Comments on: How to Think like an Entrepreneur, not a Photographer

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:06:16 +0000

Someone said to remove yourself (ego, pride, emotions) from the equation. Unfortunately there are many unscrupulous "entrepreneurs" who will put you and your work down, then walk off with your concepts and plagiarise your ideas. These people will demonstrate plenty of ego and pride when caught out. I believe you must take pride in doing your own work, do your own research, develop your own techniques, and don't ever forget the time and work you spent on it. I generally believe collaborations are dubious and should be avoided, as more often than not someone decides everything is theirs and you gave it to them. Do not post your work online anywhere or show to others until you are ready to sell and have worked out HOW. That is the ego/pride/emotion that you should take in your own work, IMO. Basically, I suspect that a key entrepreneurial skill is: don't get screwed over.

By: Alan John Gerstle

Alan John Gerstle — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:41:22 +0000

This is sensible information, but there's a paradox. The more people who understand the concepts of marketing, the more competition, and thus it becomes a cycle of thinking about marketing and less about photography.

By: Light Stalking

Light Stalking — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:03:21 +0000

I get where you're going with this idea, but I really think it would be a mistake to emphasise marketing at the expense of taking good photos.

Work hard at both (and if you don't like working 16 hour days then get a desk job!)

By: Dean Prime

Dean Prime — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:26:18 +0000

Very well said Dean,

I couldn't agree more, when you expect to make a sale - the law of attraction works for you, if you simply hope someone might like your image - then there's a huge element of doubt surrounding how you value exactly what it is you're trying to communicate.

It eventually comes down to self belief and confidence in your ability to produce marketable images. This, in reality, could be just about anything, as you can actually stir-up a whole market for your work.

There is only one major thing between your images and potential clients - YOU! It just takes being brave enough remove yourself (your ego, your pride, your emotions) from the equation.

NOW go and find someone, who knows very well what they're doing, to get your work out there, everywhere! Do it NOW, or you know you won't do it!

Great post

Dean (the other one)

By: Peter Vatistas

Peter Vatistas — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:17:03 +0000

You nailed it and Angie said it, "Sales are to be expected, not celebrated". That's the kind of spin that gets the hamster running again!

Thank you!!!

By: Angie

Angie — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:24:27 +0000

The 3 paragraphs under your heading "Sales are to be Expected, Not Celebrated" hit me square in the face! It was a bitter-sweet reality for me. It's a fine line to tread upon -- am very thankful for my talent and do expect to sell at shows & on-line from my stock photography; but admittedly, since it's still relatively new to me, am excited about all my sales and that the hard work is starting to pay off. Still believe that I'm professional even tho I'll still take time to 'celebrate' along the way to becoming the Entrepreneurial person that's been aching to come out. And will continually be thankful for my talent. Thanks for a great article! ~Angie

By: hfng

hfng — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:59:58 +0000

Some excellent thoughts. Love your site. Keep up the great stuff!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:57:52 +0000

"How to Think like an Entrepreneur, not a Photographer"

If you are doing something photography related you have to think like a photographer. Fail to do this and everything else is moot.

If you don't think like a photographer, you'll take crap photographs. All the opportunistic whoops silly me meant to say entrepreneurial skills in the world won't get you out of that
hole.

Yes, a professional photographer needs both skill sets but photography skills are the most important.