With a saturated market for photographers, there are so many pitfalls a photographer can plunge into that can prevent them from being successful. Taking a step back to analyzing yourself and your business can be the first step to improve and guarantee chances of success for the future. Here are a number of things to look out for, these things can be what is preventing you from reaching your potential.
1. Mr. Know-It-All
We all come across that guy who is a "know-it-all." If there is one thing I've figured out growing up, it's that you can learn something new from anyone in life. It doesn't matter whether they are younger, not as educated or as intelligent as you. Consistently blowing off other people and their comments will prevent you from being successful. It's key to take every idea, tip or piece of advice someone gives you seriously. Sometimes, it's also advisable to reach out to older, more experienced people in the field you are targeting to seek guidance.
2. That Negative Guy Who Always Comments (aka The Troll)
This is actually the one thing that inspired me to write this article. This week, I came across a bitter photographer who was trash-talking a fellow extremely talented photographer on her page. The first thought that came to mind was "yup, this fool won't get far in life." Every Facebook photography group has a few of these clowns- the guys who talk more than they show and they always have something negative to comment. Needless to say, people like this will not be successful if they have such an attitude. They aren't pleasant to talk to or deal with.
3. The Gear-Centric Guy
How can I exclude this topic on such a list? A lot of us are guilty of using gear or lack thereof as an excuse for subpar performance. The truth is, most of us realize that it's not an excuse right away or at some point in our careers. The sooner we come to the realization that gear is only a tool and not the be all and end all of photography, the sooner we work harder to perfect our skill. Unfortunately there are those who never get out of that rut and have their heads wrapped around lacking "the right" gear. Check out - 30 Mind Blowing Images Taken With Entry Level Gear
4. Not Accepting C&C
If you find yourself defending yourself and your photos, you are putting a cap on your photography. Photography is an art and there is no limit to skill level when it comes to art. You will get better by the day. Accept what people have to say with grace and use their critique to improve and grow.
5. That Cliche Photographer/"Does All Photography"
There are tens of thousands of photographers out there. Don't be another cliche one. To be successful, a photographer must stand out. For example, people are tired of seeing portraits taken on train tracks. Find a setting that is not over used. Furthermore, you must specialize in one or two genres. How many successful photographers do you know who do it all? And trust me chances are you will not be the first person who is an expert in 10 different genres of photography, so pick.
6. Doesn't "get" Marketing
Five years ago, ignoring Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was doable. Nowadays, even if you're on every social media platform you won't get too far without social skills. Get in tune with the current market, show personality and show off your best work. Fans want to see that there is a human behind the camera and not some robot. Interact with your fans!
7. Those Who Don't Pursue It As A Hobby
If you are in photography for the money, you picked the wrong career. By choosing a genre just for the money you are setting yourself up for destruction. Eventually, you will burn out and without the wild fire and passion inside you, your business will not grow. Do what you love and you will get good at it. You may struggle at first but all it takes is meeting the right person and over night, success will find you.
8. Choosing Quantity Over Quality
Aim to take just one amazing photo on a shoot and not 20 mediocre ones. With time, the amount of quality images will increase from shoot to shoot. The goal is to show off a portfolio that will blow people's minds. Additionally, your fans don't care to see 15 OK photos from the same shoot, they want to see one amazing photo and variety. Do not flood your page with a new album for each shoot.
9. Never Responds to Communications
You know that awesome feeling when someone answers your email or text instantly? Be the cause for that awesome feeling for your clients. Treat everyone like that hot girl you're texting who you just met at the bar last night. People hate when it takes someone 24 hours to respond. I'm guilty of this myself and beat myself up all the time for not responding soon enough.
10. Doesn't Use a Support System
My spurt of growth was the day my wife and I moved in together. She pushes me, supports me and makes me feel better when I am down. She even edits most of my articles and posts on social media. If you have a friend or family member who is discouraging you, cut them loose. A person who truly loves you, pushes you until you are successful.
