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To succeed as a modern photographer, you must learn how to ‘sell yourself’. But, how do you sell yourself, without “selling out”?

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER: Marketing, Branding, Entrepreneurship Principles For Success

MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER is your new philosophical and practical primer to succeed as a modern photographer in today’s digital world.

Dodge the haters

ON MONEY spread from MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER

This is my theory:

No matter how you try to sell yourself as a photographer and make money from your photography, there will be some random troll who yells out: “Sellout!”

Many of us are so afraid of “selling out” that we distance ourselves as far from money as possible.

However my suggestion:

Go ahead, and “sell out”.

What is a ‘sell out’?

Meaning vs money spread from MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER

In my personal definition, a “sell out” is someone who compromises their artistic and personal vision. You don’t even need to be a “sell out” for money.

You can “sell out” by seeking to get others to like you.

Money has no intrinsic evil value. Yet, religion and modern society tells us:

Money is the root of all evil.

This isn’t true. Money is just a social currency, or tool for exchange.

Why money?

Imagine money as a ‘digital token’. You get these little tokens, and you store them on your computer or phone. When you want food, to live somewhere, you exchange these tokens for goods you want.

I also don’t think money corrupts. Rather, money simply enhances who you already are.

For example, if you’re a generous person, having more money will encourage you to become more generous. If you’re a mean and stingy person, you will probably become more stingy.

What does money mean to you?

Trifecta between Love, Money, and Your Personal Brand as a MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER

Anyways, ask yourself these questions:

Do I want to make photography my full-time profession?
Do I want to make side-income from my photography?

First point, if you want to make a full-time living as a photographer, go ahead and give yourself permission to “sell out” and make money from your photography.

Change your perspective:

It is good to make money.

And rather than tracking your ‘success’ as a photographer from social media followers, or what others say about you, track your progress with the money you make.

For me, I would rather have money than abstract notions of ‘success’, ‘fame’, or ‘respect’.

In today’s modern capitalist society, we need money to do… anything. We need money to buy food, go to the coffee shop, travel, pay rent, and pay for healthcare (Americans).

How I define success for myself

ERIC KIM VECTOR by ANNETTE KIM

My idea of success:

Supporting my family and community.

I first have a duty to my family. If I don’t make enough money, and don’t have healthy and strong profits, my family will starve. I grew up poor, so now, I want to become rich to support my family.

Also, the more money I make, the more I can help my local community, and the online community.

Why does talking about money make you uncomfortable?

All glass skyscraper. New Jersey, Fort Lee.

Also ask yourself,

Why does money feel like such a dirty topic for me?

Figure out what money really means to you. Then you can unchain yourself from notions of caring what others think of you.

For example, I grew up quite poor — my mom had a lot of part-time jobs doing menial labor (cleaning homes, waitressing, cashier). We lived month to month. My dad was a chronic gambler, so my mom even declared bankruptcy once.

McDonald’s. Closing soon.

Therefore, money was always a touchy subject for myself — because money meant survival for me. We never had enough money, and because we didn’t have enough money, I would live remembering the words of my mom:

Eric, your dad just gambled away the rent money. Just know, we might be homeless next month, and move into a shelter.

I’m fortunate enough that this toughened me as a child (my first taste of becoming a stoic). I knew that life was uncertain, and I had to hustle to get anything I wanted in life.

Pittsburgh urban landscape with Coca Cola.