Practice from a Note – All the Meaning You Need to Succeed in Photography
Introduction
Nyx II; ph: Francesco Coppola
Following the last article published here, I will continue today with what is needed to have success in a photographic career: the meaning behind why you are doing it. I will repeat myself in this preface for one last time: technicalities don't run the show. This isn't specific to any subgenre of photography, it holds true from entomology photography to industrial implant photography, to sports or wildlife. Simply put, so many people launch themselves into photography that every field is overcrowded, and everyone needs to differentiate themselves to emerge. The best way to do this is by finding personal clarity on why you are doing it.
If your answer is simply, "I shoot because it makes me feel better", okay, best of luck to you, no problem, but don't come here pretending you want to achieve a career or an income in this field. Having a hobby is a good thing; not everyone needs to defy the gods of conformity and try their chance at a creative career.
One last repetition, this time for those working in "artistic nude" photography: there isn't anything left to provoke. Eroticism doesn't sell anymore, and models are professionals who express someone else's ideas. They are not prey for you to "seduce," "touch," or worse. The crowds attracted to that type of imagery may be conspicuous but they don’t pay photographers. Thus, I don't consider the erotic route within my sub-genre of photography useful for photographers, and personally, I would avoid it.
Here, we don't condone, propose, or accept harassment of women, physical, online, or of any other kind. I am utterly uninterested in anything that leads toward the porn industry. If you want to walk that path, please feel free to look elsewhere.
The Problem Is Not the Artwork
Lockdown dreaming; ph: Francesco Coppola
Having paid my dues, one last time, to the more serious artistic spirits here: the fact is, when it comes to achieving sales or attention, what you produce is rarely the problem.
One should first focus on producing a body of work (a project) as that is more likely to bring you somewhere. Just remember to shoot from your inner drive. So, what drives you? Answer that question, and apply the answer to your image-making.
Then, once you've done this and built up a body of work you're hopefully continuing to add to, start building a story: a narrative of yourself as a visual entrepreneur and of your art, one you shape while planning, executing, editing, and bringing each project to its final form. So, how can you build your artist persona without knowing what drives your photographic practice?
To help with this, try reading about the past masters of your genre of photography: their biographies, and how they built their projects. Try going to visit exhibitions too, that's another good way to find inspiration.
We Are Not in the Clear Yet
Cyanotype first; ph and printer: Francesco Coppola
For most genres of photography, what you have to do is build a proper portfolio and, if possible, have it evaluated by a professional. The days of photographers taking on less experienced ones in their studio to work as assistants are gone, though. Those days have been over for many years now, so a portfolio evaluation will most likely amount to some direction and advice, nothing more, but at least a positive judgment would give you the green light to submit your portfolio to agencies (commercial, fashion, advertising, sports PR, etc.).
That is, at least, until generative AI tools close those doors to your aspirations for good. The danger is real. It may not be there yet, but it's approaching fast. What else could you do, then?
The answer is art, and by that I don't mean enrolling in some art academy. You've already produced what's been judged a good portfolio, haven't you? So? Simply stop seeking gatekeepers and intermediaries. Build a proper website, a YouTube channel, and start describing, in videos, who you are, what you do, and why you do it.
Nugget
Martesana’s Autumn; ph: Francesco Coppola
This will take time again, but focusing on making projects is always a good idea for photographers, only this time, video-document them.
Oh, one thing. Just a little nugget of an issue I know firsthand: what about us, fellow practitioners of the noble art of portraying the naked body? How on earth can we follow the advice I've written above if our artwork always comes censored, and our profiles and channels are at risk of being torn down by the whims of overzealous censors? Well, and to tell the truth, given that this censorship is driven by the sheer number of pornographers out there. I understand that a general lift of censorship for art's sake isn't an easy thing to achieve.
But at this very moment, I myself can't give you an answer yet. As far as I know, if you have a mixed drive (which often happens) and don't shoot only unveiled beauties but other things too (pets, flowers, architectural street photography or what else), no problem! You have something else to talk about, and you can reserve your nudes for more secluded spaces, that can still be fed traffic by the broader audience you gather through other means. That's how a photographer like Matt Granger has handled his own situation on YouTube, with his constellation of websites.
But I am not him, and for so many reasons I can't diversify my art production. So, a solution to this conundrum isn't in my hands at the moment, but I hope to know more soon. I'll leave it for next time, when I'll talk not so much about how or why one makes art photography, but about how to progress in the art world, make yourself a name, and get closer to some success in sales.
Shine on!