*Update* 11. Not Getting Repeat Customers
If you are not getting repeat customer there is one of two things wrong. Lacking quality or service. Figure out which of the two it may be and fix it.
This list was put together with the help from the following photographers: Patrick Hall, Michael Woloszynowicz, Lisa Holloway, Clay Cook, Ett Venter, Lori Patrick, Hudi Greenberger, Shua Klien, Zach Sutton and Jaron Schneider
If you'd like more professional tips on the business side of photography, Fstoppers produced a full course with Monte Isom, Making Real Money-The Business of Commercial Photography that includes lessons from the highest paid photography gigs out there along with free contracts, invoicing times, and other documents. If you purchase it now, you can save a 15% by using "ARTICLE" at checkout. Save even more with the purchase of any other tutorial in our store.
'Success' is a subjective term. True and unqualified success is happiness. Any other form of success requires qualification.
For number 11, how would you get repeat wedding customers? I could see several different areas where getting repeat customers might be difficult, I would add on, getting customers referred to you as well.
I agree with every word but some could say that using the social media's don't really improve on anything, because you see. Marketing is a big issue now a days, you could be the greatest photographer and have the best images with amazing quality and composition, but if you can't market yourself or sell yourself your going to lose out to someone who can and has half the talent you do. The one thing to keep in mind is MARKETING!! even if this means going out and talking to random people or going door to door introducing yourself. you must learn to talk to strangers, so you can sell yourself. this industry in my opinion cause I'm aloud a opinion is losing in the way of face to face communication and people won't buy from you if they don't trust you. so yes approach this as a hobby but still bring a business side to it. also everybody loves confidence. :)
Epic tam, awesome article as always Dani, seems like some one got but hurt. I must be the gear guy sold my D90 to buy a D7100 and then got the D800E could probably still be doing what i do now with my d90.
"Choosing Quantity Over Quality" I have seen this first hand recently on some photo shoots I worked on with Benjamin Von Wong. His shoots are extravagant and complicated. In one shoot in a forest, I watched him set up 4 different shots. Each set up took 2-3 hours, and the shooting time was no more than 10 minutes per. And, he will only ever release ONE photo per scene, even if he got 10 good ones. And while he admits he takes mediocre photos too, those will never see the light of day.
Totally agree with Dani and you, Michael. It sounds similar to when I do makeup/beauty work, but not as elaborate as VW. He's on his own level of awesome. With my shoots, each 'change' takes around an hour (I make sure I have everything ready and set up while waiting...because there is quite a bit of waiting) and the actual shooting time for that MU change is around 10min. Then the process repeats :P And usually the shoot produces 1-2 per change. I feel like I'm OCD when I do these shoots :P
Dani, as always I love hearing your advice. Your articles are some of my favorites to read for their down-to-earth insight. Your articles come across like you're hanging out sharing a coffee and just giving honest advice on things. Thank you for your great articles and images, they're always a pleasure.
#12. You're not Dani Diamond.
*snort*
I am the Troll, yes I post here sometimes positive sometimes negative. I find this post pretty useless and when I see that in the comments that the author uses the words "click bait" I know that this is just putting out a mediocre article for clicks and money. I choose to remain anonymous for the fact that I know what I say though true seems unpopular in the group hug that is stoppers. I'm the guy that has put in the years as an assistant to some great photographers and shoot what I love for great clients, I'm not gear centric, barely own any but rent what I need for every job. I'm also the little devil on your shoulder. Do I need social media, not really I built a network in the real world where a print portfolio gets you jobs.
I will never treat this as a hobby thats why I go fishing.
The does all photography thing make a little sense until you are around a great photographer and when asked to do a quick still life during a fashion shoot just shoots the most inspiring photo ever. I don't know why I am so compelled to comment on these posts...
I hear you on number 9, man. And number 6 is my achilles heel, mostly because I'm slightly reserved and have some introvert traits... which serves as a big challenge. Awesome post, man, thanks.
