"What advice would I give a new photographer just starting out?"Learn your craft and learn every aspect of your craft, then keep learning how to do it better.
Images copyright Ryan Schembri. All rights reserved.
0 Comments
by Skip Cohen
I've written about playing offense before, but it's time to put a few more ideas out there. Most of you have wrapped up the year and are chasing down those last holiday orders. You're about to hit the official "slow season" of our industry and it's the perfect time to be thinking about the new year. I don't know about all of you, but even in business, I'd much rather carry the ball than chase it. 1) Plan at least one consumer promotion a quarter. Start to think about things you could be doing to create some excitement for your business in the form of consumer or client-based promotions with one each quarter of the year. 2) What programs or workshops are you going to attend next year? Not every program requires you to hit the road for a week of hotels, air travel etc. Should you be at one of the big convention/trade shows? The year kicks off with IUSA in Phoenix, WPPI in March and PPE in NYC in the Fall. But don't just think about the big programs - there's a lot going on locally and regionally. 3) Establish a credit line with a leasing company...even if you're not buying anything right now! Here's where you can utilize somebody else's assets without depleting yours! You need the credit line in your back pocket, so that when you do need new gear you're ready to obtain it without hitting the panic button, because you don't have the funding. Your camera is your life line along with lenses, lights, printers and your computer! Most of you are always flying without a net - having the ability to obtain gear on a lease will give you a little extra security when you need it most. 4) The same goes for insurance! Fifty percent of the wedding and event photographers in this country list themselves as part time. That means most of you are playing Russian Roulette with your home insurance policies, which normally don't cover equipment used for business purposes. Check with your insurance agent and make sure your gear is covered under your policy. Also, do have indemnification insurance? Are you covered if you shoot a wedding and God forbid you lose the images before they're downloaded? 5) Do you have an attorney and a good accountant? You might not need either at this very minute, but at some time in everybody's business you're going to need more advice than you get with Google. At least once a month I get a call from a friend asking me if I know a good attorney. Most often it's just a routine question, but don't wait until the last minute to build these relationships. And in terms of accounting - GET A GOOD ACCOUNTANT! Your business is growing or has grown and relying on your copy of QuickBooks isn't going to help you when you need it most. 6) Network, network, network! A great network helps when it comes to playing offense and having other people on your team, as opposed to just heading out onto the "field" by yourself. You should be working all the time to keep building your network. 7) Holiday Cards! It's one of the easiest ways in the world to keep your name out there along with using your own images on your stationery. Start thinking about images for next year's holiday card now! Also look for images you can use for a "thank you" note application. Remember, on the back, just like the Hallmark label you should have your studio name and contact information. 8) Social Media - it's more than just a page on Facebook! It starts with consistency, which seems to be the problem for most photographers. They start out well and then back off... Social media isn't about posting at random and writing a blog post once a month, but for now, just think about your goals for next year. If you can't be dedicated to the approach then it's not time for you to get involved yet! 9) Do you have backup? Backup people, backup gear or a backup plan for a day when everything might go wrong? I wrote about it a few years ago - battling it out with the Gall Bladder From Hell, I lost two solid weeks in my own business and really had never thought about backup. You need a person or two you trust to know the key aspects of your business just in case you're caught in a bind. And no professional goes to a shoot without backup gear. As reliable as most equipment is, you're not, and sooner or later you're going to drop a camera body or lens. 10) What's your program to back up your computer? Where are your images stored? How about all your correspondence? 11) What's your specialty? Are you a one trick pony or do you have a couple of other tricks up your sleeve? If business disappeared in the specialty you're strongest in what's your game plane to still have a business? 