False Starts and Fear of Failure

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 6

So here we are six months on from when I sent out emails to test the water with regards to the zero to pro project and I still haven’t jumped in at the deep end...until now that is!

Why? Well in February I was all set to take the plunge and focus on the zero to pro project on a full time basis for 9 months.  Then, as you may know, I had to come to terms with the fact that the project may take a lot longer to complete and so I had to re-work my finances.  Six more months of saving and some part-time work going forward will now allow me to dedicate most of my time to the zero to pro project without being distracted by money matters...I’m finally free to be creative!

Of course, the project has been pacing around in my mind this whole time; I've thought about every step without being able to take a single stride.  So, the nerves have been building and as I once again approach the start line they appear to be my biggest obstacle.

As a perfectionist, the thought of putting photographs which are so far from perfect out into the world to be judged fills me with fear.  Creative work, I feel, comes from the heart; it is an extension and an expression of self (regardless of quality) so criticism of it is more likely to be taken personally.  This was a concern.

A talk by the author Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity helped put my mind and my heart at ease.  She made me see that if we feel compelled to create then that is our only job...to create.  It is not in our remit to be the judge of our work or to be concerned with how others judge it.  All we are to do is create from our centre and then let go of our creation and allow it to be whatever it will be in the world.

 

So, that’s what I’m going to do.  I’ll take photographs and write every day because that’s what I feel I should be doing, it’s what makes me happy.  I really believe that if I do this, just follow my heart and my intuition, everything else will take care of itself.  I guess we’re about to find out!

A Race to Photo Finish

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 5

If you read the email below you’ll have noticed that the original idea for this project was to go from zero to pro in 9 months.  I was convinced that the project needed an angle for it to be of interest to anyone.

So I was surprised but delighted when I found many positive responses to the project in my inbox, supporting the idea of the project minus the timescale which was deemed to be, not impossible, but unrealistic by the majority.

The timescale was inspired, in part, by my time at university; I spent years there learning about business and the hospitality industry.  I enjoyed that time in my life.  A handful of lectures each week and the odd tutorial was balanced with a healthy social life.  In the end, I got a good degree having had a great time, I wouldn’t change it.  However, I always felt that I could have condensed what I learned into a much shorter time frame with greater commitment to the cause and fewer distractions.

I imagined that if I took this focussed approach and added my passion for photography to the mix it would propel me through my studies and I would land, 9 months later, in the field of photography ready to earn a living.

Anyway, I made the wise decision (well actually I let the professionals make it for me) and said goodbye to the timescale.  Of course, part of me wanted to try to prove people wrong but I thought ‘hello’ if you’re going to start off by ignoring the pro phos you’re defeating the point of the project, which is to learn all I can from experienced photographers so that I can be one too.    

In any case, perhaps there’s more value in pursuing your dreams at a leisurely pace rather than running yourself into the ground.  So now the project is zero to pro...one photo at a time for as long as it takes!  

Gratitude, Paying It Forward and Giving Back

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 4

I can assure you that the help you offer will always be gratefully received.  I can also promise, as I progress, to ‘pay it forward’ by extending the generosity you show to me to others.  Other than that all I can give you in return for your valued advice are some of my existing skills or alternatively my time.  One part of the email below sets out my skill set, the remainder tells you a little bit more about me and my initial ambitions.

Dear ..........  [Sent to a handful of professional photographers on 29^th February 2012]

Today I’m taking a leap of faith and writing to you in the hope that you will be able to help me achieve something many others may see as impossible – I’m aiming to go from zero to pro photographer in the space of 9 months. 

My life has changed dramatically in the last 9 months.  The end of a long term relationship marked the beginning of a new life for me - I moved house, got fit, widened my circle of friends and tried many new things.  During this time photography caught my eye, captured my imagination and caused me to consider a career change.

In the next 9 months I’d love to bring a new career in photography to life.  I intend to fix my focus on photography and, once again, radically change my life in the time it takes to create one.  I don’t expect to be fully developed as a photographer but I would like to be at the stage where I can begin to look at photography from a professional perspective.

Professional Help

You may think I need professional help...you’re right!  I’m currently looking for mentors who would be willing to help me develop photographic skills or who would be able to offer expert advice.

I would be grateful for any hints or tips you have on getting started; any information you can offer about your industry; any reading material you can recommend; any workshops or courses you approve of or the name of anyone you know who might be able to help me.  Most of all I would be grateful for work experience of any kind.

Anything for a Photo Opportunity

If you give me a shot perhaps I can help you with any jobs you may not have time for – cleaning, filing etc or maybe you can put some of my existing skills to good use.  I have a business degree from Strathclyde University, specialising in marketing.  I’m great with people and have very strong organisational skills which have allowed me to enjoy a successful career in the hospitality industry, managing bars and restaurants at home and abroad.

I’m now ready to explore my creative side and the world of photography.  The plan is to blog about the journey along the way, this would give me an opportunity to promote the services of all the kind people who have taken the time to help me.  I hope you’ll be one of them.

It would be great to hear anything you have to say or better still to see you in person.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Kind regards,

..........

The Path to Enlightenment

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I am certain that the learning curve which will take me to the height of professional photography will be steep but I am determined to enjoy the assent. 

I, therefore, thought it best to study in a way that suits and inspires me.  I enjoy formal education as I respond well to structure but it’s not always fun.  I love the idea of being self-taught; educating yourself through experimentation, but the process can be slow and somewhat frustrating. 

So, I have opted for an ‘Online Education’ this time round, where I have a classroom full of inspirational resources that is always open and where anyone who knows anything about photography can be my teacher. 

I will of course, additionally, read books and consider taking classes that are recommended to me by those of you out there in the know...professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts alike. 

Ultimately, the dream scenario is to be given the opportunity to watch some of you at work in the real world, I realise that distance learning will only take me so far!

In the meantime, I’ll be out there with my camera putting everything I can learn here into practise.

A Light Introduction

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I am ready to set off on my journey into the world of photography.  All I have with me is very basic equipment and a basic desire...to make beautiful photographs.  At the moment, I am confined to taking the photographs my camera captures on automatic (something anyone can do) and I am then left looking at its version of events.  What I would really like is to be able to bring the image in my mind’s eye or the image that suddenly appears before me to life in photographic form, manipulating the camera to make my photo.

The Zero to Pro Photography Project will see me travel from someone who enjoys taking photographs to someone who works as a professional photographer.  My hope is that you will be part of my adventure, help me navigate some of the terrain and arrive successfully at my destination.  Who knows maybe the tracks we create will lead other people to pursue their own path into the field of photography!

This, the Zero to Pro Photo Blog, will essentially be the online journal of my journey.  It will be my base, a place I’ll regularly check into to let you know what I’ve been up to, show you some of my latest shots and hopefully pick up any guidance or direction you are able to equip me with so I can go out into the world with more skills at my fingertips than when I arrived!

Welcome to the Zero to Pro Photography Project!

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 1

Welcome to the Zero to Pro Photography Project!