Wear a gorilla suit

Several years ago, the photographer who got me into this biz (Stephen Webster) was having a birthday and his wife bought him the newly (re)released original Planet of the Apes movies, which he desperately wanted. She wanted to surprise him with it at a dinner they were going to have, with another couple, in a nice restaurant. The surprise? Someone in a gorilla suit would deliver it during the meal. But the person she had lined up bailed.

I volunteered. She happily accepted my offer.

I put on that gorilla suit (and blacked out around my eyes to make sure he wouldn’t recognize me), on a Saturday early evening, in mid-July Columbus, Ohio heat, and walked down the sidewalk (gorilla-style, of course), making ape noises at people. I was carrying the gift in a bag. I “gorilla-ed” into the restaurant, right past the maitre d’, and found the foursome. Then the fun really started. I abused the poor victim (and the others some), pulled hair, sniffed bits, put my fingers into food, made lots of ape-ish noises, and even threw bread. Then I presented the gift, made very excited ape noises, beat my chest, and left, still gorilla-ing all the way, unrevealed.

The people in the place laughed and stared and everyone had a great time. And the next Monday, at the studio, Steve told me the story of what had happened, saying how amazing the ape had been, how the person really pulled it off, and that he couldn’t figure out who it was! He was stunned when he found out it had been me.

Why am I sharing this story? Because I was completely liberated by that suit. I could never imagine doing half what I did in my regular clothes, but wearing the costume, I could be the ape. You can do the same in your business. One day when you have a client meeting– a new potential client– dress they way you think a really top-of-the-line photographer would dress. Spend the money on a really great outfit, and when you go to the meeting, play the role of the fabulous photographer. Just go with it. Do this especially if you are normally shy and self-deprecating. Pretend you are everything you want to be, everything you imaging a “real” photographer would be. Just have fun with it.

As others have said, fake it until you make it. In this case, don’t fake the creative but do fake the personal image. Wear a costume and play the role. At worst, you’ll have fun and not get the project. At best, you’ll get the project and be one big step closer to making real the imaginary person you were portraying.

6 Replies to “Wear a gorilla suit”

  1. This is a fantastic story and would have paid money to have seen this in real life.

    Years ago I was in Santa Monica’s 3rd street promenade and went into the Disney store to buy a Pooh bear for my best friends new born son. While looking around the store i found a full size or better said GIANT Pooh suite (i am 6’5″ tall and 245 athletic build) with a hood and ears and even mittens. I bought it and went to the hospital wearing the suite and caring the Pooh bear gift. The response i got was nothing short of amazing. I found myself not only acting different but not speaking and using only body language to communicate.

    Later as i reflected on this experience i began to think and wonder about how this suite could change me. I began to look into how i behaved everyday, or better yet Preformed everyday. I began to question my motives and intentions with people. I began to look into how i was giving a show or a soft lie on who i was deep inside. As this process unfolded i began to see other people for who they really were not what they preforming to be. It became clear that most of the time i was giving a show with very selective conspicuous behavior, that i was buying into what the group think dynamic was for any given setting. i was in effect not being myself.

    As Leslie suggested i began to really think about what it ment to be a top of the line photographer, or better yet, how would i feel about a photographer charging me large sums of money showing up wearing jeans and t-shrit with a silk screened pistol on the front of and no shave. I really began to think about the messages i send to people and i strive to send ones that are authentic and based on my integrity.

    I honestly believe that because of this i am able to get (or be given) photographs of people from around the world that show a glimpse of who they are and not what they look like.

    If we put our Attention on our Intention that directs our Energy thus effecting our Actions.

  2. Years ago I needed to find a job. Someone said, “you’d be good at Public Relations.” I bought a book on PR and learned some of the lingo. I bought a suit and a briefcase. I applied for a job as Director of PR at a non-profit agency. I got the job and quickly took a class on PR at the local community college to help me keep up. PR is not brain surgery. One class was enough. A few months later, comparing notes with a secretary in the office, we realized we were the same age and had the same level of education. I was earning twice what she was. This works.

  3. Great story, with a great suggestion at the end. I’ve certainly been a different person than my conservative self in costume at Halloween parties and have had people say it was unexpected. I too have also done that little something extra to assist with the confidence for owning the moment and usually it’s dressing that way!

    Perception is reality!

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