Being a new photographer can kind of suck. You’re lacking in knowledge. A lot of knowledge. And while you work on your craft and suffer the sometimes harsh criticism of your new peers, just how much knowledge you are short becomes painfully clear.
It’s a really tough spot to be in.
But some of you know darn good and well that you need to get camera-smart right quick. And you’re doing everything in your power to make that happen, no matter what. You’ve got your head down and you’re working hard.
I applaud you for that.
And this post is for you…
♦
Not everyone has your best interests at heart. In fact, to some unscrupulous folks, you are pretty much an easy mark. If you’ve got a desire to learn and you’ve got a little cash in your pocket, well, the sad truth of it is, you will probably be lured into spending some of that before you’ve figured out what you’re buying.
Because you’re new. And because you don’t know any better.
It’s okay to not know any better. Every one of us was once exactly where you are right now. Our hearts were filled with passion and our minds filled with doubts. And hopes. And dreams.
And maybe we were even a little naive.
But remember this: Not one of those people willing to part you with your money was born a photographer. Not one of those people was an overnight sensation. And if you’ve been convinced that a series of templates, mentoring sessions or actions is going to suddenly bring you on par with the person peddling them – I’d like you to stop and think about that a little bit.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of learning from someone who seems to be at the top of their game. But sometimes I think some important steps are being missed. So, I’d like you to stop, turn around, and go back to the beginning.
I want you to learn from the guy next door.
I want you to go to your local photography group and get to know the photographers in your own back yard. Meet them, shake their hands and listen to their stories.
Find someone who has been in business longer than you’ve been alive; because there’s your real measure of success – someone who is doing it and has been doing it. For a very long time. They’re fairly likely to keep on doing it, wouldn’t you think?
Then find another someone just like this.
And then another.
These are the folks you want to learn from. The folks that day in and day out are making photography support them. Without a line of products, templates, videos and packages of fluff. Without a large staff or a 99 city tour. These are the real photographers; the guy next door, with a wife and a couple of kids and in good years, a newer car.
They’re the ones who are gonna make sure you know the difference between broad and short light, how to use a light meter and how to shoot in manual mode. They’re the ones that are going to show you the traditional posing that will provide a solid basis for all your sessions. They’re going to encourage you to seek out and learn a solid and complete skill set that will help you provide for yourself for the long term.
Sounds boring, right?
Well, the plain and simple truth of it is – it can be!
But, that’s not a bad thing.
I don’t say this to put down your choice or talk you away from photography as a career. I just want you to be realistic. It’s going to be a lot of hard work and most of that is going to be a little bit boring.
It’s a job.
A photography career is not the non-stop world tour vacation that some folks are selling it to be. Folks that would like you to spend your hard-earned dollars with them. Hard-earned dollars that are funding their world-tour.
Not yours.
Some of these folks sell the glitz and glamour of the role of photographer and fail to make it very clear just how many years they had to practice daily before they got as good as they currently are.
It’s not that they’re lying to you, or trying to pull one over on you. Instead, I think it’s kind of like having a baby. We cuddle and coo and put hair bows on them the size of Texas, all the while forgetting the 27 hours and 42 minutes of hard labor we endured to get there.
We must market what sells. Hard work and frustration and being broke doesn’t sell. It’s not sexy. It’s the reality of the first years of photography – it’s the reality of the first years of anyone who owns their own business. But no one really talks about that. It’s kind of boring.
Are you sensing a trend?
What fills the seats is the glitter. And right now, you’re being sold some glitter. All the fun and excitement; props and backgrounds, headbands and bows, actions and filters, Senior rep plans, baby plans and pricing plans. All glitter.
It’s like teaching you to make frosting before you’ve learned how to make a cake. From scratch. Cake supports the frosting, it gives it something to grace. I’d like you to ditch the frosting for awhile and learn cake-making.
For awhile I’d like you to stick to your local groups; the guys next door. And as you begin to explore the range of educational opportunities out there, I’d like you to ask them for their advice. And while you’re doing that – stick to instruction that is sponsored by them or some other professional organization. Generally, these instructors are vetted and are teaching for an agreed-upon price that can be afforded by the students. They’re checked out beforehand by the sponsoring organization and there are specific topics that are to be covered.
In a way, it’s a bit of a built-in guarantee that you’ll be happy with your purchase. At the very least, you won’t be hung out to dry in the process.
So, slow down, take a deep breath and start over.
You are not alone. Sometimes you might feel that way; but we’re here for you.
Right next door.
A great article as usual Christine!