Here’s a sure-fire way to blow your career in photography: 
1. Take lots of photos.
2. Get on twitter.
3. Start a blog.
4. Assist for another photographer.
5. Buy a better camera.
6. Create a “style” that’s all your own.
7. Hire an intern.
8. Get an agent.
9. Do behind-the-scenes videos.
10. Get a studio.
11. Franchise your business.
12. Live off your stock library.
13. Sell your prints.
14. Get some gear sponsors.
15. Teach workshops.
16. Do a book.
Now you’re confused.
Ok, so my point is NOT to avoid doing any of the things on the above list – there are lots of good things in there. My point is that old recipes die hard. And guarantees are few and far between.
By following some old-model plan for how to be a photographer, a filmmaker, a creative whatever, you’re surely doomed. Because there isn’t one anymore. If you’re not……actively looking for a way to differentiate, to blaze your own path, to nuke the mold, your chance of survival is slim and your chance of raging success is even slimmer.
I don’t crave “raging success” as that sounds like an extrovert’s folly and I am not one, LOL. However, just like other artists I know, I want to always have a good living, make pictures I like and have great experiences in life worth photographing, and embrace great experiences of others worth photographing. Thus, I hear your message loud and clear. People spend a lot of time staying to FORCE other artists to walk their path instead of letting them know the tools available so that they can carve their own. Thanks for that encouragement. Nice post. (I like that this post was short and sweet…made me think of Seth Godin.)
hahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahaha lol
Thank you Chase. Very useful! Yes but getting noticed is so difficult. Waiting for my day 🙂
I think you are mostly right!
Unfortunately sometimes you need some of those points to get noticed/attract people.
But at the end yes novelty and creativity matters most!
yes you need some. but my point is that most of these points above are fleeting. some are not. many will be.
point is finding your own way.
He’s trying to say the list includes all the standard ingredients BUT in order to succeed, mix it up and add a dash of something new, something that belongs to only you. To make your business less cookie-cutter, you should strive to cultivate something original. Success isn’t found in some How To list. Make your own rules, 🙂
You do or have done all or almost all of the points on your disaster list…. Are we to to assume you’re failing horribly then?
That is basically Chase’s formula and copying his formula will win you nothing. Or Ansel Adams formula, or pick any musician, business person or world leader. You have to innovate not just borrow someone else’s formula. Borrow select things that you can make work for you… but make the list your own.
You blazed new trails with Songs for Eating & Drinking and CL for sure. I think that’s the kind of thing you are saying – doing things AROUND photography where photography isn’t exactly the focal point.
Confused.
man. real talks.