Without My Mentor, I’d Be…Well, Poorer!

When people ask me about photography, I usually tell them about the three major ingredients that brought me the start up success I’ve had to date:

1. Passion
2. Practice
3. A mentor

I would say passion brought practice which led to more excitement but that circle hit a catalyst when a professional photographer decided to review my images for the second time and tell me that he would help me sell my work at art fairs. Even though he was adding direct competition to himself, he was willing to give me access to success.

Let me share with you what being a mentor is really like. It’s not a brief session that you pay to obtain.

What this photographer gave and continues to give is:

• His connections, networks, the good people and professionals in his life.
• Tips & tricks: which printers to use, what medium fails, how to price photography.
• Honest critique: making my compositions and pictures better.
• Advice: he spent years and dollars failing and making mistakes. He helped me avoid a lot of waste.
• Invitations to his home.
• Feedback on the industry.
• Opportunities for me to share my work.
• Encouragement and praise for excellence.
• His equipment and the best deals for supplies.
• Funding at times.

I am a richer professional through his assistance and commitment to my growth. While I am very new at marketing and selling, my knowledge has increased so much and I’ve saved. This is what I mean by richness, not actually calling myself a wealthy businessman.

My mentor has given so comprehensively and generously to me and shown me what a good mentor does for those under him. I hope to also mentor others as he did some day. In a future date, I hope to write a longer and more detailed post to really paint the picture.

Thank you, Jay.

 

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