It’s such a strange feeling. To open your inbox and having other photographers asking you for tips or to do a bridal show and have strangers come up and tell you they’ve been stalking you on instagram. I say this is strange because it wasn’t that long ago I bought my first DSLR and I showed up at a friend’s wedding quickly turning into that annoying guest with a camera. I remember I was so excited to play with my brand spanking new Rebel t3i with my amazing 18-55 mm kit lens!
Throughout the day, I ran around like Rambo shooting a machine gun. I’m pretty sure I captured more pictures than the hired photography team and I’m certain looking back they were all cringe worthy! Yet something happened that fateful night. The photographer hired to shoot my friend’s wedding didn’t kill me. Rather he pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to actually learn how to use my camera. Like a kid in a candy store, my eyes lit up as I shouted “yes, teach me everything!”. At that moment he grabbed my camera and turned the dial from automatic mode to manual and proceeded to fry my brain as he explained ISO, shutter speed and f-stop. In the rush of everything, I nodded like I totally understood though in reality I had no idea what any of it really meant. I just figured if I get all the settings just right, maybe I would get a decent picture. I can honestly tell you, in that moment I felt defeated. If I couldn’t understand the basic settings for my camera why on earth would I need a DSLR?
Though if I have learned anything in life, that is don’t give up when you haven’t even tried. So I went home that night determined to understand my camera and what the heck ISO, shutter speed and f-stop really did. So I went to the best place to develop superstar talent, YouTube. Legitimately I sat there for at least three hours watching the same videos over and over again just to better understand what everything meant. I can honestly say from that moment in 2011 till now I have never stopped learning and I have never stopped using manual mode.
After that fateful night at my friend’s wedding I decided I wanted to learn more about photography. So I began taking pictures of friends for free. I set up portrait sessions, family shoots and I even did some random events. For me it was nothing more than a hobby that I wanted to be good at. So as I began using my camera more, I started asking more questions. It’s interesting, once you get a camera you quickly realize how many photographer friends you have and then you realize they are not all the same. Now as I look back, I’m certain I asked all my photographer friends a million questions but it was their genuine honest answers and willingness to help that propelled me forward as a photographer. By no means would I say I know it all as there are many things I have yet to learn. But what I can tell you is that I went from being a hobbyist to opening my own office in Orange County and doing photography full time. I don’t have some great big secret to share with you but rather I have five tips that can help you be a better photographer in the same way they helped me. With that said, implementing these tips doesn’t guarantee success nor does it guarantee you’ll make money and let me start with that.
1) It’s not all about the money
If you suddenly become interested in photography because you see it as an opportunity to make money then let me encourage you to sell your camera and move on. A good photographer didn’t get into photography to make money, they got into it because they found a passion in the art and beauty of photographs. If you don’t enjoy the joy of taking photographs, you will never go far in your photography. When you look around the photography world, you’ll find some of the best photographers in the world still take photos from time to time without receiving money in exchange. Photography shouldn’t ever be seen as a cash cow but rather as something you genuinely enjoy and then if you get paid in the process of doing what you love, awesome!
2) Don’t be afraid to ask the dumb questions or questions period
By no means am I the “best” photographer out there. I am no Jasmine Star or Ansel Adams and I may never be but I am okay with that. Though I can’t measure my success based on what others have done rather my success is in my own accomplishments. The very fact that I get to do what I love is an achievement in itself. With that said, I am where I am at now because of the people that helped me along the way. Years ago my questions were basic and likely silly. Whether I was asking why use prime lenses or off camera flash, I found it very helpful to hear the opinions of others I respected. As my skills developed, so did my questions. No longer was I asking why ISO was important but then I was asking how do you run a business, why are contracts important and how do I become a Jedi of off camera flash. Needless to say, whether you’re a beginner or a pro you should never stop asking questions. With that said you should never think you have nothing to learn from someone else. Which brings me to my next tip.
3) Stay humble
Sweet a bride just paid you $5,000 to shoot her wedding! Clearly you now have all the answers. Please do NOT ever think of yourself as better than everyone else. First off it’s the quickest way to lose friends in the photography world. Second it will make you look like a fool when you finally need to ask a question. The reality is this, many photographers use a vast array of equipment, styles, techniques and odd tricks to produce their work. I’ve seen some incredible photographs that I absolutely love and I may never be able to execute but it’s okay because my style may not be the same as that photographer. One perfect example is I pride myself on being a natural light photographer. Yes, I know how to use off camera flash when needed but I much rather evaluate and utilize the light that is already available. Interestingly enough people often ask how I lit a particular photo and they will often guess I used strobes, lights, gels and all the bells and whistles to which I love to tell them I only used the sun.
4) Never stop experimenting
In addition to talking with people you know and learning from them I also highly suggest learning from people you don’t know. Find 2-3 people you really admire that post regularly and study what they post. One great person to follow would be Jasmine Star. Whether you like her work or not, nonetheless she posts frequently on her blog about different ways you can grow as a photographer. Another resource I love which has a completely different style is SLR Lounge. Even more so utilize this BP4U Blog to its full potential. Also look to YouTube, and watch free videos on photography. In addition to the free resources, don’t be afraid to invest some money to attend a workshop.
Now why do I say study what others are doing? Because whether it’s something you like or not you can learn a great deal from the different things people are doing. Try new things before you decide whether you like it or not. Try using neutral density filters and flash to see if you like what it does, try using a prime lens, or experiment with utilizing different angles to best capture natural light. Never give up on trying something new and allowing your photography to adapt and grow. As time has passed, my technique and styles have changed significantly from when I first started and certainly 5 years from now I again will be doing some things differently. Take risks and see what works best for you. Who knows, you might be a Jedi at studio lighting but you haven’t tried it yet so you aren’t aware of your talent.
5) Remember where you came from
Going back to my first tip, when I think about what makes me passionate about photography I think back to 2010. In 2010 a devastating earthquake tore through Haiti leveling buildings and taking countless lives. After watching on TV, I knew I had to go there to help. So I went for a month, lived with a Haitian family and helped at an orphanage they ran. While there I found my passion for photography. You see I got there about six months after the earthquake and all the media had left. Even though no one was talking about Haiti anymore, the reality was nothing had changed in Haiti since the earthquake. As I lived with this family and met the wonderful people of this small country I just knew I had to share their stories. So I began snapping pictures and it was then I realized how powerful of a voice a photograph can have. It was the people of Haiti that caused me to fall in love with photography.
When I finally started Three16 Photography, I remember how I got there. I remember that I told my friends six times that I wouldn’t shoot their wedding. Yes, I said no six times but they believed in me and so I took the chance (after warning them) and I shot their wedding. I look back to my first wedding and the weddings I’m shooting now realizing that yes mistakes were made on the way. I didn’t have all the answers but I sought opportunities that challenged me to grow. Some of the opportunities I faced were scary where it required me to take a leap of faith but nonetheless I realized that taking those leaps of faith are exactly what helped me get to where I am today. Taking risks, learning from your mistakes and getting back up when you fall. Not only will this make you a better photographer but it will make you a better person.
Jerrick O’Connor owner of Three16 Photography located in Orange County, California. Specializing in weddings, engagements & families Jerrick loves to utilize natural light, enthusiasm and humor to photograph his subjects and give a vibrant and timeless look to his photographs. In addition to photography, Jerrick enjoys pottery, riding horses, camping and making people laugh. The goal of Three16 Photography is to capture the beautiful stories of life.
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