Success Happy

what kind of personality traits does one need in order to be successful in photography?

Public Comments

1. I think the most important trait is thick skin. You can't get upset when others aren't into your work or want you to redo a shoot because they didn't like the results. People come from many different walks of life and value different things in a photograph. Also, equally important is that you don't undervalue your work. Many photographers can't make a living because they can't imagine charging the prices that more established photographers charge. Mark up your prices to something you can live off and then some and let the customers decide. In many cases it will weed out the clients that you don't want to deal with any way, the kind that are always trying to save a buck or get a deal. Lastly, you have to be consistent with your work flow. Customers don't want to wait a month to get their images. Calculate any time for processing and editing into your prices that you will be able to get them out to the customer right away. Hope that helps.
2. its a not a long list... but apart from a few technical skills, you need to be a people person, confident and authorative, but not bossy, or too assertive... we have to direct crowds and individuals... and its not a skill everyone masters... and you need to be creative, and have imagination. actually snapping the shot isnt all that hard these days, most guys never take their cameras off auto! but getting consistent quality, and meeting a deadline arent easy...esp when you have multiple jobs on the go. but its just time management skills... and PC skills, and darkroom skills (35mm / 120) and you have to be able to get your head around photoshop, or paintshop pro x2... coz your presentation, colour matching and cropping, are almost as important as your ability to take the shot in the first place
3. I think it's MUCH more important to be a good photographer with a reputation for excellent work than to have personality but that being said: A smile in spite of the stress level, positive attitude regardless of the people who may surround you, the ability to stave criticism without letting it affect your work but still listen to it if it sounds constructive, good work ethic, organizational skills and the ability to make yourself available for any event in spite of your life. Plan on being single or divorced. (that last one was a joke... I think).