot of conferences with a lot of talent coming to the scene
with a lot of talent coming to the scene
with a lot of talent coming to the scene well what makes that extremely
well what makes that extremely
well what makes that extremely interesting is that we kept the barrier
interesting is that we kept the barrier
interesting is that we kept the barrier extremely low for those who really
extremely low for those who really
extremely low for those who really wanted to take part in it right it is my
wanted to take part in it right it is my
wanted to take part in it right it is my job to open up doors for people of color
job to open up doors for people of color
job to open up doors for people of color right those are multiple nationalities
right those are multiple nationalities
right those are multiple nationalities so that if they really want to do this
so that if they really want to do this
so that if they really want to do this as a career
as a career
as a career we can make that happen is that all
we can make that happen is that all
we can make that happen is that all right what makes us all so unique Oh
right what makes us all so unique Oh
right what makes us all so unique Oh y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock
y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock
y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock that we Mitch is also unique this
that we Mitch is also unique this
that we Mitch is also unique this conference that we just had last week is
conference that we just had last week is
conference that we just had last week is that as a conference I told you all that
that as a conference I told you all that
that as a conference I told you all that I love people we do social good as a
I love people we do social good as a
I love people we do social good as a conference it was a point to partner
conference it was a point to partner
conference it was a point to partner with entities and do social good in my
with entities and do social good in my
with entities and do social good in my city in which I live right now and so as
city in which I live right now and so as
city in which I live right now and so as a conference with the best speakers in
a conference with the best speakers in
a conference with the best speakers in the world there this past week we
the world there this past week we
the world there this past week we partnered with the NSO and yes big round
partnered with the NSO and yes big round
partnered with the NSO and yes big round of applause
we partnered with the NSO we did 200
we partnered with the NSO we did 200 care packs for the two money center and
care packs for the two money center and
care packs for the two money center and the NSO Bell building and we catered we
the NSO Bell building and we catered we
the NSO Bell building and we catered we had catered in food for 160 residents of
had catered in food for 160 residents of
had catered in food for 160 residents of the NSO Bell building those that are
the NSO Bell building those that are
the NSO Bell building those that are going through transition right we have
going through transition right we have
going through transition right we have partnered with people like a Phi a and
partnered with people like a Phi a and
partnered with people like a Phi a and the community and as our photo walks
the community and as our photo walks
the community and as our photo walks were going on on Saturday we had busses
were going on on Saturday we had busses
were going on on Saturday we had busses downtown Detroit with photographers all
downtown Detroit with photographers all
downtown Detroit with photographers all over the place we had a separate crew of
over the place we had a separate crew of
over the place we had a separate crew of volunteers that were feeding the
volunteers that were feeding the
volunteers that were feeding the homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock
homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock
homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock that money we also partnered with so
that money we also partnered with so
that money we also partnered with so many angels Matt Myers and Angels of
many angels Matt Myers and Angels of
many angels Matt Myers and Angels of Hope which is here locally and what we
Hope which is here locally and what we
Hope which is here locally and what we did is an extremely cool project where
did is an extremely cool project where
did is an extremely cool project where Matt Myers who is a photographer in the
Matt Myers who is a photographer in the
Matt Myers who is a photographer in the industry and he’s actually here tonight
industry and he’s actually here tonight
industry and he’s actually here tonight takes photos of kids with cancer and
takes photos of kids with cancer and
takes photos of kids with cancer and have we have artists transform them into
have we have artists transform them into
have we have artists transform them into superheroes or princesses or sports
superheroes or princesses or sports
superheroes or princesses or sports icons right and what we did was the
icons right and what we did was the
icons right and what we did was the final closing night of the conference at
final closing night of the conference at
final closing night of the conference at our closing party we presented those
our closing party we presented those
our closing party we presented those kids and their families with printed
kids and their families with printed
kids and their families with printed canvasses right rock that give it up
why why is that important because you
why why is that important because you never know where you may end up and even
never know where you may end up and even
never know where you may end up and even though I am a photographer at the end of
though I am a photographer at the end of
though I am a photographer at the end of the day we serve people and it is
