I recently synthesized — stumbled upon, really — a great response to a question I’ve been asked at least 10,000 times. It’s a simple question on the surface, but I’ve always seen the answer to be so complex.
Until now.
Q: “Chase, how do I ‘make it’ as a photographer?”
Prior to today, I either tried to respond with some enthusiastic bullet points about passion, creativity, and hard work; or I lamented that I didn’t have a good answer; or replied with a)”I don’t know, but I’ll call you when I get there”; OR b)”Call me on my cell at 3am on a Saturday night when I’m 5,000 miles from home – I’ll be awake working and I’ll tell you then.”
Obviously all these answers lack something. From here on out, however, I’ll be excited to steer that broad question to this two-part answer:
1. Be Undeniably Good. Last year, in an interview with Charlie Rose, the famous comedian Steve Martin gave this advice to anyone trying to make it in any field:
Be undeniably good. When people ask me how do you make it in show business or whatever, what I always tell them and nobody ever takes note of it ‘cuz it’s not the answer they wanted to hear — what they want to hear is here’s how you get an agent, here’s how you write a script, here’s how you do this — but I always say, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” If somebody’s thinking, “How can I be really good?”, people are going to come to you. It’s much easier doing it that way than going to cocktail parties.
Part 2 of this answer and a link to a great video after the jump. Hit ‘continue reading’ below.
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It hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s simple, but profound and unarguably true. And in case someone responds to that suggestion with, “Ya, but how do I get to be so good that people can’t ignore what I’m doing?”, then I’ll drop part 2, complements of Malcolm Gladwell:
2. Dedicate at least 10,000 hours to whatever it is you’re looking to master. In his enlightening talk at the 2008 AIGA Business Design Conference, about innovation and misconceptions regarding what it takes to become a success, Gladwell discussed this concept from his new book Outliers: The Story of Success
What’s fun about photography, of course, is that anyone can pick up a camera these days and make great pictures, straight outta the gate. No brainer, really accessible, relatively little effort, nice pictures. I love that about photography – it’s why everyone has a camera these days. The technology is really wonderful.
But, if you want to “make it”, whatever that means, I think you need to start by being undeniably good. And if you can’t intuit how to be undeniably good, then start by dedicating 10,000 hours to it. That will get you where you want to be.
VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT be discouraged by this answer. On the contrary, let this be your golden ticket, the keys to the kingdom. Let it be refreshing that the answer to your questions about mastering photography isn’t bound by money, gear, or even DNA. It’s right there for the taking.
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nothing worth having come easy. I think every “successful” person will tell you that hard work is one of the things that got them to where they are. If you’re not willing to put in the work, then you don’t really aspire to a particular goar
I can’t claim to be “undeniably good”. But, given that photography is my second career, I can speak about my first career.
From 1986 to 2005, I was in the musiv business. Had ten albums out (small, under the radar stuff), traveled the world, made lots of music. That total immersion gave me a lot of skills. Was I undeniably good in that field? Not sure. But I do know I could run rings around a lot of people trying to get where I was. I listen to my early music and think, wow did I suck. But I got where I needed to be, with 10k (and plus!) hours.
Now I’m starting over. Been shooting pro for a couple of years, without the benefit of youth or a photography degree. It’s sometimes intimidating to see how far I have to go. And it sucks to know that some heights will never be obtained, just because I’m starting so late (I’m 41). But there is one advantage: some of your ‘credits’ transfer. Having been creative and technical all my life, taking up shooting as a career has been easier that it would have been in my 20s. The neurons have already been laid down in many respects.
Having started a second career, equally as ridiculous as the first, I can see that it isn’t so much WHAT I’m doing, but that I’m doing something that puts a fire in my belly. I talk to some of my fellow shooters who are my age or younger, and they’re burned out. They went to Brooks or whatever right out of high school, and have had it with photography.
I haven’t. I still have the fire.
