Advice for beginning photographers

Millennial Management
Dec 18, 2016
3 min read

Recently I was asked over Instagram if I had any advice for beginning photographers. I actually had to stop and think for a second. There was a point in my life where I was so desperate for a photo mentor to help me through some of the big hills in my photo career I would of done anything, I just didn't know where to look or how to ask. I look back now on all my learning curves and shake my head. They were simple fixes that very easily could of been taken care of, if I had only known how. So below I have compiled a very personal list of advice for beginning photographers.

1) Its never about the equipment so dont get caught up on the fact that you dont have a $3,000 camera to work with. Some very successful photographers have started with an iphone.

2) Work on your craft everyday. I dont shoot everyday but ill edit or update my website or book shoots with clients. Im assuming this is something that gives you joy so why wouldn't you want to incorporate some small act of being a photographer into your everyday.

3) Stay humble. So many young photographers think they know everything and scoff at the idea of someone potentially knowing more than them. Stay quiet and be a sponge. Soak up as much knowledge as you can because photography is an ever changing realm.

4) Find a mentor. Find a photographer who is in a field you want to be in whether it be fashion, sports, or landscapes. Reach out to them and see if they take on assistants or interns. You'll learn so much in such a short amount of time. Call instead of email the chances of them saying yes goes up significantly.

5) Surround yourself with people who will support you and your craft. Photography is an art and a lot of people will talk badly about you if you choose to do this as a career. Its hard to hear. If you truly love photo and the work you produce then ignore the haters and surround yourself with others who will support you and want the best for you as a person and an artist.

6) Learn something new everyday. There are a million and one resources online that can help you grow as a photographer. Just read an article everyday or watch a youtube editing video.

7) Never talk badly about another photographer. This is a very small community, and its even smaller the better you get as you advance in the ranks. Eventually everyone knows everyone and a slip up of the mouth can cause some serious ripple effects. You dont want a future job to be jeopardized because you like to feed the rumor mills.

8) Find a photo tribe you can bounce ideas off of. Find some locals in your area you can talk to about ideas or hosting photo meet ups. Other photographers who could potentially be second shooter or help you plan a big shoot. You will need photo friends!

9) Pick a famous photographer and obsess over them. This is your photo muse, the kind of photographer you're striving to be. Learn their techniques, how they started in the business, their professional practices, anything you can get your hands on from them. For me personally my photo muse is Annie Leibovitz, I cant get enough of her fashion portraits!

10) Have a positive attitude. Setting the tone for when you do any kind of photo work should start with a mental check at the door. Walk into anything and everything with a positive outlook. You chose to be a photographer, be happy about that choice.