the day we serve people and it is
the day we serve people and it is important to not just take imagery and
important to not just take imagery and
important to not just take imagery and talk shop talk and talk photography talk
talk shop talk and talk photography talk
talk shop talk and talk photography talk and talk about lenses and iso’s and all
and talk about lenses and iso’s and all
and talk about lenses and iso’s and all of that stuff I want to talk about how
of that stuff I want to talk about how
of that stuff I want to talk about how do we give back to the community that
do we give back to the community that
do we give back to the community that raised me this is very cool this young
raised me this is very cool this young
raised me this is very cool this young girl has cancer and she was fighting
girl has cancer and she was fighting
girl has cancer and she was fighting cancer and I think she had been through
cancer and I think she had been through
cancer and I think she had been through her second bout with it and then they
her second bout with it and then they
her second bout with it and then they showed her her canvas and she started to
showed her her canvas and she started to
showed her her canvas and she started to cry
cry
cry and she was Wonder Woman money look here
and she was Wonder Woman money look here
and she was Wonder Woman money look here y’all I’m get ready to cry right now
y’all I’m get ready to cry right now
y’all I’m get ready to cry right now bring the pain
bring the pain
bring the pain Austin want to be a sports top right and
Austin want to be a sports top right and
Austin want to be a sports top right and then these parents because the kid their
then these parents because the kid their
then these parents because the kid their kid was 3 years old and it was a late
kid was 3 years old and it was a late
kid was 3 years old and it was a late night and of course they couldn’t bring
night and of course they couldn’t bring
night and of course they couldn’t bring them he was tired he was sick but we
them he was tired he was sick but we
them he was tired he was sick but we presented them with his canvas and they
presented them with his canvas and they
presented them with his canvas and they are Criers you see dad there’s like oh
are Criers you see dad there’s like oh
are Criers you see dad there’s like oh my god I was like oh my god dude you
my god I was like oh my god dude you
my god I was like oh my god dude you cannot be doing this right here like
cannot be doing this right here like
cannot be doing this right here like that money bring to play and he crying
that money bring to play and he crying
that money bring to play and he crying he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too
he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too
he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too right and so boom and then he was
right and so boom and then he was
right and so boom and then he was flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on
flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on
flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on the planet
and while that was significant here is
and while that was significant here is what I think is extremely significant
what I think is extremely significant
what I think is extremely significant while I am over time just a little bit
while I am over time just a little bit
while I am over time just a little bit but I think that it’s worth it more than
but I think that it’s worth it more than
but I think that it’s worth it more than just a color of people I am the CEO and
just a color of people I am the CEO and
just a color of people I am the CEO and president of the multicultural
president of the multicultural
president of the multicultural Association of professional
Association of professional
Association of professional photographers I love people I don’t care
photographers I love people I don’t care
photographers I love people I don’t care what you look like at the end of the day
what you look like at the end of the day
what you look like at the end of the day and so we had our conference and the
and so we had our conference and the
and so we had our conference and the white gentleman that you see sitting
white gentleman that you see sitting
white gentleman that you see sitting there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman
there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman
there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman named Jason group he is one of the top
named Jason group he is one of the top
named Jason group he is one of the top influencers in the world
influencers in the world
influencers in the world in photography he is CMO of firefly song
in photography he is CMO of firefly song
in photography he is CMO of firefly song freedom and ran one of the largest
freedom and ran one of the largest
freedom and ran one of the largest conferences in the world called W PPI
conferences in the world called W PPI
conferences in the world called W PPI 15,000 photographers annually in Las
15,000 photographers annually in Las
15,000 photographers annually in Las Vegas and he spoke at our conference
Vegas and he spoke at our conference
Vegas and he spoke at our conference here’s what’s significant about this
here’s what’s significant about this
here’s what’s significant about this photograph the lady that he is hugging
photograph the lady that he is hugging
photograph the lady that he is hugging her name is Deborah Davis this was last
her name is Deborah Davis this was last
her name is Deborah Davis this was last week last Friday her name is Deborah
week last Friday her name is Deborah
week last Friday her name is Deborah Davis
Davis
Davis Deborah’s sister died that day and
Deborah’s sister died that day and
Deborah’s sister died that day and Deborah came back to the conference
