Something caught my eye while reading an interview over at Nick Onken’s blog with Katie Noble, the photo editor at the Improper Bostonian.
When Nick asked, “What advice do you have for photographers getting into the game?” one of the responses Katie gave was,
“It’s also really important to have friends who’re in the visual business. Since photography is an individual field (you don’t meet other photographers on a shoot), I think it can help with technical questions, borrowing/sharing gear and making connections with potential clients. And it’s also nice to grab a beer with someone who you admire or can understand your situation.”
I’ve found this to be so true…and it’s one of my sneaky ways of learning new tricks. :)
In all seriousness, a lot of photographers are rockstars…we are ego-driven…and with that territory, comes ridiculous attitudes and notions that we are “the shit.” Sometimes, that’s true…but can’t we all be the shit? Why yes, I think we can.
Which is why I try and surround myself with people like this: people that are obviously creative and good at what they do, but without the ego.
Over the past several months, I’ve worked with several talented photographers. It’s rare, but undeniably fun, to get a couple rockstar photographers together…a few gorgeous models together…and just have fun taking pictures. No assignments. No egos. No deadlines. Just good old-fashioned picture taking madness.
What’s cool about it, for starters, is the networking. We all know people…and it’s always good to know more people who are like-minded and creative.
Secondly, the friendly competition pushes us to be better. Rather than going into a shoot ready to do the same old thing, the competitive nature pushes us to try new things…
And on the other end, to learn new things. No matter what level we happen to be at, we all do things differently. There have been instances where my assistants have taught me something new. We’ll be packing up equipment or decompressing at the end of the shoot and talking about photography and they’ll bring up something I had never thought of before. We all bring something new and fresh to the table…and you’d be surprised what you can learn from just shooting the shizzle with another creative photographer.
I encourage collaborations on projects with photographer friends…someone you know and trust, and someone you admire. Make some pretty pictures and learn some new things. If you’re an ego-driven photographer…get over yourself. Just kidding…sort of. But seriously, it’s cool to have friends in the biz who you can shoot ideas off of, borrow gear from, share critiques with, and get advice from. You can never have too many talented friends.
Well said!
Not just other photographers, it’s also good to make friends with good makeup artists, hairstylists, etc.
I think the best images happen when you have an “A Team” assembled – a group of artists and assistants that you KNOW have got your back. The energy really flows during these shoots and you get amazing images. The best images I have are ones that have been collaborations. It’s because of the efforts of the TEAM that the final image exists. I’m just the chimpanzee behind the camera pushing the buttons.
It’s unfortunate that there are some photographers that take all the credit for an image, don’t want to share their ideas with others (’cause they worry about other people “stealing” their ideas) and don’t acknowledge the efforts of everyone that helped.
Those are the kind of people you just wanna say “You think you’re hot sh!t, but you’re just cold diarrhea”
I couldn’t agree more…it is vital to establish relationships with anyone in the industry…I hear time and time again of photographers not wanting to collaborate with makeup artists, stylists, etc…and I find it absolutely ludicrous and puzzling why you wouldn’t want to. Definitely great to have a team!
However, more often than not, it’s easy to establish relationships with stylists…it’s more difficult to establish friendships with other photographers due to the whole “competition” thing. It’s important to get over ourselves and realize we are ALL artists.
LOL…love the chimpanzee comment…sometimes, I am just that. :)
It would be cool if things like that happened over here a bit more often, It’s not like we are trying to split atoms are we, would have to agree that it is a lot easier networking with hair stylists and mua’s than it is with other togs, really don’t know why a lot of them seem to shit their pants if you ask how did they do that or this…. ( well yeah I do know), anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth……