Is There Room For One More Pro Photographer?

Andrew from Cleveland, Ohio sent me a question: “Shoot it to me straight, is there room in a crowded market–Cleveland, for instance– for a new emerging professional? There are a LOT of skilled photographers in my market. As an emerging professional, how do I make myself heard above all the noise?”

This is really two questions and the first is easy to answer. I don’t know about Cleveland specifically, but generally I’d say that there’s plenty of room for new emerging photographers. As long as these photographers understand that telling their clients’ stories is the number one goal of a professional photographer – then yes – there is room. Now some markets are crowded. New York, LA (especially Orange County) and Chicago are all pretty competitive towns. But even there – you can shine if you can connect with your clients.

As for how you rise above the noise? That’s easy too.

1. Become a master craftsman. Learn your trade. Don’t settle for good enough.
2. Care about people. Care about them more than you care about yourself.
3. Solve people’s problems. Look at things from their point of view and do the thing they need, not the thing you want them to do.
4. Listen to and connect with your clients. Really. Not just on a superficial level, but deep down. Care about them.
5. Tell stories with your camera. Think of yourself as someone who protects precious memories for a living.
6. Don’t waste ANY time comparing yourself to others. Focus on your clients, not what your competitors are doing.
7. Lastly – and this is a big one – remember that people don’t buy what you do – they buy why you do it. Be able to openly, honestly, truthfully and sincerely share WHY you do what you do with great specificity – and forget the how and the what – and you’ll rise faster than your peers.

There’s always room for one more – and here’s a bonus reason…

Old guys like me are getting ready to retire. In less than two years I’ll probably be completely out of the market sitting in my condo on Lake Como. As the old trees in the forest fall – more light shines on the newer, younger, smaller trees. That’s how you get ahead. Good luck. Skip and I are rooting for you.

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