Be Supportive of Other Artists and Photographers.

Passions are meant to be shared. Knowledge is meant to be passed down to others. Every chance you get to pursue your art should bring you pleasure.

If it’s not fun and you aren’t excited by it, why would you be doing it? Photography is an art, although I don’t see myself as an artist like I do other talented people. To me photography is a passion that brings me great pleasure and satisfaction. Regardless of the form of art you are involved in, being active in that art should be fun and bring you happiness. Like any form of art some will love what you do and others will not find it to their taste. That shouldn’t effect your passion for it, or how you treat other artists and photographers. I have had the pleasure of having other photographers help me learn what I have, and I don’t view what I do as a competition. I do feel that I have a responsibility to give back to my passion, and to others who wish to have my help or input. I don’t feel the need to hide techniques or knowledge I have learned from other photographers because I feel threatened by their existence at the same event I may be shooting. I see these moments as opportunities to build friendships and to network and collaborate with others who share a similar passion. Unfortunately, I have dealt with both types of personalities. I steer away from the negative types and enjoy the many friendships I have made on my journey. I also appreciate the knowledge gained through those friendships. I feel the same when working with other types of artists. It’s important that we all help promote each other when ever possible. Being difficult to work with can only close doors of opportunity for any artist. It isn’t possible to collaborate if one person is only in it for themselves and has no regards for the other artist. Putting down other artists won’t raise the quality or level of your own work. Being positive and passionate about what you are doing will raise the level and quality of every collaboration. Helping to promote those you work with will not only provide opportunities for others but it will open up opportunities for yourself. It’s important to respect the work of other artists as you want others to respect the work you do. The day my passion for photography feels like a burden or an intrusion on my time is the day I pack up my gear and find someone who will find the passion with it that I once had.