12) If you got a call to shoot the biggest wedding of the year and needed help, who's on your list to call? The same goes for all you commercial guys - if you had a job bigger than anything you've ever done how would you do it? 13) Get to know the vendors you work with most. This has nothing to do with anything going wrong, but keeping things going right. Remember to say thanks to the people who help you the most. Make it a point to get to know the people at your lab, album company and framing company. Visit each convention with a list of every product you use and make it a point to meet somebody from each company. Get to know the operational staff at whatever associations you belong to. This is all about being able to pick up a phone and know the person you're talking to when you need help. 14) Identify a charity you want to work with next year. Interview a charity just like you would somebody you wanted to hire to work full or part time in your business. Don't just pick a charity at random, but focus on a cause that's important to you and your community. 15) Listen to podcasts, webinars and teaching DVD's. There's so much information available and you can pick up a lot just listening while you're driving or doing other activities. There are dozens of podcasts right here at SCU and on the Internet, great conversations and tips thanks to my buddy Dane Sanders, just to name one of the great programs out there. I started this blog talking about playing offense versus defense. It's also called being proactive rather than reactive. In a successful business you've obviously got to cover both, but then Murphy jumps in with Murphy's Law, "If anything can go wrong it will!" Well, I'm a big fan of Murphy's second law - "Murphy was an optimist!" What advice would I give photographers just starting out? Follow your dreams...nothing is impossible. Learn from the mistakes of others, you don't have time to make them all yourself. Remember, if you know precisely where you are going, you have been there before. Photograph what is important to you, and then you may find your photographs to be important. "You will never make a photograph that everyone likes, so make sure you like every one of your photographs." Oliver Gagliani "There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams Above all have FUN with photography - no matter how hard you are working at it. You will do better work while "playing" rather than intellectualizing. Photography is magic! John definitely needs to be on your radar! Follow what he's working on through his website and exhibition schedule. John teaches a limited number of very special workshops each year. by Skip Cohen
I first read the expression on a sign in front of a church in Akron years ago. but think about it as it applies to being a photographer and artist. You have to have faith in yourself. You have to believe in what you’re doing. You have to understand not only the craft, but the human spirit. And, it’s the human spirit that should be at the top of your list. The definition of an ultimate photograph is one that moves people. You can’t move people and create images that tug at their hearts if you’re not comfortable with your own heart. So, it all becomes sort of obvious – it’s faith in yourself that creates confidence and builds your strength of character and gets your heart where it should be. So, if the world around you has filled you with a little doubt now and then and challenges your faith as an artist, then how about thinking about the following:
Nobody can teach you to have faith in yourself – that church slogan is dead-on in that it’s caught, not taught. So, how to catch it and keep it? Stay focused on your career path and your subjects. Learn every possible technique you can. Make it a point to understand photography before you push the shutter button. Know your gear – know your lighting – know your lab – know your clients. And never ever compromise on quality! So from Edward Steichen: "Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man." And from Harry Callahan: "I wish more people felt that photography was an adventure the same as life itself and felt that their individual feelings were worth expressing. To me, that makes photography more exciting!" Illustration credit: © Creativa - Fotolia.com by Skip Cohen It's that time of year when photographers start thinking about entering prints in competition. Things have changed a little since I first published this post a few years ago, but not in terms of the basics. If you're going to enter print competition at any of the major or local conventions this year then let's at least get you thinking about the process. I know WPPI has a January 8 submission deadline and many of you have regional competitions you're considering, so now is the time to think it all through. For more detailed information on WPPI's print competition visit their site with a click below. In the mean time, here are some tried and true tips... 1. Pay attention to the rules! I know that seems pretty basic, but pay attention to the allowable file size if you're entering on line and actual size if you're entering prints.
