Katie Settel, of Katie Settel Photography, and I spent a few hours at Calf Pasture Beach on Friday. I need to update my social media images and love the way Katie has captured shots at my Remarkable Women’s Network events for me. 
While Katie was selecting different points on the beach and pier for the poses, a woman who had been eyeing us for awhile walked directly over to Katie and said, “May I ask you a question? I’m a photographer too. What do you set your camera at for shooting directly into the sunlight?” To which Katie responded, “I set it at 1/60th of a second with the aperture and 5.6 and the ISO at 200. That’s my starting point and I adjust from there.”
Huh? Up until that point, Katie was just a lovely woman with a camera around her neck whose images I’ve admired. (I’m being facetious, but you get my point.) In that brief exchange, I got to hear what makes her so good at what she does.
The larger point is that so many of us take our own enormous knowledge base for granted as well as that of others. We don’t walk around with our credentials tattooed on our foreheads or our resumes on thumb drives. We make assumptions based on externals: marketing materials, pricing, performance and persona.
How does your market know how good you are?
BTW, I just got a glance at the images from Katie. “You bumped the Senator,” she told me. I thought that was some photographic catch phrase like “jumping the shark” or something. She actually got so caught up in finding the image for me, she delayed work she was doing for a real live senator. That’s what friends are for! I’ll post a couple as soon as I get them.
Great blog post today. I shared your blog with my readers on my blog and on Facebook. Very thought provoking.
@Debbie
Thanks for sharing this. I saw a definite spike in readership.
Good points! Yes, we “take our own enormous knowledge base for granted.” The skills and knowledge we use every day without even thinking twice because they are now second-nature to us, are extremely valuable. But you’re right, Jane, does our target market know how good we are?
The other thing I liked so much was Katie’s immediate willingness to share her expertise with a “competitor.” So often we are encouraged to guard our knowledge but how refreshing to hear a story like this one! Yea, Katie! I think that is a primary difference between women and male entrepreneurs; women tend to nurture aspiring business men and women viewing them more as comrades than competitors. A much healthier approach, in my opinion.
@Julie
Thanks for pointing out Katie’s generosity of spirit. Well said!
Hello Jane,
I enjoyed reading your post. The first time I met you was in Greensboro, SC. You were speaking at a trade show sponsored by Cheryl Strickland. Your message was inspiring and I still remember you sharing your story and determination to press forward with your business. It was a remarkable story, and look where you are today.
@Carolyn
Wow! That was a long time ago. I’m so happy to hear you remember so many details and that you’re reading my blog. Thank you.