People that have “done it” will be able to do it again. Whether it’s shooting a successful commercial assignment, hanging in a museum, making a music video, or whatever. It may not be a de-facto truth, but that’s what’s believed on the open market. It’s SAFER for the person hiring a creative if they can point to something that you’ve already done. One reason I get a lot of work is that I’ve done a lot of projects. They’re banking on my portfolio–work I’ve actually completed, work that I can point at, not a “resume,” or work that can be surmised.
I’m not saying it’s right or fair. It’s just the way it is.
But what if we’re not on the up-side of experience? For someone trying to get their first chance at anything where the keys to the kingdom are closely held by someone else, this can be a huge paradox.
If what you think you need is a new platform to show you can do something, you’re barking up the wrong tree. “Just gimme a shot and I’ll deliver” won’t cut it, no matter how loud you say it or how much you hope for it. The people making the decisions want proof. After all, if you fall flat, it usually means their ass is cooked.
So instead of lamenting “woe is me”, try this: Don’t create a resume, create a portfolio. Create actual WORK that looks like what you want to get “discovered” for. And make that work very strong.
Stop waiting for someone to take a chance on you. Do the work. And then show it to whomever’s got the keys to the kingdom. Once you’ve “done it”–and done it well–the phone will ring.
[inspired by a recent post featuring Randy Nelson from Pixar]
Hi Chase,
As allways i enjoy your posts and i find you very inspiring and full of energy. i like this post and i know it makes the most sense. i would like to pose some questions though. you say do the work, make a portfolio, but what about the financial cost of putting a kickass portfolio together? and the arrogance condecending attitude of many Art D’s that has permeated Ad agencies? It seems that Art D’s expectations are becoming more and more outrageous. its seems one has to create more outrageous and fantastical portfolios before anyone even looks at you. this is sometimes just to get boring catalogue work! for someone who hasent got a big budget or is starting out, how do they compete? and then there is the sad reality of not what you know but WHO you are friends with. if you are friends someone in an advertising agency or department, you have a better chance of getting in. time and again i hear of photographers who have to go thru the humiliating proccess of presenting their portfolios to a panel of self absorbed condescending advertising ponytails sarcastically commenting on the portfolio, and making the photographer feel as if he/she is wasting their time and have a nerve taking them out of their creative space. these are strong words but i can assure you there are a fair amount out there in the world that can attest to these experiences.
the real bone breaker is when the same photogrpaher finds out a little while later that a friend of theirs who knows very little about photography as they have just taken up an interest, gets called in to the same agency by a friend of theirs and gets work, without even presenting a portfolio!
if you think this has happend to me, it hasent, it happend to very good and tallented photographer friends of mine and many others
These Art D’s wonder why some photographers become so arrogant!
your thoughts on this would be appreciated
thanks
Dorian
Chase I have really enjoyed your many posts, this post in particular has inspired my latest post. I hope you don’t mind me linking to your blog from mine. Thanks for all the tips, and the open community you have created here on the web.
Scott