5 Powerful Tips On Becoming The Best Commercial Photographer
When looking for ways to become the best at what you do, it is important to turn to others who have already achieved greatness for a roadmap. Looking at individuals who were able to get to the top of their game, can help you get to the top of yours. Michael Jordan is arguably one of the greatest basketball players the world has ever seen...but why should commercial photographers think like Mike?
MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS TO MASTER THE CRAFT.
Michael Jordan once said, “You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.” It is essential for all types of photographers to put the hard work in, learn the required skills and then continue to keep them fresh. Before leaping into creating extraordinary images that stop people in their tracks or force an audience to pause and think, photographers must spend time with the basics...cameras, angles, lightening, etc,...you need to practice and practice often to become a master of your skills, and ultimately become a master of your craft.
CONFIDENCE IS KEY
Great photographers will not only dedicate time and energy to developing their skills, but they will also work to develop their confidence. Confidence is key in the world of commercial advertising. Convincing clients that you can deliver and direct entire sets of large crews with numerous moving parts, is almost an impossible feat without strong conviction and unwavering faith. Michael Jordan understands this need when he states, “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” By displaying confidence in your abilities to get the job done and get it done well, the best photographers will lead their team to success while making a testament that they were exactly who was meant for the job.
LEAD WITH A GOOD TEAM
“If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Just as Mike stays humble to his team, commercial photographers must remain humble to theirs. It is imperative to be kind to those you work with and surround yourself with a strong team; a team that demands the most from you, so in return, you can demand the most from them. By making sure producers, assistants and every crew member that you work with is aligned with your values and wants to achieve the same goal, success is just around the corner.
BE AUTHENTIC IN YOUR WORK
“Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you.” Like MJ, good, honest hard working people will find success. Photographers who simply copy images, or piggyback off others will never make it to the top, and if they do, they won’t stay there very long. The best photographers stay true to their passion for creating beautiful images, and don’t sway in the face of money or fame. It is authentic and unique approaches that slingshot photographers into positions of power.
DO ONE THING REALLY WELL
Become the very best at some particular aspect of the craft. You cannot succeed in the photography business by being good at everything, it is impossible and forgettable. “It’s heavy duty to try to do everything and please everybody… I can’t live with what everyone’s impression of what I should or what I shouldn’t do.” Tremendous amounts of value comes from being the best at one specific thing, rather than simply being good at everything. The greatest photographers are remembered for very specific aspects of their work that they excel at, and can do better than anyone else...so find that one thing! Don't play to the crowd or add more noise just to make noise, find your own authentic skill that separates you from all your competitors.
EXCELLENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Once you can hone in on that one thing you can do better than anyone else, stick with it. Keep coming back to it in all your work, and... “Let your game be your promotional or marketing tool.” Just as Jordan displays, when you are excellent, you stand out, and when you stand out, you become unforgettable.