2. In regards to WPPI's 16x20 competition, it's still the same question that always comes up, "How big should the image be?' Here's the program: 16x20 refers to the size of the presentation, the board the image is mounted on. The actual image can be any size as long as it doesn't exceed 16x20. Typically I'd guess most prints I saw over the years were 11x14, mounted on a 16x20 board, but the size is up to you and should be dependent on impact. 3. Impact! It's a great word to remember when entering competition - it's the secret of success. Your goal with every image should be to make the judges scream, "Wow". Over the years I’ve been fascinated by how many artists just miss the point. Seriously, in your heart, even if your own mother told you your work is wonderful, you know whether it's amazing or mediocre. Don't waste your time with images that whisper "wow" - go for the screaming, "WOWs". 4. Less is more! We still have too many “filter junkies” in this industry. You know who you are! If it wasn’t a great image to begin with, most people can’t clean it up unless their name is John Paul, Julieanne or Eddie, just to name a few of the geniuses out there. And, if they were to clean up a “bad image” then the end product would have no resemblance to the original image. In its own right it would be a work of art. Back off the filters and don’t over do it! 5. What’s in a name? A lot, so take the time to be creative in the title of each submission. It’s hard to be unique, but keep in the back of your mind that “First Love”, “Morning After” and “Young Love” have already been used – about 10,000 times. 6. Exposure, composition and printing – is it your best work? If you were the client would you buy the print? I’m surprised when so often, especially the printing quality is poor. 7. Pay attention to the categories you enter. I hung two prints one year in PPA which were underwater shots on chromes. I know part of the reason they scored well was because they were unique – there were no other entries like them. I hung one print in WPPI with a whale and her cub, another underwater shot and again, alone in the type of image being submitted. So, when you’re trying to decide what category to enter a print under, take the time to consider all the possibilities. 8. Sit in on judging. I realize it’s not always possible, but ideally if you’re going to enter print competition then it should be AFTER you’ve observed the judging process. The first time I entered in WPPI competition I went in to listen, thinking I’d stay for an hour – well, I stayed for most of the day! It’s the most educational event WPPI offers and very few people realize it. Every print is judged by a panel of professional photographers, most of them instructors themselves. Just listening to their comments about a print is invaluable and an incredible educational experience. 9. It’s better to enter than NOT enter. Entering prints in competition isn’t just about scoring or the recognition. There’s a spinoff benefit that falls under the "you-never-know" category. Twice I saw images picked for Rangefinder Magazine covers entered originally in competition. Here's a prime example: As we were looking for a great image demonstrating portrait lighting one year, we received a press release from Adobe. Just a normal press release, but the third place winner had an image that was perfect for our needs. The photographer, a student, found he’d not only placed third in an Adobe contest, but locked in the cover of Rangefinder Magazine before he’d even graduated! You never know what doors an image might open. 10. Most important of all, when you do enter, don’t take it too seriously. Enter with the expectation that it’s simply going to be a learning experience. Remember too, “beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder” (Dean Collins). Just because a group of independent judges didn’t jump up and down over your print doesn’t mean your client didn’t love it! Entering prints in competition takes a special mindset that allows you to just sit back, enjoy a little feedback – be it good or bad – and learn from the experience. Most important of all, print competition represents one of the many ways you can be involved more in the industry. It's an opportunity to learn, to network and after hearing the feedback, a way to fine-tune your skill set! And remember, this isn't about winning, it's about putting in your best effort and learning how to create the ultimate image. I found a great quote from Gandhi that just seems to fit: "Satisfaction does not come with achievement, but with effort. Full effort is full victory." What advice would you give a new photographer? Seek out knowledge for all things photographic, not just the field you like. There is so much to learn that will help you diversify as a versatile photographer. You will be inspired to grow and see things differently and hopefully always maintain the thirst for knowledge, keeping you on the growing path! Being a photographer is not a 9-5 type of job. It is deep in your soul. You will be taking assignments to make your clients happy. I hope you will go far beyond the assignments you are hired for. Personal projects and self assignments are the way to fill your soul. No doubt that you joined the Professional Photography industry because you love photography. Study the work of the Masters that you enjoy. Be inspired. Inspiration is different than plagiarism. Be driven to be different. There is no need to look like everyone else. An old song from 1970 by an artist named Ricky Nelson said, "You can't please everyone, so, you've got to please yourself!" Lots more wisdom and great images from "Sklooty" on his website. You'll also find him at every major convention and trade show sharing his wealth of experience with anybody who needs help. His email tag line pretty much defines his passion for imaging...Somewhere out there, waiting for the light! Images copyright Ken Sklute. All rights reserved.
"What advice would we give photographers just getting started? The best advice we could offer beginning photographers can be boiled down into one powerful word "EDUCATION". Education in lighting, posing, composition, facial study etc... Push your limits as high as the sky, keep your passion alive. In our field, it is crucial to distinguish ourselves with a unique signature to make a difference, supported by effective marketing and excellent customer service." Normally at SCU we feature each faculty member individually, but Louise and Joseph are a very special couple. If you've been to any of their programs/workshops then you understand - you can't have one up on stage without the other and their incredible outlook on photography, as well as life is remarkable. If you're at a convention and they're speaking run, don't walk to get a seat. If you're looking to see more of their work check out their website.Louise and Joseph are all about classic portraiture, but with a contemporary flair. They never compromise on the quality of any image or for that matter anything in their lives! Images copyright Louise and Joseph Simone. All rights reserved.
