Essential Advice for Every Photographer

Kerry Washington was recently interviewed on the Alec Baldwin Show and made a statement that resonated profoundly with me. In reference to learning how best to market herself she said, “I wanted to make sure that my own fears about being seen weren’t getting in the way of my opportunities as an artist.”  Essential advice for every photographer, or entrepreneur in general.

I’ve repped a lot of people in the past, and I’ve seen what can get in their way, whether it’s perfectionism or an inability to delegate. A lot of this is personal and something to work through with your therapist or friends. It’s important to be conscious of these issues so they don’t hinder your progress.

If you’re not comfortable with personal showings of your portfolio, don’t do it. Instead, focus on areas where you can confidently demonstrate professionalism that will get you hired. Understand your fears and don’t let them block your path. This requires a lot of self-awareness, which is a whole other topic. I’ve seen photographers not advance as far in their careers as they could have because they were unaware of what was holding them back.