Jane Conner-ziser

What advice would I give new photographers just starting out?  Please don't be the Rock Star, be the one who cares to give your very best in everything you do. Dedicate yourself to learning everything you can about composition, color, perspective, body language, lighting - basic fine art principles (and all of the equipment you need) that will help you elevate your work to a visual standard far beyond the norm. Challenge yourself to explore new and unfamiliar territory in creativity and new technologies. Embrace your successes and your failures as markers for what you're doing well and what you have yet to learn. Enjoy being yourself in your creative journey. 

Laugh. Love. Weave your life as a happy thread of color into the tapestry of all that is good in the world. Remember in the long run, it is Who You Are more than What You Do that makes you successful.

Business isn't easy, especially for artists. Realize that equipment knowledge, software, image presentation, marketing, sales, business management, accounting and responsibility will occupy more time than your creative expressions. You don't make money in photography unless you are creating or selling your work. Delegate non-profitable jobs, like processing and retouching to people who do it well so you can free up your time for directing your marketing, selling and photographing more. Create your team and remember they will stay with you as long as they feel personally, professionally and financially rewarded for their work and dedication to you.

And finally, don't sell yourself short. It hurts you and the industry you love.

From one of the industry's finest retouchers and digital artists to a talented photographer and artist in her own right, Jane has done it all. She's an outstanding educator teaching all over the world. Follow what Jane's working on with a visit to her website and her educational material and schedule is just a click away!

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