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.
A new way to spend 20% of your time
I was recently reading the book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink. In going through this book, I learned that some companies were using a unique strategy of allowing their employees to use 20% of their time to do something that...
Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot with Karen Mullarkey
Here is the latest behind the scenes video of fitness model Karen Mullarkey working with me, Arizona fitness photographer James Patrick. http://vimeo.com/29928920 Hope you enjoy! James Patrick Fitness Photographer jamespatrick.com
How to Handle Rejection
In any given month I may pursue or pitch to anywhere between 20 and 50 prospective clients. These could be models I haven’t worked with before, magazines I haven’t shot for in the past, or commercial clients who have yet to hire me to do their ad campaigns. In a good...
Top 10 Tips When Applying for a Modeling Casting Call
Recently I was seeking a fitness model for a fairly specific niche athletic magazine. I posted a casting call for models on a few relevant organization websites and forums calling out for qualified applications. Unfortunately, I was a bit dismayed at the quality of...
Passion versus Talent. Which would you rather have?
When I first started doing larger scale photo shoots, I had a bevy of fellow young photographers looking to assist me on my various projects. Around this time I had taken the job of photo editor at a local magazine, which gave me the opportunity to meet with and work...
What separates an amateur model from a professional model?
Perhaps the simplest answer is that a professional model gets paid to do whatever he or she does whereas an amateur model does not. The dictionary definition of the word “professional” would agree with that statement. But I contest to say there is more that goes into...
The things you are NOT supposed to do
You are NOT supposed to have a job that you love and look forward to everyday. Instead, your job is just your job, and you leave it at 5 o’clock everyday to get on with the rest of your life. In fact, you really should feel lucky you even have a job. You are NOT...
Where are you going?
Recently, I was having a conversation with internationally published fitness model Kim Dolan Leto when she mused at when she was in high school she was a goth. You know; black clothes, black nail polish… the works. For anyone that knows or as seen her today, it is a...
Do those around you support you in your passions?
I was recently having a conversation with a friend and colleague who had decided to dedicate themselves to pursuing their passions within the health and fitness industry. I was ecstatic to hear about their willingness to take a risk and dive into something they truly...