It doesn't matter what field of endeavor you decide to pursue, there is always someone or something already at the top, challenging you to kick down the doors and start the climb.
Whether you're a rock n roller, photographer, writer, ditch digger, or an Anthony Bourdain wannabe, your journey starts at the bottom. Unless you know someone, you do not get a head start or a free pass. Nope, it's all about paying your dues, learning your craft, and in some cases staying one step ahead of others who do not have your best interests at heart.
In my case it's about photography, and to some extent writing. In my previous careers I'd always reached about where I'd strived to, no more no less. Bear in mind these were always business organizations with a well established hierarchy. You moved up or down based on your job performance, and occasionally kissing a little ass. Yes folks, I said it. You know you do it too, everyone does at one time or another. Other times somebody would move on down the road, or some poor bastard would die, opening doors perhaps a little quicker than expected. Attrition probably has as much to do with you reaching the top once you get started as much as anything.
So in the career path I find myself in now, anybody with a camera or a keyboard is my competition. Now that is all fine and good, everybody has to make a living, and in these hard times where people find themselves without a job, people look around and try to figure out what it is they can do to make a little bank. That too, would be me.
I'm sure a lot of professional photographers have looked at my entry into the field with some disdain, another guy with a camera who can click a shutter. Well, I would argue that you have to start somewhere, but looking back I can see where that kind of attitude may come from. Everybody is trying to eat, and make their mortgage payment, and here comes another guy with his new camera, some neato lenses and proclaims "I'm a photographer", uh huh.
One thing I learned a long time ago when I used to golf and play tennis. You can't improve your game or become a pro off the shelf. I bought a $200 tennis racket once and still couldn't hit a fucking backhand to save my life. Perhaps a lesson or two would have been in order.
I'm rambling now, but the essence of todays blog entry is to acknowledge that there are no easy ways to the top, whatever the top is. There will be challenges getting your name out there. Giving away your work is time honored tradition of self promotion. I can tell you it sucks, but it's part of the game. The difficulty is deciding when you can put your foot down and say "it's time to pay" without someone moving on to the next photographer who is willing to give their work away just to make a name for themselves.
Choosing another profession is not an option at this point. As I stated earlier, it doesn't matter what you do, the rules are pretty much the same. The key is to believe in yourself, believe in your talent. Work hard, meet people, learn whatever it is you do to the best of your ability. Stick with it, if you are good you'll get noticed. And no, I don't mean your Facebook friends who tell you your shot of your puppy taking a dump on the lawn is a great shot. Or your out of focus, grainy shot of a concert with your iPhone "rocks dude!"
No, I mean people who work in the business. People who do this for a living and compliment you on your interpretation of what you took. How you used lighting, composition, subject matter, and emotion, into making a great shot; not that you spent $5000 on equipment and shoot in the auto modes.
There is such a long way to go for anybody who finds themselves in unfamiliar ground, but with a belief in the direction they're going. Sometimes losing everything you knew or were familiar with, leaves you with nothing but what you're good at. And if you're lucky, maybe for the first time in your life you can take this opportunity to try and do something you really want to do. Strive to be the best you can be at what you're good at, not just going through the motions just to put food on your table.
Life is too damn short folks, and if you wanna get to the top, you gotta rock n roll.
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