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Vancouver WTF Event, Do Me a Favour?
May 22nd, 2009
Shot this on the bus the other day with my iPhone. One empty bus, one gigantic hat. It amused me.
Heading into the weekend, I have two things for you this morning.
Got Questions?
Without giving too much away, many of you know how passionate I am about making a life and a living from this craft/art photography thing. I am a fan of doing it intentionally, passionately, and wisely, whether that’s part time on weekends, as a freelancer, or a full blown own-you-own studio shooter. I also love writing. And I am in the middle of a new book. Hint, hint. So, that’s where you come in. In an effort to make a book – if I was writing about this sort of thing – that is not merely more noise in the marketplace, but is truly useful and deep and better than one I could write all by my lonesome, I am asking a favour. Would you be willing to give me one of the two following things?
Thing 1: If you do not shoot vocationally but perhaps have been thinking about it, what is that number one question that keeps you up at night, or about which you just really wish you had some wisdom on?
Thing 2: If you shoot vocationally, what is the greatest lesson you’ve learned as you’ve merged your craft with the world of commerce?
I’m grateful for the input, thank you!
Vancouver Book Launch for WTF
OK, so that’s the favour. Now, on June 13 I am having a small book launch event here in Vancouver. By small I mean, tiny. We’ll fill the studio space of a friend and have some drinks and munchies and celebrate. Just me and a small handful of my closest, randomly chosen friends. I’ll be inviting some family and friends, but if you’re a reader and would like to come, I’d love to have you there. But there’s a catch. I can’t just have 100 people show up. Not enough room, not enough food. So if you want to come, please leave a comment letting me know you want to come and once I crunch numbers I’ll ramdomly choose as many people as I can to come. Then I’ll give you more details. For now all you need to know is that it’s Saturday, June 13, in Yaletown, Vancouver, at 3pm.
Have a great weekend, y’all. 
I like what Wikipedia had to say about the word or the Latin route: “A vocation, from the Latin for “calling”, is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified.”
I do not make money taking photos – I do CHARGE to take commercial photos (this includes my not-for-profit work, but I’m very loose with my fees/royalties there). So what I mean is that I spend more on gear, and time on shooting, than the monetary compensation for it that I receive.
It is a hobby for me first. But as I wanted to expand what I did, how I did it, and how I could afford to do it with cooler stuff; including getting access to groups, models, rooftops, etc. – I needed to meet new people and do some stuff I otherwise didn’t want to (can’t shoot my son forever right?)
When I think about it longer “could I do this all the time” doesn’t amount to price, or sustainability, or clients – I get along with people, they like me, and that’s how you make sales – but “am I good enough?” It plagues my thoughts, and often I am reminded that, while I may not be as good as I want to be, I’m better than many clients are expecting.
Is that good? Is that what I want to do? It sure doesn’t sound bad.
I’m scared, though, scared that all the screw-ups I do daily are going to be done on someone else’s dime – to their malcontent – so that I’d not only be a failure to myself, but to a profession I chose in err.
To be clear, I’m not afraid of screwing up – that I do often – I’m afraid of screwing EVERYTHING up.
Market. Markets. I don’t shoot as a vocation often but have thought that I would like to do so. The question without an obvious answer for me is “What is my market?” For example, is there a market that is served by my style and type of photography? Unlikely, but I’m not sure. Do I find a market and shoot for it? Possibly, but would that take the magic out of shooting?
Simple question with huge angst for me: Would I compromise myself and my vision by going “pro”?
[...] Source and Read More: pixelatedimage.com [...]
how do you know when you’re good enough?
Hey David, I think I’m free that day and I’d like to come.
For me, the biggest hurdle I’m running into these days is that I feel I’ve reached as far as I can go creatively and technically on my own, and yet I don’t have the time to invest to push past that barrier. I know I need to improve my craft if I am ever to perform at a truly professional level, and yet taking the time to improve my craft takes time away from paying the bills today.
Or maybe I just need better time-management skills and a long afternoon on Strobist.
Hi David,
My “one question” would be: How do you go from taking what you think are good quality photographs (in my case travel photography) to getting published/shown somewhere, anywhere, in order to get your name out there?
