A photographer’s creativity, vision, and tenacity make one succeed while others struggle. And self-assigned projects are the perfect opportunity to develop and hone these qualities. Self-assigned projects also offer photographers the chance to explore and develop their skills in a specialty that they are looking to break into. This is even more relevant in the age of Instagram, which can be as important as a photographer’s portfolio website. Posting images from self-assigned projects can not only show a photographer’s skills but also let their personality shine through.
Table of Contents
Why Do Self-Assigned Projects?Finding a Self-Assigned Project IdeaMake the Most of Self-Assigned Projects
Why Do Self-Assigned Projects?
No matter where you are on the career ladder, making time for self-assigned projects can help advance your career and keep your passion for the medium alive. Marianna Glasser, founder of the acclaimed BEATs agency says, Salt Lake City-based adventure and fashion photographer, Keith Fearnow, agrees. He says, But Keith’s latest self-assigned project also directly led to more work. He says, Similarly, Lewisville, texas-based commercial photographer Jami Clayman uses self-assigned projects to develop her signature style. She says,
Break Into New Fields with Self-Assigned Projects
Self-assigned projects allow you to gain experience and show what you can do. Brooklyn, New York-based portrait photographer Matt Carr, says,
Keep Your Social Media Feed Fresh
Instagram increasingly serves as a portfolio and exhibition space, as well as a place to network, find clients, and sell photos. Self-assigned projects are perfect for reminding clients of your skills and creative vision. Showcasing your self-assigned projects on your social media feeds has many benefits. It offers a near-constant (and unrestricted) stream of content for your feed, helps build trust in your photography skills with potential clients, explores and develops your personal brand, and shows a personal side to your work that many people can connect with.
Expressing Your Passions and Growing as a Photographer
Doing self-assigned projects also helps develop and expand your skills and experience, ultimately making you a better photographer. But most photographers choose this career path because they just love photography. So they find themselves taking photos whenever they can. For example, when the lockdown happened, Matt decided to do a portrait project by art directing shoots via video call.
This is another shot from Matt’s lockdown portrait project, which allowed him to push his creative boundaries as well as develop his photoshop skills.
Raise Awareness About an Issue You’re Passionate About
Marianna also notes that some photographers find great satisfaction in using their photography to make the world a better place.
Finding a Self-Assigned Project Idea
Photographers have the unique privilege that their professional training consists of doing something they feel passionate about. From bringing attention to environmental issues like Cyril Schirmbeck to pursuing creative ideas like Jami who uses self-assigned projects to develop her signature style. Jami says, Her advice?
Study Any Markets You Want to Break Into
Do your research and see what’s new in that area and what other photographers and clients are doing. Try and spot trends and then set your own assignment to create a fresh portfolio. Put yourself in the shoes of a client. What would impress you?
Kindle Your Creativity with Self-Assigned Projects
It’s great if personal project ideas come to you easily, but if not, there are some tried and tested ways to get creative. Often it’s about creating some space, free of disruption, and being observant and open to the world around you. Julia Cameron pioneered the idea of an ‘Artist’s Date’ in her book “The Artist’s Way“. She suggests taking yourself on a creative date once a week. The date should be fun and, most crucially for it to work, you need to do it alone.
Make the Most of Self-Assigned Projects
Many photographers have a section on their website for self-assigned projects, but to make the most of them, you need to go beyond your URL. Marianna says, It is useful to contact different kinds of organizations. From artist agencies to art collectives and galleries. Self-assigned projects might be very frustrating if they don’t get attention right away, but don’t give up. Keep working and trust your instincts that the story deserves to be seen by the world. Make sure that your work is noticed. Whether that be on your website, on your social media, or, if you are a Wonderful Machine member photographer, on our Unpublished page.
Sell to a Publication
Do you think your work might be of interest to a magazine or newspaper supplement? Research publications that feature similar projects. Send a brief pitch, introducing your project and why you think it would work well in a certain section. It’s crucial that you are familiar with the publication and send an email to the relevant editor.
Enter Exhibits
This could be a museum, commercial gallery, or local community center. Seeing your pictures on the wall can be hugely satisfying and may get your work noticed.
Boost Your Social Media Feed
More and more clients look to Instagram to find new talent and book photographers, so posting fresh content will remind existing clients of your work and help you get noticed.
Selling Stock Photography or Prints
If you think your images have broad appeal, you could try and sell your stock to an established photo library, such as Getty or Shutterstock. Or go it alone and try and sell them as stock or prints through platforms such as 500px, Twenty20, or Foap. Self-assigned projects connect photographers with the passion for the medium that made them choose this challenging and exciting career. And to do that can be as easy as to “get out there and start photographing”, which is Matt’s advice.
About the Author
Sonia Klug is an inquisitive writer specializing in writing about digital technology and is fluent in three languages. Other than working as a writer at Wonderful Machine, she also contributes to The Independent and various print magazines. You can learn more about Sonia on her website and connect with her via LinkedIn. This article was originally published here and shared with permission.
