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 one moment that it all changed
Please see my postscript note at the bottom of this article. About 10 years ago my only viable (or sensible) career aspiration was that of a journalist. I began upon that track in high school and found myself at the age of 19 working for a newspaper as a reporter for...
Why hobbies can be evil
Sorry you didn’t get a good workout in. I’m not really a personal trainer… it is just a hobby of mine. Sorry I dropped the ball on the photo shoot. I’m not really a model… it is just a hobby of mine. Sorry your website looks like crap. I’m not really a web designer…...
The role of motivation in your professional journey
I am very excited to announce that the first episode of The Pro Exposure podcast is now live! The topic centers on motivation. What drives you to accomplish something challenging? What do you use to overcome obstacles in your way? How do you push forward when things...
FMI Los Angeles 2011 Day 1 Lessons Learned
From the first day at FMI Los Angeles, some of the lessons learned we can share with you... 1) Prior to attending any conference, put some thought into what you hope to get out of the event. Who is attending, what sessions would be most valuable, what results would...
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...