What does it take to become a photographer?
It’s a fab question and one that provides a lot of answers, ranging from qualifications, to equipment, experience, consistency, creativity and more. The battle between phone v camera will forever be alive but for me it’s much more personal.
The equipment means nothing if the connection doesn’t exist, and the connection is very much about who you are and how you interact with people. It’s also about patience, understanding your own growth and being authentic about styles of photography that aren’t yet in your portfolio. It’s also about admitting when you need help.
Photography is also about overcoming fear, trust me it takes a lot to stand in front of a crowd and command their attention for a group wedding photograph, but its also about overcoming fear of getting images right for your client. Most of all it’s about overcoming the fear of being good enough, or great enough to sell those images and recognise your worth and how precious those photos are for families.
Capturing the full wedding party and their guests at The Vu in Bathgate.
It’s why I tend to avoid marketplace groups to bid for work, because they are often about price when really, it’s about value – what do you want those photos for and why? Its easy to say you capture natural photographs but what happens when the sun is too strong, when harsh shadows cut across the face, when the wind is taking control and when people start to avoid you because their idea of candid and yours don’t quite match? What happens when they do want posed photos, are you prepared for it, do you have additional lighting to accommodate it or are you crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? No judgement, I learned a lot of lessons this way, but I didn’t charge anyone to learn them, I spent time photographing charity events for free.
I’ve learned a lot of great lessons and advice over the years. Try photographing a festival in the press pit beside the photography equivalent of inspector gadget. This guy knows how to use a bumbag, is prepared personally and technically for all eventualities and will leave you gobsmacked at how he gets round the no flash rule and best of all doesn’t let his height deter him.
5’2 and still managed to grab this photo of Peter Hook at Party at the Palace, Linlithgow.
At the same gig I was told by a 6’5 giant that I’m too small to be a photographer and yet I was prime height for the getting down low position to take photos of the singers on stage, an angle he would have had to awkwardly crouch down to capture. He did have me beat on height but not inspector gadget – oh no out came the telescopic pole with the camera on top with a top light attached – I need to remind myself to source that same set up.
So photography is also about attitude, if you want it, grab it because what I have learned is that people show emotions in split seconds and if you blink you’ll miss it and those are the moments you need to be prepared for, if they happen by accident then fabulous but when you know how to look for them and are prepared to be patient and people watch, you will get some amazing captures from your day.
Those moments also appear in the studio, a young couple brought their baby to me and for a while they forgot I was there, the chemistry between them is incredible and the love for their newborn just heartwarming.
Photography is also therapeutic, you become one with the camera and shut down the world around you. It’s proven to help people with their mental health and its wonderful getting out in the world to capture fabulous landscapes around you.
So, forget about what equipment and experience you have now and just take a step into looking at what’s around you, seeing it through the lens and connecting in a way you never have before.
Ditch the fear, click the shutter, and capture some of the best moments of your life.
