Getting 'Discovered'...

[ChristopherCoy]

I'm always completely amazed, but totally baffled when I hear stories like that of Scott Haynes, or Travis Gugelman.

Travis started his studio, and within his first 5 years he was in the top 4% of PPA photographers. Scott, had absolutely no photographic training, owned a rebel and a kit lens, but started his business and in just 2 years was named the "Top Senior Photographer 2009".

There is one thing that both of these guys have in common, and thats wives. Travis' wife is a CPA, so managing the studio finances for him is sort of 'built it', and Scotts wife ran a family business for 15 year or so, so that knowledge transferred well into Scotts business. So I get that, good business management skills.

What I dont get is how they got 'discovered'. How does the PPA know that Travis is in the top 4%? How did they select Scott as the Top Photog? As a memeber of PPA do you have to submit financial records? Do you get selected as the top photog by entering your portaits into PPA competitions?

Do any of you have any distinguishing titles such as the ones mentioned above? Aside from the obvious, education and experience, what did you do to gain your titles?

[Tom]

They probably sent their story in to PPA.

Remember these guys are the outliers. What you probably aren't reading about is their devotion to their craft. Thousands of hours of work. Having a wife that can handle the business side is icing on the cake, because it is less time to waste doing that.

I'm more interested in personal accomplishments and tearsheets than some title that PPA gives me. If awards come my way, great. But I won't enter contests and I wont apply for them.

Its one thing to read about getting better, its another thing to go out and do it.

[srwatters]

Why does this shock you?

A combination of luck and timing could be yours too. (and a$$ kissing the right people doesn't hurt either...).

[bondarnes]

I believe both of these were involved in SMS, a PPA program designed to grow a photography business. They only take a few studios per year into the program. It starts with an intensive multi-day session on business basics and goes on to some personal help with branding, niche marketing, accounting, etc.

PPA Studio Management Services | Professional Photographers of America

[ChristopherCoy]

Niche marketing... check. Thats the ticket then I guess.

[ChristopherCoy]

HAHAHAAAAA!!!! You have to make $20K a year before they'll even look at you?!?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by srwatters

(and a$$ kissing the right people doesn't hurt either...).

Right cheek or left?

[The Ben]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

HAHAHAAAAA!!!! You have to make $20K a year before they'll even look at you?!?

Thats hard?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by The Ben

Thats hard?

Well it seems that way when your standing on my side of the table. I suppose that POV may change in the future. At least I hope it does...

[AllenAyres]

They're probably wanting to limit it to people full-time/going full-time.

[Tom]

20k gross is not that much. Especially when you factor in gear/taxes.

10k in gear is a good start for a professional photographer.
1-2k for computer
700 for photoshop
2500 for 5D2 or D700
1200 for 24-70
2000 for 70-200
400 for a single 580ex or sb800
ultra wide?
portrait lens?
backups?
extra batteries?
flash cards?
external hard drives?
Strobes/modifiers?

Of course, you should be getting paid for all your hard work as well.

[bondarnes]

I was part of a similar group beginning in the late 70's and continued through the early 2000's. It really helped me focus my marketing and build my business.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

20k gross is not that much. Especially when you factor in gear/taxes.

Perhaps not to you, but thats a hella lot for me, and those of us who are working to obtain one piece at a time. I hate that whole 'takes money to make money' thing.

[AllenAyres]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Perhaps not to you, but thats a hella lot for me, and those of us who are working to obtain one piece at a time. I hate that whole 'takes money to make money' thing.

Making < $20k/year means either you're part-time or just poking a stick at it (or just not very good). A Craigs-Lister Shoot-n-Burner wouldn't be a good candidate for this.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by AllenAyres

Making < $20k/year means either you're part-time or just poking a stick at it (or just not very good). A Craigs-Lister Shoot-n-Burner wouldn't be a good candidate for this.

Yes I realize that we are just shaking sticks at this point. This wasn't the point of my original question, however;

...look at it a different way.

-Median household income is only about $65K a year
-Job loss, twice in the last three years
-Foreclosure in 2006 due to said job loss
-No/Bad credit due to said forclosure
-Paycheck to paycheck expenses
-Minimal savings (i.e. less than $1K)

Does $20K, or even $10K still seem like its 'not that much?'

And thats what I mean when I say 'those of use working to obtain the equipment piece by piece.' Its a game just to figure out which grass roots efforts we're going to use for advertising/marketing just to book that one 'job' thats going to pay us enough to buy that second hand lens. So when your looking at it from my point of view, it seems completely impossible.