And a follow up question would be: Okay, I’m making some money at this thing – how do you know when to “take the leap” and dedicate yourself to it full time?
I’d love to come to your launch party if there’s room.
My question would echo those above – how to crack the market? And how to squeeze more hours out of the day? OK, that last one is probably beyond the realm of what you’re writing, but if you know some good time management juju…
I really, really want to try to go pro (or at least semi-pro, or failing that just sell an image or 2!) – but I feel like I’m going round in circles without working out where or how to take that important first step.
Hi there David,
as someone who’s been shooting travel stock and assignment for ten years one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that you have to be constantly evolving and changing. Once my main source of income, magazines are increasingly turning to free tourism body photos or asking for your photos for free if you write an article. So you have to be constantly searching for clients who appreciate your work.
In terms of stock I’ve found that if you shoot general stock then an agent might be a good bet but if you have a strong, in-depth collection of a specific area (whether it be geographic or subject) then you could be better marketing it yourself, thus making yourself an expert on the subject.
PS I just bought your book and can’t wait for Amazon to get it down here to Australia!
This might not appeal to the larger group of people but here are my two questions.
How do you strike a balance between working your day-to-day job, tending to your budding photography business and spending time with the one(s) you love? In other words – how do you deal with the lack of sleep and time? Is it too much to want it all – at least briefly?
When looking for someone to critique your stuff do you have any tips? I’ve been showing some of my recent work online but the genre of the site is very different than my work and sometimes I feel like they don’t quite get it. Now, that might speak to me more than to the group I’m showing the work to (actually I’m sure it might) – but my clients seem very happy with the work.
Hey David. I want to come.
“what is the greatest lesson you’ve learned as you’ve merged your craft with the world of commerce?”
Make damn sure you get paid at the end of an assignment BEFORE the client gets the images. If a potential client says “we pay all our vendors net 30 days”, run like hell. There’s no “honor” in becoming another starving photographer.
OK, I’ll shut up now.
Cheers!
Jeff
David,
From one who only aspires to shoot vocationally, it feels I’m lost in the eternal struggle to find my photographic voice. To make more interesting pictures, McNally would certainly say, point your camera at more interesting things. By no means am I implying that it’s all easier for you simply as a function of your exotic travel destinations. It’s clear that if you and I traveled to the same locations, shot side-by-side and compared our work, there would be fundamental and sharply drawn distinctions. A cursory scan of my work to date would certainly show a collection of moderately interesting subjects, but moreover an obvious lack of focus, if you will. Jack of all trades embodied in a slideshow, one might say. If I could sit across from you and ask but one question, it would be this: How do you find your photographic voice?
Thanks,
Jason
The question for me is always is: is my gear enough? Can I trim it further? Can I make Strobist lighting with just my pop up flash?
My Thing 1: Where do photographers turn to pick up marketing skills. Doesn’t matter how good your photos are if no clients call to ask for pictures.
Am I ______ enough to make a full-time living from taking pictures? Fill in the blank. Am I – talented, passionate, determined, creative, business-minded – enough?
BTW, I’m part-time vocation with a non-photography day job.
I shoot NON vocationally. The question I always ask myself is pretty much what Andy says but he forgot ENERGY. Does one need to be a “type A” personality to make it?
As others have echoed above, how do you get your work out there so people start to see it and either order prints or want to show it or buy images (depending on your intended market)? How do you move from a small community of people (say, the people who read your blog) who like your work to a bigger community who might be willing to pay you for your craft?
Have you seen that video by Ira Glass, where he’s talking about the gap between the ability to appreciate and the ability to create? (It’s on Youtube.) What he didn’t say is that as you get better, your taste keeps pace with your ability, and the gap is always with you. I believe that’s why artists go mad. Like, how many here have shot a picture that you *love*, but can’t replicate it if your life depended on it? I can’t be the only one! The moment of “Holy smokes, I’ve arrived!” is followed quickly by “Oh @&!$, never mind…”
But there are things about going pro that are completely different than talent. Things like marketing (finding a new audience) and business sense (making the dollars work). Perhaps the most critical elements are reliability, predictability and trustworthiness. A shooter who is by turns inspired genius and mediocre hack cannot have a good career. There’s a limit to how much risky experimentation is prudent to explore on a paying gig (unless you’re McNally, apparently). And yet you gotta have the art side down otherwise the work won’t stand out, or stand up. That’s what practice is for. And that’s why it’s a vocation too.
