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Photographic Turning Point: Your Mindset

Posted on: 12-4-2016 Posted in: Photography

I was recently sitting at the local coffee shop in Cabanatuan City located in the Philippines the day before a shoot scheduled to begin the next morning.

I believed I was the only foreigner present. The local cappuccino with an extra shot got me writing a few thoughts about photographers and their mindset.

“Most images from glamor photographers are all about the girl. But, once and a while, successful images have a story to tell in addition to the girl”

Most images from glamor photographers are all about the girl. But, once and a while, successful images have a story to tell in addition to the girl. Each situation is different and can work to your benefit or against you.

The beauty of a woman never gets boring for our kind, unless you are an editor who gets constantly bombarded with dull submissions from hopefuls with wishes of getting published.

Photographing a woman does not always mean that you now have reached the publishing turning point. It only means that you have now captured a woman with your camera. But, is it appealing or interesting enough in the eyes of editors and industry pros?

I have been in the industry for a long time and also acted as an editor. I have come to realize what drives photographers and why!

The four main driving forces among intermediate glamour photographers are:

Women
Photographic gear
Style
Photography

Many of us find pleasure associated with the act of taking photos without ever reaching the heights and benefits that many professionals get to enjoy. But, it does not have to be this way.

Consider yourself as a singer among a million others who seek success, but only gets applause while at the local bar or a friend’s wedding. Where are their hit records and radio play? The same goes for photographers. Where are your tear sheets, magazine covers, and campaigns?

“In many photographers’ minds, they are already masters, rock stars, and gods in their fabricated worlds”Before you can truly conquer the world, the good place to start figuring things out is your mindset. Having the right mindset is everything when it comes to success and reaching your objectives.

But, who am I to advise you when most of you already know everything? In many photographers’ minds, they are already masters, rock stars, and gods in their fabricated worlds.

But again, does it measure up against the real pros in the industry? I am not conveying that all of you should or are even interested in associating with the professional photography industry, but surely the thought might have crossed your mind.

The rule of the proper mindset, like many others, can be broken. However, you can’t ignore the fundamental basics. Instead of the four “driving forces” mentioned above, add the next four rules below:

Emotions
Light and shadows
Human Form
Composition

Surely there are more topics than the list entails, but focusing on a few basic ones will open additional eye-popping categories and discoveries.

“I am sure most of you have heard the saying, “She looks like a deer in the headlights.” Who said the model needs always to stare directly into the camera?”I am sure most of you have heard the saying, “She looks like a deer in the headlights.” Who said the model needs always to stare directly into the camera? By portraying feelings and emotions in your shots is what gives them life.

Try to get your model to relax so she visually expresses her true essence. Forget about your camera, which is nothing more than invisible toolbox with a bunch of wires inside. Nobody cares about your camera in the pro-industry. Only images matter.

Did you know glamour photography is one of the most challenging photography styles to get accepted and validated in the industry? Not only do you have to be good, but you must be very good! That’s why only a few and selected make it to the big leagues.

Start small and grow as you go. And most importantly, study photography, lighting styles and focus on picture stories. After all, we are visual storytellers.

~Jarmo Pohjaniemi