We've been using Photo Mechanic for a fair amount of time now, and integrating it into the DAM process in a couple ways. I wish I could say their brand and user interface was visually appealing like any mac or adobe products, but this is a case where function overrules design even though the product would be so much better it were designed well. Maybe everything I like about the program is the sacrifice of a visually appealing interface. Ok, so that said what do I like about it?

1. The Image Display Speed: The speed at which it displays RAW photos, and any photos for that matter is faster than any program I've seen out there. Bridge, Lightroom, Aperture, and Capture One all have to generate preview files, which sometimes can be painful in waiting time just to view an image.
2. The Editing Speed: I like to make edits fast, and most of the above mentioned are so slow when moving from image to image. You can fly through hundreds of RAW images making tags with a 1-5 numbered key stroke.
3. Easy File Browsing: You can click through the drive tiers on the left side of the window. Super easy to open image folders.
4. Meta Data Application: You can create an IPTC stationary and apply it easily to a batch of images.
5. Star & Label Rating toggles: You can toggle star ratings and label ratings on and off so you only see those rated images and it's super fast and easy. Makes it easy to drag and drop to Photoshop actions and/or copy and move files to different folders.

The overall speed is the biggest advantage with this program is the overall speed of everything. That's why it trumps the rest of them. Naturally its only a piece of the process.

Over the last couple years, I've really been getting more into and serious about writing down my goals for the up and coming year. These goals tend to get filtrated and outputted into my marketing and business plans. My friend Kris over at Krama Consulting helped me really get this process started last year. It really takes diving into who you are, what you do, and what you want to really start to develop a detailed list. If you want to learn more about Kris' services check these links out:

Becoming Change: http://integralbusiness.blogspot.com/2009/12/telecourse-becoming-change-january-20th.html

Integral Strategic Planning: http://integralbusiness.blogspot.com/2009/12/telecourse-integral-strategic-planning.html

Since photography is such an artistic journey, it took me a few years before I really was able to create a visual style and hone in on who I am as an artist to then turn those into a list of goals in the form of a business and marketing plan.

My goals have manifested in melting both personal and business aspects. Since the photography business is really a lifestyle job they both very much fuse together. I recently read the Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris, and as much as he speaks to the full time corporate person working to create a lifestyle where they work less and enjoy more, there are many aspects of the book that directly apply to a career like mine. Lifestyle design is a huge asset to what this career can offer. You can create a business around what you shoot, what you want, and how you want to live if you do it right.

It's pretty amazing to look back at the goals that I wrote a year ago for this year as it comes to an end and see how many of them have actualized. In retrospect, I feel I could have looked at the plan more often through out the year to keep myself in check, but for the most part most of what I aimed for has been accomplished. This means my goals for 2010, should shoot even higher.

Here are a few categories on my list without going into too much detail:
•Tangible/Immidiate goals- These are goals that goals that take priority that can be checked off a list. For example, my first goal in this category was to move to New York. It took me half the year to find the right timing to do it, but I checked it off the list. Another was to finish my new business cards, which also are done.
•Creative Development- This one is hugely important. It's great to review your own work and see where you want to improve. These are things to constantly be working on to develop my photographic eye and skills. Examples: "Refine production details" work on bringing in more and better production elements into my work. Another: "Building a better rapport with my subjects" Social skills and building a rapport with my subjects is something I feel is very important and that I can always be better at.
Financial goals- I think it's good to set a goal that you want to bring in for the year. This was the first year I did that, and I luckily ended up doing much better.
Travel Goals- Travel is a huge passion of mine and something I value as part of my lifestyle design. These are a bit looser because my desire of destinations have changed due to learning about new places and opportunities. One I can check off the list from this last year is Iceland.
Long Term Development- Other goals that I have that pertain to advertising and editorial work, business development, and maybe things to accomplish in my life, etc. These are ordered in priority. IE: Advertising assignments, my ideal was 6 campaigns for this last year. Another was to develop a new website which is on the way.

