16 Things Photographers Should Know

Image via Complex Original

The enemy of all art is convention.

“You have to know the rules to bend or break them. A good photograph is a mix of exploration, life experience, your relationship to your subject, luck, play, and accidents. The artists we revere, the ones who changed the game, followed their own instincts, no matter what they were told. Art is personality, your own unique way of seeing the world. That’s the part that can’t be taught.”

Make friends.

“Remember: our industry is small. That third assistant you hired way back when may work for the agency you are pitching, and the freelancer you hired two years back could be your direct connection to a career-changing project. All the relationships you have and will make in the future are important. I’d like to think that I’m a total badass and got to where I am today all by myself, but that’s not how it goes. I would be in a very different place if it were not for the people I met along the way. We want our friends to be successful, and they want they same for us.”

Shoot what you love, and the rest will follow.

Get up close and personal to your subjects, be in the scene, and be a part of the moment.

“Your subject may take notice of you, and sometimes they'll hate it; sometimes they'll love it. Either way you'll get a reaction worth photographing, so keep snapping even when you're spotted. Also, F8 and be there…Google it.”

Be adaptable.

“No matter how well prepared you think you are, each project will present its own unique challenges. There are so many variables you have to be ready to adapt to—the people you're dealing with, the environment, the equipment or resources available. You can't take the same approach and think it will work every time.”

Let ideas flow naturally, and don't rush the process.

“This is full of clichés that may not seem true at first, but they're words to live by. Don't think too hard or forget to have fun.”

Take pictures even when you’re not being paid for it.

“If you only take out your camera for assignments, you may fall victim to becoming a technician, hired to simply facilitate someone else’s vision. Shooting (and sharing!) personal work helps to find or solidify your visual voice and, when the right people see it, will help you get hired shooting from YOUR point of view.”

Value your team!

“A photograph is never created solely by one person. There is always another influence. From a landscape where the sun breaks through just at the right moment to a full commercial set with art directors, stylists, hair, make-up, subjects, and an awesome assistant, all of these people contribute to the final shot, the mood, and the feeling. It is all recorded in that image. Build a team you trust and like, and you will make magic throughout the good times and the bad.”

Vision, style, and perspective are more important than technical skills.

“Obviously, technical skills are fundamental, but you just can’t stop there. Photography is not just about pushing a button (anybody can do that). Great photographers have to have great vision. Your style and perspective, which is different than anyone else’s, are really what you offer to your clients; its what they are actually buying. Your personality and vision are what separates you from the rest and what make people notice your work and hire you instead of someone else. Without style and perspective, you are an incomplete product. Find your passion, and tune into that.”

Don’t dumb your audience down.

“Making an image that’s easy to digest also makes it easy to forget. Photographs should be more interesting than their own obvious subject matter.”

Don’t worry about what kind of photographer people will consider you.

“Whether it’s an artist, a fine art photographer, a commercial photographer, or something entirely different, experiment and have fun. Make images that give you butterflies in your stomach.”

Don’t go in debt chasing gear.

Lenses matter, and always shoot in manual.

“Yes, the best lenses make everything beautiful. But, if you learn to make a beautiful image in manual and with a shitty lens, you are truly creating. Also, always read your camera’s manual. Only when you totally understand your camera and its functions can you start becoming more intimate with your photography.”

Make people laugh and move their hands. It’s more engaging then some stiff-ass portrait.

“Capture the in-between. Once someone lets his or her guard down and becomes vulnerable, that’s when you can capture a ‘real’ moment. Just think of Ricky Bobby doing his news interviews, and you’ll remember what not to do.”

Understand your business, not just the technique needed for making a photograph.

“If you understand how to invest in your business (you!) and save for financial stability, then you likely won’t be a one-hit-wonder. You need capital to continue to grow and take opportunities that can really propel your career. Speak to a financial planner if necessary, and save way more than you think you’ll need for tax season. WAY more.”

It’s okay to be scared.

“Every time I land a new shoot, I freak out for a minute about whether or not I can do it. Then I just buck up and go do it. It’s good to be scared, most of the time. If you’re not, you may not be pushing yourself hard enough.”