view. They have faith in themselves and market them-
selves positively to share that with their potential
customers. They have to have the faith that the right
clients will “get it” and buy from them. It works.Leslie’s words speak to the point that faith is an everyday tool
used in a variety of ways. Others, who may not normally call upon
their faith continually, still rely on it for occasional guidance.
Ken Gehle, an Atlanta-based photographer, considers it a
huge asset.Faith is probably the most important ingredient
that a photographer will need in their career. While it
is not something that I call on everyday, there are times
when I call upon my faith—to guide, to reassure, to
confirm that the choices I am making are the correct
ones. Faith is more than a gut feeling; it is a powerful
energy that I bring from deep within myself that gives
me the power to push forward.Michael Furman, one of the country’s most celebrated pho-
tographers, knows what it’s like to need faith and have none.
A while back he transitioned through a very difficult period
in his life, and he credits his faith in himself as his guiding light.Without faith, there is no hope. Being in a hopeless
state is devastating. Unfortunately, I know from personal
experience. I have never experienced such an awful
feeling. But, that was a lot of years ago, and I don’t
intend to go back to that ugly place. I have learned to
rely on my faith in myself when going through difficult
times. Faith gives me strength. When I am strong, then
I feel I can help others. And when people have faith in
me, that just makes me stronger.Often the experience of trusting yourself, of holding your
faith, as Michael mentioned, does help you to have faith in others.
Being in trust is an important place to be. Often in our business
we work in a team atmosphere where trust needs to be an every-
day component. After all, you need to believe that your assistantsCHAPTER35 / PHOTOGRAPHERS ONFAITHChapter 35.qxd 6/27/07 9:07 PM Page 213