Changing Paths as a Photographer

Having so many choices is a good thing. Just travel the road that feels best!

 "Learning what you don't want to do is the next best thing to figuring out what you do want to do!" 
Anderson Cooper

So often blog post topics come out of quotes I read along with topics I've heard photographers talking about. Yesterday I had a conversation with a photographer who was beating himself up for feeling the need to change the direction of his business. He started out with a passion for weddings, but now wants to head more towards children and family portraiture.

Here's the fun of being in a career field that's in line with the arts...everything has the ability to change and each of you has to go with the flow. Success in photography is about what's in your heart. You can't create images that tug at people's heart strings if your heart isn't in it.

So, this is the slow season for most of you and the perfect time to think about your direction for 2015. Nothing has to be cast in concrete. Appreciate the fact that once you've learned the technique and your skill set is solid, you can move into just about any of the various specialties, but just to make it easier...

• At every convention you go to, attend a program or two, completely out of your comfort zone.

• Give yourself daily assignments. For example, a few years ago my buddy, Michael Corsentino, was doing a self-portrait every morning and experimenting with moving his lights around.  Another friend, Brian Palmer, gave himself a 365 project, photographing something different every day.

• Read, Watch and Listen: There are books, videos and podcasts all over the place to help you expand your interests and smooth out the rough spots in your skill set. Just here at SCU alone you've got links to the new launch of SPTV, SproutingPhotographer.com, Mind Your Own Business and hundreds of videos. Looking for inspiration, check out last week's post with the three part series, "Who is Gregory Heisler?" thanks to Profoto USA. 

• Spend time with your network! At least a dozen times over the last few years I've talked about the importance of being involved in your local photographic community. You need to join the local chapter, guild or camera club and then attend their monthly meetings. Build relationships with other photographers, who often are dealing with the same challenges you're facing.
  

It's just a simple point this morning. Stop beating yourself up for changing your mind. It's like going through my closet...I've got my fat clothes for when my weight is up and the thinner ones for when I'm trying to get in shape, but every day when I get dressed, I just have to go with what fits!  

Okay, as an analogy it's a stretch, no pun intended, but just think about the passion you have for the craft and then let it take you in the direction that feels best. 

Photo Credit: © tiero - Fotolia