Because I am not published...
The goal of every photographer is to have his or her body of work published in a major fashion magazine. You spend countless hours developing a concept that would catch the attention of the editors. Next, you submit the images in hopes to be featured in the fashion magazine. "Thank you for your submission to our publication, but unfortunately your images are not a great fit for the magazine". What do you do in that moment? Cry? Scream? Eat a tub of your favorite vanilla ice-cream? Being published is half the battle in being a successful photographer. Staying true to your craft, and never comparing yourself to other photographers is what will propel you to the top. Therefore, being published will happen for you, but you have to take the pressure off yourself.
As a fashion photographer, the hardest part is questioning your ability to live up to the pressure of being like other photographers. That is an unwanted feeling that many beginning photographers are facing today. Do you look at the images in admiration? Do you constantly compare your level of expertise to other photographers? Why has photography become less about the craft, and more about competing with the next person? Photographers are loosing their passion and drive, and developing content that doesn't stay true to themselves, all trying to live up to the expectations of the magazine.
Find your voice FIRST! Branding is essential to the success of any photographer. Building a solid foundation will enable you to gain exposure, and produce high quality work that will be selected for any publication. I find that many photographers have a difficult time tapping into their creative side, because the amount of pressure to be at the top causes a great amount of stress and anxiety. Photography is an artist way to be free to express themselves. The fashion industry is eliminating photographer's creativity, which the images are very mundane. The battle between wanting to conform to industry standards, and creating your own masterpiece removes the excitement to foster a new wave of profound images.
Its time for photographers to eliminate the pressure of being the best, but focus on being true to their craft. Yes, we all want to see our images appear in the top editorial magazine, such as Vogue and Harper Bazaar. Opportunities like that will eventually come, but you must stay consistent when developing creative content. This is a mentality that I had to adapted due to the amount of pressure I placed on myself. I submit an image to a magazine, and I receive the same response...No! However, this form of rejection shouldn't allow any photographer to feel inadequate in anyway. That time will come, when the fashion story you worked diligently on day and night will appear in the top fashion magazines. Again, you must trust your ability to working through the rejections, and create amazing body of work that represents YOU.
Every photographer is different. The importance of never comparing your talents is essential to being successful in the industry. I have encountered many moments of comparing my work to other photographers, which led me wanting to quit photography on numerous occasions. STOP! "Focus on yourself Shaquana", the encouragement I had to start telling myself, and I am telling other photographers to do. There is plenty of room at the top for all of us. Furthermore, I want you to enjoy the journey that you're on and remember that it takes extreme hard work to propel to the top of the leader board. At the end of the day, always stay true to your craft and yourself. YOU ARE A WINNER!
First publication in Modelstopia Magazine
Photo Credit: S LYNN FOTO