I was just scratching my head at Google Analytics. I do this once a month or so. It’s a business tool that tells me about all of you, your demographics, your interests, what you ate for lunch. I go there, click stuff, and stare blankly at graphs. Eventually, I shrug my shoulders and see what’s happening on Facebook. (Before the invention of Facebook, I used to open the fridge to see what was happening in there). I keep frequenting Google Analytics because I think I should, but I have no idea how to use the info there. It tells me, for example, most of you are using Chrome or, if you’re mobile, you’re probably on Safari. Most of you are from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Big whoop, right? It says I’m writing to a predominantly female audience. No surprise there. Wedding and family photography tends to be a female interest (props to the 26% of you males who are representing). It says that most of you are “movie lovers”. I wonder how Google knows that about you. But also, so what? Should I blog about how much I love The Dark Knight? It says that one of you is picking your nose right now too. Ok, that last one was a joke, but honestly, why do I need to know this stuff?
Rae and I have made spreadsheets about our clients a few times. Columns for age, gender, interests, purchases, etc. etc. We did it because we read a book about wedding and family photography and it said we should do that. Good business practice it said. Uh-huh.
We don’t bother any more. It doesn’t interest me. My favourite data is the opposite of the kind that can be contained in a spreadsheet or graph. I love that the couple photographed here, for example, very recently moved from Russia to Canada with their baby. I think it was brave as hell. They left all that was familiar and are making a new life here. I love that Svetlana (mother) has a Korean background and wants to one day visit Jeju Island, which is where I spent 6 years teaching English and learning photography. I love that her and Pavel (dad) read Daniel (baby) nursery rhymes on the couch (in a silly voice:-), and give him baby massages. I love that they hug the baby a lot.
Stay unique out there folks. Refuse to be categorized.
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