Count me in for the meet-up. Maybe I’ll even get to introduce you to my favourite model — she’ll be 14mths old then.
Would love to attend but little far. You heading out to South Africa any time soon?
David,
Great questions! I have always wanted to know how exactly one approaches a non-profit. Did you have to make a market with them by showing them the benefits of your work or do you normally look for ones that already have a need? Did you have to do a couple of assignments before-hand to get the experience to show them what you can do or did you have to learn on the job.
Regarding the second question. I haven’t really gotten there yet but I am trying to determine the best approach…
Thank!
Hi David:
With so many photographers in the market, how can one rise above the clutter and be noticed? Assuming that one is very talented, what are the steps necessary to create awareness about yourself and then entice clients to get you.
Another issue I have been thinking about is how much does one charge for certain types of work? I have checked and the industry seems to be very loose on this with newbies shooting for free or x-deals.
I’ve ordered the book and look forward to getting it by 1st week of June from Amazon.
Cheers!
Andy said it perfectly: “Am I ______ enough to make a full-time living from taking pictures? Fill in the blank. Am I – talented, passionate, determined, creative”? Am I really good enough? What would it take to get good enough? How would I know? There seem to be so many talented photogs out there — is there really room for another one? (I work in business/marketing, so not too worried about that piece of it.)
love the hat shot! wish i could make it to the grande ol book launch…i’ll be with ya in spirit!
Hi David, Af and Steve have asked 2 questions I would love to have answered. The other is: How do you make sure that you still take time to be creative and love photography when you are shooting commercially? How do you make the separation between work and pleasure? I have spoken to a few photographers who say that they only shoot for work now and when they pick up their camera at the weekend, it feels like work.
I will be buying your book. From the questions you have asked, I think the next one is going to be great too!
Hi David, please throw my name into the hat for the Vancouver WTF. Perhaps I could bring my sister and her husband too if they’re in town.
My burning questions are rather fundamental compared to what everyone has already contributed. What are the key ingredients to make this a vocation? What do I absolutely need to have or know before I can cross that threshold and what can I learn or acquire along the way? Very few photographers are the complete package. What strengths will make the difference and what weaknesses are non-fatal?
Thanks!
S.
Two words.. Business Plan. Without one you’re more likely to fail than succeed and with one you’re more likely to succeed than fail.The most succcessful photographers I know of are not in the same group as the best photographers I have seen. That’s far from a criticism.
Many creative peope see “running a business” as the exact opposite of what they want to be. Rather understanding how to run a business well is what lets you be creative. Having the “business stuff” under control lets you go and be free to dream, creat excel.
If you want to get into this game and succeed your next course should be a business course.
Gordon
If I can swing it, I’d like to try to make the book launch.
My question I ask myself over and over?
How do I make the transition? Is it enough to ease in, or do I have to jump in with both feet?
Well, there’s two.
How do I spend the time to make myself better and make a go of it without compromising on my family time? I want to be great at what I do, and do what I love. But I also want to be a great father.
Thing 1: Am I good enough?
Thing 1: If the answer to the above is yes, then who would want what I love to shoot?
another +1 – “Am I good enough”
I look at sites like this, strobist, lighting essentials etc. and the answer is almost always ‘no’ – but then I get one of my portraits in the national press, or I look at some stuff my friends are taking and I think “hell, maybe I can do this!”
Hi David!
This can’t be said enough to aspiring professional photographers, and if anyone can find a way to make it stick- I bet it’s you….
If you want to get paid to shoot what you love, or at least in a style that excites you creatively. You first have to DO IT, with excellence, then you have to SHOW IT, to the right people. You can’t show just anything to a prospective client simply because you have it, you must show the type of work you want to get. You preach this same thing often, but it is the single most important thing I’ve learned.
Matt Powell
I am worried that I won’t make enough money to live on. I am not looking to make six figures, but I need to support my family. I am also concerned about selling myself. I have never been good at that. Will I have what it takes to market my photography?