Guest Post: How a Mentor can Further Your Photography Education

Feb 20, 2009 by Jennifer Farley    No Comments    Posted under: Blog, digital photography

Today’s guest article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Top Photography College Rankings. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

There are times when it pays to be under the tutelage of an experienced professional, and learning photography is one of them. In fact, you learn more through practical experience and observation than you do from theoretical lessons and assignments. Photography is essentially an art that demands a blend of creativity and skill, and a mentor can help you in more ways than one:

• They can teach you skills and techniques: When you work with someone, you pick up skills and techniques on the job. You watch your mentor work, how he or she deals with people, and you learn the tricks of the trade. You receive honest feedback about your work, and this helps you improve. Besides this, you also get to showcase and practice your skills when you’re allowed to take care of certain assignments on your own.
• They can show you how to market your work: A large part of being a successful photographer is to be able to make money out of your work. It may be your passion, but if it does not make money, you’re going to get frustrated pretty soon. After all, nothing in this world moves without the power of money. A good mentor can teach you how to market your work so that you earn a pretty decent amount.
• They can help you find work: When you work with someone who has a good reputation, you’re bound to earn a part of their goodwill too. And this stands you in good stead when you’re ready to branch out on your own – you can use your apprenticeship as a calling card, and if your mentor’s reputation proceeds him or her, then you’re in luck.
• They provide you the experience you need: It takes years of practice and loads of skill to become a great photographer. By training under a mentor, you can gain a whole lot of experience in a short period of time, especially if your mentor is skilled and his/her work in great demand. You learn through their mistakes and their triumphs, and you can use their network when you think of branching out on your own.

Finding the right mentor may be difficult, especially if you don’t know anyone in the photography field. But if you know what you really want, if you’re willing to talk to people in the business, if you’re serious about establishing yourself as a reputable and skilled photographer, and if you keep an open mind that’s willing to accept fault and learn quickly, you should have no trouble at all.

Image copyright artirme.

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