PICKING THE RIGHT MENTOR | PHOTOGRAPHY EDUCATION | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | ASHTON KELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography education has taken a major turn in the last few years. Many of us are self taught, never having stepped foot into an art school or technical class. We are seeing major trends in mentoring, and today I want to talk a little bit more about that. For those of you who are skeptical to sign up for something like this, I hope it helps!

Types of mentoring:

Conferences:

WPPI, Creative at Heart, and CLIC are just a few examples. These are large events geared toward artists and typically provide a multitude of lessons that you can attend by your choosing. These are great social settings, and will expose you to lots of other photographers and learning opportunities.

Workshops:

A workshop is normally hosted by one or two photographers, and allows an average of 15 attendees. This is a great way to learn about a specific photographer’s practices as well as meeting others in the industry who are on the same path. I have found in previous experiences that I not only took away a lot of knowledge, but I have formed some amazing friendships in meeting others interested in the same styles. I highly recommend Jasmine Star’s workshop, A Love Affair with Lauren and Tim Fair, as well as our own-The Little WV Workshop!

1:1 Mentoring:

This type of education setting is intimate and catered toward your needs. These one on one encounters can last from around four to eight hours and will center around your personal business goals. Many photographers are even beginning to offer these online as well, another way to connect with someone you admire who may work on the opposing coast. I just recently had my first 1:1 experience with Natalie Franke Photography and even at this stage in my business, it was an inspiring and eye opening day.

Now that we’ve talked about what’s out there, let’s talk about how to pick the right thing for you! Here are some tips to think about when booking a learning opportunity or searching for a mentor:

• If you want to learn from someone, ask! If it’s not clearly defined in their services, you’ll never know unless you inquire. Don’t be upset if someone says no. There are many photographers out there who don’t offer mentoring. It’s not personal. Don’t give up, just move on.

• Know how to use your camera! I know this sounds silly, but if you aren’t yet shooting in manual, consider taking a technical course first.
• Be honest about what you know, and be clear about what you want to learn. Photographers can’t read minds, so communication is key!
• Pick someone who you can stylistically relate to. If you’re a fan of artistic, deeply-edited, children’s images.. a clean, colorful Senior photographer may not be the best fit. It’s important to work with someone who compliments you and the direction you see your business going.
• Find mentors who can understand your market. If you’re an Ohio family photographer, it may be harder for a fashion photographer in NYC to give you guidance toward your clientele. Work with those who can help you, but also that you admire. It’s easy to book an experience based on someone’s reputation, but don’t just go for the most popular photographer. Prioritize YOUR needs and pick someone you respect.
• Value the investment. Let’s just say it… workshops, conferences, and one on one sessions are not cheap. Know that you are investing in your business and the potential of what there is to learn. You’re retaining lessons in hours that may have taken the mentoring photographer years to learn the hard way. Think of it from a magician’s standpoint. It would likely be expensive for Houdini to sell his tricks, as giving someone else the power to offer that entertainment could lessen the value of his own show. Photographers are doing this all the time, so it’s important to remember what it is also worth to them and to respect that.

• And finally, be gracious. Let your mentors know how much you appreciate the time they spent with you, the lessons they shared, and the time they took away from their business and family. These relationships often grow into life-long friendships, and creating a two way street of love and respect can only amplify those bonds.

Thanks for stopping in and reading these tips! I’d love to see some feedback and perhaps recommendations on great learning opportunities you may have attended. Feel free to leave them in the comments!

– Ash