Tags
Related Posts
Share This
Scott Kelby Guest Blog Post
I wanted to post on my own blog as well, and maybe explain a little more about what I was trying to say on Scott’s blog. I feel a lot more comfortable here. And again, a big thank you to Scott and Brad for letting me do it.
I won’t type as much as I did on the guest blog, but basically I just wanted to say this. It’s hard to make it as a photographer. And I think most of the Joe Blo guys out there trying to make it realize that. I’m very very passionate about my work, but I just felt this was the route that needed to be taken at this time, and do something that made me feel complete by going to The Fletcher Group. Lee Fletcher was an awesome man, and when he passed and Amanda…it just seemed like it was meant to be. It’s one of those sacrifices people have to make I guess. We made the move with next to nothing in our bank accounts and stressed to the max on what to do next. I now have a lot less time to devote to my photography and live in a much smaller town. But I’m still shooting a lot of sports for Louisiana Tech and LSU. I still travel to Baton Rouge to do work and I still try to stay on the cutting edge of trends in my design video and photography.
My message to everyone out there is this: work hard. Work your ass off. If you want to make it you gotta bust it. I know that the big time guys dont say it, but since I’m not big time I will. It takes dedication, the ability to save money and an awesome support system. Getting connections is a great start and I am very fortunate to have a great series of connections. But one thing that wont get you, is work. That you have to do on your own. But if you do it right, they will be there to help you in everything else from keeping the books, great website templates so on and so forth.
And one last thing, shoot what you love. Don’t shoot what it takes to get by….if you can help it. The more you show what you love to shoot, the more people will look to you to pay you to shoot those things
I think at this point I’m all blogged out. Feel free to email me any questions that you may have. Add me on facebook and ask there. I love answering emails.
Thanks for the great article and “on the ground” insight into what the real business is like. I’m sure I’m like a lot of people out there who would love to make a living doing what we really enjoy, but are scared to take the required leap into the realm of uncertainty. Having been in IT for ten years and having no formal “creative” education, makes that leap all that more daunting.
But even though your article stressed how hard being a paid photographer is, it still gives me hope that with that hard work, eventual success can be found.
I may be picking your brain more via email when I have time, but I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the insight.
Hey Matt,
I read your post on Scott Kelby’s blog, and then followed it here, and I’ve got to say, I’m impressed. I give you a ton of credit for being able to walk away from a steady paycheck and pursue you dream of shooting sports. The idea has crossed my mind many times. I am a graphic designer in the auto industry, but my passion lies in the sports world. I have been trying to get in for some time now, but after reading your posts, you have inspired me to step it up a couple of notches. While I am not prepared to walk away from my job now, I am ready to increase my efforts and get my work in front of hopefully the right people. Thanks for your inspiration, good luck with your new position, and if you’re ever looking for help in the New England area, feel free to look me up. Like I said, I live for the thrill of sports.
Josh W.
I just read your post. I think it was inspiring. You show the “no pain no gain” that is needed. Also as I mentioned in an earlier post, hopefully you could host a Sports Shooters seminar in North Louisiana for the many folks who love to shoot sports. Some of us are rank amateurs and some are pros. Think about it man.