Deborah came back to the conference
Deborah came back to the conference why did Deborah come back to the
why did Deborah come back to the
why did Deborah come back to the conference when her sister just passed
conference when her sister just passed
conference when her sister just passed away and I believe that it is because
away and I believe that it is because
away and I believe that it is because she had family at the conference
she had family at the conference
she had family at the conference Jason had just announced during his talk
Jason had just announced during his talk
Jason had just announced during his talk that his wife was fighting breast cancer
that his wife was fighting breast cancer
that his wife was fighting breast cancer and had just had surgery and he made his
and had just had surgery and he made his
and had just had surgery and he made his way to the conference he had just had
way to the conference he had just had
way to the conference he had just had surgery and it made his way to the
surgery and it made his way to the
surgery and it made his way to the conference and so what ended up
conference and so what ended up
conference and so what ended up happening was is that we stopped
happening was is that we stopped
happening was is that we stopped everything people paid to be at this
everything people paid to be at this
everything people paid to be at this conference they were there but we
conference they were there but we
conference they were there but we stopped everything and we took a moment
stopped everything and we took a moment
stopped everything and we took a moment just start to pray why it’s people
just start to pray why it’s people
just start to pray why it’s people needed people needed we stopped
needed people needed we stopped
needed people needed we stopped photography education we stopped going
photography education we stopped going
photography education we stopped going through the rigmarole and talking about
through the rigmarole and talking about
through the rigmarole and talking about lighting ratios and how to do the
lighting ratios and how to do the
lighting ratios and how to do the business of photography and we stood
business of photography and we stood
business of photography and we stood there and we show love this is what is
there and we show love this is what is
there and we show love this is what is important somebody say rock
here is here’s what was cool about that
here is here’s what was cool about that is that when we stopped and showed her
is that when we stopped and showed her
is that when we stopped and showed her love we started to pray and we prayed in
love we started to pray and we prayed in
love we started to pray and we prayed in Jesus name here’s what’s significant
Jesus name here’s what’s significant
Jesus name here’s what’s significant about that if you look at the picture of
about that if you look at the picture of
about that if you look at the picture of the black guy over on this I don’t know
the black guy over on this I don’t know
the black guy over on this I don’t know what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t
what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t
what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t mess around with me
mess around with me
mess around with me you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there
you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there
you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there who is the head photographer for the San
who is the head photographer for the San
who is the head photographer for the San Francisco 49ers that’s the level of
Francisco 49ers that’s the level of
Francisco 49ers that’s the level of talent that we have there in the place
talent that we have there in the place
talent that we have there in the place and so we started to pray for Jason and
and so we started to pray for Jason and
and so we started to pray for Jason and for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a
for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a
for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a Lebanese lady running around here who
Lebanese lady running around here who
Lebanese lady running around here who was on the photography team who was
was on the photography team who was
was on the photography team who was Muslim and she joined in on the prayer
Muslim and she joined in on the prayer
Muslim and she joined in on the prayer and you say well wow that’s a whole lot
and you say well wow that’s a whole lot
and you say well wow that’s a whole lot of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be
of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be
of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be going on going on but at the end of the
going on going on but at the end of the
going on going on but at the end of the day nobody cares about your career or
day nobody cares about your career or
day nobody cares about your career or your religion you care about people no
your religion you care about people no
your religion you care about people no matter what color they are
rock that so ladies and gentlemen I
rock that so ladies and gentlemen I submit to you the greatest investment
submit to you the greatest investment
submit to you the greatest investment that you can make is the investment in
that you can make is the investment in
that you can make is the investment in people thank you
people thank you
people thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
all right so listen did you all like
all right so listen did you all like that because a little bit of a slideshow
that because a little bit of a slideshow
that because a little bit of a slideshow I didn’t want to go through the whole
I didn’t want to go through the whole
I didn’t want to go through the whole thing right rock that so listen did you
thing right rock that so listen did you
