According to Ma'am Harvey, and I quote...

"A relationship, even between an apprentice and a professional photographer, should be win-win for both parties. Make yourself marketable, and you will find takers among studios or photographers, old or new. Don't just go around asking people... "teach me!" You have to give them a reason why they should." - this post (http://digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?p=547406#post547406).


Now the question is, how do I make myself, as a newbie on the field, marketable? Aside from the "learn-by-experience" and nonstop-shooting-slash-practice-makes-perfect thing, what else do I need to do so that I would have a good reason as to why they (studios, clients, etc) should hire me? Any specific thing you suggest that we newbies should do? :Scared:

I'd really appreciate it if some senior photographers can post here some of their beginning stories that would inspire us all. :Grin:

I think it was Seth Godin who asked " Why stand out from the crowd? Get out of the crowd!"

Sometimes, it is not enough to be outstanding - to be better than all the rest. Sometimes you need to do or be something or somebody totally different.

But that is not enough. You have to take every opportunity to show and tell people what you can do for them.

But you can start to market yourself modestly by letting people know that you can provide the services that they need, that you have the talent or style that they are looking for. It is not enough that you have talent/style - you have to tell the whole world that you do (or if you are shy, you can hire someone to do this for you).

If you want specific advice on how to market yourself - read the other threads - somewhere in this forum and on the Net is a treasure trove of very specific suggestions on how you can market yourself as a photographer. Or, come to our studio and read the books that I have on the business of photography. But do let me know when you are coming.

Thanks ma'am. I think it all goes down to the marketing strategy. :)

What a wonderful way to start a career.

If i was you Icon, being personally invited by no less than the Mademoiselle, i'd be in that studio before the rooster can even think cocking.

I would.

hehe thanks. unfortunately, i'm in iligan city right now and i believe the Mademoiselle's studio is somewhere in manila. :D

hehe thanks. unfortunately, i'm in iligan city right now and i believe the Mademoiselle's studio is somewhere in manila. :D

I'm sure you're familiar with the saying, "If there is a will, there's a way."

If it's too expensive for you to come and browse in our library, do your search on the Internet. There are all sorts of "How To's" on the Net.

If not on the Net, just think of how you can promote yourself. When we started, there was no Internet, there were almost no books on photography in the bookstores, there were very few bookstores and we were not allowed to browse. Am I giving away how ancient we are? Maybe, but more importantly, I'm trying to point out that you need to be resourceful, and the first most important resource is yourself. :)

Now that's some inspiring words from the expert herself. :)

Thanks so much ma'am. I just got home from Cebu. And I think going all the way to Cebu from Iligan with all expenses paid by me (I'm still a student btw) can be considered one of those will/way thing. :)

Anyway, where specifically is you're studio located?

Now that's some inspiring words from the expert herself. :)

Thanks so much ma'am. I just got home from Cebu. And I think going all the way to Cebu from Iligan with all expenses paid by me (I'm still a student btw) can be considered one of those will/way thing. :)

Anyway, where specifically is you're studio located?

Being resourceful is one of the qualities you would need, if you wanted to go into the business of photography. How do you think you can find out where we are? Hint: the answer is on this page. :)

ahahaha, lols. now why didn't i think of that?