A photographer's ultimate goal is to be published. We all want to perfect our craft to the point where people pay thousands of dollars for studio time, lighting equipment and of course our vision. Our goal is to create a signature style and have it grace the covers of top magazines and fill the canvas of Billboards. But what we all want to know is how do we get there.
Have you ever seen a picture and thought to yourself," I'm just as good if not better than that photographer". The reality of it is they have the representation and the connections that you don't have. Photography is a business, and like most businesses it's about your knowledge and your connections. So in today's post we are gonna discuss what makes a top photographer.
So after my class disaster I decided that I needed to learn more about this thing called photography. Like most photographers, I posted ads on Craigslist for work, and applied for every gig from wedding to test shoots. I finally realized that I wasn't getting a response because my photos didn't look any different from the next photographer. Not to mention there are a million unemployed photographers on Craigslist vying for the same gigs.
In my search for a gig, I came across an ad for an unpaid internship with a top photographer. He didn't list his name or website, all he said was that he worked with A-list celebrities and needed help running his business. As much as I hated that the internship was unpaid, I went ahead and applied for it. To my surprise I received a response and was invited to interview with him the next day. He gave me directions to his home in a really swanky area of Los Angeles and told me to be there on time.
When I arrived at his home I was terrified, I had no portfolio and no experience. I approached the door, removed my shoes, and was invited in. I looked around and realized that I was very familiar with his work. He had a signature style that anyone would recognize. His images were always dark and smoky with heavy contrast, but all his images were strong.
Have you ever seen a picture and thought to yourself," I'm just as good if not better than that photographer". The reality of it is they have the representation and the connections that you don't have. Photography is a business, and like most businesses it's about your knowledge and your connections. So in today's post we are gonna discuss what makes a top photographer.
So after my class disaster I decided that I needed to learn more about this thing called photography. Like most photographers, I posted ads on Craigslist for work, and applied for every gig from wedding to test shoots. I finally realized that I wasn't getting a response because my photos didn't look any different from the next photographer. Not to mention there are a million unemployed photographers on Craigslist vying for the same gigs.
In my search for a gig, I came across an ad for an unpaid internship with a top photographer. He didn't list his name or website, all he said was that he worked with A-list celebrities and needed help running his business. As much as I hated that the internship was unpaid, I went ahead and applied for it. To my surprise I received a response and was invited to interview with him the next day. He gave me directions to his home in a really swanky area of Los Angeles and told me to be there on time.
When I arrived at his home I was terrified, I had no portfolio and no experience. I approached the door, removed my shoes, and was invited in. I looked around and realized that I was very familiar with his work. He had a signature style that anyone would recognize. His images were always dark and smoky with heavy contrast, but all his images were strong.
The interview was very basic. Why do you want to work for me? You do realize this is unpaid? etc..He asked me nothing about my photography background nor did he want to see my work. He told me his name was Patrick Hoelck and gave me the link to his website. When I went home and researched, I found out that he was huge. A few minutes later he called and told me I had the internship. I was so excited.
I worked for Patrick for a month before the driving and not being paid took a toll on me. I told him I couldn't do it anymore. While working for him I learned about enterprising. Patrick publishes books, ad campaigns and magazines because he has a signature style. The most valuable lesson I learned was that people like originality, so you must have a signature style.. Rule #2..Don't be afraid to be original; slightly out of focus prints just may be your claim to fame....