thing right rock that so listen did you all hear that greatest in the world
all hear that greatest in the world
all hear that greatest in the world Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought
Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought
Sean Lee did y’all hear that I I thought that’s over the hottest stuff on earth
that’s over the hottest stuff on earth
that’s over the hottest stuff on earth right that was me doing the voiceover on
right that was me doing the voiceover on
right that was me doing the voiceover on that work but listen here when at the
that work but listen here when at the
that work but listen here when at the time when I had that music made was when
time when I had that music made was when
time when I had that music made was when I first started in photography and let
I first started in photography and let
I first started in photography and let me tell you something I didn’t have a
me tell you something I didn’t have a
me tell you something I didn’t have a client in the world Sean Lee right
client in the world Sean Lee right
client in the world Sean Lee right nobody would hire me right and so let me
nobody would hire me right and so let me
nobody would hire me right and so let me tell you when when we had this music
tell you when when we had this music
tell you when when we had this music made I was getting tired of people
made I was getting tired of people
made I was getting tired of people discounting who I was and so I got my
discounting who I was and so I got my
discounting who I was and so I got my education bought the camera equipment
education bought the camera equipment
education bought the camera equipment which was not cheap and then you set out
which was not cheap and then you set out
which was not cheap and then you set out to price yourself at what you think you
to price yourself at what you think you
to price yourself at what you think you are valued at or what you think your
are valued at or what you think your
are valued at or what you think your worth is and people would come to me and
worth is and people would come to me and
worth is and people would come to me and say Sean why are you so high or they
say Sean why are you so high or they
say Sean why are you so high or they would compare me to a big box store that
would compare me to a big box store that
would compare me to a big box store that was charging a dollar fifty for an
was charging a dollar fifty for an
was charging a dollar fifty for an eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody
eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody
eight-by-ten and I got angry somebody say angry I got angry and so I had this
say angry I got angry and so I had this
say angry I got angry and so I had this music made in rebellion I didn’t have
music made in rebellion I didn’t have
music made in rebellion I didn’t have nobody knew who I was nobody would hire
nobody knew who I was nobody would hire
nobody knew who I was nobody would hire me nobody wanted to pay me what I
me nobody wanted to pay me what I
me nobody wanted to pay me what I thought that I was worth so I had this
thought that I was worth so I had this
thought that I was worth so I had this music made why because of numbers
music made why because of numbers
music made why because of numbers thirteen and three in the scripture and
thirteen and three in the scripture and
thirteen and three in the scripture and it says in there we saw the Giants the
it says in there we saw the Giants the
it says in there we saw the Giants the sons of anak which come of the Giants
sons of anak which come of the Giants
sons of anak which come of the Giants and we were in our own sight as
and we were in our own sight as
and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers and so we were in their
grasshoppers and so we were in their
grasshoppers and so we were in their sight well Sean what does that mean well
sight well Sean what does that mean well
sight well Sean what does that mean well God had promised the children of Israel
God had promised the children of Israel
God had promised the children of Israel the land of promise and he sent in spies
the land of promise and he sent in spies
the land of promise and he sent in spies and they went spied out the land and
and they went spied out the land and
and they went spied out the land and they came back with a bad report and
they came back with a bad report and
they came back with a bad report and they said listen the land is good but
they said listen the land is good but
they said listen the land is good but there’s Giants over there but here’s
there’s Giants over there but here’s
there’s Giants over there but here’s what this said it says that we were in
what this said it says that we were in
what this said it says that we were in our own sight as grasshoppers so we were
our own sight as grasshoppers so we were
our own sight as grasshoppers so we were in their sight what’s your point Sean
in their sight what’s your point Sean
in their sight what’s your point Sean people will see you how you see yourself
people will see you how you see yourself
people will see you how you see yourself Hince greatest in the world
Hince greatest in the world
Hince greatest in the world Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you
Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you
Shawn Lee rock that let me tell you something in my industry in photography
something in my industry in photography
something in my industry in photography things change all the time business
things change all the time business
things change all the time business models right equipment all of those
models right equipment all of those
models right equipment all of those things change the one thing that has
things change the one thing that has
things change the one thing that has remained constant with me throughout my
