30 Lessons for Photographers

Here are 30 lessons I'm learning as a photographer and visual artist.

I write these in the first person because primarily this is a list for me, not about some other theoretical photographer somewhere. In no particular order:

1. set goals and track my achievement of those goals, revising along the way
2. learn and adapt on a daily basis
3. at times move beyond on my "tried and true" or default techniques (lighting, composition, gear, framing, angles, whatever.)
4. always get the shot and deliver the results
5. learn from mistakes and failures (mine and others)
6. don't repeat the same mistakes or failures ("ya don't get fooled again" - W)
7. don't look too much at the photography of others (if I end up largely trying to imitate it, or thinking it's already been done)
8. don't look too little at the photography of others (if I miss learning from others' inspiration, successes, failures; how good images could be better, or what makes them great)
9. review my work from last week, month, year, and 10+ years back, to see how I've improved and where I need to improve or get out of a dumb rut
10. never become complacent (a healthy discontent is much better, it leaves room for striving & moving somewhere)
11. push myself regularly to tackle projects I'm not sure I can accomplish, or things I haven't done before
12. dispel the notion that new gear will help me make better images than I can make with the gear I already have
13. keep my promises, such as when I'll process and deliver images & prints
14. deliver results, instead of making excuses (to myself or a client)
    
15. don't wait for the best work to come to me rather than setting a strategy, going out to get it, making it happen
16. don't be a well kept secret - not doing a half decent job at marketing
17. don't be a self-absorbed self-promoter or spam my social networks (which I really don't, just something I want to remain sensitive about)
    
18. move toward work I'm passionate about, rather than relying on work that I don't care so much about
19. don't repeat "I hope some day to do more of such and such" rather than just doing it
20. pay less attention to the latest buzzwords, jargon, fads or hype (examples might be HDR, Lensbaby, etc.) than to the consistent quality of the images I make
21. make photographs, more than reading about / discussing photography
    
22. don't play it safe, avoiding risks; be a little reckless now and then
23. take a break from photography now and then to enjoy the finer things in life (yes, there are)
24. present my work in a way that elevates it, puts it in its best light; not too casually as can be my tendency
    
25. don't take myself too seriously at any time
26. take advantage of opportunities to elevate and encourage the work of others - accomplished pros and amateur photographers alike
27. pursue my best ideas even if I might not know how to get paid for them
28. shoot it Now, or This Week; don't say "I'll shoot that sometime"
29. always notice the light, how it behaves, and how beautiful it makes everything
30. don't be so preoccupied with chasing my own concept of vision or inspiration that I don't let wonderful images knock down my door, come and find ME out of the blue

What did I miss? Please comment, add to the list.

All of that said, I'm sorry to admit I fall short of many of these lessons all the time, that's part of my own failure and recovery and striving to be better, more professional, innovative, adaptive, and versatile as a photographer. There's always room for improvement.

Photography will never be boring unless I work myself into a deep nasty lazy rut and stay there.

To some, this list might make photography seem like a big burden, and I could see how it might feel that way. For those who simply enjoy photography as a wonderful, casual, creative hobby, much of this list is not necessarily for you and that's OK. This is more for those who make a significant portion of their living as (and/or desire to improve as) serious visual artists over the long haul. To do so requires discipline and intentionality.

And more on this soon, but I love having an iPhone with me and making simple, creative images with it daily. It's suitable for work, and for play, and repeatedly helps me lean into some of these lessons.