By Edward Cruz
Prior to looking through the viewfinder of a camera, a photographer
needs to make a few decisions on what they are shooting. For instance, what is
the purpose of the photograph? Is it to evoke an emotion, share a scene, or
focus on a specific subject of interest? When preparing for an event shoot, other
items that need to be considered include the client’s needs, the venue layout,
and inventory of equipment needed to capture the event. As an aspiring
photographer and a full-time career advisor, I have observed many similarities between
shooting an event and gearing up for a job search. Let me explain.
One of the most common emotions many photographers face when starting
out is their worth. Many times, the question that has run through my own mind is, Is my work up to par? or Is my equipment good enough to start out as a
‘professional photographer’? Well, in many cases we soon realize the equipment
only enhances what we already have within. Having an eye for pictures is a
tough skill to teach, many times a person either has it or they don’t. Learning
the technical aspects of photography can assist someone in taking the camera
off the auto mode. However, after that is accomplished, the creativity or skill
required to take a great picture is not found in the equipment used. It is
found within the person behind the lens. It comes from an interest, a passion,
a curiosity to see the world differently and to express that view through the
pictures taken.
As a job seeker, the common themes are similar. The questions that are
raised include:
Is my resume good enough?
Are my skills top-notch?
Do I have enough experience to be marketable?
Before attending an event shoot, there are a few steps that
photographers must take to ensure a quality product and experience for the
client. In a similar fashion, a job seeker, recent graduate or not, should take
similar steps to ensure a successful transition or career search. First,
conduct an inventory of equipment; secondly, meet with the client; thirdly,
conduct a walkthrough of the venue.
Inventory of Equipment
Prior to working an event, a photographer must conduct an inventory of
their equipment and be aware of the type of event. One must understand the
layout, the event schedule, the subject, and the purpose of the event to
capture the best pictures possible. As such, a job seeker should take time out
to conduct an inventory of their own equipment or skills that make them unique
and standout from the crowd. Just as photographers need to analyze their own
work, interests, and the passion that fuels their creativity, a job seeker must
determine where their interests lie, what fuels their passion, and provides
them with meaning. Unfortunately, there is not a standard response that encompasses
every person. Therefore, one of the first things necessary for any job seeker
is to understand who they are, what have they accomplished, and what they
enjoy. I provided a few questions that can assist in this first step.
- What are my interests; what am I passionate about?
- What interests you
most in life?
- Favorite hobbies
- A Particular subject
matter
- Lights fire within
- Gives
meaning/satisfaction
- What are my values?
- Non-negotiable (regardless
of pay, location, job title, etc.)
- Family
traditions/background and upbringing
- What skills/strengths would I most like to use?
- Skills you find
yourself using over and over again – they may reveal what you do well and enjoy
doing
- Recall an
accomplishment and determine the skills used during the achievement
- When possible, do not
forget to quantify your results
As mentioned previously, event photographers need to answer a few
questions prior to an event. However, some of these questions cannot be
answered on their own. Therefore the next step can be extremely important if a
photographer is to be successful at their next event. Remember, there is not a cookie
cutter way to conduct a job search and there is not a set way to shoot every
event. This brings us to our next step, meet with the client.
Meet with Client
It is extremely important for a photographer to conduct a meeting or
multiple meetings, if necessary, with their client to fully understand what the
client’s needs are, what they expect, and what they would like to be captured
within the photos taken. For example, when shooting weddings, the details of
the day are important like the decorations used, the bridal party’s dresses and
tuxedos, the rings, and most importantly the bride’s dress. Other items to
consider would be the family and friends in attendance. Knowing which people are
important to the bride and groom to include in photos can ensure they receive a
product they’ll be happy with. When a client is happy, through word of mouth, a
photographer receives more business and clients, and the cycle continues. This
step is a major piece that some individuals do not consider or tend to
overlook. The importance of understanding what you are trying to accomplish at
an event that is being photographed or conducting a job search is extremely
important. Before we can get to the end result, we have to remember without a
roadmap it could be difficult to go from point A to point B. It is vital to
prepare and to network to ensure success.
Like a photographer, a job seeker should be using meetings, specifically
informational interview meetings, to make a great first impression on a person
who has the ability to hire them or refer them on to another client. When setting
up an informational interview, be prepared to ask the right questions to get
the information needed to be more prepared and to make a better decision in a
future search. Please be patient with this process, in most cases, the results
will not be instant.
Additionally, remember this is a networking opportunity. So the first
impression is extremely important to continue the relationship past the initial
meeting. The question most commonly asked during my advising meetings is, How
should I prepare for an informational interview meeting or an upcoming
interview? My response, besides becoming more self-aware (discussed in the
previous section), is take the necessary time to research the company (discussed
further in the next section Conduct a Walkthrough); understand its mission/vision
and how it fits in with your own values or outlook on life. Next, learn as much
as possible about the services/products provided or sold, the competitors, and
the organization’s most recent accomplishments and/or shortcomings. As you
determine who you should first reach out to, remember to first utilize your already
established network or connect with fellow ‘Canes through resources such as
LinkedIn. The goal of these meetings is to learn more about the unwritten
stories or experiences of individuals that most likely will not be available
through a company website or other promotional materials.
Here are sample questions you can use on your next informational
interview or in-person networking encounter:
- What are tasks/duties performed during a typical
day/week/month?
- What type of degrees, courses, internships should be
completed to be a competitive candidate upon graduation?
- What are the keywords or buzz terms I should include in
my resume or cover letter when applying in this field?
- What skills/characteristics are important to have or
acquire?
- Who else would you recommend I speak to?
Conduct a Walkthrough of the Venue
Prior to any event or meeting, it is recommended for a photographer to
conduct a walkthrough of the venue to be the most prepared to succeed. Once a
walkthrough is completed the photographer and staff are more familiar with the
lighting and layout prior to arrival on the event date. The walkthrough allows
the photographer to anticipate any possible challenges ahead of time, resulting
in less distractions and more freedom to be creative the day of the event.
It is the responsibility of the job seeker to conduct similar research,
either in the field or online. Today, there are a variety of resources to
assist candidates with their research on an organization, industry, or
position. Students and recent graduates should take advantage of the Toppel
Career Center’s HireACane website by logging
into their account (scroll to the bottom of the page and click the green Go
button). Once you login to HireACane, you will have access to a variety of
online resources paid for by the Toppel Career Center. Take advantage of these
resources to find job postings and to conduct company and industry research. By
utilizing these resources you will be better prepared and have a sharper focus
of what you would like to accomplish within your search. Also, do not forget to
take advantage of a mock interview prior to experiencing the real thing. During
this simulation interview, one of the Toppel advisors will ask you questions
tailored to a specific organization, job or industry of your choice. To
schedule a mock interview, you must first attend an interviewing skills workshop at the Center.
Just like the advantage a photographer gains by preparing ahead of time
for an event shoot or client meeting, a job seeker will gain a similar
advantage through preparation. They will become more confident, relaxed, and
better able to share their experience with another person during an interview
or informational interview meeting. As a result, they will leave a lasting positive
impression on people they meet.