remained constant with me throughout my
remained constant with me throughout my entire career is my own attitude toward
entire career is my own attitude toward
entire career is my own attitude toward my own success rock that what I submit
my own success rock that what I submit
my own success rock that what I submit to you all is that if you’re going to be
to you all is that if you’re going to be
to you all is that if you’re going to be successful it has to be because you have
successful it has to be because you have
successful it has to be because you have decided to be whether people think you
decided to be whether people think you
decided to be whether people think you should be or not bring the pain
should be or not bring the pain
should be or not bring the pain so I say to you failure is not an option
so I say to you failure is not an option
so I say to you failure is not an option and so I took this photograph of a high
and so I took this photograph of a high
and so I took this photograph of a high school student who was pretty passionate
school student who was pretty passionate
school student who was pretty passionate about basketball back then and so
about basketball back then and so
about basketball back then and so attitude is everything and so keep this
attitude is everything and so keep this
attitude is everything and so keep this in your heart not that you go around
in your heart not that you go around
in your heart not that you go around brimming at everybody and making that
brimming at everybody and making that
brimming at everybody and making that face but this should be something that
face but this should be something that
face but this should be something that you carry in your heart is that Alright
you carry in your heart is that Alright
you carry in your heart is that Alright need is and always will be the biggest
need is and always will be the biggest
need is and always will be the biggest driver of innovation and so in my need
driver of innovation and so in my need
driver of innovation and so in my need to be relevant what happened was is that
to be relevant what happened was is that
to be relevant what happened was is that I ended up along the line becoming this
I ended up along the line becoming this
I ended up along the line becoming this kind of lead of diversity for the
kind of lead of diversity for the
kind of lead of diversity for the professional photographers of America it
professional photographers of America it
professional photographers of America it is the biggest trade organization in the
is the biggest trade organization in the
is the biggest trade organization in the world for photographers with 30,000 plus
world for photographers with 30,000 plus
world for photographers with 30,000 plus members in 54 countries and me this
members in 54 countries and me this
members in 54 countries and me this chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit
chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit
chunky dark-skinned dude from Detroit Michigan is the diversity leave for that
Michigan is the diversity leave for that
Michigan is the diversity leave for that organization right rock that yeah money
organization right rock that yeah money
organization right rock that yeah money from that I am an affiliate of the PPA
from that I am an affiliate of the PPA
from that I am an affiliate of the PPA and founded and started the
and founded and started the
and founded and started the multicultural association of
multicultural association of
multicultural association of professional photographers so if there
professional photographers so if there
professional photographers so if there are any budding photographers out there
are any budding photographers out there
are any budding photographers out there join get your career on the map baby
join get your career on the map baby
join get your career on the map baby rock that that was shameless plug
rock that that was shameless plug
rock that that was shameless plug alright and so it is built around not
alright and so it is built around not
alright and so it is built around not just photography education but also
just photography education but also
just photography education but also business inspiration outreach and
business inspiration outreach and
business inspiration outreach and community why because even though I am a
community why because even though I am a
community why because even though I am a professional photographer it is how I
professional photographer it is how I
professional photographer it is how I make my living I absolutely love people
make my living I absolutely love people
make my living I absolutely love people I run my mouth I love people I will walk
I run my mouth I love people I will walk
I run my mouth I love people I will walk up to you in a second and give you a big
up to you in a second and give you a big
up to you in a second and give you a big old hug please do not be afraid rock
old hug please do not be afraid rock
old hug please do not be afraid rock that right and so just last week we did
that right and so just last week we did
that right and so just last week we did this very first conference of minded
this very first conference of minded
this very first conference of minded it’s called the rock that photography
it’s called the rock that photography
it’s called the rock that photography conference why because I say rock that
conference why because I say rock that
conference why because I say rock that all the time it is my term it is my term
all the time it is my term it is my term
all the time it is my term it is my term for making life happen and so what makes
for making life happen and so what makes
for making life happen and so what makes us pretty unique is that we brought here
us pretty unique is that we brought here
us pretty unique is that we brought here to Detroit and you all may not know
to Detroit and you all may not know
