Dig Deep to Achieve – go to college you snob!
Being an adventurer, and nature, wildlife and commercial outdoor photographer does not take a Harvard education – I’m proof of that. I turned my passion for photography into my life’s work and only source of income without ever taking a single course or class about the subject of business or photography. But, I did put myself though college. There’s no doubt in my mind that an education opens doors and creates options. I would be greatly handicapped if not for my college experiences, and if I had to do it over again, I would have taken some business courses!
Tony Bynum "digging deep" to come up with the images his clients demand. Photo by Tom Opre of Tahoe Films
People should understand that working hard and digging deep is the key to success (a break now and then helps too). I love outdoor photography. I love nature photography. I love to photograph wild animals in their natural habitat. And there are few things that inspire me more than creating images of great places, people and adventures.
Imagine how much effort it really takes to be a successful nature, wildlife and commercial outdoor photographer. It’s not the education that gets you up and out the door at 5 A.M. No one is there to tell you to punch the time clock and there’s no annual review that grants you a cost of living or step increase. As a nature, wildlife and commercial outdoor photographer, you have to take risks and you have do things that other’s either can’t or won’t do.
For me, digging deep is not a choice, it’s just an obsession. I have found success in most things I’ve done because I always try to move forward and take chances. I think photography, good photography is really an orchestra of ignorance, wisdom, education, motivation, experience and drive that play together at various levels throughout our lives. It is up to the individual to direct the energy and organize the emotions and actions.
I encourage anyone who wants to become a photographer to study and go to college. Don’t just study photography, study math, science, geography, biology, resources management, accounting, art, and camping . . . yes, camping! Study furniture making and the art of bending wood. Pay attention to the world around you and move in the direction that moves you.
The truth is, it’s not the college degree that makes the real difference, it’s what you do with what you learn along the way and how you apply it all that makes success possible. The journey and what you do with it is what matters. The learning helps us acquire the skills that enable us to be more productive. Never be afraid to learn and never be afraid to take risks. . . You never know who’s watching . . . Dig deep to achieve.
12 Responses to “Dig Deep to Achieve – go to college you snob!”
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Hey Tony. Great article! Especially like the part where ignorance is inserted as an important part of the orchestra of good photography since sometimes you have to be ignorant to take a certain risk that may lead to an outcome you couldn’t have thought of had you known exactly what to do. Thanks for all your help!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan, thank you taking the time to comment. I’m using the word ignorance in the way we think of innocence in a child, they do and say things that they could never get away with if they were more mature. . . I think we grow out of our creativity due to the pressures and expectations of life. So, ignorance is really the adult word for innocence . . . Nonetheless, being willing to take chances and risk making mistakes is important for growth as a creative person . . . I have to admit, my ignorance is sometimes a blessing. cheers!
My favorite line… “People should understand that working hard and digging deep is the key to success.”
Well said Tony.
Nice Tony awesome and very well said, and I can 100% agree I have always had a passion for video and extreme sports I have being doing it since i was a little kid and I am now 24 and figured I wasn’t that good at it and was time to go back to school and take what i want to do and learn the skill, but nothing comes easy life is straight out hard and sometimes i wonder if its even worth it to try and make something out of doing what you love, when I feel I hit bottom I somehow find my second wind and move forward even though it takes all you can to do it. I was always told Even if you never make it doing what you love atleast you know you gave it 110% No regrets right? because when the time comes and you take your last breathe you want to say man it was one hell of a ride
I agree . . . You wont ever know what could have been if you don’t make it real today. When it’s all said and done, all you have to your name is your name . . . There is one other important aspect of doing what you love and that’s how it impacts the ones you love and the people around you. Taking risks and working on things that matter is a great way to teach children to follow their dreams . . . Thanks for comments!
I totally agree Tony. I’m a believer in a good education but your college degree doesn’t determine your level of success in life. A degree certainly helps but it’s who you are and your attitude that help you succeed. Great post!
Matt, the real point is that college provides opportunities and opens doors, and therefore creates more options for your business growth. Turning leads into customers is critical, getting those leads is the first step. A network is required to generate leads, and an education helps you create a more robust network. There is always room for the exceptions, every profession has them. One shot can make an entire career. Imagine what would happen to a nature photographers career if he or she were to shoot live, full frame shots of big-foot . . . instant fame and success. . . That is not the norm nor is it a model for success I would pursue. I believe attitude however is a must! No one wants to hear your divorce story no matter how traumatic it was! Do you have an example of how attitude is important? I happen to believe it is critical, so much so that I made it a central point in a recent interview I did with Zenologue dot com, a photography business development blog, and exert of that interview can be heard here: http://www.zenologue.com/blog/2012/02/photography-business-wildlife-nature-landscape-photographer-tony-bynum/ . Thank you again for your great comments and the reminder that a right attitude is critical, I could not agree more! Tony
Hi Tony,
Great post, and excellent advice.
Did you learn photography in school, or take some courses? If so, where? Your work is spectacular, so other than hard work, determination, and a good eye, I was curious as to how you got so good? I’m just getting a handle on my DSLR in non-auto mode, and while I have a couple of decent nature photos, I have nothing that compares to yours.
Any advice/resources on the learning aspect of taking great nature photos would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Tony, for the inspiration!
Mac
Mac, thank you for your fantastic compliments, I’ll put the check in the mail on Monday! LOL And thank you for asking such a great question. In fact, it’s so great that I’ve decided to not answer it! Ha!! Not really. After working on the right answer for you I found that I needed to make it it’s own blog post. So, if you stay tuned, I’ll not only answer your question, but give you some resources that I used to help me get off the ground! If you’re not signed up for my blog, you can do so by going to the “STAY INFORMED! SIGN UP!” area in the upper right corner and entering your email. Don’t worry, I won’t share your email, or spam you with junk! Stay tuned for the answer to Mac’s question, “did you learn photography in school, or take some courses?” I think the answer will surprise you! Tony
Yes, I just signed-up for your blog, so I am looking forward to the answer(s) to my question along with your other blog entries.
This is a great site, and it’s refreshing to have a photographer of your caliber willing to share information with novices (pro wannabes?) such as myself.
Do I make the check out to “Tony Bynum” or “Tony Bynum Photography”?
All kidding aside, thanks a lot Tony!
Mac
I figured I should pay you for your efforts and all the valuable info you’re willing to share with us.
Looking forward to your future blogs and photos!
Mac
Thanks again Mac. Soon I’ll be posting a short answer to your question. Tony.