Australia's Top Emerging Photographers Awards 2012

Like many photographers, I love taking photos, but I am really crap at selling myself. Makes it really hard to get work when all I want to say is, "Just leave me the fuck alone!"

But professional photography is not just about taking photographs, the business aspects are crucial in order to succeed... It's probably more important than having a talent for photography, after all let's face it, there are a lot of really average shooters who run very successful photography businesses. Developing your 'brand', finding clients and keeping them happy etc etc etc... that's what being a professional photographer is largely about. There's already been a shitload written about all this stuff and we've got very worthwhile associations like the  AIPP and the ACMP to support and nurture professional and emerging professional photographers. So, I'll leave all that stuff for them and another time. 

Like many photographers, when I graduated (and despite the best intentions of the lecturers at TAFE) I still had no idea about how to establish myself. And, if the truth be told, more than a decade later, I am still blundering my way through. One of the things that I have learnt though is the importance of reputation and branding as part of the whole business of self promotion. OK, so once again it's a case of not practicing what I preach... just look at the dogs breakfast that is my website, this blog and my facebook page... All over the place like a mad woman's shit... only thing that seems to be consistent is that I may well be insane, but trust me... developing a 'name' is important in this industry. 

Awards and recognition for your work are definitely useful in developing that 'name' and extremely useful as part of the photographers marketing strategy. It's why some professional photographers cream their pants at the thought of doing well at the APPA's or the Walkley's and others get excited by significant competitions such as the Head On and Moran prizes. Professional and peer recognition can attract clients and create opportunities in all sorts of ways. 

That's not to say you should enter every competition under the sun, it's important to understand who you are pitching at and where you want to go. And of course, there are too many competitions that are just a thinly veiled attempt by the organisers to obtain / develop an image library without having to pay for the images... and at the same time appear to be engaging in some sort of 'community' interaction. The key is to read the Terms & Conditions, particularly regarding copyright, the rights being licensed by entering and what they can or will do with your pix. The ACMP put out a really good set of competition guidelines which you should refer to when considering entering any competition.

Ok, so what's the point of all this ramble?  Yaffa Publishing who put out Capture magazine, the only really worthwhile Australian photography magazine for professionals IMO, are taking entries for their  Australia's Top Emerging Photographers Awards 2012.

Entry is free and entrants must be aged 35 years or less at January 1, 2012, and have less than four years experience working as a professional photographer. From their blurb "The awards aim to encourage and identify up and coming image-makers and promote them in the early stages of their photographic careers.

• ADVERTISING
• ARCHITECTURE
• EDITORIAL & FASHION
• LANDSCAPE
• DOCUMENTARY & PHOTOJOURNALISM
• PORTRAIT
• SPORT
• WEDDING

There are eight categories in the program. Entries will be assessed by staff of the photographic magazines at Yaffa Publishing, who will develop shortlists for judging. These will be judged by a panel of leading professional photographers who will select a winner in each category, plus an overall winner who will be named Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2012."

Eligible and interested? Go to http://www.australianphotography.com/emerging for more information and to download the application form. 

For an emerging photographer, it's definitely something worth entering.

Those bloody gnomes are back again! © Julian Tennant

And this blogs pic? Well it's got nothing to do with any of this stuff... but if I wasn't up here in Timor sweating my arse off... I'd be relaxing by the pool, beer in hand too. Cowabunga!

Christmas books for the photographer

WTF? You say. Jules promoting crass Christmas consumerism? Nah... you know what I think... Nothing but a slick marketing ploy celebrating a fairy tale that makes us feel guilty unless we buy shit that won't be appreciated for people we may not even like. 

But now that I have your attention...

There are a couple of books that I think no serious amateur or professional photographer in Australia should be without and if you're thinking of gift ideas for yourself or others consider these. 

The Better Business Bible 2.0 is published by the Australian Commercial and Media Photographers (ACMP) which represents Australian professional photographers working in the commercial and editorial sectors. Less well known that the AIPP, who (in Western Australia anyway) appear to be more focused on the wedding and 'domestic' photography market sector, the ACMP is committed to developing and promoting best business practice for commercial photographers. 

This second edition of the Better Business Bible was released in late 2010 and includes invaluable Australian focused content relating to copyright, quoting & negotiating with clients, licensing, model & property releases, digital guidelines, marketing for photographers and much more. If you're a professional or even a serious amateur who does the occasional photography job then you need this book! It may not look very glamorous and there's not a single photograph to be seen, but the $75 (or free for ACMP members and $55 for students or assistants) is a very worthwhile investment. The book is only available from the ACMP website www.acmp.com.au

Photographers: Copyright & Moral Rights (B120v01e) produced by the Australian Copyright Council and costing a mere Au$30. I've just checked the Copyright Council website and it looks like this is now only available as a downloadable e-book in pdf format, which is why it is now only $30 I guess, but trust me, this is an invaluable addition to your reference library. 

There are a lot of myths and assumptions about image copyright both on the part of photographers and clients. Some of it is wishful thinking, some confusing foreign Intellectual Property  laws with the legal situation here in Australia. This booklet clears up the confusion, it provides an overview of Australian copyright law, how it applies to photographs and photographers, legislated exceptions, how to protect yourself and deal with infringements, the Moral Rights suite of legislation, contracts etc. Thirty bucks that can save you a shitload of cash and potential heartache in the future. Use the link above or go to their website www.copyright.org.au

 

OK, so that's it for now... don't get too silly during the 'silly season' and until next time, I wish you a future of peace and good fucking!

Jules