The other day, I watched a photographer I admire pack her gear for an on-site commercial shoot. There was so much stuff. All I could think was - no thanks.
Yes, all of that stuff was necessary for her. But do I want to photograph for billboards? It turns out that I’m pretty happy photographing for trade show displays, websites, food media, and the occasional supermarket promotion.
On the flip side of this, someone commented on a past YouTube video of mine where my props were visible behind me - Oh, wow. You have so much stuff! Do I have to have that many props to create food photos? I don’t want that many props!
Not at all. High-quality print campaign photos can be created with a number of different professional cameras and lenses that you know how to use well. Beautiful food photos can be created with only a handful of props.
The point is that viewing my process from the first photographer - I use way too little.
Viewing from the perspective of the commenter on my video - I use way too much.
What’s important is that I’m super happy where I am. I know where I fit.
Finding this spot took a lot of time, a lot of moments of feeling inferior.
You don’t have to go through that. Do what I didn’t have the knowledge to do when I first started out, and give some thought to where you want to be. Where do you fit? Grow your skills there and the confidence in your work will follow.
These are a few things I know about myself and my work as a photographer and stylist:
I don’t use a lot of gear.
I’ve encountered plenty of outstanding photographers who use minimal gear for many different reasons. They want to travel light. They can create what they what to create with what they have, there’s no reason to use more stuff. On the other hand, there are plenty of markets and types of photography that require advanced gear.
The beauty of it is that you get to choose what category you fit into and how you want to pursue your own work. No one else.
I prefer natural light and use it 95% of the time.
This is a hot topic, specifically in food photography. I’ve read comments on photography message boards saying you’re not a professional food photographer if you don’t use artificial light. I’ve seen Instagram ads promising me that using artificial light will make my life so much easier.
Can I use artificial light? Yes, in a minimal way. Do I want to? No. Not unless it’s absolutely necessary. I like the patience, challenge, and truly unique style natural light gives to my photos. I also get to work in a brightly lit, mood-boosting studio all day instead of a dark room.
You can do either or both. Lots of types of photography that use natural light - on-farm, outdoor events, landscape, travel, weddings, branding, some interiors, street, architecture…
Whatever you choose to use and excel at does not make you any less of a photographer. Don’t let anyone make you feel that way.
I am a stylist and photographer.
Many photographers are not stylists. You don’t have to be both. Most commercial and advertising shoots have teams of professionals all with a very specific role.
I love styling and I prefer to style my own shoots. I love working alone at my own pace. At the same time, it can also be fun to work with others. All my client work requires some type of team effort, whether it’s art direction, campaign playbooks, color schemes, mood boards, or final photo decisions being made via phone calls, emails, or Zoom video calls. But personally, I do my very best work when I have the freedom to create alone based on what my client needs.
Not everyone is like this. Others prefer to be around a team at all times. Again, the best part is you can choose how you work.
I know my limits.
I like working alone and that means I have to know my limits. Intricately decorated cakes and pastry art are not my strengths. I’ve taken them on before and it led to more frustration than it was worth. I usually turn them down. If it’s a shoot I don’t want to pass up, I’d hire someone to help create or style the cake. Same with ice cream. It’s a tough subject alone (speaking from experience) so now I usually avoid it.
Limits are something you can only learn with time. You have to step out of your comfort zone and even fail from time to time to find what is right for you. I feel like when I turned that point where I could say this is what I can do, and no, I don’t do that, my confidence in my work grew even more.
Your turn. What are four things you can say about your photography and how you work? Say them with confidence and pursue them. Also, be flexible. They may change over time.