Things That Photographers Often Hear And They Really Hate To Hear Them!

Cameras, cameras, cameras – everywhere you look these days, someone’s using a camera. With millions of people shooting every day, it can be tempting to suggest that now everyone’s a photographer. Which means that professionals have to endure a peculiar set of beliefs and comments coming at them when they’re hired to do a shoot.

Here's a list of few things that photographers often hear and they really hate to hear them, because if the things that people say to photographers are any indication, we are poorly understood. Sometimes I have to keep from slapping myself in the head after hearing certain remarks that come up again and again. Here’s a few of these gems:

 

  • Are you a professional photographer?

  • Your camera takes really nice pictures?

  • What camera do you have?

  • Canon or Nikon?

  • I am just starting to learn. What camera should I buy as my first?

  • I only need few photos taken, is that cheaper?

  • We don’t have much of a budget!

How many photographers have heard that one? I have, many many times. Once again, you can’t turn most of them down because a job is a job… but 80% of the time you’ll give your price and the usual ‘budget’ conversation will follow.

How many photographers have heard that one? I have, many many times. Once again, you can’t turn most of them down because a job is a job… but 80% of the time you’ll give your price and the usual ‘budget’ conversation will follow.

  • Can you make me look good / thin / amazing?

The answer is yes, I can, but only if you look good / thin / amazing without my camera. As of yet, no company has invented a filter to make someone look beautiful.

The answer is yes, I can, but only if you look good / thin / amazing without my camera. As of yet, no company has invented a filter to make someone look beautiful.

  • Can I have all the original photos from the shoot?

  • You’re living the dream!

I think people are kidding when they say this. I don't have any other job. No fixed income. On one hand, it’s indeed a privilege to work in an industry that emphasizes creativity and art. I end up spending a lot of time on my own. And yes, traveling…

I think people are kidding when they say this. I don't have any other job. No fixed income. On one hand, it’s indeed a privilege to work in an industry that emphasizes creativity and art. I end up spending a lot of time on my own. And yes, traveling to interesting locales is sometimes part of the bargain. It’s a hard job, and a fun job, but no less demanding than any other. It's scary. It’s not all glamorous and shiny and easy… no, it’s messy and muddy and cold and shit. 

This list is far from being complete, so if there are any questions you are sick of, please share them with us in the comments!

Hey You! Yes You! DON'T QUIT!

We all do. No matter how set on our paths and our lives we are, we all want to quit every now and then. Because we’re humans, and like I always say — humans are beautiful, but we suck at remembering it. 

That’s not the case. The right path is the one you want to be on. And yeah, you’ll want to quit, but you’ll be just like the rest of us if you go through that. Being an artist, being a creative, being an entrepreneur, it’s about fighting with yourself to keep playing the game when it all feels hopeless.It’s about making one more gamble, and every time, setting your sights on a win, instead of leaving the table.

Just remember 7 things in life!

 

1. There is no “Easy Button”.
 

If there were, everybody would be successful. Anyone who tells you there is is either lying to you or trying to sell you something. Look around, you will see that in action.

If there were, everybody would be successful. Anyone who tells you there is is either lying to you or trying to sell you something. Look around, you will see that in action.

2. Set your bar higher.

Becoming the best you can be takes more work than becoming better than the other guy/gal. Even ‘better’ than them, although I sometimes admit I don’t really know what that means.

Becoming the best you can be takes more work than becoming better than the other guy/gal. Even ‘better’ than them, although I sometimes admit I don’t really know what that means.

3. You are unique.

Find a small, quiet place and think about who YOU are. Finding your style is more about opening up to what you already have than looking outside for inspiration to copy.

Find a small, quiet place and think about who YOU are. Finding your style is more about opening up to what you already have than looking outside for inspiration to copy.

4. Set goals.

Short term, long term, way long term. Make them just out of reach, worth fighting for, and measurable. Write them down… on paper. Read them every Sunday morning… and every time you are feeling a bit creatively cramped.

Short term, long term, way long term. Make them just out of reach, worth fighting for, and measurable. Write them down… on paper. Read them every Sunday morning… and every time you are feeling a bit creatively cramped.

5. Love the word YES!

Be open to new things and opportunities. Take chances. Take risks. Be as cautious as necessary, but no more. We do not move up the mountain by being cautious and timid. Embrace the incredible possibilities that confront us nearly every day… and go g…

Be open to new things and opportunities. Take chances. Take risks. Be as cautious as necessary, but no more. We do not move up the mountain by being cautious and timid. Embrace the incredible possibilities that confront us nearly every day… and go get a few.

6. Learn to say NO!

Do not become a negative person, but know when to call time out. Know when you are being taken advantage of or not being appreciated when the appreciation is ALL you are really looking for. Don’t take crap from anyone. Ever. Stand up for your rights…

Do not become a negative person, but know when to call time out. Know when you are being taken advantage of or not being appreciated when the appreciation is ALL you are really looking for. Don’t take crap from anyone. Ever. Stand up for your rights, your work and your vision. Own it.

7. Learn from every mistake.

Critique the hell out of every mistake. Write the critiques down. Yeah, I tell you to write it down for a reason. Studies have shown that what you learn is retained more than typing it into a computer screen. Don’t argue with me, I know stuff. …

Critique the hell out of every mistake. Write the critiques down. Yeah, I tell you to write it down for a reason. Studies have shown that what you learn is retained more than typing it into a computer screen. Don’t argue with me, I know stuff. The next time you shoot, don’t make that mistake again. And don’t worry, there are a ton of mistakes waiting to be made, so critique and adjust.

I didn’t quit, and I won’t quit, because I’m in love with life. I’m in love with it, with breathing in and out,smelling the world when it rains, I’m in love with the work I do, no matter how hard it gets and how good it might feel to walk away, from time to time. I’m in love with helping people.

I want to quit for most of the same reasons that you do. Because we’re all struggling to make it in a world that often doesn’t listen, waiting for the right hand, or the right moment to play the wrong one. We’re all worried we don’t match up to the ideals and heroes we’ve set ourselves, and there’s a thousand things we’d rather fucking be doing.

But I don’t quit. I don’t quit every single day, when I wake up and I want to.I didn’t quit for 5 years, clicking pictures that very few liked, freaking out in panic attacks and deleting them before I would calm down and start all over again.

If this doesn't work out for you, then the song,"Waiting for my real life to begin", by Colin Hay will surely do!

 

Leave your comments and thoughts below.