As a photographer you can find so many resources telling you what you should do to become successful.
But not that many people actually point out the things you should NOT be doing, no matter what. To me it’s those things seem most important. Even more important than the tips and tricks everyone’s talking about. If you can identify yourself doing any of these 5 things, I strongly advise you to make some changes.
Mr. Know-It-All
We all come across that guy who is a “know-it-all.” If there is one thing I’ve figured out growing up, it’s that you can learn something new from anyone in life. It doesn’t matter whether they are younger, not as educated or as intelligent as you. Consistently blowing off other people and their comments will prevent you from being successful. It’s key to take every idea, tip or piece of advice someone gives you seriously. Sometimes, it’s also advisable to reach out to older, more experienced people in the field you are targeting to seek guidance.
Not Accepting Constructive Criticism
If you find yourself defending yourself and your photos, you are putting a cap on your photography. Photography is an art and there is no limit to skill level when it comes to art. You will get better by the day. Accept what people have to say with grace and use their critique to improve and grow.
That Cliche Photographer/”Does All Photography”
There are tens of thousands of photographers out there. Don’t be another cliche one. To be successful, a photographer must stand out. For example, people are tired of seeing portraits taken on train tracks. Find a setting that is not over used. Furthermore, you must specialize in one or two genres. How many successful photographers do you know who do it all?
Doesn’t “Get” Marketing
Five years ago, ignoring Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was doable. Nowadays, even if you’re on every social media platform you won’t get too far without social skills. Get in tune with the current market, show personality and show off your best work. Fans want to see that there is a human behind the camera and not some robot. Interact with your fans!
Choosing Quantity Over Quality
Aim to take just one amazing photo on a shoot and not 20 mediocre ones. With time, the amount of quality images will increase from shoot to shoot. The goal is to show off a portfolio that will blow people’s minds. Additionally, your fans don’t care to see 15 OK photos from the same shoot, they want to see one amazing photo and variety. Do not flood your page with a new album for each shoot.
Read the full article over at Fstoppers.
Source: Fstoppers
Great advice!!! As a professional freelance musician, I find all of your comments ay to my profession also. I have gone far in music because of the parallel advice you give. I am also an amateur photographer. Though I will more than likely never sell any of my photos ( I use a Mamiya RB67 medium format) I enjoy the challenges of good photography. Composition in music is much like composition in photography…… simple, but elegant is better.
Thank for the site!!
I agree with some of these points but not all. If they are all true than I guess I’m never going to make it as a pro. The one that I don’t qualify for is specializing in one or two genres. This article states that you can’t be good at them all. Well I don’t specialize and I do shoot everything so I guess I’m not good. Fortunately I have a full time teaching job.
Great article, applies to life in general.
i myself will shoot any one or anything, any way, if its in front of me , im taking the photo..im just a hobbyist and i love it., my camera is with me where ever i go and my facebook is full of photos.. i love everything around me and people are important..memorys are the most important..if the photo is good or bad, thats ok. some of the bad photos , are the best…,, [email protected] .
Joe McNally does it all… he just does it better than the average “Does It All Photographer”. Nothing wrong with being in several genres as long as you go for #5… QUALITY… coupled with a great work ethic.
I disagree on the Niche/ do it all one. While one may have a preference or strong suite towards architectural, they should also be able to do a baby portrait or a tabletop product shoot–hell maybe a wedding of a close friend. All should be properly exposed with some thought to composition and be pleasing to the eye (with a normal shooting ratio–not every one being a Peter Lik 6.8 million dollar shot). As my uncle used to say, “specialization is for insects and surgeons”. I do agree with the train tracks one
I’m a full timer and do push weddings more than anything else but I will shoot anything that I get paid to do. I enjoy the challenge and diversity of different work. Also the wedding season does have cycles so it is great to have other money coming in and/or things to do during the quiet times. Very few wedding shooters only shoot weddings. As time goes on, some wedding shooters migrate their priorities to other areas so it is helpful to have a foothold in other areas too.
taking pictures is one thing…knowing what to do them is another. It’s a business and knowing how is paramount unless you keep it as a hobby.
I went in to this article with complete cynicism, expecting smug suggestions. That didn’t happen. As a niche photographer, I don’t do everything, but I specialize in a specific theme with which I am comfortable with and that I enjoy.Thank you for the sage advice and reinforcement.