Show your money maker!

Every visual artist with a portfolio has one piece that makes up a client’s mind as to whether or not to book them.

Their entire portfolio may be exceptional…but there will always be that one image, clip, or layout that strikes a cord with the audience.

But how do you know which pieces are “the ones”?
I can tell you that from experience… my most “successful” images have been the ones that I did because I felt them. I felt so strongly about the images, either while shooting or editing, that I just knew that I had made something I was proud of.

My portfolio is a collection of images that I like. Of course I’m careful about what I show, but ultimately if I don’t like it, I’m not going to show it.
But am I limiting my potential work?
Maybe…
However…what I’m showing is me.

I can spend hours shooting, editing, and retouching images, in hopes that a particular client or magazine will love them and want use them.
But what if they don’t?
If it wasn’t something I had my heart in…what is the value of that work now that no one else likes?

I used to worry about shooting for other people…I loved hearing feedback (still do), but that’s what I was shooting for…Validation.
At the end of the day when the ticker tape parade stopped, and the excitement over the latest greatest shoot was over… I was still stuck with images I didn’t truly think represented me as a photographer or as an artist.

The point is…we can tweek our ideas, concepts, and art towards clients…but ultimately the client hires an artist for their unique perspective. I doubt most clients want some cookie cutter remake of something they’ve done before.

Produce work for you… and FIND the clients that want your work.

Of course bills and rent don’t always allow for this mentality…but at the end of the day, when it’s time to be creative and have fun doing what you love…

Why do it for someone other than yourself?