Photography

Rob Paine of Bella Pictures Recaps Interview Event

January 21, 2010 Rob Paine of Bella Pictures Recaps Event and Answers the Question: “What Does it Take to Break into the Photography Business?” I want to thank all of the students  who took part in our interview day in December in Waltham. CDIA Career Services did a fantastic job (as usual) of promoting the event during which we interviewed some outstanding applicants. We just held a similar event at CDIA in D.C. January 12, where we also had a successful turnout. Bella Pictures is the country’s largest wedding photography company. As our summer internship program enters its second year we are proud to report that last summer, 5 of our 6 interns were from CDIA: two from Waltham and three from CDIA’s Washington D.C. Campus. Bella and CDIA are a good match for each other because both stress the importance of having a strong technical and creative foundation, as well as the need to develop an effective professional approach. I like to think of Bella’s summer program as being  more of a mentorship than an internship. Each program participant shoots 6 weddings in 7 weeks, along with one of our certified, seasoned lead photographers. Before and after each wedding, our interns take part in group and one-and-one  conference calls during which we discuss different aspects of wedding photography and Bella processes, as well as review and critique every wedding covered. What separates our program from a traditional internship is our interns are not regarded as assistants. They are regarded as true second photographers, complementing the work shot by the lead. We  launched our internship to create a bridge of sorts for photo school students and graduates who possess great talent and potential, but may lack the experience and polish to enter the competitive world of wedding photography straight out of school. All of our 2009 interns from CDIA completed our program with flying colors and 4 of the 5 have already been assigned work for 2010. During this challenging economy, I am frequently asked  “What does it take to break into the photography business?” Here are some of the keys to success as I see it: First --  You  have to love what you do and show it.  Photography is not always a 9-5 career.  Some days may be long, but if you enjoy what you are doing and are truly committed to being the best that you can be, the clock will take a back seat. When you interview with new clients and employers, your enthusiasm will become contagious. Working hard and being dedicated will put you far head of the pack. If you love what you do, working hard is easy. Second -- Dare to be different and be sure to diversify. When I am recruiting for Bella, what draws me to a particular applicant is that his/her work and approach displays a distinctive style. An easy trap to fall into for someone starting out in photography is  thinking,  “If I emulate the the look of (put the name of your favorite photographer here) I will be set.” In most cases, the reason your favorite photographer became the rock star he/she has become is because he/she dared to develop his/her own voice or tried a new marketing or business approach. One also needs to be fluent in as many disciplines of photography as possible. You might be shooting a wedding one day and a news story the next; or assisting in a commercial studio one week and  photographing  architecture the next. The more versatile you are the more work you will get.  It is also important to hone your skills in multimedia production. Many clients and employers  prefer to hire people who can not only take good photos but are capable of effectively  displaying them for use on the Web. In many cases a client might even want you to shoot video and then grab a still if needed. Make yourself  indispensible. Third -- Show your work to whoever will look at it and get as much feedback as possible and follow up. The photography community is one of the most generous and nurturing that I know of. Any time you get the opportunity to have your portfolio reviewed by a professional or a peer or get the chance to be interviewed, do it. You will learn something about yourself and it will make you a better photographer every time. When you apply for a job or interview with a recruiter, always come prepared with a resume, business cards and a DVD/CD of your work, as well as a workable link to your Web site. After the interview, be sure to follow up with a thank you email stressing a point of interest or idea you discussed during the interview. Sometimes recruiters may  interview 15-20 people in a day. You want to make sure you do not get lost in the pack. Fourth -- Be professional and develop your skills as a problem solver and seeker of challenges. This is more critical now than it has ever been. You can be the best photographer in the world, but if your professional approach does not reflect that, your career will be a short one. Based on my experience,  CDIA is among a select group of photo schools that not only can help you develop your creative and technical side, but can also help you develop a professional and a sharp business acumen. Branding is the buzz word of the day -- it is critical to do everything you can do develop a professional and an innovative positive image in advertising and on the Web. You also need to back that image up with actions such as being dependable and being known as someone who embraces transition, looking at  problems as challenges, rather than roadblocks. A very wise person once told me that  90% of what a photographer does is problem solve. These days, I might amend that to be  95%. Thank you again to the great CDIA career services team for its support and to all the photographers who took the time to meet with me. It was one of the best interview groups yet. I urge every CDIA student to take full advantage of your dedicated career services staff, doing so will give you a big leg up on your competition. If you would like further information on Bella Pictures, please visit our web site at www.bellapictures.com