So You Wanna Be a Photographer?
October 4th, 2011 | Personal, Photography TipsThis is a recent conversation with a young aspiring photographer who wanted a job as an apprentice.
“Louis, I want to work for you. This is the best studio Sabah and I want to be part of it. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I love photography and I want to put my life into it.”
“Good! Let me see your work.”
“This is not bad. I’ve seen a lot of work of the similar quality. Please tell me why I should hire you over another person.”
“My friends say I am really good in photography. I will work hard for you.”
“Your friends…who are they? Are they full time photographers?”
“No, just people I know.”
“This pictures you showed me here, how many of them were shot during a commissioned shoot? I mean people actually paid you to shoot them.”
“None.”
“Hey, I think it is cool you want to learn to be a full time photographer. Let me tell you my life as a photographer. I shoot from 6am to 12 midnight. I shoot anyone who walks in: tall, short, small, big, light and dark skin tone and everything else in between. I shoot whether I feel like it or otherwise. I have to deliver everyday to every client. Do you think you can do that?”
Silence.
“Do you know how to use flash or strobes?”
Shook his head in silence.
“Do you know how to pose people or direct them so they look good in photos?”
He shook his head in silence.
“Have you got your work accredited by professional body like WPPI or AIPP?”
Again, he shook his head in silence.
“So what makes you think you are very good in photography?”
Long pause followed.
“It will take a lot of training and sacrifices to get to a top level. I can teach you however are you willing to work hard for 3 years with low pay so that you can learn the craft?”
Another long pause.
“Listen. You come to see me and I give you my honest assessment. You have potential but there is a lot that you need to learn. I will you give you an answer next week, is that ok with you?”
“Ok.” He replied and left my office.
Eight hours later he texted me and said he wasn’t keen on the job anymore. It is probably a good decision. There are many prospects besides photography.
You may not agree with my shock and awe interview approach, but I have seen photographers with much greater talent who struggle to put food on the table. The chap needs a reality check. If you want to build a house, you must count the cost. It is not impossible to rise from obscurity but there is a big price to pay. You don’t get to the top by singing “kumbaya” around a camp fire. You work your socks off. You bleed, sweat and cry. You get knocked down and got up again.
With Facebook, Flickr and blogs, every other picture is “COOL”, “You rock!”, “AWESOME!”, “Masterpiece!” Everyone is entitled an opinion. Does every opinion carry the same weight? If you need a heart surgery, should you listen to my opinion or that of a cardiologist who has been practicing for 20 years?
It takes more than just little surges of passion to stay in photography. It is a marathon. Guess that is true if we want to accomplish anything significant in life.
Just fired up myself this morning by re-reading Nick Nichols’ article on how “To be a National Geographic Photographer”. Do you think you have what it takes? Read on…
October 4th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Perhaps the shocking piece of fact was the low pay… which made him think twice. But anyway, whatever industry it is nowadays, I find that people want high pay but refused to work long hours, etc.
October 4th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
somehow agree with your opinions~ ^^ Gambateh in your work!
October 4th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Maybe he got a reality check OF you. From the conversation you posted, it appears you are a little more than pompous and terribly condescending. But you have to give props to this young man for texting you his decision. It was very polite, humble and civil of him. Too bad it didn’t work out. You could have learnt something from him.
October 4th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I used to wanna be a professional classical musician just after high school.. It’s an urge that would made me do anything just for it. Glad that I’m able to put a stop at it cause reality check made me realized I have an urge to do so because of the emotional surge at that instant but not what I really sought for from the bottom of my heart.
Sad to see that some friends who went pursue music realized the similar but only after they almost completed their music program. Guess you’ve helped the young man avoid going to the wrong path that might waste unnecessary time in life that could let him achieve something greater in his righteous path. Great blog entry as always!
October 4th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Johnson: In what way am I condescending? I told him I recognized his potentials but there is still a lot of hard work to be put in. The kid is at a cross road. He is 18. It is irresponsible of me to paint an unrealistic picture of what professional photography about. He needs to know if this is for him. It is not the end of the world if he is not venturing into this industry. He may be better suited for other work.
The series of question I asked him is to gather facts. How many paid assignments have you got? How much per assignment? Can you light, pose? Do you have any accreditation? All employers ask that.
Starting out, I did many work that paid me next to nothing because I could learn from better photographers or expand my network. Nothing I had prescribed here that I had not heeded myself.
