Photographers: do you need a specialty?

April 12, 2012

I photograph…

weddings

newborns

maternity

seniors

funerals

products

commercial

pets

bar mitzvah

divorces

sports

models

famous people

not famous people

AND I CAN WALK ON WATER!

So many photographers out there are do-it-allers. Jack of all genres, master of none. And while this looks good on the surface, I personally think it’s a red alarm.

Now, I’m sure there’s someone out there {maybe they’re reading this} who is literally the most kick-ass photographer in the universe who loves and conquers every single genre well. There’s got to be at least one person like that. But my guess is it’s not you. Sorry.

It was a couple years ago that I broke down in a fit of tears and declared that I was throwing in the towel. Because I hated photographing families {I love it now} and other genres of photography which I felt bullied into. I felt like if I couldn’t do everything and do it like a top pro, then I was an utter failure. And as my long time readers know, that was the day that I trashed my best work and it made my business stronger. So yea…I really do recommend that you discover what you love and what you hate and that will help you form your specialties. And don’t feel bad if you hate photographing newborns {that doesn’t make you a monster} or weddings {that doesn’t make you heartless}. Because as Jenika from Psychology for Photographers has said, “We need to photograph what fills our souls, not someone else’s”.

{further reading}

Saying no to Clients who aren’t a good fit

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Isabella | ellaphotography.ca

amen. straight forward and awesome.
http://www.facebook.com/elizadphotos Eliza Daniels

I needed this. I will continue to need it, until I make some kind of choice.
Katie O.

I totally agree. And I’m dealing with this exact sentiment at this very moment.
Trinity photography ni

is specialising knowing your limitations or just doing what you know….?????????lol
Shannon

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I’m in this terrible cycle of doing anything anyone asks me to do just because I don’t want to turn someone down and burn a bridge. I think this is causing me to struggle with finding what I love most. I’ve got 9-10 different types of photography related appointments looking at me from my day planner right now that are schedule for the coming week. None of them really related to one another, anything from a newborn session to photojournalism for the newspaper to product photography for a guy who makes balloon sculptures (not kidding).
elizabethhalford

You have work! That’s totally AWESOME! Question is…how do you FEEL about what you just described?
John Telger

Guilty as charged…….but in my defense I have only been shooting for profit a little over a year now, and I’m still trying to decide what I like. I think it’s a normal cycle for any of us just starting out. How are you going to know what you like if you don’t try a little bit of everything? I sympathize with Shannon’s comment because I am in the same boat! Great read Elizabeth, even if it hit me square in the gut. ;-)
Lea Hartman

Very good point, of course. I’ve been going through the process of narrowing down what I want to photograph lately. I thought I hated shooting families so I stopped doing it, but then I realized I just hated the way I was doing it. I nixed the “portrait” experience in favor of a more organic lifestyle approach and now I love it!
http://www.wix.com/markclarisse/photographyanddesign mark clarisse

Thanks for posting this Elizabeth. I really enjoy reading all of your posts. As a beginner I truly value your words of wisdom and the way you personalize them. Thankyou
Ili N

Even though I ‘specialize’ in family and children’s photography I do also love doing other types of photography! E-sessions, product photography some commercial work, events, headshots and even the occasional small wedding. For me it provides a challenge and I do really enjoy it! So I believe you should do what you love. If you love only doing children go for it! If you love a bit of variety then that’s ok as well. :)
Apelila

This was a much needed eye opener as a newbie in the business aspect of photography. Thank you :)
Jackii McGinnis

i love this! i get yelled at all the time because i really do not enjoy wedding photography, i want squishy newborns that will pee and poop on me!
Fiona McGuire

Thank you so much for that! :)
http://www.elenbaasphotography.com/ Elenbaasphotography

Just starting out I can totally see this. There are shoots I’m really excited for and ones that just stress me out. Thank you for summing everything up and giving me something to think about.
Erin Skinner

Thank you for this. I had a breakdown this past year on this whole thing and have taken my business in the direction I want to go in… not the direction of the most money or the most convenience. It’s been a challenge, but it is 100% worth it, as the things I used to hate doing, I no longer do. And I have fun daily.
Jocelyn

I work best and most creative with natural light (and a reflector, white,); my husband does great animal, commercial/industrial/events. I like children, babies, and teens. Will not be lead on wedding, do not mind being second camera though. Need to work it all out.
Mama Monkey

How do you handle people who want you to photograph areas outside your specialty? I don’t want to offend people who want to hire me, but it’s getting a bit frustrating… I want to specialize in newborn photography and eventually birth photography. But now people are calling me to do their family photos and events (birthday parties). It’s fun and all, but my work is best when I’m photographing newborns!!! Any suggestions? I hate to turn potential future clients down, but at the same time I don’t want to be disappointed in the work I produce, even if the client loves the images.
Fury

I love photographing children at play, from the age they can sit up till well into school age…and parties/events…probably ver similar energy and interaction style in both of these scenarios. And I excel at photographying children at play…and events. I am just really dipping my toes in the waters of “professional photography” and have already noticed how much I want to quit if I do a newborn shoot. or maternity. and these things tend to be part of the package of professional photogs who shoot children at play. So I initially ignored all feelings of aversion to maternity and newborn sessions. I don’t ignore those feelings anymore. I know that for me, if I do a newborn or maternity session, I don’t like photography. I want to quit before I’ve even really begun. If I photograph childen playing, I’m in love with photography, in love with the world. I shine. brightly. I would imagine that the most important part of being sucessful in this buisness if loving what you do. Not only do people feel that energy, but it’s reflected in my work. I’m a better photographer and a better person when I’m doing what I love. Anyhow, thanks for affirming my intuitions with this post. :)