Sometimes a good camera angle calls for drastic measures. This image of me was taken at the end of a long cabin photo shoot. The interior photos were finished, so it didn’t matter if I got wet. The subject was walking along the beach and I jumped into the water to get a unique angle. It pays to be picky about details — because I brought a change of clothes — just in case! Photo by Katharine Cherewyk
I want to offer you five lessons that I have learned that have helped me not only in my career, but in my life as well. Not technical skills like what colour balance I used on my digital camera when I used to shoot NHL hockey for Getty Images at the Bell MTS Place (3600 Kelvin), but life skills and knowledge that have helped me in my career — that have also helped get where I am today.
1. Always Have a Great Network of Peers
Have a network of peers and colleagues. This may seem pretty obvious, but having people to bounce ideas off, by email or — even better — over coffee, gives you valuable insight and an extra perspective you may not have thought about in your work.
Going from being a staff photographer at the Calgary Herald — where I had instant access to an entire photo department with mentors and support, was so helpful in my development as a storyteller.
A quick critique, guidance, or a thorough assessment how I approached an assignment through the eyes of an editor helped me learn so much. The more we learn, the more we grow. Having access to this network was pretty amazing to have, especially as a starting photojournalist hired right out of school.
When I moved to Winnipeg and became a freelance photographer, one of the biggest things I missed was having a “newsroom.” So, I reached out and connected with Winnipeg creatives from many backgrounds. I also reached out across Canada to creative colleagues and peers online to seek out to expand my network.
“When I moved to Winnipeg and became a freelance photographer, one of the biggest things I missed was having a “newsroom.”
And just because most of my work was photography at the time. it doesn’t mean I would only reach out to other photographers. I would still seek out creatives from different — but related — careers: graphic artists, writers, creative communicators, artists and videographers. It is important to be able to bounce ideas off people who get it, and help when they need to bounce ideas as well.
This network also comes into play when I need refer assignments. When clients contact me for an assignment and, if for any reason I am not able to take it on, I will always recommend someone who I trust can do the job instead. Because of my network, I have a strong list of creative professionals that I know who can do the job.
2. The Importance of Good (Great) Communication
Words matter. A lot. And all forms of communication is important: from a quick email or text to long-form magazine articles.
The importance of communicating clearly, and with a purpose, is a great skill to have.
Because time is valuable — both yours and your clients’ — having focus in your communication is important. It’s taken me a number of years — including 16 years as a freelance photographer in charge of my own business and doing all of the communication that goes with that — to feel very confident about what I need to say and how to say it. If others aren’t as clear as I need them to be, I will also ask for clarification too, if needed. Good communication goes both ways, and helps to keep everyone on the same page.
It is amazing how much of my (our) work actually involves writing — from emailing with clients, drawing up contracts, making pitches, to clarifying assignments.
I went to school to be a journalist — and graduated as a photojournalist. But, writing still stayed with me. So much so, I have even started to get back into writing professionally too.
“It is amazing how much of my (our) work actually involves wiring — from emailing with clients, drawing up contracts, making pitches, to clarifying assignments.”
3. Learn Through Your Mistakes and Setbacks
Being able to use a setback as an opportunity to learn is a valuable skill to have. It may not feel like it at the time, but finding yourself stuck up against a wall will help you to discover different ways to get around (or over) them.
Each setback is a way to think outside the box, to see how something can be done better the next time. This has been valuable in any career — and in life too.
Experience and hindsight are important to possess. I’m a big fan of reflecting, evaluating, and learning, to make things that much better next time.
4. Always Know Where the Closest Coffee Shop is, and the Best Route to Get There
This may seem irrelevant, but … hear me out.
While I was working full-time at the Calgary Herald and driving between 100 -150 kms a day with 5 to 7 different assignments in different parts of town, I always knew the quickest — and least traffic congested-way — to grab a coffee as I was making my way from a news assignment to a business portrait on the other side of town (in 20 minutes).
This was a skill I fine-tuned and honed often working as a full-time photojournalist at a major daily newspaper.
It may sound simple (and, honestly, it is). But, it also speaks to being aware about logistics — even the simple ones — and being able to itemize and understand the details that are needed to get the job done.
I tend to be picky about knowing details, but I know that the pickier I am about any details before an assignment or project, the smoother it will go.
This goes for anything: making checklists for the gear that In need to bring to a big (or little) job, knowing and understanding what is needed (and missing) in contracts, to every subject knowing where they are supposed to be and when, and what they are supposed to wear (don’t wear logos, unless they are the clients!)
So, grab that coffee and know you are using skills wisely.
5. Always Keep Learning New Skills
Whether you are trying new lighting techniques, figuring out how to build your own website, or doing more public speaking, it is important to keep learning. Maybe you are teaching yourself video editing, learning how to make websites or taking lessons on graphic design. Knowing new skills give you more options. It gives your clients more options too.
In fact, I have been learning and working on all of these things. Simply because by expanding what I know, I can expand what I offer.
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These five lessons I have learned along the way have helped me get where I am today. More importantly, they will also help me where I am going. Hopefully they will help you, like they have helped me. If you have any lessons or tips of your own to share, please comment below!
Marianne