"What advice would I give photographers just starting out? Work Harder. Talent is important, but long-term success is a by-product of hard work. Work harder than the next guy or girl. Shoot Less Think More. Rather than blasting away with a motor drive, slow down. Pay attention to your subject and what's going on around them. Think about what you want the images to say. Learn your technique then put it out of your mind. Just like a musician practices their scales - know exactly what your gear can do before you shoot. Then focus your attention on your subject. What happens on the other side of your lens it's far more important than the camera in your hand. Never forget that the most important thing you ever bring to a shoot is your mind. Love Life. Never, ever forget that photography should be FUN - not only for you, but for whoever is in front of your lens. If you're having a great time, it's more likely your subjects will as well." Building a project like SCU is one of those things that brings a lot of people together, all with a common cause, in this case, working hard to elevate education. Brian Smith and I had never officially met or talked prior to IUSA several years back, but we share a whole bunch of mutual friends in the industry. His work is stunning and he's definitely somebody who needs to be on your radar. Plus, if you've read only a handful of my posts then you know we have far more in common than just mutual friends and a belief in education. The opening couple of lines on his bio say so much... Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Smith is the luckiest guy on the planet. He’s told Bill Gates exactly what to do for an entire hour, appeared on The X Factor, exhibited at the Library of Congress, dined with the President and 3,000 of their closest friends, written an Amazon best seller, shared cupcakes with Anne Hathaway, gotten drunk with George Clooney and married the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on… To that opening sentence in his bio add his last line above: "Love Life!" It's is the whole point of working so hard...photography isn't just about the passion for the craft, but the human spirit, especially your own. Brian's site and blog should be regular stops for you and follow him on twitter. Images copyright Brian Smith. All rights reserved.
by Skip Cohen I've written a lot over the years about holiday cards and Bleu Cotton and Alison Pierce's annual collectible. Well, here's the new 2013 card that just came yesterday and it's another classic. The front of the card is above and below is the inside message. As photographers you're the ultimate storytellers and trained to help people make memories that will last, but so often you forget to make them last for yourself! The back of the card adds three more priceless images to this memory-maker and brings it together with a thanks to the additional support people involved, the makeup artists!
Okay, it's cutting it close, but it's not too late for those of you who have been procrastinating, to still get a card done with one of your own images or images of you and your family. A big THANKS to Bleu and Alison for their wonderful friendship all these years and their ability to bring a smile to so many faces with every card...and Fisher is definitely stealing the show! "The best advice I can share with new photographers today is find one thing you are most passionate about in life, and learn to share that passion visually in every picture you take. For example, say you're passionate about the environment and fashion photography is your field, then study the work of Steven Meisel from his Oil and Water story. Or maybe you love landscapes and you're passionate about nature and the great outdoors, then study the work of Ansel Adams. Learn to speak visually about what you love. All too often I see young photographers trying to shoot everything and anything, but that only shows you have no focus. Find your focus and stay true to it. If you're at any convention where you see Matthew speaking/teaching on the schedule, run don't walk to grab a seat. His words are as inspirational as the background to his images. Check out his website and follow him on Facebook. He's always sharing great information. He has a never-ending love for education, and helping photographers raise the bar on their understanding of great portraiture and lighting. Images copyright Matthew Jordan Smith. All rights reserved. A classic portrait of Gordon Parks
"My advice to a new photographer just starting out? Vision… have vision… study vision… and become visionary… Photography is an imaging media and it is embedded unconditionally in vision. Start your vision at the point you want to be at, and in a season of time, bring your vision into focus deciding on the type of equipment, client, quality of work and bank account that your vision reveals to you. Today it isn't enough to be a great photographer, wizard of light or an impressive Photoshop expert… You must develop a vision, your own vision, get truly excited about it and create a trail blazing path. Photography is exciting because we deal with light in every aspect, it's rewarding when we create a composition that is wonderful, bring a smile or tear to someone or have someone tell you that your work has influenced their life, and can be a means for a good living, and for most of us, it is a life, it is a real love and it is all because of a vision…" So many photographers think of Eddie as one of the world's leading authorities on anything Adobe makes, but the truth is, he's one of the most diverse photographers in our industry. From commercial work, to fine art, to people and even the bottom of the ocean, he's done it all. And Eddie's signature is to never do anything just half way. There is no compromise on quality in the "World of Tapp". Check out more of his images and his workshop schedule on his website. Images copyright Eddie Tapp. All rights reserved.
