Question for the pro's....

[ChristopherCoy]

Do you think that you became successful by becoming a 'one trick pony'? And do you view yourself as a 'single subject' artist?

What I mean by that is, if you became successful by becoming a 'senior photographer,' or 'wedding photographer', did you do it by focusing all your effort on that one particular style on purpose? Or did you just end up in that particular style by chance?

And the second part of my question is, do you now view yourself as a 'well rounded' photographer, or someone who is extraordinary in one form of photography, but just mediocre in others?

[Tom]

I was specifically successful because I was able to do lots of different things. When I got my full-time salaried photo job, I was told that I got it specifically because they knew that I could work the sidelines of a game, that I could be with big-shot executives, that I could shoot events or portraits and everything in between.

But a lot of people that aren't going for the corporate job like I did find that they do better specializing and doing the boutique thing.

I think I am much better in some forms of photographer than others. But I don't think I could have a customer to do anything that I wouldn't be able to do, which is very valuable. My wedding/senior customers seem to really like the fact that I have been published so widely with such varying work.

[JPalmer]

I agree with Tom.... while my first professional job was children's portrait studio work, it was my work in photojournalism that blossomed. Maybe because I was successful at capturing a natural moment in a controlled studio environment, or maybe because I was just that dang good.

While the delicate balance act of enjoyment and torturous work finally leaned too far to the work side, it was partly due to my own success.... I became more and more bored with the status quo and tried to think so far out of my boundaries at the newspaper that nobody else shared my enthusiasm for making things as good as we had the technology to do.

After watching my only contemporary at the paper laid off in favor of myself and the 17-yr vet who I had long surpassed in technique and ability.... it became apparent that my road would end the say tragic way. I was too good for my own good. I would try and risk it all, but would never move ahead of the veteran, only because he had been there so long.

That was the lesson learned... and the only lesson to pass on here now.

You can't compare yourself technically to anyone else.... because if they have the client loyalty, there is nothing you can do about it. Period.... done.

[janikphoto]

I think you should focus on one area and accept work in all areas (that you are capable of doing). I mainly shoot for newspapers and magazines, but I also do an occasional wedding, or other odds and ends type of shoots (portraits, corporate headshots, etc.) to help fill in extra income.

[Cajungaltx]

Obviously not at the 'pro' level yet... but this is a question I've seen on lots of other forums on different topics... Rich Dad Poor Dad anyone? ;-)

There are some people who believe you should 'specialize' in one specific area of an interest.... i.e. if you are a surgeon, you need to be a 'hand' surgeon...
If you are a teacher, you need to teach one specific grade level of a certain thing.

I think that's a great way to get into a rut....and to lose 'exposure' to other things....


I know very few creative people who continue to 'grow' when they focus on just one specific thing....

You stagnate...

Now - please take into consideration I couldn't focus on 'one thing' to save my life.... so I might be in the minority.

I was told recently by a rather old school photographer that I an either be a great photographer, or I can be a great photoshop person.... there is 'no way' I can be both. I think limiting yourself to only what you like to do - keeps you from doing the things you aren't even AWARE that you can do...

I mean... I love shooting....but never even thought about doing bands/dance crews/etc... if it doesn't come with a pair of cowboy boots... but I absolutely LOVE shooting the dance groups/crews.... and I'm GOOD at it!

Sports stuff? BBall, Softball... I do it cause of got the sports kid from hades....but it will probably never be something I'm passionate about...I get too involved in the games, and when I 'should' be shooting I'm standing next to it watching the game screaming my bloody head off.... I'm NOT a good sports shooter... ;-) Does this mean I won't 'ever be'? Who knows... maybe I'll get addicted to something that I love, and end up getting some cover of some magazine I don't even know exists right now... ;-)

[brad]

Originally Posted by janikphoto

I think you should focus on one area and accept work in all areas (that you are capable of doing). I mainly shoot for newspapers and magazines, but I also do an occasional wedding, or other odds and ends type of shoots (portraits, corporate headshots, etc.) to help fill in extra income.

I think this is best choice. Its hard to do any particular kind of photography and if you try to "master" more than one at a time, its going to take longer overall to get good at anything.

I started out trying to do nature photography and got sucked into the portrait world.. and then specifically into the headshot world. I tried to do everything for a while.. portraits, family, kids, seniors, weddings... until about a year ago I let go of everything I didn't love... which left me with headshots and seniors. Even then, I didn't immediately chase the senior market.. I've been trying to build some work for that market first... and only just now chasing it.

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Obviously not at the 'pro' level yet...

Oh, please... and yes, I'm a little ADD, too.. but you can overcome it with some effort.


Anyway... you're not going to get one answer to this from all pros. I sat watching a panel at After Dark in Austin that had Lori Nordstrom and Jen Hillenga trading playful girlie fight swats over this topic... Lori's the boutique specialist and Jen's kind of the Jane-of-All-Trades.

The answer to the original question: "Whatever works for you."

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by brad

I sat watching a panel at After Dark in Austin that had Lori Nordstrom and Jen Hillenga trading playful girlie fight swats over this topic... Lori's the boutique specialist and Jen's kind of the Jane-of-All-Trades.

The answer to the original question: "Whatever works for you."

So what you're saying is that I should continue to kiss Jen's ass, and hope to one day apprentice with her...

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by brad

Oh, please... and yes, I'm a little ADD, too.. but you can overcome it with some effort.

Haha! :-) I adore you!

I like my ADD just fine as is...I'll have to tell you some of my thoughts on ADD at Texas School!

[bondarnes]

I consider myself a pretty well rounded photographer. I started in newspapers and began doing weddings on the side. I left the paper and opened a studio and was available for almost any type of photography. But I geared my marketing towards time sensitive life cycles i.e children, seniors, and weddings. It is easier to get results from your marketing efforts if there is a deadline approaching.

I built my wedding department up to 90 weddings a year. At our peak we were doing over 300 seniors a year. And we peaked at around 150 children sessions per year. Add in some families, other events, commercial clients, and schools and that is a lot of general photography.

I enjoy the challenge of doing something different every day. By the time school starts, I am tired of doing seniors, but by the next June I am ready to go again. For me photography is no longer a hobby, but a business and I feel that I have the skills to handle almost any area of it. But I only pursue those areas that offer substantial financial rewards.

[brad]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

So what you're saying is that I should continue to kiss Jen's ass, and hope to one day apprentice with her...

It couldn't hurt. :)

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Haha! :-) I adore you!

I like my ADD just fine as is...I'll have to tell you some of my thoughts on ADD at Texas School!

Heh, its a date. I'll hold you to that, but you have to listen to mine as well.

Did you see that chicken?

[jtriron]

Chris,
Now we all have all the "experts" out in the open.

......

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by jtriron

Chris,
Now we all have all the "experts" out in the open.

......

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by jtriron

Chris,
Now we all have all the "experts" out in the open.

......

Yup, we're all out in the open and huddled together talking photography secrets and waiting for the next unsuspecting newbie to arrive so we can pounce on them and make them feel foolish.

[Tom]

Hey Tom, what lens and shutter speed did you use for your avatar? It looks good. You must have a good camera!

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Hey Tom, what lens and shutter speed did you use for your avatar? It looks good. You must have a good camera!

I didn't take that image. I'm not even sure it's me !!