I fell for this popular photography advice

Summary

The speaker shares insights from their decade-long photography career, emphasizing that becoming a skilled photographer involves more than just online learning. They stress the importance of practical experience, creativity, and consistency in delivering quality results. The speaker dispels the myth that if you love your work, it doesn't feel like work, highlighting the effort and commitment required. They also discuss the necessity of networking and the personal connections that come with formal education. Niche specialization is addressed, suggesting a balance between market size and personal interests. The importance of maintaining high-quality raw files and the inevitability of sharing them is covered, as well as the continuous need for self-marketing and fostering client relationships for a sustainable career in photography.

Takeaways

• 📚 Learning to be a good photographer involves more than just online resources; it requires practical experience and creativity.
• 🌐 The internet provides technical knowledge, but real-world experience and connections from a school or community are invaluable.
• 🎨 Photography is about delivering quality results consistently, which requires more than occasional creativity.
• 💖 Loving what you do is important, but it doesn't negate the fact that photography, like any profession, involves work.
• 📷 The glamour of photography often hides the hard work, including carrying equipment and extensive editing.
• ✉️ Even if you dislike certain aspects like emails or marketing, they are essential parts of running a photography business.
• 📈 Niche down based on your market size; in a smaller market, you may need to be more versatile to secure jobs.
• 🔍 It takes years of shooting various types of photography to find your preferred niche.
• 🗃️ Retain high-quality RAW files as they may be requested by clients or editors for further work.
• 🎭 The role of a photographer is to capture the essence in-camera rather than relying heavily on post-production.
• 🚫 Never stop marketing yourself; maintaining relationships with existing clients is crucial for a steady income.
• ⏳ The uncertainty of knowing where the next paycheck is coming from is part of the freelance photography experience.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of online learning for photography?

The speaker believes that while online resources can provide technical knowledge and understanding of photography techniques, being a good photographer involves more than just reading books or watching videos. It requires practical experience, creativity, and consistent delivery of quality results in various locations.

What does the speaker suggest is a mistake that aspiring photographers often make?

The speaker suggests that a common mistake is relying solely on online learning and not getting out to practice and gain real-world experience. They emphasize the importance of actually doing photography and engaging with the community.

According to the speaker, what is a misconception about the work-life of a professional photographer?

A misconception is that if you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work. The speaker clarifies that even though the work may be enjoyable, it is still work, involving long hours and various tasks that are not always glamorous.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of not giving up your RAW files too easily, especially for beginners?

The speaker emphasizes that keeping and learning to work with RAW files is crucial for developing a photographer's skills. It allows them to understand the full process and ensures they are focusing on the photography itself rather than just the editing.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the business aspect of being a photographer?

The speaker advises to never stop marketing oneself and to focus on nurturing relationships with existing clients. They mention that it's easier to maintain a relationship with a returning client than to acquire a new one and that fostering these relationships can lead to long-term financial stability.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of specialization or 'niche-ing down' in photography?

The speaker believes that the need to niche down depends on the size of the market one is in. In larger markets, it's beneficial to specialize, while in smaller markets, a broader approach may be necessary to secure more jobs. They also mention that finding one's niche is a process that can take years.

Why does the speaker compare the act of photography to 'playing with toys'?

The speaker uses the phrase 'playing with toys' to convey their passion and enjoyment for photography, suggesting that despite it being work, they find it fun and engaging, much like playing with toys.

What does the speaker mean when they say that 'having a camera in my hands is probably like 5-10% of what I do as photographers'?

The speaker is highlighting that the actual act of taking a photograph is just a small part of the overall job of a professional photographer. The majority of their work involves other tasks such as editing, marketing, carrying equipment, and managing client relationships.

How does the speaker feel about the administrative tasks associated with running a photography business?

The speaker expresses a dislike for tasks such as emails and marketing, but acknowledges that these are necessary parts of running a photography business. They emphasize that one cannot avoid these tasks simply because they are self-employed.

What is the speaker's advice for photographers who are just starting out?

The speaker advises new photographers to take advantage of the opportunity to explore different types of photography by accepting a variety of jobs. They also stress the importance of not giving up raw files too early in one's career and focusing on capturing the best possible image in-camera.

Why is it important to maintain relationships with existing clients according to the speaker?

The speaker stresses that maintaining relationships with existing clients is crucial because it's easier to secure repeat business from a client who already trusts you than to find new clients. They also mention that fostering strong relationships can lead to clients providing significant financial support over time.