About 25 years ago I figured that by the time I was 60, I would be...well, not famous I suppose, but at least making a living from photography. Forward about 30 years and it's safe to say that neither has occurred.
My friend and former museum director Peter Nguyen told me that I have at least two significant challenges. One is self-promotion. Years ago I had naively decided that if I were a good enough photographer, people would beat a path to my door. Another challenge is that I don't have a recognizable style. This is actually an interesting observation. But how many times have we been surprised to learn that a painter that was famous for one style was actually amazingly talented at almost everything? Peter told me that to be a successful 'artist' I would likely have to narrow my photography to a single recognizable and unique style. In other words, when someone were to walk into a gallery they could say "Hey, that's one of Brian's pictures!" without looking at the label. Instead of being 'a little Galen Rowell, a little Ansel Adams....'
I guess I'm not sure if I'll ever be a famous and successful photographer. I know 3 or 4 working photographers, but they also do photo tours, write books and teach classes. But with a web page..and occasional shows...at least I'm finally doing a tiny bit of 'self-promotion,' as Peter put it. The style thing is more difficult, since I like all sorts of photography. (Although I'm not sure I'd have the patience to do commercial wedding/portrait photography.) I sell a few prints here and there, but there has been no discernible trend to point me in any one direction. As I get older I lean more and more to classic black and white landscapes, perhaps as a reaction to the 'all sliders to the right'
digital style that is popular now. But in the meantime I'll probably keep doing a little of this, a little of that....
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