6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Photographer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ค. 2024
- Things I wish I knew before starting photography!
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I’m 20 years in and still learning, still developing and redeveloping my style, learning new interests. This is my craft, it’s my baby and I nurture it. Slow process
Learning is a lifelong process since learning teaches you how little you know.
The fake friends part resonates so much with me. I had to learn the hard way to distinguish who is there only when they need me
fake friend...i knew all the people i met before i starting doing photography were fake..now i have no friends because i got rid of them for being fake..now the walls are up with shark infested waters before you get to the wall i build! nobody is coming in now.
I can also relate! Totally!
Agreed
Fake family is also a bummer!
@@stuartconnelly5397 Having to deal with both has been harsh. I cut off the fake friends, but family is so much harder.
“Save your money, buy a pizza, rent a movie” 🙌🏽
Love what you shared in this portion, amazing gear won’t make a great photographer - but time and experience can. Thanks for sharing!
its the person behind the camera that determines the outcome. be yourself and you'll never go wrong
"The right people will stay in your life no matter what". I'm really happy you said that.
Actually the entire last half is ridiculously true. Y'all find good people.
40 years into pro photography - listen to Jessica. She's nailed it spot on here!
When I started taking photos, I was delighted with how friendly and nice the environment was... and then I started taking better photos :D it turned out that many people don't like the fact that someone is developing and doing well.
My favourite tip is 5:37...I actually sold all of my expensive digital gear, bought myself a decent film camera (Minolta 7s), and that's actually what has made me much better. Less to focus on, less moving parts, I choose my angles and compositions more wisely...etc. It's allowed me to concentrate on the experience and joy of it all so much more.
I think it all depends on talent. At the beginning I traveled to London, England from Canada, and trained for a year under an advertising photographer. ( shooting cars in car studios and on location, building sets in the studio and then lighting and shooting those sets, and occasionally shooting fashion model portfolio work ) When I came back to Canada I found that my one year in England put me far ahead of friends who spent four years studying photography at college. In England I had shot with 35mm / 6x6 cm / 6x7 cm / 4x5 inch / 8x10 inch cameras, and could produce equivalent images with all formats. I also worked with large 6000 joule flash systems, and learned how to light almost anything.
So while I had pretty good mastery of the technical end of photography, I never learned how to sell myself and my work, so finding work was 100 times harder than the photographic side of things. In hind sight I wish when I returned to Canada I had trained with creative sales people, who could have taught me the people skills necessary to keep a steady stream of high paying projects coming in. Canada is also not a great country when looking for large photographic projects. Some of our most successful photographers had to move to the US or Europe to find the work they wanted. ( Walter Chin is the first name that comes to mind. He spent quite a few years in Toronto trying to establish himself, but later became famous when he moved to Europe and started shooting for the top fashion magazines. He currently resides in New York city. )
I once took a hobby, 30 years ago, I loved and made it into my profession, and got really good at it. Now I hate anything to do with that hobby/profession.
I will never do that with photography. I'm a photographer because it brings me joy capturing an image, at a moment in time of the whole universe, that no one else will ever be able to duplicate.
You will also hate yourself for not getting paid.
If it stops being fun, and becomes a job, that ruins it. If you happen to be lucky enough to get paid, that's icing on the cake. But the cake is the joy in doing it.
Jessica: From your discussion, i can tell you are a very passionate photographer and you are really young, I am 60+, and I am still learning. I started my photography endeavors with a Kodak Brownie Camera shooting 127 Kodak Verichrome B&W film. Everything you mentioned in this video, absolutely true, I also experienced, I experienced much of what you experienced.
You were my inspiration, back when I started photography 5 years ago, keep doing your thing ❤️
I’ve been in business as a graphic designer and photographer. I’ve found dealing with things directly related to producing the work is the easy part. How do you feel about the business aspects? Tracking expenses, taxes, other bookkeeping tasks. What tools/apps do you like for those things? I think you do excellent work! “Taking bad photos on an expensive camera.” 😂👍👏🎯
I'm really so so glad you stay true to yourself along this journey.
You hit the nail on the head. Great advice! So tired of these “reviews,”gear pushing folks. Then seeing their images that completely lack any story or emotion.
Enjoy your honesty and practical advice. Refreshing to hear someone being honest and straightforward. Thanks!
Thanks for posting this video. I’m 2 years in and love real estate photography, but def want to get into other areas like fashion photography and street. Your advice and suggestions are helpful and enlightening. Thank you ❤
Been watching your videos for years and you always give the most comforting advice as a young female photographer!