to Detroit and you all may not know about it some of the best photographic
about it some of the best photographic
about it some of the best photographic talent in the world to Detroit to teach
talent in the world to Detroit to teach
talent in the world to Detroit to teach now what makes that interesting strong
now what makes that interesting strong
now what makes that interesting strong because there are a lot of conferences
because there are a lot of conferences
because there are a lot of conferences with a lot of talent coming to the scene
with a lot of talent coming to the scene
with a lot of talent coming to the scene well what makes that extremely
well what makes that extremely
well what makes that extremely interesting is that we kept the barrier
interesting is that we kept the barrier
interesting is that we kept the barrier extremely low for those who really
extremely low for those who really
extremely low for those who really wanted to take part in it right it is my
wanted to take part in it right it is my
wanted to take part in it right it is my job to open up doors for people of color
job to open up doors for people of color
job to open up doors for people of color right those are multiple nationalities
right those are multiple nationalities
right those are multiple nationalities so that if they really want to do this
so that if they really want to do this
so that if they really want to do this as a career
as a career
as a career we can make that happen is that all
we can make that happen is that all
we can make that happen is that all right what makes us all so unique Oh
right what makes us all so unique Oh
right what makes us all so unique Oh y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock
y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock
y’all clap I’m sorry I talk a lot rock that we Mitch is also unique this
that we Mitch is also unique this
that we Mitch is also unique this conference that we just had last week is
conference that we just had last week is
conference that we just had last week is that as a conference I told you all that
that as a conference I told you all that
that as a conference I told you all that I love people we do social good as a
I love people we do social good as a
I love people we do social good as a conference it was a point to partner
conference it was a point to partner
conference it was a point to partner with entities and do social good in my
with entities and do social good in my
with entities and do social good in my city in which I live right now and so as
city in which I live right now and so as
city in which I live right now and so as a conference with the best speakers in
a conference with the best speakers in
a conference with the best speakers in the world there this past week we
the world there this past week we
the world there this past week we partnered with the NSO and yes big round
partnered with the NSO and yes big round
partnered with the NSO and yes big round of applause
we partnered with the NSO we did 200
we partnered with the NSO we did 200 care packs for the two money center and
care packs for the two money center and
care packs for the two money center and the NSO Bell building and we catered we
the NSO Bell building and we catered we
the NSO Bell building and we catered we had catered in food for 160 residents of
had catered in food for 160 residents of
had catered in food for 160 residents of the NSO Bell building those that are
the NSO Bell building those that are
the NSO Bell building those that are going through transition right we have
going through transition right we have
going through transition right we have partnered with people like a Phi a and
partnered with people like a Phi a and
partnered with people like a Phi a and the community and as our photo walks
the community and as our photo walks
the community and as our photo walks were going on on Saturday we had busses
were going on on Saturday we had busses
were going on on Saturday we had busses downtown Detroit with photographers all
downtown Detroit with photographers all
downtown Detroit with photographers all over the place we had a separate crew of
over the place we had a separate crew of
over the place we had a separate crew of volunteers that were feeding the
volunteers that were feeding the
volunteers that were feeding the homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock
homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock
homeless at the NSO Bell building Rock that money we also partnered with so
that money we also partnered with so
that money we also partnered with so many angels Matt Myers and Angels of
many angels Matt Myers and Angels of
many angels Matt Myers and Angels of Hope which is here locally and what we
Hope which is here locally and what we
Hope which is here locally and what we did is an extremely cool project where
did is an extremely cool project where
did is an extremely cool project where Matt Myers who is a photographer in the
Matt Myers who is a photographer in the
Matt Myers who is a photographer in the industry and he’s actually here tonight
industry and he’s actually here tonight
industry and he’s actually here tonight takes photos of kids with cancer and
takes photos of kids with cancer and
takes photos of kids with cancer and have we have artists transform them into
have we have artists transform them into
have we have artists transform them into superheroes or princesses or sports
superheroes or princesses or sports
superheroes or princesses or sports icons right and what we did was the
icons right and what we did was the
icons right and what we did was the final closing night of the conference at
final closing night of the conference at
final closing night of the conference at our closing party we presented those
our closing party we presented those
our closing party we presented those kids and their families with printed
