Don’t wait for someone to hire you to do your dream photo shoot. Do it yourself and let it attract customers who have a need for what you want to create.
When you start a new shot, you never really know what will happen. You may have a loose idea, but there is a certain spontaneity when it comes to photography. You can plan and prepare, but at a certain point, you just have to shoot and see what happens.
As a photographer, I never know when I will create my best work. Sometimes, I can have a feeling that the shoot is going to be special, but most of the time, when I’m creating my best photos, I’m completely caught off guard and overwhelmed by what comes out. presently. It is this uncertainty that strengthens my belief that it is extremely important to capture as much as possible.
Sure, taking photos for clients is essential. That’s what pays the bills. But I believe that allocating time for personal work is equally important. Always prioritize pushing yourself to be creative and create personal work. By prioritizing self-expression and embracing your creativity, you unlock the gateway to creating the most powerful and resonant images. Freedom to explore without constraints facilitates the emergence of new and innovative ideas. Ideas can only flow. This allows you to discover and try new things that you might otherwise dodge during customer filming. Ironically, I discovered that personal projects tend to attract the most clients.
Don’t wait for someone to hire you to do your dream photo shoot. Do it yourself and let it attract customers who have a need for what you want to create. Clients hire you because they like what they’ve seen, so it’s important that you continually create new work that is true to who you are and what you want to create.
While dedicating resources to personal projects may require investment, it is definitely worth it. Invest in yourself with these shots. It’s worth investing some money in personal projects to make them as cool as possible. You can be creative. One approach to maximizing resources is through creative collaboration and print deals. By assembling the best team possible and collaborating with each other, you can pool your talents and create better work.
When we invest in ourselves and our personal projects, we are investing in our growth as artists. It’s not just about immediate results; It’s about the long-term impact. Taking pictures for yourself allows you to explore new avenues, discover your artistic voice, and push the boundaries of your creativity. That knowledge and self-discovery will spill over into your professional client work and enhance it.
2021 is a game changer for my husband, my creative partner, David, and me. We built 100 sets and did 100 shots on them to push the boundaries of creativity and completely re-develop. investment portfolio. While it was a significant investment of time and money, it proved invaluable and helped us build a stronger name for ourselves in the photography community and attract clients. Our dreams are musicians, creative brands and fashion designers. Looking back now, I can confidently say that those 100 sets were worth every minute and every penny.
So here’s the bottom line: to create your best work, you have to shoot. Shoot as much as possible. And you have to make time for personal projects. Put your heart and soul into them, the same way you would any paid gig, and let the work lead the way.
