my road 5
V.) My Road – My Plan
If you follow conventions you will certainly be conventional. In that vein I often ask these questions of myself:
How can I use a camera to produce images that are truly original? Can I create images that are actually new? Will my images be timeless — or will they look as if they were a part of a passing fad? Do my images evoke an emotional response from the viewer? Do my images have a point? And now more than ever — are my images beyond what a prosumer shooter can create. In short, am I creating images that are actually unique and powerful?
The business of photography obviously revolves around the images themselves – but the business also requires creativity in business itself to get ahead. And this is where I feel some of the top 10% of commercial shooters are also able to set themselves apart from the rest.
So – what is my plan?
Determine my top 3 most wanted clients and why. Learn everything I can about them and the history of their advertising campaigns and/or use of images. Think about these clients/brands and bring something creative to the table (crucial element – more on this later). Reach out to them in a unique way. Continue to reach out to them in unique ways until they hire me — for as long as it takes.
Huh, doesn’t sound particularly revolutionary does it? Well, as they the saying goes, “The devil is in the details.”