Yesterday a group of photography and design students from BYU-Idaho came to Utah to visit a few businesses in Utah and see how things are done on a daily basis. They stopped at The Mandate Press (smart move) in Salt Lake and came by my studio in the afternoon. It was great fun to host them. Thanks for coming, you crazy kids–what, with your desire for learning and your high hopes and your full head of hair.
When their adviser called, he suggested I talk to them about some things I wish I had known before I started my business and then show them what I do around here on a daily basis.
My message to them wasn’t about photography at all. It was about business. I told them if they planned on working for themselves they’d be wise to spend at least 50% of their time developing their business skills and 50% of their time developing their craft. There’s my golden nugget of truth for those kids. If you’re working for yourself, you must be as good at business as you are at your craft. That’s something that took me a while to figure out.
And just for fun, I sent out a Tweet and asked others what I should mention to the students. My favorite bit of advice came from Victoria Smith who writes the blog sfgirlbybay.com. She said, “It’s harder than you think to make a good picture, but worth every minute trying.” So true.
After we talked a bit, I wanted to show them my process of making a portrait. Nic and Bridgette volunteered to be photographed. So, it works like this. People come to the studio, we chat a bit, I ask them questions, we get to know each other, and then I start taking some pictures. Then I get something like this:
The students asked some questions, I gave the right answers (of course). Then I gave them all a print. They had about 15 different images to choose from, including one of my all time favorite pictures, taken in New Orleans in 2006:
Yesterday was a great day. I love being a photographer and I love talking about photography. I sure don’t have all the answers, but I have some answers and I love to share what I know. If you are a photographer interested in refining you skills or making improvements in what you’re currently doing, I offer mentoring sessions that are tailored to what you’d like to learn. Send me an email if you’d like more information. Alternatively, at this site you can ask me anything.
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you’re so great, thanks so much for doing this. i’m so sad i couldn’t go but i’m so glad nic volunteered and thanks for the great pics of my hubs
I’m sad you couldn’t be there either. Next time, then.
Justin, one of the things I think is so great about you as a photographer is that you do chat with your subjects…you try to make them feel at ease and get to know them. I’ve only had about one sitting in a studio, and it was so impersonal and so staged. The photgrapher could have cared less about us as a family – it was just sit down, and let’s get this over with. I love your interaction with the people.
Thanks, anonymous (whoever you are). Even though I hear stories like that a lot, I’m always amazed that photographers treat their clients like that. For me, making a great picture is half of what’s needed, and the other half in the interaction with the subject.
this is great justin! and thanks for the email a couple weeks ago. we’ll be in touch
and p.s. rebecca’s photos are AMAZING. she’s the greatest, i bet it was so fun to photograph her.
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