Interesting topic. But how about successful “generalists” and polymaths throughout history ? We would probably need the right technique and a super power called “focus”.
HI Luna! Yes a valid point for sure - It crossed my mind as well. But the truth is, these people are anomalies, rather than the rule. Therefore it's safe to assume it wouldn't apply to 99% of us... Even so, one would wonder what might have happened if the polymath had actually focused even more deeply, would they have had breakthroughs and revelations noone else might have been capable of? Or were they enriched by their multifaceted knowledge base? Who knows... Interesting though!
Well I guess having different niche photography is important Bcz wedding season u can do weddings but what after the wedding season gets over you can go about doing a different niche and keep earning....but I agree to the point that you should be really exceptional in one of niche
Very fair Ninad! If you live somewhere seasonal then you can't shoot weddings year round, so perhaps becoming incredible at 2 types of photography would be better. At the same time, I'm also talking about not just being a wedding photographer or a portrait photographer, but getting even more focused and becoming just an elopement photographer who shoots golden sunset portaits, or an Indian Wedding Photographer who shoots in a glamour style. The more refined and focused you can get, the better you can serve that specific type of client!
I will agree and disagree with this advise on different levels. Hear me out. Being the very best at what you do isn't a choice, because you can only be as good as you can get, which might not be the best of them all (think of genetic factors for athletes, cognitive differences for artists/background influences making your work more original/interesting even with less technical skill, etc). You can get REALLY good at one thing if you completely devote yourself to it, and that might be enough to survive, but it isn't the determining factor for success, not even financial success. Dedicating your life to one thing MAINLY, but then dedicate some time to develop and exercise on complementary skills is much better IMO. Think about it, how many twitch streamers are really the best at the games they play? Only a fraction. Think about how many absolutely insane sports or video game players there are that just don't even make minimum wage. You can't rely on a single skill only to succeed, you MUST put yourself out there. Unfortunately, that means you also must learn a little bit about marketing, you must take a little bit of time making yourself known, either online by putting yourself out there or IRL by networking. It is all good and dandy to say you should dedicate yourself to one thing fully and, on paper, it sounds like it should work. IRL, alas, the only thing you can do to maximize your chances of getting success is taking a bit of time doing a bunch of other things to make sure you have as much outreach as you can. This will take time away from your main craft, and won't allow you to be the best X you could be, but it will guarantee you expose yourself to as many people as possible who can see how excellent you are at Y (even if not the best) by taking control of it, as opposed to relying on fate or luck to get discovered.
Well said Lucas, and I'd 100% agree with everything you said here. The one thing I'd add: The vast majority of people would benefit from more focus and deeper development, rather than a more well rounded education. Specifically for photographers, most of us are "okay" at what we do. Therefore, we can be as good at marketing as we want, at the end of the day it's going to be waaaay harder because there is nothing that sets us apart. Show me the person who is average at what they do but incredible at marketing, and I'll show you a successful business Show me the person who is stand out exceptional and also incredible at marketing, and I'll show you an industry leader. So I guess all that to say that yes, you need more than ONE skill, but you perhaps the better route is to get incredible at just a FEW skills... ie your craft & your marketing = 2 skills vs trying to get good at 10 different crafts and marketing them. Certainly a complex topic. Appreciate your thoughts though and getting me thinking more deeply!
Oh man thanks Erick! Appreciate that a ton. No podcast right now... I don't know if I could have enough good things to say to talk for that long haha. But maybe one day
While Annie Leibovitz is probably my favorite living portrait photographer, she went bankrupt, while Walmart is one of the most successful businesses the world has ever known. Perhaps a different example would be better.
Haha oh man I didn't know that! The irony ;) At the same time, I'm more referring to the rates she can charge and the demand for her services, more than her ability to manage her money after the shoot :)
Need helping growing your photography business? Check out the Photography Marketing Membership: shop.signatureedits.com/marketing-branding-membership
Great Real-Talk. Thank you
This is such a good topic and concept to explore! Definitely will come in handy for my future content!
Love it, thanks Jay!
For sure, and in terms of websites, people will often say to only show what you want to shoot. I’m going nowhere near newborns 🙅🏻♂️
Haha yes it takes a certain type of person to thrive with newborn photography, and it's not me either :) Thanks K W!
