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.
Here’s the bottom line….. luck + talent = success in any artistic endevour. You can be “good enough, or the even the best” at your craft, but all the stars have to align to get your craft to the right people, at the right time, for the right price. Doing all or some of Chase’s list above just makes you feel like you are actually “doing” something. But nothing substitutes for photography basic theory and “who you know”. Might sound cynical, but ask yourself this. How many really good musicians writing really good songs, actually break through. There needs to be an “aha” situation take place to jet them to the next level. And another question: if you are everywhere online, and spending boatloads of time on social media while not practicing in the real world, how are you furthering your craft? Shoot more. Shoot more…. shoot more.
thank you. You complement the post brilliantly!!!
Being a fashion photographer, I’ve realised that talent counts for about 10-15% of the entire equation to be financially successful. The rest is a highly guarded secret unfortunately. Nope, marketing & networking dont really get you anywhere…except loads of cappuccinos 🙂
great advise. Just what I need when I’m lost in a sea inside my own brain.
I still follow your initial philosophy CREATE.SHARE.SUSTAIN and it has been working pretty good so far…I am not looking to be the best photographer out there. I just want to be the best I can be based on what I have. Like Jerry Ghionis says, “you dont have to be the best, you just have to be better than you were yesterday”…And I won’t say I’m popular but I like when I meet someone for the first time and they hear my name, they follow by saying “I’ve seen some of your work”…that makes me know I’m doing something right. The CREATE.SHARE.SUSTAIN model has been working pretty good so far…The list above made me laugh, especially when I got to #5, I immediately knew where you were heading…
… and I thought this was going to discuss bacon & eggs. /sigh
Thank you so much for this.