by Skip Cohen Most of us live in our own insulated little worlds. We're not oblivious to the challenges in life, but we are somewhat removed from some of the toughest ones. Nick Vedros sent this over to me and whileit really belongs in Nick's Picks it's the perfect video to watch as we head into the weekend. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with photography, NOTHING to do with business or marketing and there's NOTHING here to help you with your own challenges in life. What there is though is an incredible feeling that just comes over you as you watch the story build. Watch it to the end and pay attention to the expressions as the auction bids go up. If you're eyes are dry at the end of this, you're much tougher than I am. Enjoy! "So you want to go pro in the world's greatest profession? First go to a baseball game, then go to a symphony! What happened before the big game? What happened before the concert? They practiced infield, and batting basics; they played the scales - the same thing they did the first day they picked up a bat or French horn!" Ralph Romaguera from GoingPro.
by Skip Cohen
The year is fast coming to a close and I feel like I'm trapped in an old Jimmy Stewart movie and the hands of the clock are spinning. Over the last two days I've been talking to attendees registered for the upcoming Thrive program. I want to get to know each attendee and get them started on a stronger marketing and business platform, long before March 2. In the process of talking with each photographer I've visited their websites and while some are outstanding, others clearly have a ways to go in building stronger galleries. That got me thinking about the challenge of practicing your skill set and learning to create outstanding images. My good buddy, Roberto Valenzuela, who I've quoted before, said in a program once, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect! What if you're practicing it wrong?" Then I found a great quote from Ansel Adams: "In my mind's eye, I visualize how a particular . . . sight and feeling will appear on a print. If it excites me, there is a good chance it will make a good photograph. It is an intuitive sense, an ability that comes from a lot of practice." There's that word again, "practice". So, practice makes perfect in terms of exercising your mind's eye, but technique requires perfect practice. Well, that led me to a search to see what somebody famous in the arts had to say about "technique" and musician, Dave Brubeck, came through: "And there is a time where you can be beyond yourself. You can be better than your technique. You can be better than most of your usual ideas. And this is a whole other category that you can get into." Everybody has had that one moment or series of moments where you played above your normal game. It's that sweet spot in life where you were on the mark with whatever you were doing. Your goal to building a strong skill set is to practice letting your mind's eye just run with the vision and work to develop the right technique. When you hit one of those moments where you've gone beyond your normal abilities, just smile and enjoy it! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Work on your technique, but don't take it so seriously you forget to have fun. Photo Credit: © yang yu - Fotolia.com "What advice would I give a new photographer just getting started? Well, if I was given the chance to know what I know now, but start all over again in this wonderful industry, I would focus on getting to really know my lenses, camera, and flashes. I would pay special attention to how these three tools deal with light and how light effects everything we do. I would not even consider spending time learning Photoshop or any digital post production techniques. I would want to spend all my energy in learning the fundamentals of light and how my gear can best take advantage of light. I would keep posing simple in order for me to master light and really get that right. I can’t help but wonder how my career would have been different, had I listened to my own advice. It took me years to realize that it’s not how many lenses or fancy cameras you have, the pudding always has been and always will be in the fundamental building blocks of photography." Over the past few years I've probably quoted Roberto twenty times. It's become one of my most favorite thoughts. "Practice doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect! What if you're practicing it wrong?" That one statement explains everything from my golf game to the mistakes I see so many photographers making every day. Bad habits get practiced over and over again, until the only way we know how to do something is the wrong, often the hardest way. You need to follow Roberto everywhere he goes and look at everything he shoots. Start with his website and then catch up to him at any workshop or conference where he's teaching! Images copyright Roberto Valenzuela. All rights reserved.
