You may have purchased your first DSLR camera, you may have already fallen in love with the art of photography, you may be thinking about taking your work to the professional level, but what would my best piece of advice be to an aspiring professional photographer? My advice may surprise you.
In four words, I'll sum it up: Now is the time! What do I mean by this?
Now is the time to focus on your creative skill set and to grow as a creative. Rushing to turn your photography into a business can potentially backfire. Simply taking photos, experimenting, learning creatively can quickly turn into an overload of contracts, proposals, emails, marketing plans, etc. The freedom to create and evolve as a creative dramatically dwindles, so in turn, patience is key!
In my video, I explain how thinking long-term is always essential to sustained success in any field. Many photographers in today's age I find to be rather impatient in developing their overall skils and preparing for the competitive field that is the photography industry. I share where my mindset was when starting out, why focusing on your creative self is crucial opposed to rushing into the daily grind of the photography profession; which many unfortunately do not forecast while beginning their pursuit in professional photography.
Share your thoughts below if you agree, disagree, or find yourself in this very pickle at the moment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0
;) Do iiiiiit!
EXACTLY!!!
https://youtu.be/NgXC6CcojHs
Great song, but its so true to what you're saying and much of the journey!
My feeling: 100% of my work as a professional photographer must please a client who isn't me. Would rather earn money doing something else.
This is completely false. I produce a ton of work which pleases me, and a lot of it I made to please only me. Some of my work is made to please both me and my client, but none of it is made to only please a client.
My answer is only true for my own situation, which involves a rather idiosyncratic body of work. Should've made that clear in my original post. I also have a degree in Computer Science, which allowed me (I'm retired now, on Disability) to make $s.
Yeah and for some people its a no brainer, and the ability to live super comfortably on a skill set or position they have already earnt and have photography be a joy filled escape and for those people that path is always gonna be better than 'struggle and work twice as hard to try and monetise the area of photography I like'
I guess my point is that if photography is truly what anyone really wants to do in their heart they'll find a way to monetise it.
Stephen: what you're saying only holds true if you are working in a part of the industry that you aren't passionate about. The worlds best sports photographers would still attend live sports every chance they got if they weren't photographing sports.
If you shoot mostly weddings but don't actually like weddings or romance, chances are you're not happy. However if you are a romantic and enjoy the excitement of weddings and couples beginning their lives together, chances are you'll love what you are doing and it will show in the results
I agree 100%. The photography I'm passionate about has roughly zero commercial potential. And that's OK. I've never seriously considered going pro; I have a degree in Computer Science that puts (or put - I'm on Disability now) on the table.
In short Stephen, if you aren't happy as a working professional, the problem could be that you are working in the wrong area or not making the kind of images you really want to, rather than professional photography not being for you
That's certainly possible/likely. In my OP I should've made it more clear that my answer only applies to me, personally. I had good options outside of photography for earning money. My photographic obsessions are quirky and personal. It honestly wasn't much of a struggle. I should probably look more seriously into getting grants for some of my projects, but that's about the extent of it.
While I agree with Mike and Scott, it's kind of off point to where I was going with this. Create now! Develop your skills because when you're a full-blown business, there isn't as much time to experiment and have complete freedom.
"Develop your skills because when you're a full-blown business, there isn't as much time to experiment and have complete freedom."
Is really good advice. Sorry to sidetrack the discussion.
Just voted Nick! Best of luck man! :)
I recently bought a full frame, and really want to embrace your idea/advice! Unfortunately, I am 'imprisoned' by the write up of my Master thesis. But after that - is the time! ;) :P
Thank you so much Pablo! Best of luck with your endeavors!
My Best Piece of Advice For Beginning and Aspiring Professional Photographers: Don't do it!
Lol!
Awesome advice .
This is super cool..! Thanks Mate <3