I strongly concur. The 10,000 hours number struck an extra chord in me as well, because I have often been asked the same question, “why/how are you so good? How did you become such a camera master?” (Not to boast! I suck compared to Galen Rowell!)
And my answer is always, “Shoot 100,000 images, then we’ll talk…”
In truth it may NOT take that many clicks or that many hours. And I don’t want to promote the thought that you can just blaze away on your shutter and become a better photographer. The point is that so many people pick up a camera and expect to master it in 1,000 clicks, or in 1 month, or in 10 hours… That is not the case. I’ve shot 70,000 images with my D300 and I think it wasn’t until about 30-40 thousand that I started to feel like I was “in the groove” with it, that I could really make it sing. (And this is even after shooting a couple hundred thousand images with other cameras, like my beat-up old D70 that is about to click it’s last breath soon…)
And as far as “making it”- I’m only in year 4-5 as a professional photographer, and just now barely making a living at it. I probably have 4-5 more years to go before I can even hope to be called “undeniably good” by others…
Take care, and thanks for the HOPE!
=Matt=
I really like your attitude toward success. There are no shortcuts and excellence is what will last.
I’m really glad I stumbled on your blog. I just started an etsy shop with my photographs, and have received praise on the photos I’ve taken. I initially never thought about photography as a profession, but now I can’t get it out of my head. I love the Steve Martin quote as well. Thank you!
Yes, anyone can master whatever they are willing to practice at. Nothing comes without being willing to put in the time. The other piece I add is that it also must be what we call “Perfect practice.” You can’t keep repeating the same old incorrect methods and get better. You’ve got to learn from the experts.
I have always found Steve Martin’s energy to be compelling and inspiring. There is something rock solid about who he is, even as a wild and crazy guy!
Funny I just finished reading outliers the other day. Good book, a little pop psych but still some very good points. As to being undeniably good, I have a ways to go. Don’t tell my clients though.
Brilliant.
I watch a video of yourself,David Hobby and David Nightingale from Dubai talking about how to use the web to your benefit.
It was fantastic for me trying to learn more about photography and all aspects of taking quality images.
Last night I went onto google and opened a blog as a kind of diary about what I have been doing each day. I have also post a couple of images that are connected with that given day.
Your right though about how to make it, hard work and never stop dreaming because one day you will wake up and be living that very dream you wished for.
Good luck
Lee Sullivan
Living the Dream(My google Blog)
I think good advice should always be simple and to the point, and to that end you ‘nailed it’ in part 1.
Be Undeniably Good
Having read ‘Outliers’, I think a concise way of summing up the 10,000 hours advice would simply be:
Don’t Quit.
I doubt anyone will be counting out the 10k hours anyway, so let’s keep it simple. If you continue to strive to be ‘undeniably good’ without quitting when the going gets tough, you WILL make it.
10,000 hours here I come!
I think I have covered 1,000 so far. And you are right, it does help to dedicate time and effort and see results.
Where do I start. I have been following your blog for awhile now. I think I have watched all of your videos at least once and a few several times. How you pack your stuff is especially informative. Not so much for the specifics of packing, although that’s extremely helpful, but I think it’s invaluable to know exactly what you and others use to create their work.
And the postings of your thoughts and ideas as they pertain to the creative process and overall work ethic is something I wish more people could experience.
I have been an art director and photographer my entire working life and there is nothing I would rather be doing. But, there are times, which I’m sure you can relate to, when you need an inspirational boost. Your blog does that for me. I know it’s important to be active within your own creative community but it’s also fulfilling to know that there are others outside of your immediate world who work, think, create, and just live life in an inspirational way.
I know this sounds like I’m really blowing smoke up your *%$# but that is not my intent. And I’m quite sure you don’t need anyone else to let you know how talented and hard working a photographer you are and have become. I just think that you should know that you are one of the few positive voices I have heard when it comes to this business and creative endeavors in general. Especially now when everyone is Chicken Little with their head up. It it does not go unappreciated.