October 4th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Louis, I salute you for your honesty. Getting into this craft as a career is very daunting. It’s good that the young man had a reality check. You’re right to say that photography is more than a passion if you want to make a career out of it…and put food on the table. Interestingly this is the second post I’ve come across today on the same subject. Take care!
October 4th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Wow Louis, crush his dreams you might have, but i cannot deny that what you asked were merely, “Can you…” questions and like Milan said, probably saved him some time as well.
If you ask me, the questions you asked were really fair and I wouldn’t have put it any other way, minus the extra technicalities which many photographers may not have when they first start out.
And at 18, life has more likely been a bed of roses for a kid who can afford a camera setup.
Not many youths at his age are well educated about the rigours of working hard patiently to achieve success and it was IMHO a very good reality check for him.
October 4th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
well said. well said indeed. nowadays, everyone that owns a camera wants to be a full time photographer, open studio, shoot hot chicks and be famous. the route to fame is to shoot till yours hands say tired, pain, sweat, potential carpel tunnel and the worst yet, swallowed in lots of criticism (which is of course the most painful medicine yet curing treatment). do you question yourself every morning on an actual wedding day especially when you wake up 5am in the morning anticipating the day to come with the question, “what am i doing here?” ? … well I do. – “to put food on the table” -
October 4th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
IMHO everyone deserve a chance, it is not good to judge people by their age and experience. if no one give a chance to this boy, how do you know that this boy will come out something that will surprise you one day. i believe the reason he approach you is he needs someone as a mentor, thats you but you blew off his little candle of fire.
text him back, dont ask for 3 years, go for 3 months probation to see his passion and talent in photography.
October 4th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Tommi: Yes everyone deserves a chance. I am not asking him to give me 3 years, I am asking him to give himself 3 years if he wants to be trained as a good photographer. He can be trained with me or with another studio. I do not what the illusion that someone can waltz in here, pick up a camera and shoot right away. He needs to know he will start from the bottom, the same place where all photographers started from.
October 4th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Aww, I feel sad for the boy.
I am a fan of yours, Louis, and I never thought you’d be so rough.
Sure, the boy needed a reality check about being a photographer, but I don’t think he expected a slap in the face.
I had a really awesome boss in a previous job. He believed in every person that worked with him no matter their age or ability. He pushed them and challenged them and could show them how when they needed him to. Many times did we fall short, but he did not criticize, but encouraged us with tasks that would give us confidence about what we were doing. Consequently the weight of our tasks got bigger, and we did better. He himself worked hard and for long hours, but without demanding the same from his employees. The only time did he made me feel small was when I lacked enthusiasm in my work.
I feel this gave me and my colleagues much motivation to work harder every day.
When you asked the boy and he kept silent, well, what would you expect from an 18 year old? I think he hoped that you would be the one to inspire and teach him. He hoped for you to help him gain experience so that one day he could be like you. By the time you got to the part about low wages, I think the shock from your prerequisite demands and, sorry to say, harshness, silenced him.
If I were asked at 18, “So you want to be a doctor? How many patients have you cured? Have you invented any vaccines? What makes you think you can be a doctor? A good one at that! You have to work hard for 7 years!” I would have either gone home to cry in my pillow and never speak to the person again or answered back with a curt (and rude) reply telling him he can’t tell me what I can’t do.
October 4th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Tommi, Louis did gave the boy a chance when he asked “are you willing to work hard 3 years low pay learn thr craft…….?”
Passion keeps you moving, doesn’t bring money to the table unless you do it right. Having talent or potential just means the person did something right but doesn’t mean hitting the spot yet.
Photography is not just about composition. Photography business is not just about taking photos for people.
October 4th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Hi, Louis. U’re right. it’s not easy to achieve it. I need to work more harder. thanks for sharing it..
October 4th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
This seems to be quite a sensitive issue for people who don’t see the reality of such an industry…
October 4th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
pompous? no.
arrogant? no.
cruel? no.
insensitive? no.
this is reality.
this is how it’s gonna be.
this does not applies to photography alone.
it also applies to other field as well.
i presumed the young aspirator was born after 1980
October 4th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
All relevant questions I think. It would be unfair on the guy if you didn’t ask those questions and make him realise what’s involved in becoming a professional photographer.
I don’t see what’s condescending & pompous about pointing out the realities of the role and ones own requirements. Why do so many people feel that they just ‘deserve’ a chance just because they ‘think’ they will be good at something? They need to accept that they will have to work their way up and prove to themselves that they actually can do it. It seems that in this case, the young man didn’t want to do that or realised that it’s too much for him.
