Why We Photographers / Creatives Should Look Out For Each Other

Why We Photographers / Creatives Should Look Out For Each Other

Let's be honest, writing for a photography website, you notice that a lot of us photographers like to gripe at each other. Hey, you're more than welcome to express yourself as you wish since this is the internet and all. Although, I wanted to do a short positive post about how and why we should be a little nicer to each other. Sometimes it equals more resources and more money. Reason enough for you?

MG_44561 (Above) A superhero-themed shoot I did last year was done with all volunteer helpers / photo friends. They held lights, volunteered props and extra gear, acted as extras, and let me throw them around (literally)

 

If you have tried your hand at independent professional professional photography at all, you have quickly discovered it isn’t easy… especially on your own. There are no job hours, there are no guarantees, there are no benefits, no job security, etc etc etc. Most importantly, there is nobody around to tell you what to do every day except the grumbling in your stomach, the roof over your head, and creative the passion in your heart.

I feel like in the past (before the strong prevalence of social media), commercial shooters viewed each other as merely the competition (for the most part). Sure we would meet up at the local trade association mixers and chat a bit, many of us have done it, but you could practically smell the resentment of each other. Although, I feel like social tools, such as Twitter, have allowed us to freely communicate and share with each other. It has opened up doors to a greater understanding and appreciation of the battles we face in our careers.

Here are a few reasons why I think you should go out of your way to befriend / be good to your photo community:

  • Information resources: Need a certain type of location or person to cast in a pinch? Don’t know where to buy a certain type of prop or piece of equipment? Gear fail last minute and need to borrow something specific? How about someone to hold your lights when you don’t have budget for an assistant or doing a personal shoot? I’ve definitely reached out to my photography friends for all of these things one time or another.
  • A friendly shoulder: Listen, this lifestyle isn’t always easy. The hours can be long and some of our friends with 9-5 jobs don’t quite understand our lifestyle. It’s nice to have fellow creatives to ask personal/work advice from, share war stories, and even critique your newest work.
  • Problem solving: Lost all of your images on a shoot due to a bad card? Crazy unreasonable clients? No worries, hit up your buddies to help you figure out the best ways to handle a situation. Want to create a certain effect in post? I have definitely reached out to some of my buddies to figure out how to do it.
  • Job Sharing: “Hey, one of my clients just offered me a great job for easy money, but I’ll be out of town… want the job?” Yes please! It’s a two way street. I've passed on AND received thousands of dollars in projects this year alone because we all kept it in the photo family. This is a real and awesome perk for sure.
  • Clients To Avoid / To Approach: Oh you know, the clients that don't pay or maybe the one you've always wanted but not sure how to reach. Photo friends have warned me of potential bad clients from their experiences and have hooked me up with the email / phone numbers of clients/magazines I've wanted to shoot for.
  • An Honest Photo Critique: Because my mom can only tell me how awesome I am so much. Just kidding, my mom uses the word "rad". In all seriousness, you want a real take on how to improve an image? Go to your photography buddies, not friends. Friends will want to say how great it is, but photographers that you're friendly with will give you honest input. I personally found that posting your images for critique on forums where you don't know anybody personally leads to.... well... mixed results.
  • Karma: Because, it works man.

 

I try and set up mixers with local shooters through my twitter/Facebook/blog. I’ve done a few in LA and DC so far and I am very thankful for the photographers I have met. It doesn’t matter what level of success you may have obtained, we ALL can improve ourselves and our careers with the help from some photo friends. I personally have been repeatedly surprised by the resources and information some of my amateur photographer friends have shared and have directly benefitted from it.

Sure, we live in an age where there are photo forums and photo sharing sites, but that’s not necessarily what I am talking about here. Meet some folks face to face. Buy them a drink. Share their stories. Exchange contact information. It’s easy to talk online, but as my dad used to say, the best meetings are done in person. We are all facing this competitive uphill battle together. It’s always nice when someone is out there watching your back!

Would love to hear your personal experiences and input on this! Spread the love.

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By the way, if you're on the east coast of the United States, I've been hired by the team at Living Social to teach an Intro To DSLR Photography class at their new Washington DC live event facility 918F during the weekends in January 2013. Space is limited and it's only on sale until next Friday, January 3, 2013. You can also gift it to your favorite amateur photographer. I did this class for over 500 people last year and everybody seemed to really enjoy.

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Douglas Sonders's picture

Commercial Photographer (mainly Phase One medium format digital) and filmmaker based out of NYC. Started a site called Notabully.org to spread stories about well-behaved and positive pitbulls. Love cars, 80s movies, dogs, and adventure. Free time is spent traveling, sleeping, adventuring, or working on my baby, a 1969 Mustang Mach 1.

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11 Comments

Great post Douglas!  I absolutely agree with you on all points about watching out for each other.  I definitely agree, attest, and support having a face to face interaction with other fellow creatives.  In my experience I have found these to be the most beneficial in all aspects.  First you get to built a richer and friendly relationship with one another.  Secondly, it a great way just to gain a better understanding of one another. And it's simply is just great to hang out and express all good and bad things (share war stories and victories).  With the advent of social media, it is easy to get talk to people that are miles or worlds apart.  However there is something really special in having a community when you have that face to face interaction.

I could not agree more! I started shooting pictures full time this past spring, and have been extremely grateful to have found a great mentor as well as having been able to assist on tons of various shoots, including with you Doug! haha! There is no way to do this "on your own" and the support of this great community has been more than invaluable. 

I like everything that was said in your blog, in addition I think it has the potential to add to credibility with clients when they know if they cannot book you, that you will find someone equally as good that will deliver. I have a friend that I have been knowing for 10 years who was a photography long before I was and he always give me great feedback and is able to give it as a friend and a fellow photographer I think its awesome and agree its a must have............

In northern IL(including Chicago), we have formed a group on FB for us to share our experiences(good/bad), help with questions about something and all around support and hand off jobs to others that we can not fill.  This is a private though, since we want only those who are like minded as us to join.  It started off 2 years ago with 20 people and has grown to 60 to this date.  Some are more active than others(me being an active member) but its good to have that support group in a profession where so many people shut other people out.  It really is a great thing when you can talk to other professionals without fear of them doing something behind your back to steal business.
 

 as someone who still considers myself a "young" photographer...great read!

photgraphers needs to become more techincal... they rely too much on the fact that they are "creative".. once they become technical and creative.. they are unstoppable...

also a good point

I don't know where I would be without a community of dedicated, talented people around me. Being an art photographer, I rely on the help and advice of others constantly. I'm also always involved in and inspired by the the projects of those around me and contribute whatever I can whenever I can. Karma aside, it is a great feeling to support and be supported in your creative journey. As photographers we're often wearing many hats and it feels REALLY great spreading out the responsibility and focusing on creating once in a while.*

Give and you shall receive :)

Also, working within a community keeps us motivated and stimulated so while the "lone ranger" road is ok for some projects, the "I have an army!" approach tends to yield much better results!

Couldn't agree more. I once had a photographer ask me how I got onto the first page of Google and I actually told him. There has to be 9 other photographers on the first page of Google anyway, so I may as well be friends with them. He now passes me lots of leads.

We had this happen to us, so it's been hard to be trusting . . . However, because of this experience, a tighter-knit community is growing in our area . . . http://inherimagephoto.tumblr.com/post/44517749384/when-imitation-isnt-f...