Blog
Staying competitive means continuously improving your skills and business strategies. Here you’ll find exclusive insights for photographers, creative directors, and all types of creatives who want to sharpen their craft and grow their business.
Whether you’re looking to improve your photography techniques, boost your brand visibility, or stay on top of industry trends, this practical, actionable advice is based on years of experience working with leading brands and publications.
From expert business strategies and marketing tips to creative inspiration and photography skills, this blog gives you the tools you need to succeed in the competitive photography and creative industries.
The Cheap Guy
I was recently asked if I would sell a photo I did of a model to a supplement company so they could use it on the product label as well as associated advertising and marketing materials for the company. I submitted an estimate which was consistent with what similar...
The Greatest Reward
During a panel presentation a few years ago, myself and the other presenters were asked a unique question. If we could have any superpower, what would it be? The other panelists gave answers you might expect; the ability to control time, to fly and to be invisible...
The Not So Great Days
In this business whether you are a model or a photographer there are great days and not so great days. A few weeks ago I had a string of great days. Had some exciting new cover features get published, signed a few great contracts for future projects and had a full...
Knowing When to Walk
For more than a few months I've been going back and forth with a supplement company on the details for an advertising and commercial photo shoot they want to set up. We finally get to a stage where we receive details on what they are looking for. Then within a few...
Raising the Bar
Recently I wrote a post posing the inquiry of whether or not photography should be a licensed profession. The intent behind the question was two-fold. 1) To protect the consumer from fraudulent or unprofessional service providers by having a high standard of ethical...
The Beginner’s Mind
A little over a week ago I participated as a mentor in a high school workshop for aspiring photographers. Somewhere around a hundred students from various schools in Southern Arizona came out to work alongside a small group of commercial and editorial photographers....
Resenting Success
I see it quite a bit within our industry. A model is selected for a magazine cover, feature or even a commercial project. They proudly share it with their audience and receive a bevy of support in the form of likes and comments. What they are not privy to is the...
Is Anyone Listening?
Frankly, I am a little surprised. The James Patrick Photography blog has been live with at least one article (often two) going out each week for the past four years. The Pro Exposure podcast launched over two years ago and has more than 60 free episodes about how...
Where is the Accountability?
Here is an interesting question to ponder... should photographers be required to be licensed to do their work professionally? Let us examine the reasoning behind this question and some of the facets that can be discussed. I understand that one of the first objections...