October 4th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Leee?! are you Louis talked to on this post? if that really you, i would like to say dont give up my friend, i can totally understand what you feel that day after the conversations end even now too, it doesnt last for one day only, keep on the passion okay?
Jo, if you are reading this, i would like to say thank you, your comment is similar what i am trying to say here especially your last paragraph where you typed “So you want to be a doctor? How many patients have you cured? Have you invented any vaccines? What makes you think you can be a doctor? A good one at that! You have to work hard for 7 years!”
Louis, you are a very inspiring person and a good motivator but this time i really dont agree with you. from the conversations above, you already expected that boy to answer NO for all questions. Love the people around you then you will be loved by them as well, a baby cant run on the first day he walks.
October 4th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Tommi: What does love has to do this? Should I just assume I know something, or should I ask just to be sure? Remember, when someone applies for a job, there will be interviews. When there is an interview, there will be questions to ascertain the level of competency of the applicant. Isn’t that how it works? How do you suggest I get my facts from an applicant I just met five minutes ago? Mind reading?
Why do you have to take the line of question negatively? It is fact finding.
The point of this post is to show that it ain’t easy to be a professional photographer. Just because someone professed to LOVE photography doesn’t mean he/she can pay the price to be a photographer. It is a profession that get knocked around all the time because many people still think ANYONE can pick up a camera and be one. It maybe true somewhere else. That is certainly not true in my studio.
October 5th, 2011 at 1:32 am
6 months or so after seriously getting into photography I got comments from my friends all the time, saying that I should charge for photos I take because of how good they look. Looking back now, I’m glad I didn’t go that route right away! As a passionate amateur, one of the bigger downfalls can be not knowing what you don’t know.
Louis identified several items that the applicant wasn’t aware of in 5 minutes of conversation, as opposed to someone like me that learned several of these things first hand when I approached a situation and came away empty handed due to my inexperience. Simply put, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
Now, I’m not a professional photographer, it is a passionate hobby for me where I occasionally shoot events. But with more knowledge gained through time and experience I am in a better position to understand the implications of what it means to be paid for your work, and the expectations that come with it. To do this professionally requires so much more than just looking through the lens. 18 months ago I absolutely wanted to be a professional shooter. Today? I don’t know. I love putting the camera to my eye, but marketing myself? Running a business? Leave my current career that offers medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation, guaranteed salary?
October 5th, 2011 at 10:17 am
“The point of this post is to show that it ain’t easy to be a professional photographer. Just because someone professed to LOVE photography doesn’t mean he/she can pay the price to be a photographer. It is a profession that get knocked around all the time because many people still think ANYONE can pick up a camera and be one. It maybe true somewhere else. That is certainly not true in my studio.” – Well said Loius!
at least the boy knows how to think and he finally understands that it is not easy to be a professional and humble himself. Photographing professionally is really not just about the pride and the fame but the humble counts
October 5th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Tommi, Jo – are both of you from the photography industry?
If you’re not, then I think that’s why you do not see it the way Louis sees it. Even the medical related analogy doesn’t fit. You can’t just assume it’s a PROFESSION hence an analogy of yet another profession fits.
Going by the medical related analogy, I’d say what both of you agreed on was OFF to begin with. Louis is akin to a highly skilled surgeon, surely he would pose such fitting questions to an applicant who wants to assist in the OT because when critical situations come – he can’t be telling the person what is a scalpel!! There’s no time, the patient is under-going surgery.
Same in photography, the moment is there – I tell you to set the flash to zoom at maximum with 1/32 power. Can you do it? If not, it’s not pleasing if I had to run over to do the changes, that moment the couple’s mood could’ve changed, the evening magic hour lighting could be less optimal already.
It doesn’t matter a person’s age. In fact at 18 to get a reality check is MUCH better than getting it later.
Let’s look at what transpired….
>Louis : “Listen. You come to see me and I give you my honest assessment. You have potential but there is a lot that you need to learn. I will you give you an answer next week, is that ok with you?”
>Boy : “Ok.” replied and left office.
Eight hours later he texted me and said he wasn’t keen on the job anymore. It is probably a good decision. There are many prospects besides photography. ”
You wouldn’t believe how generous Louis has been already, to even give an opportunity to the boy. The boy just declined it before answer given!
To learn from a master photographer like him, so many are willing to pay for his workshops. The boy is getting PAID and get to learn from him – how much more generous do you want?
