Faith is indeed a tool that is present in every successful pho-
tography business that I have had the pleasure to witness at
close range, and lack of it has resulted in tragic outcomes.
For that reason I propose that you take your own faith
inventory.
The dictionary definition of faith?
“Belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something
especially without logical proof.”
In my experience as a consultant there are many times
when faith as described here is the only thing that has kept a
client going. In fact, in the midsection of every newly launched
career or marketing plan, faith may indeed be the only constant
present.
At this juncture talent has spent much time, energy, and
money developing their visual product and the tools that will
sell their service to the public. They have invested much time in
putting their message out to the market, but the calls have yet
to come in. The reality is that while in their world they have
spent much time focusing on getting out their vision to buyers,
prospects have not had enough exposure to them or time to
need their services. All the photographer sees is that their
phone is not ringing and the bids are not being requested. This
is historically the time that talent starts to freak, and this is the
time that I suggest you hold your faith close to your being.
For others, a major shift in the market or a life-threatening
situation can appear and demand that faith be nearby. For
many, however, it is simply the day-to-day commitment to one’s
business that begs the need for faith.
“ To be self-employed, working in the creative fields, you
have to be a person of faith,” states photographer Zave Smith.
“ To survive and thrive against the odds, and almost everybody
who works in creativity is working against the odds, you have to
believe in your work and you have to have faith that through
hard work you can achieve your dreams.”
Zave’s point is a good one, for many times during your career
you will need to have the faith that your work will sell, that you
will build a business that can support you and your family. Taking
on the responsibility for starting and then growing a photogra-
phy business requires you to constantly build something that did
not previously exist. What is it that enables someone to buildCHAPTER35 / PHOTOGRAPHERS ONFAITHChapter 35.qxd 6/27/07 9:07 PM Page 211