Q: Describe your photographic style in five words.
A: I wish I knew that. 
Reading that answer from a newly-signed-on dominatrixee brought tears to my eyes. And so, my thoughts on vision and business, in no particular order.
Finding and knowing your vision takes time. It’s a lifelong process and a brilliant journey. Unfortunately, you won’t find your vision on someone else’s blog. Or in a magazine. Or at the movies. Or in someone else’s work, period.
Go. Explore. Stretch your limits.
You simply must must must know who you are, how you shoot, and what makes you YOU before you can sell it to others.
Some folks get lucky, and never really have to define this before having a successful business. Business MBA + pretty trappings + great marketing skills = avoidance. But most artists? They have to KNOW. Deep down, there-is-only-one-way-to-take-this-picture-and-that’s-my-way-KNOW their vision before they can sell it to others.
I’ve recently signed up for a workshop with a rather-famous photographer who pushes knowing your own voice and vision above all else. Of course, the minute people sign up for his workshop they explore his work, then start framing faces vertically with the heads slightly chopped off at the top and the eyes in focus at f/2.0. Their work mimics his, BUT IS NOTHING LIKE IT.
He knows what he shoots and how he shoots and why he shoots so intimately that no one’s simliar-but-not-exactly photos can compete. He photographs the light in people. What do YOU photograph? What do you stand for? What subject(s) make you feel alive and invigorated?
If there were no other photographers on the planet, what would YOUR photographs look like?
Now, pretend that all of us don’t exist. Go and shoot for YOU. Take risks. Get closer. Move further away. Push push push yourself to know, deep down, who you are, and then to convey that vision through your lens. Then, and only then, will you be ready to succeed in your photography business.
Keri Smith has brilliant thoughts on the subject of finding your own vision (and plagarism.) Or just read the quote below, by her art teacher Linda Montgomery:
“When you do any kind of creative work there is an energy to it. This energy is made up of everything that is you, your personality, your life experience, the books you have read, the things that you are drawn to as a human being. This energy gives the work life and this is what people respond to when they see it. When someone copies you, their work will not have this same life or energy. It will not have the essence of you and consequently it will have a flatness to it.”
Don’t let your work be flat. Let it sing, tiptoe, dance, revel, and breathe, lovely!
GREAT post kristen!
fabulous post…
Yes.
Your best post yet!
*amazing*
Awesome post! This is so important and I’m glad that I’ve learned and re-learned it early.
As I sit here and I read this, I feel my inner self whisper exactly what I want to be shooting, and what my vision is, and what I truly love. The problem is, these thoughts scare me. I push them away, but i KNOW what style and clientele, and setting I thrive best in. But it is scares me to be that specific in my choice and my branding. I wonder if anyone will pay attention to me, or will I just fall off the charts entirely.
So is it worse that I know what my vision is and I am just too scared to take hold and run, rather than not knowing at all?
Aaaaahhhhhhhhh.
Thank you.
I thought I was getting inspiration from looking at other photographers but what I was REALLY doing was telling myself I had to be like them when it just didn’t feel comfortable or enjoyable to me.
I’m at the point, AGAIN, where I’m not enjoying photography that much. The photos shoots are stressful and I constantly feel like I’m not good enough!
I really, really, really need to stop checking other people out. It’s difficult for me but much needed.
I think I’ll print this post out and put it on my wall to read!!!
Thanks.
Yay, Jennifer! Listen to what YOU want to shoot!
Hi,
I stumbled upon your blog. You have captivated my attention and I have bookmarked you. Thanks for the great information!
I was wondering if I could have permission to copy the quote from the Art teacher about being you, energy and all. I 100% believe this and find it inspiring and would love to hang it on my fridge. I have always been the girl to do her own thing. I got kicked out of ballet for wanting to do my own dance and not that of the class and my kindergarten teacher told my mom I had the beat to a different drum. I always looked at this sometimes as a flaw and only occasionally a blessing. That quote makes being me OK! I think I sometimes need that reminder to continue to find my inspiration.
Now that I totally sound like a creepy weirdo, I was hoping I could have permission to copy it for my fridge.
Thanks
Nicole
Absolutely!
funny. i’m in the middle of creating my business blog and i tossed and turned in bed one night figuring this out.
who am i?
and why does someone want to hire me?
i climbed out of bed and got something on the blog to start outlining it. it’s not a complete thought yet. but it’s coming.
this is also the exact reason why i would gladly take a client that i don’t know. over a client that wants me because i’m their friend IRL. they will never be completely happy with their pictures if they don’t LIKE what i do. it’s just the way it is. and i’m ok with that now.
LOVE this!
Thanks so much for sharing.