The last few months have made me realize what it is to be a working photographer in the fashion industry. One golden word explains all ‘tough’.
I’ve been doing photography for six years now and I’m still building my way up the career ladder – I’m feeling very frustrated as of late waiting on work and retouching my personal work – sitting back in my hometown after being in the city for two months. I am the kind of person that gets that ‘itch’ when being in one place for too long and I’ve learnt to accept this is who I am as a person and I will have to deal with that. I honestly don’t remember the last time I was settled for more than six months – I have forgotten what it is like to be settled, to be in one place for a long time. My memories of being settled are fond but far between, I was a child and very unhappy at the thought of change. Now I can’t think of anything better.
I will be honest – photography is not an easy career choice to make. What most people don’t realize is that you are alone to find yourself after college or university (a degree doesn’t always mean you’re a good photographer, it just means you can stick to a program and do it well and what you’re asked.) Don’t get me wrong, I totally agree on anyone going into education for photography, it helped me in many ways and I found myself along the way.. but you have to remember it isn’t going to be there to hold your hand and most likely, a client will never ask to see your degree certificate when in an interview – the portfolio is what matters. So as long as you are learning and working on your personal work – and you build a reputable style, then you’re already flying high on your way to achieving your goals. I have not once been asked for my degree (actually, come to think of it – a very unprofessional ‘client’ once phoned me to shoot for a studio and instead of meeting me she asked if I’d got a degree, to which I asked her questions on what she knew about photography and how the industry works – obviously I didn’t get the work from her, but I’d rather that than she judge my skill based of a silly piece of paper).
I have cried, I have thrown childish tantrums, I have been angry at myself even. However, on the other hand – I have achieved, learnt an incredible amount of the past few months, been overjoyed at my results, felt on top of the moon and rode this roller coaster up and down the hill so many times I’m quite used to the highs and lows.
One of my college inspirations was Francesca Woodman. (images below) I admired her work greatly during college research on past photographers who worked in the analog age. I immediately fell in love with her whimsical images – portraying emotion and female beauty. Later on I found that she found it incredibly hard to get work when she moved to NYC – and after sending her work around to several fashion photographers and recieving no reply, she decided to give up. Later on in life (and whether this is 100% true or not, please blame Wikipedia if not) after a bad relationship and depression she committed suicide. I was deeply saddened to hear this – but it just goes to show that no matter how AMAZING you are at what you do – as an artist you can become incredibly frustrated when your work is ignored (or at least feels like it) and you’re putting more out than you are recieving. I can reel off many people I have met that say the same – and now after years their dreams are finally happening.
Unfortunately this is the way it rolls in the industry – just remember to keep working towards your goals, no matter how big or small – because one day they will be a light at the end of the tunnel and you’ll eventually reach it. Not only exhausted but you know you’ve played the game right by riding the experience.
ADD A COMMENT:
Karl Bratby: such wise words, you will be at the top one day soon Lara, be patient.... (September 5, 2010 8:58 pm)
Dario Castillo: This has really come to show that you've come a long way, ever since you took those dark themed self portraits & the artist blocks you would have in your deviantart journals! I am glad that you're noticing about your mind growing & the industry. You are such an inspiration! (September 5, 2010 4:35 pm)
Skip Gue: Agreed! fortunate to run across this as I just lost a friend the other day who could no longer deal with their own despair. never ever give up, There is always hope! (September 5, 2010 3:13 pm)
andrew: I agree. Don't give up! Everyone has their ups and downs :P (September 5, 2010 2:58 pm)
steve: Don't give up! (September 5, 2010 2:37 pm)