It has NOTHING to do with LOVE. It’s reality, you want to join a company – it’s all about delivery. Nothing more. I couldn’t care if you’re 18 years old, just because you have the passion and talent that doesn’t mean I have to accept your application.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Brian, so should schools be preventing kids from choosing certain subjects because its tough.. many professions out there are tough, has that stopped the number of medical or accountancy graduates. No! how many of them are successful in their profession depends on how many hours they put in.
If someone has the passion and is willing to work hard(and luck) he should be given a chance. so teach and share rather than going on about how hard it is..
October 5th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Louis, did you want an assistant or an apprentice?
Brian, “thanks” for talking down to Tommi and me. Also wanted to point out to you that after telling me that a medical analogy was OFF and that photography is not a profession (what?) you said that Louis was akin to a skilled surgeon. I LOLed. An assistant wold know what a scalpel is, an apprentice is there to learn what a scalpel is and how to use it.
Good point, mark!
Based on Louis’ claim to search for an apprentice, I still stick to my analogy of the 18 year old aspiring to be a doctor. I am not disputing that to be a good photographer you need a lot of hard work and long hours.
How do you know that the boy declined because he mulled over the amount of work that lay before him? He could have declined because he would be working for someone who already didn’t believe that he would work hard? Tough love may be your style, Louis, and that’s totally fine
But tough love is not for everyone.
October 5th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Mark, there’s a world of difference between your school kid analogy and what Louis did. Louis did not prevent the chap from stepping into the tough industry at all.
In fact he offered the chap a chance but the chap called it quits even before he even get to deliberate further.
Those questions are all valid, no different from what HR departments do when Interviewing job applicants. Wouldn’t you need to know someone’s capability before hiring? Every industry has a common set of question to ask, for you to gauge a person’s competency.
One thing for sure, Louis did prevented the kid from having false hopes by putting some sense into the young mind regarding the reality of the photography industry.
October 5th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Thanks Mark if you read this, I don’t know why do people don’t get it. Brian, you are right, I am not a professional photographer but I can fully understand how is feel like to be one. No matter what profession you are now, you need to work hard, focus, sacrifice and given a chance to perform. What i am trying to express here is not to talk about how hard to be a photographer, a professional photographer but the way we talk, communicate, it sounds not so right on that interview. IMHO
Honestly, i faced this kind of interview after graduated on my tertiary studies, and worst thing is the interviewer sounds just like you. although it has been many years but that interview image still vividly inside my mind until now so i understand how did Leee feel that day.
always be humble my friend and share with others, you might gain something from them. give chances to those who has potential. no need 3 years, 3 to 6 months enough, never try never know.
October 5th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Everyone, pls keep the discussion civil. Just wanna clarify a few points:
1. I never assumed the applicant would not work hard.
2. I knew very little of the applicant so I must ask questions to ascertain his level of competency.
3. I promise to consider the application and get back to him in a week.
4. I spelled out the sacrifices required of the applicant if he wanted to be trained in this studio to be a professional photographer: three years of hard work.
5. My definition of low pay is under RM1000. Bear in mind this is for a form five grad.
6. The applicant approached me for a job. He contacted me and wanted me to interview him. Not the other way round.
I said, “You have potentials but you will need to clock in 3 years of hard work.” That is my assessment. Another photographer may have another opinion, but the kid was in my office because he wanted a job here, so he got mine. Did I ever say he wasn’t good enough or reject him?
Three years of hard work. You want in? Or you want out? As simple as that. If he wanted in, I would be teaching him at a shoot next week!
I am happy to give the applicant a chance, but he must know it is a tough road ahead. Just as if someone is taking a medical degree must be prepared to spend 7-9 years in university and hospitals before getting their qualification, and spend that kind of money for tuition fee. Is it cruel to point out the a young aspiring doctor that 7 years of school and expensive tuition fee is the cost he must pay to be a doctor? You must be comfortable to cut a body open, see a lot of blood, work 48-hour shift. When the kid bailed from med school application, you blame the guidance counsellor?
If I get a dollar for every young aspiring photographer applying to work here, I would be a millionaire today. As a business owner, I am responsible for the team. I have to make sure I hire the right person who can fit into the team dynamics. I have to make sure they are properly trained to do a good job. It will be a huge investment of time and resources on my part…I have to make sure we get the right candidate who won’t quit after six months because he never knew how tough it would be. If it means asking tough questions, I will ask it. At the end, it’s my time, reputation and resources on the line, not yours.