by Skip Cohen A couple of years ago Chris Fawkes in Australia started Facebook Wedding Photographers. His goal was to create a resource site for wedding photographers. Here's the fun of social media - when it really becomes "social". I wrote to Chris a few times and started posting on Facebook Wedding Photographers, answering questions on marketing and simply getting involved. Eight months ago Chris and I started working together to see what we could do to make Facebook Wedding Photographers a stronger resource. With a lot of help from a whole bunch of photographers the forum is now at 13,230 members from all over the world. Just a few months ago we launched our first contest through ViewBug with the help of Venice Album, SmugMug and Photodex. We had some stunning entries and our judges, Justin and Mary Marantz, have made their selections along with the voters in the public forum with the People's Choice Award. First Place: Matt Theilen Runner Up: Alexander GliedererPeople's Choice: John Tsatalios In addition, the winning images will be published in an upcoming issue of Resource Magazine. Congratulations to the winners and all of the participants. You submitted some outstanding work and nobody could be prouder of the quality than me and Chris!
Thanks for your support and if you're an advanced wedding photographer (at least three years in business and a business page on Facebook and/or a business website) check out Advanced Wedding Photographers on Facebook, just launched a few days ago. by Skip Cohen Although I've been knocking around the industry my entire adult life, it was almost five years ago that I wrote my first post. Skip's Photo Network was the start. Later, GoingPro came along, written together with good buddy Scott Bourne. GoingPro later merged with that first blog and morphed into The Photo Resource Hub and last January, everything went into this site, SCU. All along the way there have been some amazing people who have helped, lessons learned and changes in social media very few of us could ever have imagined. I had some fun last night finding my first post and was surprised at the continued relevance. It still applies, but the good news is, many photographers are seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel. We are seeing more diversity with some and with others, who don't agree with the concept of diversity, a stronger push to make themselves different from "Uncle Harry"! There's more good news than bad. So, here's what I wrote almost 2000 posts ago... I might have been dragged into technology kicking and screaming, but welcome to my first blog…and what better first topic than the challenges in the economy? I promise to keep it light. Last year, as we prepared for WPPI '09 the media was driving me nuts with their doom and gloom approach to the news every night. Obviously, it’s human nature, good news doesn’t sell. Literally every broadcast was another story about a company going out of business, the housing market dropping some more, massive layoffs around the country…you name it – if the story was bad enough they couldn’t put it on the news quick enough. I’m not saying the economy isn’t bad or that we shouldn’t be concerned, but there is a certain self-fulfilling prophecy going on. That’s when I decided to make the comment, “Just because the media says it’s going to be a bad year doesn’t mean it has to be!” I spend an incredible amount of time talking to photographers all over the country – on the phone, in person, via Facebook and email and there are two common themes with those photographers who are holding their own and having an “okay” year or even growing: diversity and hard work. In fact, virtually every photographer who’s told me they’re having a good year always follows with, “But I’ve never worked so hard in my life!" So, to all of you who continue to work harder than you've ever worked in your life, it's the start of a new week and we're almost into the fourth quarter of the year. The challenge for all of us is finding new ways to help educate the consumer and get them to understand, nobody does it better than a professional photographer. Now if we can just find more ways for everyone to follow the words of Ralph Lauren: "The key to longevity is to keep doing what you do better than anyone else...It's about getting your message out to the consumer. It's about getting their trust, but also getting them excited, again and again...." I can sum up my advice to new photographers in six quotes: “There is an expiration date for blaming your parents.” "Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street." "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." "You don't get what you wish for, you get what you work for." “A fool with a plan can outsmart a genius with no plan.” “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible.” Nick Vedros has been a good buddy of mine for over 25 years, first meeting in my early Hasselblad days. He's one of the most creative and talented photographers I've ever worked with, but check out his work for yourself by visiting his galleries and his website! Images copyright Nick Vedros. All rights reserved.
What advice would I give to a photographer who is just starting out? Remember that this business is what most people call a hobby, DO NOT run it like a hobby! Do not let it run you like a hobby!!!! It MUST be a business!! That means you need to pay yourself! Be professional! Market yourself!!!!!! Remember, it's not just taking pretty pictures, it's BUSINESS!!!! So, to barrow a line from the Godfather, "….it's nothing personal, it's just business!" Finally…..my advice, is do your best to stay OUT OF DEBT! And treat your customers the way you like to be treated! You do that and you can't help but be successful!!! Many years ago at WPPI we did a program called the Champagne Shoot-out. I got a call from security that night an hour after the program was supposed to be over. Some guy named "Kirk" was still teaching and security wanted to lock up the room. A lot of photographers talk a good game, but not everybody loves to teach like Kirk. Check out his work with a visit to his website. As one of the leading senior photographers in this country, you won't be disappointed. Images copyright Kirk Voclain. All rights reserved.
