failure

Two very similar blog posts flashed across my Google reader lately, both talking about failure (or fear of failure) in photography.

First, check out Don Giannatti’s post at the Lighting Essentials blog about 10 Nifty, Excellent Excuses for Failing at Photography. It’s an excellent list that general boils down to “I didn’t work hard enough or smart enough.” My favorite part:

There is usually no fast track. And there is usually no short cuts. There are the occasional ‘rock stars’ who come out of nowhere with meteoric rise. That is nice when it happens. It should not be a part of your business plan.

Succeeding in a highly competitive field like photography means you can’t half-ass it, you can’t half-heartedly limp through business. You’ve got to know your craft, show up every day and work and market your tail off. Good advice, Don.

Then I stumbled upon Scott Webb’s post at Nuwomb, titled Why You Don’t Have Enough Time Starting a Photography Business, which is more of an inspirational piece, encouraging readers to get off their butts, stop making excuses, and start a photography business. Which I’d almost agree with, except some of the excuses Scott brings up sound like really good reasons to not start a photography business, such as:

  • I don’t have any photography equipment and can’t afford to build on my gear
  • I am not really that good at photography
  • I don’t know who I am as a photographer
  • I can’t afford Workshops to improve my photography skills
  • I never went to school for Photography
  • I lack confidence and I’m too shy to talk to people about taking their pictures

And after listing these excellent reasons to not start a photography business, he goes on to encourage people to…start a photography business, anyway.

Can I suggest an alternative? Perhaps if one is not a good photographer, has no photography education or equipment, and is too shy to relate to potential clients, might self-employment as a photography business not be such a grand idea? Maybe just enjoy photography as a hobby, instead?

On the other hand, if you’re good a photography, have educated yourself, are confident and have a plan to equip and market your photography business, get cracking and follow Don’s advice about hard work and determination.

– Matt

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