I’ve learned a lot over the past year and a half shooting photography. I’ve learned new ways of shooting photography, learned how to connect with people and network my way towards events I’d like to shoot, I’ve explored multiple genres of photography and how I like to edit them, and probably most of all I’ve learned a ton from mistakes/failures. But one thing I have no control over, and I have struggled to learn how to deal with is rejection.
I’d love nothing more than to be a full time photographer, shooting my way across the world, meeting new people and seeing new things. But one of the biggest things holding me back has been rejection in multiple ways. The glaring one that I’ve noticed and that turns people away from wanting to work with me is “Years in Service of Photography”, which still blows my mind that someone would look at a portfolio and like the work, only to say “Oh I’m sorry, I’m/we’re looking for a professional”. I’m sorry, but What? How are you going to like the work your seeing, but reject someone because they haven’t done it long enough in your eyes?
(I do want to note, that I’ve only experienced this personally a handful of times. But have friends that have told me about similar conversations of their own).
I do understand the mindset and view point of a certain clients though, especially those that can’t leave anything to chance of a mistake (think weddings, large corporations, or sponsorship teams that look to do “one shot” events like racing). The ones I’m more referring to, and have talked with my friends about, are the people that are looking to do family photos, boudoir photos, static personal car photography, amateur modeling headshots, or something that can be done without rush and allow for the photographer to learn. Yet they still are looking for seasoned photographers (or more commonly, a photographer that says they’ve been shooting since they were 5 years old. Which I have even more thoughts on).
Now, before you start coming at me with all kinds of remarks and comments of how I’m just crying about people not wanting to work with me because I’m a 1.5 year photographer, let me get through this a little more. Even though it does annoy me, I have learned to let it slide off my back, and I encourage anyone else that’d like to get into photography for more than just a hobby to learn how to do so as well. There needs to be an understanding that a large reason for this mentality and prejudice against “less seasoned” photographers, is due to the saturation of the field. Everyone, and I mean everyone can be a photographer. But how many will dedicate themselves to learning more than pointing a “camera/phone” at something and pressing a button? I could easily say that I’ve been shooting photography since I was 16 years old, giving me 20 years of “experience” in photography, and not mentioning that I was referring to taking pictures with a crappy Razor flip phone camera. But the reason I state that I’m a 1.5 year photographer, is because I only count the years that I’ve dedicated myself to photography (and becoming a full fledged professional photographer), which is my personal choice in how I present myself to people/clients.
So I said aaaaaaaaaaaall that (to the two or three people that actually read this when it comes out, lol), just so I can say this. Don’t judge a photographer based off of a number, look at the work they put out, and remember that even the most professional photographers had to start at some point (and have people take a chance on them too). As for any photographers that may read this, even if you get rejected, DON’T GIVE UP. Keep your head up, keep hammering out photos, keep networking with people, and I guarantee you’ll run into people that’d love to work with you and help you grow.
Now, talking about those people that love your work, want to work with you and help you grow, and don’t mind if you stumble through things while you learn. Cherish the hell out of those people, because those people could vary well blow up your career more than you ever imagined, and even if they don’t, they’ll still hold a special place in your heart for the rest of your life.
I’ve always expressed how happy I am, and thankful I’ve been, for the people that’ve looked at my work and decided to give me a shot. Some have been family, some have been friends, and even more have been strangers that have become good friends. I’ve been invited to automotive/racing and graffiti events because of people giving me a shot, I’ve done family/baby announcement/high school senior/prom photos because people have liked my work, and I’ve been fortunate enough to now work with a magazine because of everything mentioned above. I have met so many people in the past year and a half, that have become so much more than just clients/people, they’ve become something more along the lines of my own little community that I am so very grateful to have met.
I know this has been a long one, and I appreciate you sticking around to the end. I just want to leave off with one last message. Find your community and cherish the hell out of them, learn from those that may turn you down and why they did so, never stop growing as a person or a photographer, and never EVER give up on your dreams/drive to get somewhere.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this weeks writings, and thanks for reading.
Catch Y’all Later.
Andrew Hoyle - Grimlock Media
