The Importance of Choosing the Right Professional Photographer/Creative Professional
The goal of this article is to provide the Universal Whys and Hows, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for yourself.
Let's delve into the current state of the photography landscape to understand why these whys and hows matter.
In the current landscape of photography, we often encounter a sea of mimicry and marketing, where words flow beautifully yet lack substance. The industry is saturated with individuals who preach authenticity, connection, and realness, yet as individuals, they seldom embody these ideals. This disconnect begs the question: How can one truly capture others' without a deep, introspective connection with oneself? How can authenticity be claimed by those who avoid their reflection and truth?
Selecting the right creative professional in any context goes beyond aesthetics, it's fundamentally about their self-awareness and integrity. If a creator isn't truthful to themselves, how can their work embody anything real? Currently "connection" and "storytelling" are fashionable, yet this trend often leads to superficial " savior projects" or the fetishization of trauma or skin color by those who lack a deep understanding of themselves, ultimately ensnaring the subjects they photograph in these contrived and projected narratives. To illustrate this disconnect, consider two telling examples.
For instance, consider the comedy 'Malibu's Most Wanted'—a person from Malibu, obsessively adopting street culture—illustrating a cultural disconnect when one doesn't embody the reality they seek to represent. Similarly reflective of this cultural and personal disconnect is an incident involving Kanye. A professional photographer once provoked Kanye West by suggesting he pose like Elvis during a photo shoot (even showing him a picture of how to do it). This scenario, given West's well-known identity and artistic sensibility, either illustrates a blatant misunderstanding or an intentional slight by the photographer and overall creative team.
These scenarios underline the necessity of choosing a creative professional whose work is grounded in a genuine understanding of what they project. It serves as a reminder that a true professional's self-awareness and approach significantly shape the authenticity and resonance of their creative output.
As these discussions reveal, the integrity and authenticity of a professional are paramount. When a professional is true to themselves, embodying the authenticity they project, that integrity naturally infuses the projects and collaborations they engage in. This congruence between personal authenticity and professional work ensures that every project not only benefits from their technical skills but is also elevated by their genuine insight and creativity, enriching the collaborative outcome with an inherent light and radiance that stems from their core.
