PART5 / PERSISTENCELou took more courses, fitting them in and around a forty-
hour workweek.
Five years after starting his first photo courses he felt fully
committed to becoming a professional photographer. Knowing
he needed more training in the business, he chose to assist, as
he felt it would offer him the biggest opportunity for growth.
New York was the place to continue the quest, so he packed his
gear and moved north.
“I packed up everything and relocated to NYC. I wanted to
assist but nobody would hire me. I made the rounds but I had
no experience and I couldn’t find anyone who was willing to
take a chance. I knew I had to find a way to keep my vision
going and I refused to be a starving artist. I took a night job
at UPS and decided to shoot in the day. I still continue this
schedule.”
Has Lou ever gotten despondent during the long hard
process of trying to kick-start his career?
“I’ve gotten down a few times but I refuse to stop progress-
ing,” he comments. “Even though I have little money to pro-
duce shoots, I still mange to shoot. I can’t afford to pay models,
producers, or support people so I photograph the people
I meet. I find subjects in the street, on trains, in cafés. The city
is my backdrop,” he concludes.
Lou began to receive a few assignments through word of
mouth but felt that he needed feedback on his work before
actively seeking more assignments. He decided to go straight to
buyers for advice: He put an initial book together of the people
he had photographed and began to send it out to photo editors
and agents.
“I wanted to know if I was ready to go after work,” he says.
“The answer I received was no. Everyone who saw my images
said I had talent and that they liked my work, but they all said
I needed to focus more.”
This is a spot where many photographers get stuck, as they
have a hard time with rejection and comments like “not ready
yet, focus your vision more” provide them with the excuse to
stop all activities. Roole, however, was not deterred.
“I’ve spent most of my free time shooting for the last seven
years. It’s left me not much money for a social life and almost
no time for anything else. But this is what I love and I know IChapter 25.qxd 6/25/07 7:24 AM Page 160