Matt Powell Humanitarian Photography :: Blog

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything to the “questions answered category.” But I recently responded to an email that I thought I would post here. Perhaps it will help someone else who is wondering similar stuff.  Of course these aren’t new questions, but my perspective IS always developing….

I just wanted to ask you if you had any advice for a young photographer attempting to head down your path.

It’s really hard to give advice because everyone’s path is so different.  But I’ll give it a try…The closest thing I can compare it to is being an entrepreneur. Because there are so few “jobs” out there in this line of work, each person has to create their own plan and model that works for them.  (I think it’s fair to say that I got really lucky, although I don’t technically believe in “luck”.)  With that said, the only way to really get started is to get out there & begin building a body of work.  That could take many different forms- like volunteering as a photographer with an aid or missions agency or finding a paid position doing other relief & development jobs in order to pursue photography in your spare time.  But in most cases you must have the work to show before anyone will pay you to do photography for them.  You can also start locally with non-profits in your community/region.

From everything I have seen in the photo world a degree does not necessarily help.  But it certainly can’t hurt- (unless you’d rather be living/shooting in Africa at the time).  But generally speaking I think it’s your business skills that will carry you- in addition to your photo skills.   If you want to teach or you want to be in management at an organization eventually, then a degree will be important- but as far as just getting started as a photographer I think your shooting experience and your portfolio is what it comes down to.  In other words- just jump in.

On the other hand, I’m 33 now- I’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years and I’m considering going back to school for a masters in photo or video- just becasue I eventually I want to have a different lifestyle then I currently have- particularly for the sake of my children.  I may want to teach in a university or find a job in photography management, and I think a higher degree will help me achieve that.  Of course I will always continue shooting….

I commend anyone who wants to do this- it’s a good thing to devote your life to- just know that it won’t be easy- especially if raising a family is also a priority.

peace

-Matt

I want to notify my visitors about a new blog on humanitarian photography started by Heber Vega. Heber is a humanitarian aid worker, photographer (and now blogger) based in Northern Iraq.  He kicked things off with an interesting series called 10.Q, which will consist of 10 interview questions posed to a different photog each week.  It seems to have already galvanized a lively community of readers.

Here’s my 10.Q interview.   Check it out and bring your comments/questions.  And check out Heber, better yet, add him to your blog roll.

Here’s my answers to some interview questions I was recently asked for a friend’s project on social networking and it’s effect on the creative professional.

For professional purposes I use Twitter and I do some blogging. I use Vimeo to post & share my production work.  I’m also an avid RSS reader.  I only use Facebook for personal purposes.  (I’ve got to have fun somehow!)  However,  at one point I did use Facebook advertising for a local publication that I helped to start up-  in the short time that we used it, it drove more traffic to our website than any other source- it was a highly effective form of advertising our publication’s website.

I think Twitter can be a great way to stay connected to clients & keep your brand in front of them.  Of course that’s only if your “clients” are following you.  But regardless, whatever new work you are involved with- you can instantly broadcast that to your community of followers.  And I’ve found that good tweets spread virally- making it an effective way to extend your network & get your work viewed.   Most importantly for me it’s a great tool for building a social network of like-minded people and for staying involved in the life & work of other creatives who inspire me.

Humanitarian photography is my true passion - perhaps more a labor of love than a “business” at this point.  And I use my blog primarily to communicate to other photographers and individuals interested in humanitarian work- rather than for communicating with “clients”.   I expect this to change as my career & goals evolve, but as of now my blog is just as important as my portfolio, maybe more so.  Of course I want my portfolio to be seen, but perhaps more importantly I want to communicate my creative process and what I’m thinking and experiencing- as well as show my new work from each assignment.
My wedding photography blog is simply a way to post recent work- I personally like the blog format better than a portfolio gallery, so I tend to update it more often.  But weddings are very part-time for me, I’m far from an expert on that.

I’d have to say blogging, then I’d say Twitter.  For my video work- Vimeo is an absolute must.

Definitely.  It cannot replace local communities, but it means that I, living in a very small town, can at least have some communication with other like-minded creatives- as opposed to having almost none.  Basically everyone I’m connected to on Twitter are people whom I never would have connected with in any other way.  It’s a professional tool for me.

