I need a mentor!

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Permalink Reply by Sean on January 13, 2010 at 8:43pm

http://www.picturesocial.com/forum/topics/first-little-photo-shoot-go
This guy got some decent advice.

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Permalink Reply by Allison Carenza on January 14, 2010 at 5:24pm

thanks

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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on January 14, 2010 at 8:20am

You can do anything you want to do if your "want to" is strong enough. All of life is a compromise; you give up something to get something. Unless there is some physical impediment, or mental or emotional pre-disposition that would prohibit its fulfillment, anything is possible. It's great to have goals, in fact we really should have big strong goals. If the goal is something that you can figure out how to get, or do with your present faculties it isn't big enough. However, it is also important to be realistic. By that I mean simply this; when I was in junior high I wanted to play football in the NFL. Since I weighed 105 pounds when I graduated high school that wasn't very realistic. I wanted to be a professional musician when I was just out of high school and realized that while I enjoyed my music most other folks didn't! It was at this juncture that I decided to go into the visual arts, first as a graphic designer and artist, and then in commercial photography (which worked quite well) and now in fine art photography. Anything is possible as long as your "want to" is strong enough and you have the raw materials to refine into something great.

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Permalink Reply by Allison Carenza on January 14, 2010 at 5:24pm

Thanks Nathan, I really believe that! I think my goals are big enough, but realistic. Now I just need to go for it. If you're curious check them out. You might have to scroll down a bit. Maybe you could give me some feedback.
Thanks,
Allison
www.allisoncarenza.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Randall Sherman on January 14, 2010 at 12:08pm

You are well on your way! I spent some time reviewing your images and, as Nathan suggested, anyone who wants to succeed in photography needs a certain amount of inate talent or we are just 105 pound wanna be NFL linemen! But, you have a full measure of inate talent to work with and you are living up to it in the creativity you show in your posted work.
I note with a bit of irony that you are from Missouri but a large share of your images are certainly not taken in Missouri so you also have the where-with-all to travel and the talent to catch images reflective of the places you visit. (I can't quite recognize the country but maybe more than one? China? Philippines?) You also have capable photographic equipment so I feel your goal of a show in a few years is reasonable and practically a dead certainty! My final comment is it is great you are teaching photography and it is really great that you still recognize the need for guidance and inspiration -- mentors need mentors too and PictureSocial is a good place to find them!

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Permalink Reply by Allison Carenza on January 14, 2010 at 5:37pm

Nathan I am thrilled to get your response. I read photography network posts every chance I get and I find your responses to forums knowledgeable, helpful, optomistic, and classy. Not to mention your work is fantastic. Thanks so so much for your words of encouragement. Being a photographer is a bit of a lonely job with little feedback from other professionals so I really need to get better about putting my work (myself) out there. Your kind words will encourage me when I am in doubt, thank you! If you have any advice as to where to start I would love it. I don't know which pics to pick, I don't know how many of each print I want to make, what paper I should print on, what size, should I do canvas, ahhhh so much. Where to start?
Thanks again for you help!

Allison

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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on January 15, 2010 at 11:10am

I looked at your website and, honestly, your work is very nice. I wouldn't think you'd have any trouble selling it once you've done the original work. My big advice would be to go to regional and state Professional Photographers of America or WPPI meetings and spend some time in the trade show paying special attention to packaging and marketing materials. Go to the meetings to learn marketing techniques and pricing structure but be very careful as you listen to the speakers. Many times their studios aren't very successful and they are just, pardon the expression, blowing smoke.

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Permalink Reply by Scott D. Fels on January 15, 2010 at 6:31pm

Allison, with Nathan and Randall giving you their advice, you have two of the most knowledgeable members of this website in your corner. I feel compelled to comment also as your question is one many beginning photographers ask, even me. Writing down your goals is a great way to identify what they are. Many people know they want something but find it very difficult to identify what that is. Everyday I ask myself what my goals are. Some change and others remain the same. It allows me to be true to myself and reminds me exactly what I am after. But, Allison, it is all about passion. You have to be passionate about what you want. You have to love it, to live and breathe it, and most of all want "it" more than anything else in life! It is your drive, your means of living, and most of all it becomes your vehicle to success. "What is success?", you ask. It is whatever you want it to be. If you are happy with what you have achieved, you are successful. So go forth and live that dream that has been the inner fire of your heart's desire! Go forth and be successful! Only look back to thank those who have helped you on your journey. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Allison Carenza on January 16, 2010 at 6:50pm

Hi Jody,
I put my logo on my images in post production. I used photoshop to create a custom image then I just select and drag it's really pretty easy. Good luck, and happy shooting!
Allison

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