If I Was Giving a Commencement Speech Today to Photographers

© Franny-Anne

Intro by Skip Cohen

This is one of my most favorite posts from my good buddy Scott Bourne. While his target is the new artist just coming into the business out of school, his advice is the perfect reminder of the things we all need to do as marketing, business, technology and social media keep changing.

We're all part of an industry that never slows down. As a result, we all need to be never-ending students! And, to Scott's point about relationships - Relationship building is your most valuable marketing tool!

by Scott Bourne
 
Commencements are coming up all over the country in the next couple months. As someone with gray hair, I can’t help but have a very different perspective on photography than someone of college age. I am often asked what advice I’d give someone just breaking into professional photography. The usual response goes something like this…

“Be prepared for lots of hard work – sales and marketing should dominate your day – show the work every chance you get – network like crazy – shoot what you love – repeat.”

But while that’s all good advice, there’s more I would say if I were speaking at a commencement.

I’d talk about understanding the high degree of importance graduates should place in each and every relationship they engage in during their career. Whether it’s the mailman or the recent client, these relationships are really all that matters. I didn’t know this when I was young and it hurt me…both personally and professionally.

So obsess over gear and f/stops if you must, but if you really want to succeed, pay attention to the people in your professional life. Build solid, long-term relationships with them. Care about them. Help them. Put them and their interests ahead of your own. You never know where that will lead. You might be dealing with that person 30 years later. They’ll remember how you valued (or didn’t) the relationship when you were young. And so will you.