kids and their families with printed
kids and their families with printed canvasses right rock that give it up
why why is that important because you
why why is that important because you never know where you may end up and even
never know where you may end up and even
never know where you may end up and even though I am a photographer at the end of
though I am a photographer at the end of
though I am a photographer at the end of the day we serve people and it is
the day we serve people and it is
the day we serve people and it is important to not just take imagery and
important to not just take imagery and
important to not just take imagery and talk shop talk and talk photography talk
talk shop talk and talk photography talk
talk shop talk and talk photography talk and talk about lenses and iso’s and all
and talk about lenses and iso’s and all
and talk about lenses and iso’s and all of that stuff I want to talk about how
of that stuff I want to talk about how
of that stuff I want to talk about how do we give back to the community that
do we give back to the community that
do we give back to the community that raised me this is very cool this young
raised me this is very cool this young
raised me this is very cool this young girl has cancer and she was fighting
girl has cancer and she was fighting
girl has cancer and she was fighting cancer and I think she had been through
cancer and I think she had been through
cancer and I think she had been through her second bout with it and then they
her second bout with it and then they
her second bout with it and then they showed her her canvas and she started to
showed her her canvas and she started to
showed her her canvas and she started to cry
cry
cry and she was Wonder Woman money look here
and she was Wonder Woman money look here
and she was Wonder Woman money look here y’all I’m get ready to cry right now
y’all I’m get ready to cry right now
y’all I’m get ready to cry right now bring the pain
bring the pain
bring the pain Austin want to be a sports top right and
Austin want to be a sports top right and
Austin want to be a sports top right and then these parents because the kid their
then these parents because the kid their
then these parents because the kid their kid was 3 years old and it was a late
kid was 3 years old and it was a late
kid was 3 years old and it was a late night and of course they couldn’t bring
night and of course they couldn’t bring
night and of course they couldn’t bring them he was tired he was sick but we
them he was tired he was sick but we
them he was tired he was sick but we presented them with his canvas and they
presented them with his canvas and they
presented them with his canvas and they are Criers you see dad there’s like oh
are Criers you see dad there’s like oh
are Criers you see dad there’s like oh my god I was like oh my god dude you
my god I was like oh my god dude you
my god I was like oh my god dude you cannot be doing this right here like
cannot be doing this right here like
cannot be doing this right here like that money bring to play and he crying
that money bring to play and he crying
that money bring to play and he crying he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too
he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too
he crying crying and i’ma cry crier too right and so boom and then he was
right and so boom and then he was
right and so boom and then he was flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on
flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on
flashed oh money’s the hottest stuff on the planet
and while that was significant here is
and while that was significant here is what I think is extremely significant
what I think is extremely significant
what I think is extremely significant while I am over time just a little bit
while I am over time just a little bit
while I am over time just a little bit but I think that it’s worth it more than
but I think that it’s worth it more than
but I think that it’s worth it more than just a color of people I am the CEO and
just a color of people I am the CEO and
just a color of people I am the CEO and president of the multicultural
president of the multicultural
president of the multicultural Association of professional
Association of professional
Association of professional photographers I love people I don’t care
photographers I love people I don’t care
photographers I love people I don’t care what you look like at the end of the day
what you look like at the end of the day
what you look like at the end of the day and so we had our conference and the
and so we had our conference and the
and so we had our conference and the white gentleman that you see sitting
white gentleman that you see sitting
white gentleman that you see sitting there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman
there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman
there as a gentleman Jewish gentleman named Jason group he is one of the top
named Jason group he is one of the top
named Jason group he is one of the top influencers in the world
influencers in the world
influencers in the world in photography he is CMO of firefly song
in photography he is CMO of firefly song
in photography he is CMO of firefly song freedom and ran one of the largest
freedom and ran one of the largest
freedom and ran one of the largest conferences in the world called W PPI
conferences in the world called W PPI
conferences in the world called W PPI 15,000 photographers annually in Las
15,000 photographers annually in Las
15,000 photographers annually in Las Vegas and he spoke at our conference
Vegas and he spoke at our conference
Vegas and he spoke at our conference here’s what’s significant about this
here’s what’s significant about this
here’s what’s significant about this photograph the lady that he is hugging
photograph the lady that he is hugging