It’s just one more thing that ties us to our computers- or our iPhones- but it’s just a trade off from the traditional marketing techniques of the past.  It’s still marketing- it’s just happens more (& differently) now.

As for my humanitarian photography, my strategy is first to invest the proper time and money needed to develop a good quality website that will do adequate justice to my body of work. Then I also invest the time needed to maintain a blog at least semi-regularly.  I take the time to consider the goals and readership of my blog and try to generate appropriate content.  I’ve done some writing & public speaking too.   I think it helps to do something in addition to photography to set yourself apart- whether that’s design, filmmaking or writing.  It also helps that I am part of a relatively small niche of photographers to start with.  It’s a pretty small pond in other words, which should point to the importance of defining your style & your market.

8. What future do you see in social networking?

It is the future of communication.  I think all electronic communication is going this direction.

For further reading, here’s a few articles I’ve come across lately on the topic:

The Stockland Martel Blog

The Travel Photographer

Problogger.com

In response to the frequent question: ” Tell me how you got started?”  I’ve stepped out on a ledge & written “My Story“- a more in-depth look at how I got started in humanitarian photography.  You can read it here.

I receive many emails with questions from emerging photographers who want to know more about my work.   I love these emails because they give me the chance to reflect & write about what I do- while hopefully helping someone else in the process.  So, I’m starting a new category here on my blog called “questions answered”.  Feel free to send your own.  Here’s the first entry…..

What has been your favorite place or event to photograph?

That’s a tough one, because I’ve visited a lot of interesting places.  But I might have to say that Timbuktu, in Mali, was one of my favorite destination assignments.  Perhaps mostly because of the mystique of traveling to such a “remote” location.  But also because it was my first visit to North/West Africa, and I definitely had the Africa bug. (Still do!)  I also enjoy a good journey as much as the destination, and getting there was definitely an adventure for me.

Why did you become a photographer?

I became a photographer because it was what I had always dreamed of doing.  Now I can’t imagine doing much else.  I am someone who believes strongly in pursuing what you love.  As a kid I was obsessed with documenting my experiences. And constantly shooting pictures of friends and family.  But I was also inspired by my father’s National Geographic magazines, and the thought of traveling to remote corners of the world as a photographer became my dream.  (Isn’t it everyone’s?)  So when it finally came time to decide what I had to do for living, photography was IT.  Exactly how IT was going to happen, I didn’t have a clue.  As for the realities of how it actually came about for me on a professional level, that was a combination of much preparation + perfect timing.  In other words, diligently perusing the type of photography that I was interested in & developing a portfolio from that,  and then being in the right place at the right time when the right work opportunities presented themselves.

Here’s 2 questions I’m often asked:

• How did you get started?
• How can I do what you do?

And to make a long story short- I knew what I really wanted to do, but I kind of fell into this job.  Of course I prefer to see it as a divine plan of the creator of the universe…nevertheless, my experience was not ordinary.   Just keep in mind that the following perspective is limited to my own set of experiences, but I have observed a lot along the way, so here goes…

I don’t think there is an “ordinary” path for this type of work, simply because there are so few entities who employ photographers to do it.  Granted that really needs to change, but it points to some very important realities for anyone wanting to pursue this type of photography:

• It must come from your heart.
• You must feel a calling to do it.
• Success requires extreme sacrifice and personal dedication.

But isn’t that at the center of all great art?  Yes, it must be born from the artists’ true vision, & often through much blood, sweat & tears.  You do this work because you CANNOT do anything else- you were born for it.  It is in your veins.  And you cannot succeed if you are limited to waiting for someone else to pay you to do it.  At least not at first.  If you are just starting out, you must get yourself out to where the stories are that you are dying to tell & cover them in your own creative fashion.  Once you have developed a unique body of work, you must network.  Talk with organizations who’s goals might resonate with your artistic vision.  Find whoever it may be that values your work and inspire them with it!  Who knows what could happen.

Your success depends on the following:

1) your creative ability
2) your networking ability
3) your personal vision & motivation

For more on the topic follow these links:

• Workshops International-  A workshop for those wanting to do NGO photography.
• RESOLVE-  A series of blog posts about collaborating with NGO’s.
• Edward Burtynsky & Phil Borges-  2 great artists with true vision.

It is exactly the subjects covered in this post that I hope to start addressing here regularly.  Feel free to offer comments or questions.