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Jill DeVries came up to Seattle a few weeks ago and we had a killer time at her photographer consult. I'm pretty sure Jill & I have a TON in common so I feel like we could have chatted for hours. Jill booked Chris & I for a 4 hour mentor session while she was in town and we had a blast running around with her and answering a lot of her questions. One of the things Jill had us do was review her portfolio, critique her web site and images. I cannot stress how healthy this is to do. It is hard, and oftentimes very sobering to do something like this, it takes some guts. It is something that I try to do often with my own personal work with photographers I respect and admire.
The biggest thing that we tried to leave Jill with is to shoot what you are passionate about and SHOW on your web site what you want to shoot. You get what you advertise for. Oftentimes people want to sell to the world out of fear. If you sell to everyone you will inevitably gain no one, or you will be shooting things that don't make you come to life.
We are photographers because something about the craft and artistry helps us breathe deeper and spread our wings wider. When we are taking on assignments that are in our sweet spot, the world is all as it should be :). If we just end up taking on assignments that don't allow us to be stimulated & creative as artists it ends up stealing the wind out of our sails. I feel very passionately about that. That is why Chris are selective about the couples that we work with and the projects that we take on. It is important to shoot and show the type of style that makes you come to life. That life resonates through a photograph and people can see it clear as day. Shoot and Show your passion. ;)
Have a lovely Tuesday everyone, I'd love to leave you with this little video from one of my fav. musical gals, Lykke Li, "Breaking It Up," I get her, she gets me... she makes me want to break through doors. In the best way possible.
So nowhead on over to Jill's Blog and leave her some love ;)
oh and doesn't jill have the most gorgeous eyes ever!? holy smokes.
Thoughts
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Thanks for the words of inspiration! I am in the process of starting to market my business, and am having trouble knowing what to do to market myself.
Michelle
very, very well said. the best part i love about you and chris featuring your mentor series is the fact you shoot the photographer and you capture their personality so well...
Very well said Sarah. These are the little tidbits photographers NEVER hear. It's always about the latest camera, most popular lenses, or a set of new actions that will "change your life!" It's posts like these that that change lives and empower people. With you Misses Sarah Rhoads, I concur wholeheartedly. One of the most important things we can to to stay inspired is to be true to ourselves. No more, no less.
found out that we both went to the same small private college in Grand Rapids and have 51 mutual friends on facebook! Thanks for allowing me to get in contact with her. ;)
I was in a crap mood until I read this... thanks Sarah! Super pumped to meet you!!
Great images, and even better advice! Thank-you for telling me what I needed to hear. Always trying to do everything, and thinking that not wanting to do one kind of photography will mean I am not as passionate about photography in general is holding me back from really loving what I do. Does that make sense? Anyway... thank you!
love the bw laundromat one!
That was probably the best advice I've heard all week (maybe month)! Thanks for that little golden nugget! :)