I found this promo video on YouTube, posted by David Ziser . A big thanks to Ed Pierce and Photovision. It's just a tease, but what a kick to be transported back to a different time in photography. This has to be 10-11 years old. by Skip Cohen Everybody who ever knew Don Blair has a story about the experience. He remains one of the most beloved instructors, artists, friends in professional photography. He may have passed away in 2004, but Big Daddy's spirit lives one. When I posted a short story about him last weekend, I never anticipated the response. In Jeff Lubin's forum on Facebook, which every serious photographer should follow, there was a stream of Don Blair comments and the best tribute I can give my good buddy is to share them with you. If you're a serious professional photographer and doing portraits, somewhere in your life, whether you knew Big Daddy or not, you've been influenced by somebody who he spent time with, somebody whose heart he touched. So, Big Daddy, it's that time of year when you'd be wishing everybody a "Cool Yule" and wearing that ugly sweater with every color in the rainbow...we miss you, but your quest to create the ultimate image is alive and well with thousands of us. Jeff Lubin Don Blair, like Monte, was one of a kind. I attended some of his seminars and learned from him. Seeing these great mentors come and go reminds how fleeting life is and how everyday is an opportunity to make a difference, in your own life and others.
Jeff Mantler: Numbnuts & Nieces Skip! Big Daddy was truly a legendary character amongst characters... So many great stories that can't be aired publicly, I'm sure you both have some too! Ronald J Krowne As one of the directors of the LI Photo Workshop, I had the privilege to spend alot of time with both Don & Monte in their "closing years'- I will forever cherish those priceless memories- and be grateful for all the knowlege they shared with us all. I have a photograph of a glorously laughing Monte placed next to my phone. I see it as I answer every business call, hearing Monte's voice in my head. . In truth- "We may never see the likes of them again" Carole Honeyman-Huff I had the pleasure of meeting and studying with Don Blair about one week after I moved to the U.S. He gave me a wonderful welcome and scared me half to death: I wondered if ALL American photographers were like him and if so.... how could I ever hope to survive here.... then I quickly learned he was a most unique man, and a wonderful one too. There are times I'm glad I'm 'old' and got to grow up with our 'greats'. Yoti Telio In my study library I cherish a great book by him called Body Parts from many years Ago Woody Bowen Don was THE Master. I saw him first in Miami in 1970 and thereafter every time I had a chance. He had a way of saying things in a way that stuck. He was moving hands and arms, elbows and wrists in one of his presentations and as he the model's hand his his he said, "Now whatever you find on these pretty things that will bend, you bend it. 90 degree angles aren't "purdy" Woody Bowen And who doesn't remember shifting the model from one "he-who" to the other "he-who"? When Don said it, his student had it. Would that there were more teachers like that in every field. Jeff Mantler My favorite Blair technical advise, "always light a bride across her credentials!" - I still have Monte and Joe Zeltsman seminars on audio from the early 70's Ronald J Krowne Many years ago, at the LIPW, both Monte & Don's classes were terribly under enrolled. Rather than cancel them, they consented to co-teach the week long class together. Boy, did those students have an incredibly learning experience !! Kirk Saint I was fortunate enough to spend two separate weeks with Big Daddy. To this day I still employ his barebulb technique on most of my outdoor portraiture. ...and the memories and stories simply live on! Thank you everybody! Our advice to new photographers? Do less and do it exceptionally well! Narrow your focus to gain appeal. All great artists are known for a style, a look that is their own. As you begin in this wonderful profession, be original, do what your heart loves, do it well and work towards mastering it. Creativity flows best within the confines of your passion, so find yours and shine! There is a wonderful book of daily nuggets and the title is worth the price. It is... "You were born an original-Don't die a copy" John Mason. Check out more of Beverly and Tim's work on their website They're incredibly diverse portrait artists, who never compromise on the quality of any image whether it's classic black and white, a color study or "Beau Visage". And, if you need help building a stronger business, check out Walden Coaching! Images copyright Walden Photography. All rights reserved.
|
Our Partners"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
Categories
All
|