Jo & Tommi: If you have read this blog long enough, you will know that I have helped, taught, given a lot of opportunities and inspired a lot of people in photography. I’ve always done so by being telling it as it is, not by sugarcoating the truth.
October 5th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
I don’t understand why some of you sound as if Louis refused to teach the kid. It’s not what happened at all… Louis explained to him that to become a professional photographer he will need to spend time learning the craft, working hard with minimal pay. Just like medicine students would! Only that medicine students wouldn’t dream of performing an operation on their first day, while photography novices certainly think they can offer photography sessions and charge for them from day 1!
Seemingly, it was not what the boy expected to hear and he gave up. It’s a pity, but maybe he imagined the job differently and realized that he was not as determined to become a photographer as he thought he was.
October 5th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
When it comes to going to college for a profession, it is expected to put in four years of schooling before most would get a full time job. In relation to the medical example, I would say that it’s pretty widely accepted that to become a doctor you will put in four years in your undergrad, four years in med school, plus your internship time before you practice on your own. People know this going in.
When it comes to photography, as others have mentioned, people think they have what it takes to go pro when all their friends and family tell them so. There is no defined career path or education track. If you know the reality of what it takes, and you still have the aspiration, then you’re better off than most.
Relating back to my previous post about not being sure if I wanted to run a business…this is exactly what Louis is doing. Employees are your biggest investment, and you want to make sure they stick around.
October 5th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Better to be a passionate amateur and have high paying work for less hours
Best of both worlds.
October 5th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I don’t know whether its the fact that I’m already past 30 or what, but I do believe that in the years to come, the young man whom you’re writing about will appreciate your frankness in bringing up these (realistic) questions to him.
Not many people realise just how much effort is put into being not only a photographer but running the business (yours truly was one of those who started off thinking shooting pretty pictures would be enough *facepalm*), surviving in the competitive market, having a work-life balance, etc.
That being said, I think I would’ve peed in my pants if I had asked you for a job when I first started out :p
October 6th, 2011 at 11:07 am
SHAOLINHARIMAU! iLike.
People, photographer is so not a glamourous job, if you think it is one.
October 6th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Well said Louis. It takes a lot of hard work, determination, creative juice and passion to be a good photographer. Easier said than done.. Thanks for sharing and god bless.
October 6th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
The scene at the destination is always rosier than the journey. Beautiful moves by Jet Li, Donnie Yen & Sammo Hung didn’t come from just stretching.
Nicole David will not be where she is today without sacrifices.
It takes a lot (too many things to consider) to quit full time corporate jobs to become a full time photographers (hats off to folks like Anna, MK).
Louis, very gracious of you to share to put forward what it takes. Well explained. No worries. If he’s serious enough as Arnold, “he’ll be back”
October 6th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Let’s share with the world how things has gone bad sometimes. You shoot anyone who walks in???
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6216817528_e5c8150ac8_b_d.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6216815202_f22982fc91_b_d.jpg
But I don’t think you dare to approve this comment.
October 6th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Fusionista: Thanks for bringing up a failure of mine. I had suffered worse embarrassment and mistakes than that. I was barely a year into the full time photography and it screwed up a few things. I owned up to it, made things right with my clients and moved on. I wish you could at least own up to who you really are and use your own email address.
October 6th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I think Louis’ terms to be in the top flight of photography is a real bargain.
3 years of apprenticeship under one of the best in the industry and there is almost no barrier of entry.
If anyone wants to be good at anything, he has to pay the price, put in the time and effort and make sacrifices, regardless of profession.
From what I read, he was almost expecting that he is good enough until you challenged his photography knowledge.
Then all he did was stay silent, shake his head or reply, “No.”
He didn’t seem ready, or even hungry to learn.
For Louis to have called him a young aspiring “photographer” is already a stretch.
October 7th, 2011 at 5:15 am
Thanks for writing Louis. I can’t believe what silly things people wrote on your blog. I think you’ve treated everyone with honestly and integrity. You went above and beyond what you can to make your clients look good and invest a lot in yourself to become a full time photographer. Many people only see the glory side of being a photographer, and not understanding how many things we had to sacrifice to be come one.
October 7th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Having a job as a wedding photojournalist is a fulltime job, its not just a daytime job.
to have 3 years opportunity of working side by side with LP will be a chance of a life time for me.
Nowadays, in this very instant generation, people just tend to gain everything in just a second.
Its never easy to become n becalled a Professional in every job.
Michael Schumacher, Valentino Rossi, David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, all of them start a commitment from a very young age.