I love your videos Jessica, I’m starting my photography career thanks to you 🖤🤍
Very heartfelt and sincere, real-world experience comments. Totally on point. Nicely done and keep doing what you do.
I wish I could have at least made a great caring friend like you've described yourself in my photographic journey. That would at least make the process and journey bearable. It's crushing how lonely the solitude in pursuit of photography can be at times.
💯
Thank you, Jessica, for the video. There is so much wisdom and truth in what you covered. How we learn and grow.
Loved this Jess❤
I check in periodically to see what’s new on your channel and I’m never disappointed. I love your content. Keep it coming!
Wisdom beyond your years. Great advice Jessica, about life in general, not just photography, You are wise and beautiful. Keep up the good work.
I can relate to the end and it’s nothing to do with photography but it’s a real life lesson that was necessary for me to learn. I work at a grocery store and have worked there for a long time. I get along with my team and my manager. Last summer before I went back to college I was sent to a store an hour away and I was fine with it before my semester starts. Once my classes started I was asked to come in and had to say no and this kept going for weeks till I just stopped responding. The main reason why I got told to go was I blindly say yes to everything. I don’t put my foot down and he knows. So it taught me people will use you for their own gain.
It's so refreshing to see someone see what I see everyday. I've been through some of the same things.
Love your honesty Jessica and I also love your fun relaxed style.
8:14 "Not everyone is your friend and not everyone wants you to succeed". Amen. You know, aspiring and working in the trenches sounds honorable to other people. Little do they know you are going to fight for you life and ENVY, ENVY, ENVY is the most awful emotion, "Don't tell people your plans." "DON'T TELL PEOPLE YOUR PLANS" this needs to be a MANTRA for all creative people.
don't ✍🏽evolve ✍🏽 cute ✍🏽 pokemon ✍🏽
That should've been number 1
Thank you Jessica for this video, its really important !!
This is such good information and will help so many people. "Don't focus about the technicalities" great words.
My first camera was the Panasonic Lumix fz300. Five years I’ve been a photographer. My second camera and first DSLR(Canon EOS 90D) was for bulb mode as I began better understanding the concept of long exposure. Recently I used spot focusing when it should’ve been wide focus. It was one of those things you loose sight of how these little changes of your settings make a world of difference in how you achieve your image. That being said, there will be times that as a photographer, you have inadvertently changed your basic setting(s) thereby, that could change the quality of your photos.
So true. You hut every nail on the head. I experienced EVERYTHING you mentioned
Thank you so much for being so generous!
Thank you for sharing your experience! This is all helpful!
I needed to hear that so badly, thank you so much!
I learn something new every day and will always be learning. Education is very important in our field of work. Thanks for being honest and letting young artists know that this is not an easy or cheap journey. Unfortunately so many people think you just click a button and the camera does the work. They go out and spend a ton of money on gear and never invest in themselves or education to learn to use that equipment and don't charge accordingly for their work. Then they just give up after 1-3 years because they realize they are $30,000 or more in debt real fast. Just like any legit business, you have to invest in the business and in order to do so, you have to know your cost of doing business and numbers and be charging enough to be profitable so you can grow.
100% !! In my experience, the first 3 years are the hardest. I'm a photographer of 7 years and now 4 with my own business. The process needs to be slow, everything and everyone will test you in the beginning, those that make it will have a heart for others and are willing never to give up on something that speaks the language of their soul. But those first 3 years were a ooooph for me, many times I said "wow whats wrong with people!", mostly are photographers and so called friends at the time. Once you break that start time, and show who you are to the world, it opens up and you find amazing people, life long friends and clients, grant there is always the exception, but Im glad I stuck with it, its truly awesome :)
Thank you for all your photo and video work, you’re the biggest inspiration for me 😎
My parents gave me a film Praktica MTL3 back in college in 2006- or 2007 and fell in love with photography then, it was also the year of my first digital dslr as well (canon 400D/Rebel xti used 90% of the time in full manual mode) and I still get awards on photocrowd with the images I took with that.
My photo journey began 60+ yrs ago in Jr. HS. Learned the basics by
college, then really improved in college because one of my roommates was a Photo major. I'd often tag along when he went out shooting. Shoot all morning, develop in the afternoon and print after dinner (at least two weekends per month). He went on to become a pro, teaching at RISD then freelancing out of Taos, NM. What a life!
Me? I went into computers and became a software developer cube rat, but still keep my photo knowledge fresh.
I just don't practice as much, now.😢
Jessica, you are a great photographer, the best ones always look forward and that’s why their leaning curve never finishes. I feel you need a virtual hug, I am sorry you been through some bad experiences
Totally True advice. Enjoyable POST.
i have loved your content for so long and I know this isn't the point of the video either, but you look so beautiful! i love the work you put into your space.
