Resources & Assignments

QUESTION: What's the best piece of advice you have for young photographers starting out?

"Make sure that you pay as much attention to the business of photography as you do to keeping interesting images in your portfolio. Over the years I've seen some amazing photographers end up out of the business simply because they were horrible business people. No amount of artistic talent will guarantee success in the photography business. Having a clear business model based on your type of photography, knowing your clients needs, understanding business & creative trends and keeping your economic house in order are, in many ways, even more important than your ability to take a picture!

"And one last thing...if you're just getting started, try your best to NOT go into business under-funded! Living a hand-to-mouth, Bohemian existence may make for a good novel, but in the Real World you should have at least 6 months of operating capitol socked away before you try to make a go of it. Be brutally honest about what your monthly overhead will be, including your rent, promotional expenses, insurance, student loans, car payments, movie tickets, double-mocha latte's...EVERYTHING! Even if you're the most amazing photographer since Cartier-Bresson, it's going to take a while before you start seeing regular paychecks!"
Brad Trent