We were lucky to catch up with Andrew Fisher recently and have shared our conversation below.
Andrew, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Regardless of your background, or what it is you create as an artist, there’s always a sense of fear when it comes to putting yourself out there for the world to see. There’s always someone doing things differently, or better – at least in your mind – than you. I find that showing off your work for others to see is a necessary part of the journey, though, because that’s where the positive affirmation comes from. You may find that some don’t care as much as others, but you will always find people who care about your work and have kind things to say.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Howdy, I’m a professional photographer and active duty military member from Texas. As a member of the US Air Force, I’ve had the fortune of traveling around quite a bit. While I don’t actually take photos for the Air Force, my job definitely feeds the travel bug, and gets me out with my camera often. I’ve been able to visit Japan, Germany and many other European Countries thanks to my job. I consider myself a part-time-professional because I simply cannot be as active as a full time photographer.
I work a lot with tourism bureaus, state travel companies and clothing companies. I absolutely love this, because it gives me a certain level of involvement in the places I visit, that I don’t know I’d have otherwise. It also allows for me to visit and take photos first, then work a deal afterwards if I don’t have time to set anything up beforehand. I do work on assignment as well, but am picky about the opportunities I take because I don’t want to live entirely behind the camera.
As a creative type, it’s difficult to dedicate so much time away from your art and business, but having a stable job has allowed me to build my photography brand at my own pace, and make the decisions that are best for me. This method of business growth might not be for everyone but I have grown to love the freedom.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three items I’d recommend a photography newcomer to focus on are:
1: Understanding your camera settings and developing a unique style
Cameras these days are capable of so much, and I find that most people do not take advantage of their camera system’s features. I’m guilty of this too! Learn your entry level camera through and through before assuming you need to buy a budget busting camera! Focus on the light, the colors, the contrast, the story…..not the megapixels, battery grips, and trendy Youtube videos that make you think you need the latest and greatest camera!
2. Focus on the business and organizational side of things – start cataloging images by location, date and keywords.
Take some photos at your local coffee shop? Snap some pics of a beautiful sunset? Well, you’ll probably do those things again… so be specific with your photo titles and folders! I’d recommend including business names, park names, dates, subject description etc. Good organizational methods will save you time in the long run. Also, at a minimum, use a spreadsheet or online record to keep track of any income being made. I’d recommend keeping track of any expenses too. Be cognizant of how much you charge and how much others charge if possible. The business of art/photography varies widely between industries, so take in as much as you can, when you can.
3. Practice your people skills and social media/internet skills equally!
Nearly everything is online these days. Unfortunately, social media know-how is another beneficial (Maybe even necessary?) skill to have. I’m someone who tries to keep up with Social Media but also finds frustration in the always-changing algorithm. My recommendation is… Be comfortable creating reels, and post some quality “content” (I hate that word with a passion), but also be comfortable walking into an establishment with a smile and having a quality conversation with those that work there. Grow connections, meet people, develop clients in person, and live life. No algorithm will change the power of a smile! :’)
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My wife, my parents, my peers.. it’s as easy as that!
All of my decisions affect my wife and vice versa, but even if that wasn’t the case we’d still be helping each other out. My wife has a business of her own, and is an incredibly hard working individual. We bounce ideas off of each other all the time, and have the luxury of being totally honest with each other. She is always willing to help, whether it’s business advice, or being my model, and I couldn’t do it without her!
Both of my parents are artists, and have been since before I was born! They understand the hustle required, and the difficulties faced when running a business of this type. I lean on them heavily for visual advice and creative ideas. I respect their work endlessly, and can always count on their constructive criticism.
My friends are probably tired of all my questions haha… but how else am I going to learn!? I think that artists and creative types can learn best by engaging in conversation with their peers. It can be uncomfortable to talk about sometimes, but I think that it’s incredibly useful for growth! Find someone you trust and talk about pricing, clients, contracts, usage rights, and all those details.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arfisherphotography.com
- Instagram: AndrewFisher7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-fisher-599a74177/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7TCfrFIbanfi0D21vW6S9Q/videos
Image Credits
All photos by me