photograph the lady that he is hugging her name is Deborah Davis this was last
her name is Deborah Davis this was last
her name is Deborah Davis this was last week last Friday her name is Deborah
week last Friday her name is Deborah
week last Friday her name is Deborah Davis
Davis
Davis Deborah’s sister died that day and
Deborah’s sister died that day and
Deborah’s sister died that day and Deborah came back to the conference
Deborah came back to the conference
Deborah came back to the conference why did Deborah come back to the
why did Deborah come back to the
why did Deborah come back to the conference when her sister just passed
conference when her sister just passed
conference when her sister just passed away and I believe that it is because
away and I believe that it is because
away and I believe that it is because she had family at the conference
she had family at the conference
she had family at the conference Jason had just announced during his talk
Jason had just announced during his talk
Jason had just announced during his talk that his wife was fighting breast cancer
that his wife was fighting breast cancer
that his wife was fighting breast cancer and had just had surgery and he made his
and had just had surgery and he made his
and had just had surgery and he made his way to the conference he had just had
way to the conference he had just had
way to the conference he had just had surgery and it made his way to the
surgery and it made his way to the
surgery and it made his way to the conference and so what ended up
conference and so what ended up
conference and so what ended up happening was is that we stopped
happening was is that we stopped
happening was is that we stopped everything people paid to be at this
everything people paid to be at this
everything people paid to be at this conference they were there but we
conference they were there but we
conference they were there but we stopped everything and we took a moment
stopped everything and we took a moment
stopped everything and we took a moment just start to pray why it’s people
just start to pray why it’s people
just start to pray why it’s people needed people needed we stopped
needed people needed we stopped
needed people needed we stopped photography education we stopped going
photography education we stopped going
photography education we stopped going through the rigmarole and talking about
through the rigmarole and talking about
through the rigmarole and talking about lighting ratios and how to do the
lighting ratios and how to do the
lighting ratios and how to do the business of photography and we stood
business of photography and we stood
business of photography and we stood there and we show love this is what is
there and we show love this is what is
there and we show love this is what is important somebody say rock
here is here’s what was cool about that
here is here’s what was cool about that is that when we stopped and showed her
is that when we stopped and showed her
is that when we stopped and showed her love we started to pray and we prayed in
love we started to pray and we prayed in
love we started to pray and we prayed in Jesus name here’s what’s significant
Jesus name here’s what’s significant
Jesus name here’s what’s significant about that if you look at the picture of
about that if you look at the picture of
about that if you look at the picture of the black guy over on this I don’t know
the black guy over on this I don’t know
the black guy over on this I don’t know what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t
what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t
what side it is for y’all don’t doesn’t mess around with me
mess around with me
mess around with me you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there
you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there
you have Terrell Lloyd who’s in there who is the head photographer for the San
who is the head photographer for the San
who is the head photographer for the San Francisco 49ers that’s the level of
Francisco 49ers that’s the level of
Francisco 49ers that’s the level of talent that we have there in the place
talent that we have there in the place
talent that we have there in the place and so we started to pray for Jason and
and so we started to pray for Jason and
and so we started to pray for Jason and for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a
for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a
for Deborah in Jesus name and there is a Lebanese lady running around here who
Lebanese lady running around here who
Lebanese lady running around here who was on the photography team who was
was on the photography team who was
was on the photography team who was Muslim and she joined in on the prayer
Muslim and she joined in on the prayer
Muslim and she joined in on the prayer and you say well wow that’s a whole lot
and you say well wow that’s a whole lot
and you say well wow that’s a whole lot of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be
of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be
of mishmash that maybe shouldn’t be going on going on but at the end of the
going on going on but at the end of the
going on going on but at the end of the day nobody cares about your career or
day nobody cares about your career or
day nobody cares about your career or your religion you care about people no
your religion you care about people no
your religion you care about people no matter what color they are
rock that so ladies and gentlemen I
rock that so ladies and gentlemen I submit to you the greatest investment
submit to you the greatest investment
submit to you the greatest investment that you can make is the investment in
that you can make is the investment in
that you can make is the investment in people thank you
people thank you
people thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
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