7:55 so freakin true! I did a shoot with a larger crew than normal, because the talent required it and we had to hike to the location. I took the camera, two lenses as we got out of the van, everyone is like "are you taking anything else" I said "No, this is all I need" HAHA yes they were happy with the results! Oh the irony!
Thank you for sharing your experience 🦋 you're the best🦋 my inspiration
awesome advice! I am not a photographer, I am a game artist but the principles are similar of course, cause composition is composition. I really liked the thing you said about guiding lines :D I mean, I love them, huge respect for them but the total is always more than the sum of its parts. Same for the rule of thirds for example.. you can position elements exactly on the place where they need to be according to the rule of thirds but many times you try different things and it works best. What is correct is only the thing that works best! Principles are great knowledge and always good to keep in mind, but we should always experiment and try things out.
JUST DO IT!!!!!! Lol jk you don't have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.. I have found the way I learned was the desire to want to photograph something and being frustrated with lighting conditions, gear limitations, or lack of understanding of how to achieve a shot. Which lead me to search for answers and build out my gear accordingly. It's a journey for sure.
jessica, your photography inspires me, i've been following your work for awhile and i want to send you a good hug🫂for all the bs and fake friends you had to deal with
Love you Jessica and thank you for this video! You rock!
I'm 50+ years in and it still requires a mindset of learning, experimenting and focusing on having fun!
On being patient, you are right on the mark! That's one of the reasons I switched to medium format 20 years ago for almost everything except action. I use a Hasselblad MF system and have progressed through their product line over the years as new technology has became available. MF makes you slow down, look for your image and make sure you have done your homework BEFORE you click. I've thought a lot about why this is so. Hasselblad has added features to it's camera line-up to keep pace with the market and remain competitive however, I find myself turning those features off and going back to a very manual mode of shooting, even to the point of manual focus. It may not sound sensible but it works. My images come out better when I rely on my skills rather than the cameras.
I've also turned of all the AI features in post processing. I'm not against technology, in fact I worked in tech for 40 years. But when you set out to create art, be artful. Experimenting with what you have created is not only useful, it's fun! And, after a while you might be surprised with what you end up with.
'nuff said!
I love love love this video and the message!
Great contribution indeed. Thank you! And yes - stay away from those who call you "my best friend" after they ripped you off and some of them walked away with part of your gear. When I hear words like "You are my best friend" - or "Can you do this for me I don't have the talent you have" - then I know I stepped into a trap - since no real friend talks to you like that.
I'm not looking to go professional, heck I'm barely picking up my camera but I appreciate your videos! Hope to keep seeing your journey
Just decided to start my photography journey and really glad this video came at the right time😊 what camera do you recommend for a beginner?
Good morning Jessica. You’re a great photographer!!❤❤
I’ve work with lots of people (models and actors) who I know that what we’re doing is very transactional. Never thought of them to be my friends and never expected to be mine. I live in LA btw so everyone has their agendas here. So my mind set is to make sure to get what I want out of the photos and make sure the model would also get what they want. So both of us will be happy.
If they contact me and wanted to work with me again, it’s great. If not, it’s all cool.
This is really inspiring 💗✨🐇
Thanks so much for your knowledge and wisdom. I'm just starting out and really needed to hear this! Thanks x
Totally agree with not buying the latest equipment or get all the accessories. When I was starting and since I have limited budget, I made sure that every purchases are investments. Because in my mind, it’s easy to spend money if you have them - being broke is harder lol. My first purchase was my prime lens 50mm 1.4 and it was with me for more than 10years. My 2nd purchase was my speedlight with I used the most out of it when I didn’t have a money to get me some strobes. Same thing used it for more than 10years. Made some good photos out of these purchases. Like 80% of my portfolio are the products of these two.
I agree that having a vision is more important than buying the unnecessary equipment. Most of the time I use money to buy props or renting a studio if needed.
Jessica, this advice you shared with us is really helpful. Thank you for sharing it with us. ❤️
Thank you for this Jessica ❤ I’m just starting out so all of this is extremely helpful✨
Thanks for your insights about starting out in photography and your insights about true friends. You’re a very wise lady, your advice is much appreciated thanks.
Been looking at all kinds of equipment and having tech lust for the last month, but finally took this advice and picked up a super cheap nex-5t and *1* lens (low zoom) on mpb. I figure it will help me learn a lot and figure out which way I want to jump before spending too much on something I have no clue how to properly use yet lol
Thanks for the truth talk. You are one of the good ones! ♥️♥️♥️
These points are on point!