Great article, and many very true points. Most successful photographers fall prey to different mistakes listed at various times...they just learn from it and move on instead of wallowing. :)
#10, I will admit, is a huge one. A support network is almost essential, and team work makes the job a lot easier, especially somebody willing to do the jobs you just don't have time to do anymore. I don't do photography, but I am immersed in it daily because I am part of a photography team. My job is social media, emailing, assisting, and web design...and the occasional nagging. The photographer is busy enough shooting, editing, learning new methods for both, downloading software, uploading photos, following northern light alerts, and working with clients. :) I know there are one man shows out there that are very successful, but it's hard to imagine! For instance, I have time to sit here on Fstoppers and yammer a lot. The photographer doesn't. lol
As for repeat customers, that's a big one. It can be very telling, and it's important to evaluate what went wrong when a client you did family photos for chooses a different photographer for the next shoot. Just remember, the photos might not be the problem at all.
The only thing I would disagree with is "guy who shoots everything". There are markets out there that literally demand you be able to shoot "everything". Small town markets, for instance, are often desperate for a competent photographer that can be flexible enough to go from a fashion shoot for an advertisement to a campaign event and not skip a beat. These smaller markets are often inundated with "natural light only" types, and a flexible photographer with some good equipment can build a solid reputation pretty quickly. Problem is the markets are still usually too small to support you...ha ha. I would say that this is usually a phase, and eventually the "do it all" photographer will find themselves doing more of one type of photography than anything else. As they do more shoots, their skill and passion will determine their "specialty".
Amazing article! People need to know what works and what does not!
Perfect, common-sense article. This needs to be reposted from time to time.
great article! great read.
Re: #4
Does anyone know a good place in NYC a photographer goes to get critiques? I make my living with video/photography, so not a beginner; but I'm always trying to improve...
Thank you Dani!!!! Freaking awesome advice. Made my day.
Keep them coming and keep doing what you do best and that is to inspire other photographers around you!!!!
Hit the nail on the head with this one. I think we've all met the "Gear Guy" and the "Know-It-All". Commonly, they're one and the same! As a gallery owner I'm often approached by younger photographers seeking career advice. Almost without exception, they're surprised when I tell them to study business and marketing. I've long believed that you can be the best photographer in the world but if you don't know how to market yourself and run a business - you'll fail. Great post, as usual!
#8 Tell that to a bride....... : )
In my country it's very hard to focus on one type of photography, I won't survive. No enough specialized demands.
I fell out of love with photography 8mths ago. I put in a good 8yrs and succeeded on many levels. But trying to conform to everything expected of us had left me bitter. I set about selling off all my studio equipment. I now only have a camera body, 2 lenses and a 5 in 1 reflector. After watching your natural light tutorial, I've become inspired to pick my camera up again. I'm challenging myself to keep it simple. I'm also of the belief that while ever we use social media to promote our work, clients will only expect digital images. As a 47yr old grandmother of two, I am conscious of the fact that this generation will have no physical records to leave for following generations. I am determined to go 'old school' and only offer printed portraits for the family home. And do it without the use of FB.
I think also to become a successful photographer, you need to
"Fake it, till you make it....." And that's not meant with any disrespect, it's a general observation.
And for those that didn't notice. On the end of the list, Dani posted a list of noteworthy photographers who helped compile the list.
All good and valid points Dani!
Thanks Dani. As a fresh hobbyist looking at going professional in the future, this has opened my eyes to many areas I have to work on.
Each of your articles has always had something new for me to learn. So grateful.
I usually never go through the trouble of registering for sites in order to comment, but for this article I did! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. I just started sharing my work online and from the few weeks I have spent building my presence, I can say the tips you have shared here are spot on. Thrilled to be a part of the community. Thank you, again!
I remember from the Daybooks of Edward Weston that some guy walked up to him as he was setting up his 8x10 camera..."I betcha that camera takes really good picture," he said. Weston's reply "I think the photographer has something to do with that."
I met a couple of people who started doing this because when they started taking the first pictures, someone told them that this is how it should be done and nothing else. You need to be attentive to each other and criticize others only when you are sure that you are helping a person, and not harming.