What LP told to the kid is nothing to hard to take, its just a reality.
What happened in the past of our early career, well … sh*ts can happen right?
October 9th, 2011 at 5:51 am
Someone commented that 3 years is unnecessary, only 3-6 months is needed. All I can say is you don’t have what it takes. 3 years is a very, very short time. If I were the kid, I’ll take up the offer.
Every artistic craft takes at least 10 years of hard work to get to the very top. Only the pros have paid their dues in honing their craft. If you don’t know the amount of sacrifice it takes to excel in any industry involving arts, please refrain from commenting because you only end up making yourselves look silly.
October 12th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I see so many of you giving comments on how Louis did the wrong thing by using the medical world and what not into the equation. What I dont see is that, to those of you who claim what Louis did was wrong, are you actually offering a solution to the boy or Louis’ Studio for that matter? If youre not part of the solution youre just part of the problem.
Yes different people have different approach to the way they see things. But remember that wisdom and passion are both different things. And all Louis tried to do was to use his wisdom and knowledge in this field to see how far the boy’s passion can go.
Im 19, and I have taken a year of of studying to pursue my dream and to see the world differently and I tell you, tommi, jo and mark that even though i am 19, ive seen many things and the reality of the working world even at my age is enough to scare anyone. It is harsh and it is not all sunshine and rainbows.
Mark you said ” should schools be preventing kids from choosing certain subjects because its tough”. My friend, I tell you that if you really want something you sure as hell go for it even if something like that happens. That is school, this is life.
So Louis told the truth, if the boy really loves photography and this is his passion, he will still pursue it.
But what I really meant to say was that if you cant offer a solution then dont bother commenting because you will never know if what Louis said could help the boy. I wished i had someone like that to tell me how hard it is to keep up in the real world months ago when I decided to let go of my studies.
Take it from a 19 year old.
And Louis, I sincerely hope you do not get hurt by all the negative comments because for what you have done so far to build the industry, you truly deserve my respect.
October 13th, 2011 at 11:06 am
I think this is a reality for everyone, and it is a good lesson for the young boy to know the reality of life.
I’ve been interviewed with this way before, not the job of photographers, but others.
And it is not once only, a few times.
This is the way to let a young man grow, and Louis, although you did give “a big SLAP” on him, but I think this is a way to wake him up earlier, and realize the truth, before he dive further into a job that he “thought” is suitable for him.
Reality is always bloody, but if no suffering, how could we learn, grow, and shine?
October 13th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
it’s not easy being a wedding photographer, photographing from early morning till late night
October 17th, 2011 at 9:10 am
I met Louis just before he started in this business and I can attest that Louis is being easier on this young man than himself. Its very hard work and 3 years as an apprentice can be considered a ’short cut’, and there are a lot more people in the wedding photography business now than before.
Probably too direct and upfront for most people, but better now than 3-6 months down the road. This kid may still end up being a photographer, just a different path. The transition from hobby to profession is a hard one.
October 25th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Thanks on sharing this, Louis! This is such a valuable post for anyone wanting to stepping in to this industry rather being hasty decision they made based on many misleading comments/compliments to their work online(fb especially) your questions above to him definitely got me do my own check list asking myself these questions too. It really help us to see how willingly are we to swim in lava so to speak to reach where we want in our passion to photography and our career as photographer. Thanks Louis !
October 26th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I would like to think that if someone really wants something they’ll go after and pay the price. The kid didn’t think he had what it takes, and he talked himself out of a job.
I have learned myself that money cannot bring you happiness or fulfillment.
Even though the pay is low, I would jump at an opportunity to work for someone such as Louis for such a long time to learn the craft of photography. (I match this kid’s description almost to a T, minus giving up on his dream)
November 5th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Hi, actually I’m willing to work with you for 3 years and low pays cause I think money is not important as long as I have passion for photography. I’m now only 17 years old but… I hope it is still an offer!
Besides studying from you is better than going for courses in colleges or universities.
I always wanted to study photography courses but the fee is just too high for me and my family, and I also know that this job is hard to earn a lot money but I’m still very interested in it. I’m not good but I will put all my effort to learn all I can…
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:40 am
I will!! If I still below 21 but too bad, I am not that age anymore but I willing to learn. Louis, may I know do you online coach newbies or ametuer photographer?
I would like be one of them. I looking a mentor to critics my work and photo so I can improve my photography rather facebook comment that said , great, cute girl, pretty and so on..
Regards
Michael Ch’ng from Penang