?First off, ?we need to remind ourselves to "lock into a long term mindset", and remember that success does not happen overnight. ?John C. Maxwell ( Wrote Self Improvement 101 ) said, "The best way to ensure success is to start growing today. No matter where you may be starting from, don't be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was". ?It takes time to arrive at your destination.? ?So many of us have grown up in this fast paced, technology spoiled generation. ?We expect things to happen instantaneously, and get bummed out and confused when things aren't occurring at light-speed. ?But let me paint a little picture for you with excerpts from a biography of Jane Austen ( 'A Life' ). ?Jane Austen, one of the most celebrated authors of all time wrote her first draft of?Pride And Prejudice?when she was just 20 years old. ?"By the time it was published in 1813 she was thirty-seven years old?( 17 years after her first draft ). ?Sense And Sensibility?took 16 years from draft to publication". ?That's pretty remarkable and I'm probably right in assuming that this would be hard for many of us to swallow in this day and age. ?
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In an even more extreme case, lets look at the life of Vincent Van Gogh. ?During his lifetime his critics declared him a failure. ?In order to devote his life to painting, his brother paid for his living while his art never paid his bills. ?Many of us can't imagine a museum without his work in it, but he only sold one painting during his lifetime. ?This is a?very humbling thought and it goes to show you that success is not immediate.
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?There's no question that there are more photographers now than ever before. ?The arts are flooded with creative people ready to become the next overnight success. ?The sheer amount of artists aspiring for the same jobs can be daunting. ?Photography icon, Mario Testino, when asked on Style.com if the ease of new technology has made the field too overcrowded, answered:
?"You look around and everybody wants to be a photographer, but everybody's still calling us. It's very difficult to take a good picture. The technique is almost the smallest part of it. The experience of art, how to get what you need out of people, how to work with a stylist?there are a lot of things that you have to do many times. It's really true that practice makes perfect". ?So how then do we stand out from the pack?
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?So, lets say now we have been shooting regularly and have a full portfolio and we're ready to begin getting paying jobs...what next?! ?Teen Vogue's?photo editor, Jennifer Pastore offers this insight on how photographers can introduce their work to Teen Vogue,?"I spend a lot of time looking at magazines, gallery shows, student shows, reading blogs and looking at the portfolios that are sent in. Agents are also a great source of new talent, they often have a good sense of what will work well for the magazine. ?The best way for photographers to introduce their work is to send in their book or a link to their website." ??
?When asked the same questions, photo editor Ashley Macknica ( Jane Magazine, New York Magazine )?said, "?I do think trying to be featured on a well-curated, well-trafficked photo blog is a great supplementary way to get noticed". ?She stresses the importance of these photo blogs and mentioned that a lot of photo editors peruse them frequently. ?She also mentioned that editors are aware of the contest winners at?Pdnonline.com?? I got a lot out of this audio interview with Ashley: ?Here. ?Remember all of the tools at your disposal and use technology to your advantage. ?I've actually gotten a number of jobs recently solely through Instagram. ?Don't discount the value of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine) for photographers and artists. ?Anything that makes it easy for people to stumble upon your work is at least worth investigating.
A lot of young photographers think that having an agent is the ultimate means to an end, but getting an agent isn't always the answer. ?Deborah Shwartz, an agent at DSReps?said in an interview with aphotoeditor.com, "Now, it seems that people put a portfolio together, put together a promo and then start looking for a rep as if that is the next step in the process...Don?t put all of your energy into getting a rep. Put your energy into shooting and doing good work. ?Continue to hone your skills and to hone your vision. ?It?s about getting out there for yourself and shooting what you love because you love doing it. Have a strong vision and have something to say that people want to hear. Copying is just chasing trends and if you?re trying to do what everyone else is already doing you?ve missed it, because it?s already happened". ?
There are no shortcuts to true success. ?There isn't one prescribed path to the top. ?The majority of successful people spend countless amounts of time trying, failing and trying again. ?What's important is always thinking about the big picture, improving your craft, and working towards the long term goal. ?Patience, time and practice are crucial ingredients. ?And never forget to be an individual. ? ??
?I'll end with this proposal, that all of us forgo the idea of?striving to become an overnight success. ? Let's work hard with passion. ?Let's focus on the long term, setting individual goals and meeting them. ?And most importantly lets never give up! ?
?-Shae DeTar?
Source: http://shaedetar.com/blog/2013/3/11/portfolio
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