"Advice to new photographers? ….find your center… Let’s face it…you’re a creative! But creatives can often find themselves with ‘starving artist’ syndrome. Somewhere in the middle, the balance thing becomes your quest – discovering your ‘artistic heart-light’ while also finding a path to fame and fortune. Pleasing clients and pleasing self is the delicate dance all artists face. In the end… “do what you love and the money will follow” can become your life with savvy business skills and a professional ‘personal’ style of imagery to back it all up….Live, Love, Laugh…you were put on this earth to leave a tender trail." One of the very best presentation I've ever attended was with Arthur Rainville talking about creativity and nourishing your creative spirit at a program in Boston many years ago. I was hoping he'd give you the kind of advice he did above. Arthur is a kick to follow and it all starts with his Facebook page. Images copyright Arthur Rainville. All rights reserved.
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You need to believe it is possible to succeed, and then be able to convince others that you can too. Freelancing is not for everyone, but it is not impossible. It requires a particular configuration of skills, and being good at making images is only one small part. In addition you need to have good skills in logistics, marketing, business, and dealing with people, all at the same time. Marketing is indeed a challenging part of freelancing. Keeping a business going is a never-ending effort. Doing a little here and a little there won't cut it. You need to research the clients you want to target and then go after them with a plan. I spend a great deal of time developing clients and making sure I keep them through marketing. My current efforts target designers who can give me corporate work. I tailor my presentation according to their needs. I find out their needs by researching them on the web or through professional publications. Getting and keeping clients can take as much of your time as taking pictures and doing assignments, but it is a part of the equation that you cannot ignore. Work will only come your way if you make it happen. It is my experience that making personal contact is useful if you can do a good job of selling yourself one on one. This is how I've built a business that is both regional, national and international in scope. If you are looking for editorial clients, it is easy to figure out who to target because the names of those who can hire you are right in the masthead of every publication. Many of us don't start out with much confidence, but we need to project it nonetheless. Of course, I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I made sure to learn from them and spent a lot of time honing my business skills as well as my photography skills. Figure out where you want to go, then take the first step toward that goal. Then take the next, and the next one after that. Repeat until you're on your way. Seth definitely needs to be on your list of artists you follow, starting with his website! His workshop schedule is one of the most diverse in the industry and lists his D-65 (Lightroom Workflow) schedule, Creative Workshops Schedule and speaking engagements. And if you're looking for a destination workshop unlike any other - just click on the banner below and check out programs Seth does together with another SCU Faculty member, John Paul Caponigro. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter too! "My advice to photographers first starting out is to never stop shooting. The more you can practice, the better. Only - don't just shoot. Observe your images and how your settings effect the results. Learn WHY you shoot a certain way, or even more importantly why an image you took didn't work. We don't learn from our success. That just reinforces what we already know. We have a great amount to learn from our failures." Looking for more of Jen's work and special projects she's working on? Check out her website and follow her Facebook group - she's always sharing great insight and information. You'll never be disappointed. images copyright Jen Rozenbaum. All rights reserved.
"What advice would I give photographers just starting out? Having the guts to build a business around your unique perspective and strengths, may be the most challenging task for an up and coming professional creative. The temptation to look at others and emulate may make sense as you're learning the craft, but when it comes to putting your signature brand out for the world to see, copying others is the riskiest thing you could do. You don't want to be "like" anyone except yourself. What's funny, is YOU is your only real shot at originality. The great news is most people are too scared to take a chance on themselves. Get over that hurdle and you've got a shot. The daily habit of cultivating your you-nique style is the hardest and most rewarding work we do creatively. It's also our best shot at truly making a mark. Be you at any cost." You need to be following Dane and catch everything he's working on. Best place to start is his website. And, if you're at any workshop or convention where's he's speaking, run, don't walk to grab a seat. Images copyright Dane Sanders. All rights reserved.
"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.
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. 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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
" My advice to new photographers is : QUIT if you don't have the passion! Photography has to be your oxygen, you need to breath it, eat it, love it and sleep with it. If it does not consume you in every way and drive you life partner nuts, then you are not passionate enough. You will create your best work only if you love this work and it excites you each time as if it is the first time. Always learn from others and those who have made an impact on the industry, they have years of experience and expertise and each will show you a new angle in the circle of our industry. I will also say you cannot make a good living out of photography if you are not business savvy of have someone to do the math for you. We are like poets, we are artists but not business people, so make sure you have your wits about business or find someone who can do it for you. Keep on Keeping on and Never stop learning, NEVER !" Yervant needs to be in your network and definitely somebody you follow, especially if you're a wedding photographer. Year after year he's won virtually every WPPI award in the wedding category and you need to follow what he's working on and where he's teaching. Visit his site for more incredible images. Images copyright Yervant Zanazanian. All rights reserved.
"What advice would I give new and seasoned photographers? Learn as much as possible, find your style / what you love to do, brand and market yourself properly and have a strong business mindset. For a lot of photographers the talent comes easy, what’s often difficult is how to make their love for photographing profitable. Learn more; know more. Educate yourself. Be different. Just like Apple products, things change quickly. There are always new products coming out, new techniques, new fads, and new equipment / software, etc., you have to keep up. Grow yourself; invest the time and money necessary to make yourself better. If you want more money: work more efficiently, be smarter, be better. Spend all your time learning or behind the camera, anything else you’re losing money." One of the qualities about being a great photographer is about never compromising on the quality of your images, while at the same time setting a standard for pushing the edge of the envelope on creativity, especially lighting. Great lighting is fast becoming Moshe's signature along with outstanding headshots. You'll find a lot of spectacular work on his site. Images copyright Moshe Zusman. All rights reserved.
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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.
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