Interesting topic. But how about successful “generalists” and polymaths throughout history ? We would probably need the right technique and a super power called “focus”.
HI Luna! Yes a valid point for sure - It crossed my mind as well. But the truth is, these people are anomalies, rather than the rule. Therefore it's safe to assume it wouldn't apply to 99% of us... Even so, one would wonder what might have happened if the polymath had actually focused even more deeply, would they have had breakthroughs and revelations noone else might have been capable of? Or were they enriched by their multifaceted knowledge base? Who knows... Interesting though!
Well I guess having different niche photography is important Bcz wedding season u can do weddings but what after the wedding season gets over you can go about doing a different niche and keep earning....but I agree to the point that you should be really exceptional in one of niche
Very fair Ninad! If you live somewhere seasonal then you can't shoot weddings year round, so perhaps becoming incredible at 2 types of photography would be better. At the same time, I'm also talking about not just being a wedding photographer or a portrait photographer, but getting even more focused and becoming just an elopement photographer who shoots golden sunset portaits, or an Indian Wedding Photographer who shoots in a glamour style. The more refined and focused you can get, the better you can serve that specific type of client!
Agreed @signature Ediys
I will agree and disagree with this advise on different levels. Hear me out.
Being the very best at what you do isn't a choice, because you can only be as good as you can get, which might not be the best of them all (think of genetic factors for athletes, cognitive differences for artists/background influences making your work more original/interesting even with less technical skill, etc). You can get REALLY good at one thing if you completely devote yourself to it, and that might be enough to survive, but it isn't the determining factor for success, not even financial success.
Dedicating your life to one thing MAINLY, but then dedicate some time to develop and exercise on complementary skills is much better IMO. Think about it, how many twitch streamers are really the best at the games they play? Only a fraction. Think about how many absolutely insane sports or video game players there are that just don't even make minimum wage. You can't rely on a single skill only to succeed, you MUST put yourself out there. Unfortunately, that means you also must learn a little bit about marketing, you must take a little bit of time making yourself known, either online by putting yourself out there or IRL by networking.
It is all good and dandy to say you should dedicate yourself to one thing fully and, on paper, it sounds like it should work. IRL, alas, the only thing you can do to maximize your chances of getting success is taking a bit of time doing a bunch of other things to make sure you have as much outreach as you can. This will take time away from your main craft, and won't allow you to be the best X you could be, but it will guarantee you expose yourself to as many people as possible who can see how excellent you are at Y (even if not the best) by taking control of it, as opposed to relying on fate or luck to get discovered.
Well said Lucas, and I'd 100% agree with everything you said here. The one thing I'd add: The vast majority of people would benefit from more focus and deeper development, rather than a more well rounded education. Specifically for photographers, most of us are "okay" at what we do. Therefore, we can be as good at marketing as we want, at the end of the day it's going to be waaaay harder because there is nothing that sets us apart.
Show me the person who is average at what they do but incredible at marketing, and I'll show you a successful business
Show me the person who is stand out exceptional and also incredible at marketing, and I'll show you an industry leader.
So I guess all that to say that yes, you need more than ONE skill, but you perhaps the better route is to get incredible at just a FEW skills... ie your craft & your marketing = 2 skills vs trying to get good at 10 different crafts and marketing them.
Certainly a complex topic. Appreciate your thoughts though and getting me thinking more deeply!
Do you have a podcast? Cause I could listen all day man. Lol
Oh man thanks Erick! Appreciate that a ton. No podcast right now... I don't know if I could have enough good things to say to talk for that long haha. But maybe one day
While Annie Leibovitz is probably my favorite living portrait photographer, she went bankrupt, while Walmart is one of the most successful businesses the world has ever known. Perhaps a different example would be better.
Haha oh man I didn't know that! The irony ;) At the same time, I'm more referring to the rates she can charge and the demand for her services, more than her ability to manage her money after the shoot :)
Great advice and great presentation but please pronounce niche as "neesh", sorry to be the pedant!
Hi Huw! Haha yes great point - I'll work on it :)
@@SignatureEdits keep making the great videos. You’ve definitely found your niche!👍👍😁
Talks about stop doing everything, ends video with '..for your resources, tutorials, photography stuff, I don't care..'. Hahah (joking ofcourse:))
Your audio does not match your video