This is just great advice for creatives overall
Photography is truly a mental game. You see the shot... you just need enough tech savvy to make the shot that is in your mind/ heart. You get to that by taking pictures. get to it.... and have fun.
Definitely tough being a photographer and I started in 1996 your videos very inspirational and useful
Real talk! Great job conveying this message! 🙌 💯
I’m 12 years in myself as of 2024, started from a pocket point and shoot, now I’m shooting film with an AE-1 Program, and just recently picked up a Mamiya RB67
That friends to foe part is so real and hits close to home. Miss the excitement of collabs but things just got toxic over time sadly
Really great advice, especially about friends. Thank you for sharing.
I have watched you off and on for years... You have always been good plus.... You are a "Pro"
I have followed you off and on for quite a few years... I just knew you were heading in the right direction....
Thank you for sharing and for your inspiration. Best wishes to you Jessica!
I love this video..Great points! I only have one lens at the moment. I feel this lens really fits my style. I have the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG Art series. And I truly love this lens. But I do have to get more lens because Im about to start jumping into weddings.
Thank you, Jessica. I needed that!
I love this thank you for sharing!! 1000%Facts
I’m only 5 years into my photography journey, this is very insightful, I want to leave my 9-5 behind for photography, and I have no idea how to do it. Thank you for sharing
As always a very interesting video on this topic, your tips are fully on spot, presented in your own very distinctive personal style, combining humour and professional experience.
Although not being myself a professional photographer, but having a long personal experience in photography, I do agree with all your reflections.
Keep on doing such a good job 👍, and stay safe!
Greetings from Luxembourg.
Love tha truth, so real.
Sound advice! Same or similar experience worked for me. You are just great! Thank you.
I agree You need to photograph everything that gets you excited..... Within that excitement that is different genres and with different genres this different techniques after techniques that's when you know you have a style and one particular or two genres that you like shooting regardless of the weather..... I started 2020..... It's like a bottle of wine it gets better as it aged....
That's some excellent advice. I felt every word.
I thought this was going to be a silly vid but it is excellent advice. Most of it is applicable to life in general.
Thanks for sharing ❤
You know what I would love to see Jessica do even if it’s not very likely that the models won’t use them in their portfolios? A Pokemon inspired photoshoot, now I would love to see that
I think it's one the best and deeper your video! Thanks ❤
This was a great way to start my day. I bet you do excellent work.
Always learning 🙏
Team Sewaddle. thanks for the advice
I'm 20 years in mostly with a series of far-reach point & shoots. But ALWAYS strapped on my side, everyday.
Never would think of myself as a "photographer". At least tens of thousands of photos, mostly over-saturated and poorly processed by expert standards.
But I love my work, I'm my biggest fan, and I actually took many really good photos.
Finally got a "real" camera this year. Mirrorless little Fujifilm- learning the terms ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
I have never taken so many bad shots on a daily level. BUT you should see the GOOD ones! 😁
love your video and you're absolutely correct I'm almost 70 years old and have been doing digital for about 18 years and it wasn't until I got back into film photography that I really started to get it I learned more about photography using film in 6 months then I did with digital in five years and there's no such thing as chimping with film and no spray and pray and I'm having a blast with film photography and I don't have to worry about a hard drive crashing. also have been restoring old beseler enlargers I also make all my own developers from Individual chemicals which adds to the fun. I buy most of my gear used and find a lot of it in thrift stores about two and a half years ago I did buy a 5D Mark IV which takes beautiful pictures but hardly ever use it anymore I use Pentax 645 and a Canon Elan 7 NE for most of my photography now which is film. thank you for sharing your thoughts about photography it's very inspirational
All 100% true i have witnessed it firsthand thanks jessica for sharing
Thank you for your advice.
Thank you for sharing that, I ama photographer who got really mas at the industry and decided just to quit and pursue something else but the love was always there. I decided to not do it for the money anymore and do it for the passion and if the money comes... it comes 🙌🏼
What made you decide to not do it for the money?
@@SanAmorous stress of not having rent money because I had no clients during the winter time. I wanted something more stable if Im aiming to have a family in the future. Dont get me wrong you can make a lot of money with photography as I have made, its just not consistent!
I like everything you said. It was all on point. Keep the haters out your life, and keep it moving. You'll be better off for it. I think you're a smart girl because you learned early. I'm 72, believe I know. God Bless you young lady. Peace!
I was fortunate to have access to the personal collection of Harold Corsini. I completely understand about looking at what inspires you from the greats that came before you. Excellent advise.