We all need help on our path to becoming photographers. Any great tips to help you get there? Advice can help you get out of a bind or it can help you understand something you can’t quite understand. Of course, advice can also lead you down the wrong path. So once you receive advice, you must determine the value of the guidance. Is that good or bad advice? I asked some fellow photographers to share the best advice they received about becoming professionals. I’d love to hear about any helpful tips you’ve received or helpful tips you’d like to share on becoming an expert.
Advice can be extremely valuable. To paraphrase David Bailey, knowledge is power, so keep learning, keep gathering advice. On the other hand, Sophocles is said to have noted that the greatest enemy is bad advice. So how do you distinguish good advice from bad advice? Perhaps we guide Bailey a little more than Sophocles, gathering advice and then determining how to take advantage of it. After all, Sophocles was not as good a photographer as Bailey.
Don’t forget, however, as Mary Schmich wrote in her now famous article, Advice, like youth, is probably wasted on the young: “Be careful what advice you believe… Advice is a form of nostalgia: throwing it away is a way of fishing the past out of the garbage, wiping it away, painting over the bad parts toilet and recycle it for a value greater than its value.”
Ajani Charles: Don’t procrastinate (and get to work)
Canon Ambassador and storyteller Ajani Charles claimed that the best advice he received was from the imperial philosopher Marcus Aurelius:
Think about your years of procrastination; how the gods have repeatedly given you other periods of grace that you failed to take advantage of. Now is the time to realize the nature of the universe to which you belong and of that controlling power… that your time has a certain limit. Then use it to enhance your enlightenment, otherwise it will disappear and never be within your power again.
To paraphrase Aurelius, make hay while the sun shines. Start doing. Let’s get on with it. Don’t delay. Charles is a strong advocate mental health in our industry and would probably be the first to quote another famous philosopher-inventor statesman, Benjamin Franklin:
Lazy people are miserable people.
Basically, get to work.
Mike Gere: Bleed Your Art (And Get to Work)
Slightly related, but perhaps a little more extreme (you have to know him well to really get the joke), wildlife and night sky photographer Mike Gerebelong to Jasper’s photo tour And Northern border adventure (where we worked together as photography and interpretation guides), turned me over to Charles Bukowski to explain the best advice he ever received:
If you’re going to try, then try your best, otherwise don’t start.
This may mean losing everything, but you have to be dedicated.
Continuing to quote Bukowski:
…if despite everything it doesn’t come out of you, don’t do it. unless it comes from your heart, mind, mouth and gut, then don’t do it.
Make sure photography is what you want. It is a difficult path and unlikely to lead to wealth.
This particular approach also reminds me of artist Chuck Close’s advice:
Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest just showed up and got to work. If you wait for the clouds to clear and a bolt of lightning to strike your brain, you won’t get much done.
I see a bit of a theme developing here.
Jeffrey Garriock: Photographing stories and creating empathy
Wildlife and adventure photographer and filmmaker Jeffrey Garriockwho I work with as Photographer in Residence at G Adventures, explains that the best advice he ever received focused on story: think about storytelling every time you shoot. From Garriock’s perspective, most of us are caught up in content, layout, or both. Of course, these aren’t bad things to focus on, but storytelling is by far the most powerful tool you have to try and connect with someone. The more you focus on using your photos to tell a story, the more effective your message will be and the less accompaniment will be needed. When Garriock teaches photography, he always teaches it in the context of storytelling. Garriock finds storytelling to be an incredibly powerful tool that helps his students stay focused Why they are taking pictures in a special way.
This definitely resonated with me. My first three slides in the lecture on the ship in Antarctica included the word intention in all caps. Likewise, I ask my guests to think about their story, what their experience is, not just collect a portfolio of images.
Michelle Valberg: Never stop exploring
Internationally recognized photographer and Nikon ambassador Michelle Valberg attributes her continued success to a piece of advice she applied early in her career: promote exploration and continually discover your own distinctive photography style. For Valberg, art thrives on creativity and subjectivity, so continuing to explore yourself will help you continue to grow. A piece of advice Valberg has never stopped practicing.
Ricardo Peralta: Pursuit and development
Best advice Ricard Peralta receive is to pursue your dreams and overcome initial challenges. Encouraged by this advice, Peralta followed his instincts to become the successful professional photographer he is today. From Peralta’s perspective, this early advice was ingrained in his eagerness to continuously improve his photography.
John and Veronica Park: Find work with clients who understand you
Award-winning wedding photographers John and Veronica Park know that before signing a contract with a couple, you should listen to that little voice in your head. If your intuition clearly suggests a gap between you and your client on any important issue, then such hesitations, especially when motivated primarily by financial considerations, should be must be seriously considered.
Each photographer possesses a unique personality and approach, evident even in their portfolio, tailored to appeal to a specific clientele. If some little inner voice warns you against working with a particular client, heed that instinct. This feeling often indicates potential incompatibility, an important consideration in fields such as wedding photography. Given the deeply personal and emotional nature of weddings, choosing a photographer is about more than just aesthetic appeal; it revolves around the harmonious connection between the photographer’s ethos and the couple’s sensibilities.
Aris Apostolopoulos: Breaking the rules
Another photographer staying at GAdventures, Aris Apostolopoulos look to Pablo Picasso for helpful advice: learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist. For example, the rule of thirds and leading lines, to name just a few common photography rules, are made to be broken. How many times have you found yourself standing in front of a photo that has impressed you and, looking at it, you realize that not only does it not follow the rules, but it succeeds because it doesn’t? For Apostolopoulos, understanding why the rules are in effect is important to overturning them.
Esteban Toro: Run your own race
Travel photographer and Sony Ambassador, Esteban Toro was advised early in my career to avoid comparing myself to others. For Toro, your only real opponent is your past self. Any measurement should be an assessment of your own progress. If you spend too much time comparing yourself to others, you won’t have time to grow. Toro suggests that you celebrate your wins and acknowledge your failures. It may be silly, but it’s a truism, failure can be the best teacher if you embrace it.
Trevor Sherwin/; Create relationships
Famous creative boudoir photographer, Trevor Sherwin of Provocateur Images has created his intimate style based on advice he received years ago: it’s what you say between presses of the shutter button that gets you the photo. You can know all there is to know about the mechanics of exposure and lighting, but if your client isn’t comfortable, the image will look stiff or dull.
It’s what you say between presses of the shutter button that helps you get the photo.
Sherwin is in constant conversation with his customers; Shooting time is not always spent taking pictures. For Sherwin, his therapy sessions are more about talking and coaching clients than anything else. Building relationships with customers is not only part of the experience, it’s also what helps customers relax in front of the most beautiful and empowering photos of their lives.
Take a moment to share your favorite advice, something that’s been shared with you, or something you’d like to share with others.
And of course don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
Stay tuned, I also asked my colleagues about the worst photography advice they’ve ever received.
All images provided by and credited to trusted photographers. Lead image Aris Apostolopoulos.
