Today’s tips and tricks post is a little different. There are so many tips about becoming a photographer that I wanted to share some tips that aren’t directly related to running a business but to really being a photographer. Coming soon is a good long business post about the fun stuff like being legit and paying your taxes. But today is a little different.
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– Don’t rush it
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Take your time. Learn your craft. Don’t buy a camera and start charging people for photographs. The same way that you don’t sit a child down and start snapping away. Stop, breathe, introduce yourself. Take the time.
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– Be patient
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As much as we all want to rush to some grand finale there is so much to learn in being patient. Photographers, you may see people on the interwebs talking about all the wonderful things they are doing with their business. It may seem on the surface like those people are awesome. But remember that what you see is what someone WANTS you to see. For every amazing photograph there are quite a few that just aren’t good sitting on that photographers computer. We all have to practice and get better. Be patient. Learn. See the above (Don’t rush it!)
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– Keep it Simple
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I love planning for props. I love getting an idea in my head of what I want for that day. I am a huge fan of at least a few tight shots. I want to see these beautiful kiddos eyes. They have so much life in their little faces. Don’t ruin it with a lot of fluff.
Many times in business you have so many options available that you can not make a simple choice at all. Sometimes the best decision is to keep it simple. Take your time. Breathe. Be Patient. Don’t Rush It.
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– Don’t get so caught up in the meaningless parts and miss out on the good stuff.
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This business can be cut throat. There is nothing wrong with that but don’t get so caught up in the “industry” and forget about the good stuff.
You know the stuff where you get to enjoy watching a parent see the image of their first kiddo smashing into a birthday cake. Or when you show a newborn photograph to the mom of a now 4 week old that looks like a different baby. Or that moment during a senior session when you quickly show a back of the camera shot and your senior says, “oh my goodness I am beautiful.”
That is the good stuff that so many people lose because they are caught up in the ‘game’. So caught up in getting published, or getting so many fans, or being one of the cool kids that they forget the absolute honor it is to create something for someone’s family. Get over it. Keep it Simple. Be Patient. Don’t rush it!
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All of these tips also mirror photographing children.
If I rushed the first photo, then I wouldn’t have gotten to the second.
If I wasn’t patient with this sweet boy I wouldn’t have gotten the third.
And spending the time, laughing, being silly is what got me to the last.
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Sometimes it seems like we photographers snap so many photographs. But sometimes you have to pull a little out to get a real smile. a real laugh. a real photograph.
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