My Career Change: From Product Manager To Photographer.
Becoming a photographer wasn’t easy because of my beliefs for the most part. I am self-taught and when I started my business, back in January 2021, I knew just a few people in the fashion and beauty industry. But let’s go back a little bit on my educational background.
When I was younger, I wanted to become many things: a policeman, a hairstylist, a translator, a salesperson, and a product manager. I ended up being a product manager but I didn’t feel like it was for me. I have a master’s degree in International Business specializing in Marketing and Negotiations - Trilingual English, German, and Russian. Making long studies was so important to me at, the time as I come from a family where following the “normal way of life” is the only way of success. Studies and employment is praised and valued. Everything related to the artistic world is only seen as a hobby. You know, photography is not hard and you don’t need a diploma (sarcasm). And for my parents, my decision didn’t really make sense.
Even though I didn’t get, at the beginning, the support I wanted from my relatives, I kept going thinking that I could do anything and this was what I wanted. Waking up feeling fulfilled was essential for me. Instead of working for someone else and wondering “What am I even doing here ?”.
Doing what you love doesn’t have to make sense to anyone. It’s about what you want to experience and live unapologetically. And even if I am a photographer and a model today, if one day I want to change, I will without feeling guilty. Options and possibilities are infinite.
BTS of Revive Clothing Lab photoshoot (you can see me on the right) | The two models are Diane (on the left) and Méline.
Here are the steps I went through to become a full-time photographer (in April 2021)
1 – Youtube is your best friend:
This will make people who went to photography school angry but let’s be honest, there are so many things you can learn by yourself and for free.
2 – Practice, practice, and practice !
I started with street photography. That was the easiest way for me and I had no genre in mind that I wanted to shoot at the time. I just wanted to shoot.
3 – Networking
When I wanted to go into fashion photography, I signed into Facebook groups and asked models and make-up artists for TPFs (free collaborations). It was a way to connect with people in the industry very easily. Then, when I started my business, I was going to entrepreneur business events. To be honest, I didn’t get any clients going to those events but it allowed me to make myself known and go out of my comfort zone.
4 – Pitching
One of the most annoying things to do for me but it was so important to show my work to brands and get my foot in the door.
5 – Being patient
I was frustrated when I got no signs, no proof that my work mattered. For the first 7 months, I had no clients. But with patience and persistence, I had results !
6 – Trust in myself and being my own support
At a certain point, all I had to do was trust myself deeply no matter what. Nobody is going to push you to do the things you have to do so just go for it !
