Be a fearless leader

What do you do when you’re trying to get more work?

Do you line up a load of tests?

Experiment with new current lighting trends?

Get some more of those essential lifestyle images made (cue the family around the campfire), or the reflective object shots in the studio?

There’s nothing wrong with this – it’s essential to grow your skills and build your folio.

But if you’re just trying to stay on trend, or fill gaps which you’ve seen others are shooting, you’re probably going to do one of two things:

1. Dumb yourself down to look like everyone else.

2. Confuse your target audience.

And sadly, neither of those will get you more work – they’ll probably get you less work.

If you really want more work, try to quieten that scattered ADHD brain just for a few minutes and before you decide what to shoot, focus on one thing:

Your unique brand voice.

Is it calm? Driven? Theatrical? Funny? Dramatic? Authentic? Edgy? Intimate? Bold? Raw? Zen?

Is it the high tech Nike trainer or the scuffed Converse sneaker? Or the Barbour Wellington Boot?

Get some clarity on this and if you already know your visual voice and brand, stop distracting yourself with scattered thinking about what everyone else is doing.

As a lens based image maker you’re a creator, and creators don’t follow, they lead.

Your unique visual voice is yours, and yours only – and that’s the starting point to standing out, being seen, remembered, and hired.