The Most Gut Wrenching Decision You Will Ever Make In Your Photography Career!

As "artists" most of us have problems with self doubt.

Does my work measure up? Could I have done better? Did I use the right combination of shutter speed/f-stop? Will anyone like these shots? Was that the best pose? Angle? Is this ART or just a grab shot?

We constantly compare ourselves to the best in the field and - in our minds - we frequently fall sort. This low self esteem state of mind causes us to endlessly agonize over the biggest decision we will ever need to make in our careers...

To sell our photography or simply remain a frustrated amateur.

Photography as a hobby is incredibly expensive. We have to buy cameras, tripods, lenses, film or -if digital - computers, printers and software. Lights, stands, backdrops and etc., are all just the tip of the iceberg.

At some point, pretty much ALL intermediate and advanced amateurs wonder if they could sell their work.

If nothing else, it would help pay for the equipment.

Then, the self doubt starts to creep in. We start looking through our books and magazines and comparing our work to those we see. We check out websites and study contest winners.

The lump in the pit of our stomache starts getting larger and larger.

But on the other hand, all our friends and relatives say our work is gorgeous. Everyone says we could become photographers but, that doesn't do much to relieve the cold sweats in the middle of the night. Does it?

What to do...?

First, stop comparing yourself to the magazine photographers. Odds are, several thousand dollars in retouching fees were expended to get that perfect cover "look". Same with contest winners and the window display at the local photo studio. (Not to mention that those are the best photos they have available. Why display a bad one?)

Then you need to stop comparing yourself to all the other photographers you see published. Even if they are all tremendous shooters, it doesn't matter! If you start selling your work, you aren't trying to please them! You are trying to please your customers.

Every photographer has an individual way of seeing things and YOUR customers may like what YOU do BETTER!

That's all that matters. Is the customer happy?

Here is a well kept secret that all professional portrait photographers know - the average person doesn't judge photo contests. They don't know what makes one portrait a contest winner and another one a loser.

AND they don't care!

All they want is a good, competent job, showing an attractive pose and nice expression.

There IS a way to be sure you never have an unhappy customer - don't charge a session fee. Work on speculation. That way, they are only obligated to buy the photos they want!

The bottom line is, you don't have to be brilliant, just treat your customers well and take care to do the best job you can on every session. You'll be surprised.

I hope this will help you with one of the hardest decisions we are forced to make. Make the choice to start selling your portraits, and don't look back - you'll be glad you did.

If you are interested in getting started in a part time photo business (don't start off full time) check out the website listed in my bio. It's the easiest, least expensive and fastest way I know to get started!

Publishers - Feel free to publish this article at will, as long as the entire article is left intact - including the bio and links.

Career Guide For The Student Photographer

Career Guide for the Student Photographer There are millions of digital cameras in the world today. Digital cameras give you the advantage of instant feedback and quick learning, a good thing. But all too often these amateur GWC's - Guy with Camera (women are too smart to stoop to faking it) promote themselves as Photographers. GWC's shoot randomly until they accidentally stumble on something reasonably acceptable and usually with little idea of what a good shot even looks like, much less how to create it.

The poor quality of images they take only frustrate clients, inadvertently driving down the pay of many experienced photographers and making it ever more challenging for people to take seriously the profession as a whole. This is a challenge you can only overcome by expanding your own knowledge and experience.

Three in One - Observer, Observed and Process of Observation. Herein lies the secret that will set you on the path to understanding the difference between amateur, professional and master photographer. Unlike the lonely GWC, the Professional photographers have spent the time (and money) to study, practice and absorb their craft. They have generally gained the ability to center their awareness in the midst of challenging situations, to be both removed from the subject and at the same time understand and feel the subject and the light around it (observer and observed). At the same time, they are very comfortable with their equipment and technique (process of observation) so that it's hardly an effort at all.

The master photographer has so perfected their craft that they seem to hover in the space between observer and observed. They simply envision in their minds eye the character, quality and direction to be revealed and it seems to magically manifest in camera. Thoughts of equipment or techniques are so fully ingrained in their awareness that these tools are effortlessly and spontaneously incorporated into their vision. Most of the really good photographers I knew coming up in this profession have already become famous by specializing in one area of photography or another. I on the other hand seem to have inadvertently taken a more circuitous route, doing almost every type of photography.

Though I have had a wonderful career discovering, learning and being published in countless magazines and newspapers around the world, I offer the following piece of advise to students of photography. Specialize. Today's digitally captured and wirelessly linked world is intensely competitive and requires equal parts, artist, technician, independent business professional and promoter. The widespread use of digital photography has flooded the market with would-be photographers all competing for the same jobs. Of all types of professional photographers more than half are still self-employed, independent business people.

Passion, Knowledge, Dedication... These are essential qualities of the successful professional photographer. Narrow down your photo interests professionally. Discover your own area of photography, one that fits your unique personal talents, inclinations and style. This is best done by setting aside a fixed amount of time to research and explore the many different areas. Once you have narrowed it down, study the images of master photographers doing this type work. Read, attend classes, whatever works for you. But do not waste your precious time studying lesser quality work. Highest first, learn from the best!

Once you are knowledgeable of the equipment, techniques and styles of work, then its time for a mentor. No amount of study from books or classroom can compare with even a short time observing and working with a master photographer. Internships, second assistant jobs, whatever you can get to be on the inside of their creative process.

If its just not possible to get one of the coveted assistant positions on the inside, then set yourself self-assignments which copy the best features of their work (digital to the rescue). Learn the rules of composition, which rules can be bent, broken or left intact. Absorb yourself fully in your chosen area until you can comfortably emulate most of the techniques and styles of your master photographers.

In either case, armed with the basic knowledge of the craft gleaned from the master, you then let go of trying to copy and begin exploring your own inner creative direction, blending what you have learned with your own personal style.

Most types of photography require problem solving skills, determining the best way to quickly capture an image, combining multiple skills and technologies, aligning your or the clients artistic vision…all before the moment and the light is lost, and within budget. Being able to anticipate the yet unformed image in your awareness, position yourself and your equipment in just the right place at just the right moment to bring it all together. The feeling you get seeing the finished successful work, priceless, only you'll be getting paid! Most professional photographers understand that mastering photography is a lifelong continuous learning process. However, if one is passionate about the craft, it will rarely seem like work.