Yes I finally sat down to try & figure out exactly how long Ive been shooting. I think after 15 years of shooting, my artwork has started to evolve to where I think it can sell more prints consistently. 10 years ago I was just another “photographer” who believed in my peer's hype & to a certain point, with a small chip on my shoulder. I was still learning who I was as an artist, I was definitely not ready for it & not even sure if I’m ready for it now?! I’ve learned a lot since I started. And through my journey, I've taken a liking to pass on & to teach/share this acquired knowledge doing workshops.
Today I see photography friends & acquaintance who have been shooting for 1-5 years & see the same struggle I went through 15 years ago. Most of them never ask for guidance but those who do I try my best to steer them into the right direction, but sometimes it's best for them to "figure it out" on their own, I believe it'll stick & mean more if they do that. I believe that failure is a learning process of how we become stronger & better at our craft. I still make a ton of mistakes, hopefully, I'll learn from it.
I'm not saying that I'll sell more prints, just because I "think" I'm ready, I may fall & face plant this whole idea of selling more prints, but I have to try. For myself I'd say in the past 3 years I've finally realized that I shoot for myself & my artistic vision, no one else & that's what makes me so very happy! There was a point in my journey that I did shoot for the money & that made me frustrated & angry that I didn't get any keeper shots. It was a very unhappy time & I did finally realize that after about 2 years of looking at the $$$ & not the artistic concept of what I was seeing, that I needed to stop & see the whole picture for my wellbeing.
How am I going to sell more? A friend of mine gave me a lead that I’m going to explore & I’d rather not elaborate. I know for sure that craft fairs aren't for me & my type of art. Not to say that craft fairs aren't good, in my experience, craft fairs are not really for selling artwork, especially high end priced artwork. However, it is an excellent format for making people contacts, the 1st step to a sale outside of the craft fair & remember that the craft fair is how you made that 1st contact. I think a lot of people misunderstands how this works. If nothing comes from this lead, I'm still good with where I am today & have no regrets.
Aloha a hui hou my friends!
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