These are examples from my goals last year. I have yet to sit down and write them for this year. Many new ones have culminated in the process.

The marketing plan is basically taking this list of goals, and planning out how you will actualize them. What are the methods you will use to attain those goals?

I truly believe that while photographs can make a huge impact and tell many strong stories, there is nothing like being there and experiencing things first hand. The energy, the smells, the sounds, the interactive moments with the people you come into contact with are worth way more than 1000 words. This is a big reason why I love travel photography in 3rd world countries. The experiences change me because I see things that you just don't see living in a 1st world bubble. Interacting with people that literally have nothing, and a lot of times are some of the happiest people I've met is so impactful. If you ever have or make the opportunity to go and visit these places, I say do it. It will change your life.

Laos was pretty incredible. The people are pleasantly kind and helpful. When I arrived, we hit the ground running, and venturing out to PoP locations. We rode out to Pha Thong, which is the first PoP school that was built. We rented motorcycles and brought out some pencils and crayons to the kids. Riding a motorcycle in a 3rd world country really makes you feel like you are traveling, even if you're not he back of one. Roads in a third world country are usually pretty chaotic and you're passing/dodging other vehicles, most of which are much bigger than you. Photographing kids in 3rd world countries has become a favorite of mine. There's always a joy in them that resonates even if they have nothing but a rock to play with. Much a reason why this job was a great fit for me. Pha Thong was a lovely little village, the kids seem to be excited about the school. Its so amazing to hear the stories and see first hand how much the people appreciate the school. The great thing about the PoP model is that village has to put in 15-20% of the building costs, which since they have nothing usually ends up being labor and some materials that they can make themselves. By them putting in this percentage, it gives them pride in the structure and they take care of it. The kids are very eager to learn, and enjoy being in school.

The other village highlight was Pha Thong, which was still being built. The amazing part of this experience, was how far into the countryside we had to go to get to this village. When we arrived, we looked at the site where the school is being built. Men from the village are hard at work mixing cement and working away on the school. A few of the kids are helping out too. Other kids are playing in the structure and you could see the excitement for their new school. This village hardly has any electricity, so we were without for the evening. The next morning the education ministry came down for the Handover Ceremony. We handed over the school to the country, who intern handed it over to the village. A pretty powerful moment to witness because of all the hard work that has been involved. After the ceremony the village and officials had a Basali blessing ceremony for us, where they pray blessings upon us and tie many strings around our wrists. A very powerful moment to see the people's appreciation.

Overall an amazing trip. Traveling with Adam and Leslie was a blast as well all clicked well. Many inspiring and productive conversations came out of our travel together along with many laughs.

I will say Adam Braun, the founder of PoP is a truly inspiring individual, and a huge reason I support the organization along with the great cause. He's a great visionary with a business mind. I believe anything successful has to have both. I believe PoP will be very impactful because of this combo.

For more info on Pencils of Promise visit: http://www.pencilsofpromise.org

See the full photo story here: http://www.nickonken.com/Stories/Laos_PoP

This morning I've embarked on a journey to a far away land (from New York) to a little country we know as Laos, where I'll be joining my friend Adam Braun, the director of an organization called Pencils of Promise. An organization that I truly believe is a great non-profit model that builds sustainable schools for kids in small villages. So many organizations have unsustainable models that in the end create a mindset of dependency (an in-depth conversation to have) which  is even more harmful to a social ecosystem. This minute and a half video has a quick fun overview of how the organization works and it's mission.

http://www.pencilsofpromise.org

I'm a believer in giving back as much as possible especially to be blessed with a career/dream job as I have. It's a goal of mine to be able to collaborate and do at least one non-profit job per year. What goes around comes around. I would encourage you to give back using the talent's and skills you have, whatever that may be.

My homie Jeremy Cowart has a great project on 12.12.09 called the Help Portrait. By now you may have already heard of it. A great way to get involved in something bigger than ourselves and give back. http://www.help-portrait.com/

Stay tuned for some blog updates and images from Laos