Photography is a vision, and seeing some things that other people can’t is truly special. The gift of vision is developed by looking at different art created by different artists. I didn’t start as a travel photographer, I was just a boy with a camera who was inspired by viewing amazing photographs on my computer.
This 2020, I urge all the starting out photographers that they choose their influences. Because that might make or break your career into the industry. I’ve read somewhere that you are the sum total of the 5 people that you hang around with. And I’m beginning to agree to that statement. As a new year starts, I’d like to point out and share my experiences through the years of working with these mentors and how I got to learn that we should choose when to be aggressive from the get-go or be patient for projects.
Call it blessed or lucky, but I got the right people to raise my skills in the craft. From rags to riches and not the other way around. They taught me that photography was being brilliant with your camera and also wise with your finances. Not seen in coffee shops or even partying at late night bistros, these were the mentors that influenced me to be who and what I am today. And though the majority of their peers might call them as people with no social life or boring, I always have a chuckle to their reply: “we don’t need alcohol to be interesting people, pity those who need it”.
Other professionals see a team as a group of people who are on a job, but I like to personally see it as a family. Its as basic as it sounds, family first right? Regardless of the screw ups and the many squabbles, you get to find a way to make it work and proceed on to the next project. Its funny how one team or organization misunderstands one another then creates another. I mean, its reality. We all have to pay the bills. Pride is what breaks a team down, and not to mention laziness, half-assed efforts, and not doing your part.
You may see this as a rant, but its not. I just hope that the readers of this column understand that I am merely trying to raise a point. That the strength of the team can be measured not only by how united it is, but also to its individual prowess. Respect however is the core principle that all teams should live by. If you respect yourself, your teammates, and the craft, everything will be fine.
Projects will come, even when you don’t market yourself. Believe me, it happens a lot. Plant your seeds in the industry and water them diligently. Never expect from anyone, let go the feeling of entitlement, we are never entitled to anything in this world. They say its who you know, and what you know that gets you the job. True, but not all the time. You won’t hire a chef to do architecture now would you? There will always be job or projects that require specific set of skills. But then again, when I was still lacking with skill, I always tripled the effort to get the photograph that I want.
2020 has started, 1 week is about to pass and have you questioned yourself, what have you done so far. Choose the right people to learn from, be around with, and projects to work on. Life is all about growth, pick them wisely. Remember always that every rose has its thorn, a delicate balance of work, curiosity, rest and bad days is part of the program. The show goes on.