In fact because of you blog I have been newly motivated both creatively and practically. Which means I have alot of new learning and work ahead of me. I can’t wait.
I think it was the Dubai conference where you said “Whether you think you can or you can’t, You’re right”. I have heard that before and it is glaringly simple, but it cuts through all the excuses.
I could go on but I’m sure both of us have other more pressing tasks that need attention. (I have to go hit Lightroom and do some editing.) So keep up the good work and this blog; and Thanks.
Chase, thanks for sharing. I’m really inspired. I can’t afford all the right tools right now, but I can make use of my time, practicing my craft. Someday I’ll get there, wish me luck. Again thanks.
Chase, I have to say that this post makes total sense–especially the second point. A friend and I were just discussing this very topic earlier today on the phone, and it really applies to anything in life that one wants to master. My friend used to play guitar a lot and people would come up to him and say that they wish that they could play as well as he could. He'd tell them, "You can–just spend 10 years practicing guitar every day." Most people are disappointed by that answer.
I'm at 9,277 hours and counting!
Seriously though, great points. JUST BE GOOD.
Sorry, I have to slightly disagree. There are MANY good (and great) photographers, videographers, actors, dancers, etc. That does NOT mean they will ever be successful – just "good".. or "great".
What makes the difference between someone who is successful is…. marketing. Those who have a business sense and know how to market themselves will be far more successful than someone who is just "good" or "great". I wish it was all about being "great", but it is not. On the plus side, it is easier to market yourself in an extremely powerful way with all of the (mostly free) tools on the internet.
I am a perfect example. I am a professional videographer and photographer. I have been doing both for 4 years – prior to that I had never really held a camera in my hand. I have no training – I am self taught.
I am good, but hardly great. I'm constantly overwhelmed with how many GREAT photographers and videographers there are out there! I'm not bad, but I'm hardly "great".
What I AM good at is marketing. My websites are on page 1 on Google for virtually every search in my marketplace. One of my websites is #1 for the entire WORLD.
I am active on Twitter and Facebook. I have tons of followers. I have tremendous exposure. I am regularly asked to speak about my business to national conventions. I have been on the national news. I make a 6 figure income year after year.
Is it because I'm GREAT? No. It's because I'm "good", but I know how to market like hell and get my name out there, while people who are supremely more talented than I are working at Starbucks to support their photography.
The most successful (business-wise) creative people…. are the best marketings or have the best agents marketing FOR them.
Thank you so much for this Chase. You're an extremely good motivator for me in my photography. Though I feel like I've just recently started pushing myself in my photography. I have spent late nights and a lot of my weekends playing around with my camera settings, lighting and photoshop and feel that it is the only way to truly better your photography. For quite a while I was looking for someone to tell me the secrete of photography, but finally figured out that the "hard work" is where it comes from. Keep up the AMAZING work sir!
But Chase you have over looked the real question… How do you make it without having to work you're butt off and become really good. Isnt that the problem with people today? Everyone wants to get rich without doing very much… Sure I am hopeful that I will win the lotto but I know that my luck isnt that good and I am much better off working my ass off.
To good times Chase, enjoy them while they are still around:)
This is so true. Spending more time on what you do will result a surprise unknowingly.
Its never a sudden change of life! Glad to read this!
Maybe 10,000 hours sounds daunting to most people. But when you love what you do, you don't really think about it.
I happen to love Steve Martin, so I read his autobiography when it came out. He started out doing a little magic show at Disney. He wasn't trying to get his 'big break', he just wanted to do comedy, for whoever would listen.
It's rare that I don't have a camera, my friends all assume I'll be taking pictures at every event. But I don't sit and think 'gotta take more pictures, so I can get better at this'. I just want to do it, I love to do it. Of course, I am always trying to improve, to learn more, but it's not so much a conscious effort to do it. It's something I'm passionate about, interested in, and it's just a natural extension that I want to learn all I can.