amyromer

[amyromer]

The Perfect Pitch: what's the formula?

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this phase. The perfect pitch. What is the perfect pitch? You only get one try, and when the odds are already stacked against you, you better get it right. Not too long ago, I would have attempted to answer this question by visiting the "About" section on my website. I needed the client to know who I was, why I was good, and why they should trust me. So I'd open my email pitch with a shortened, copy edited version of my "About" page, and go on to mention I was seeking commissioned work. I'd tell them why they were really great, and why we were a good match. I'd usually end with the suggestion of a coffee, or phone call. And 9/10, I'd hear nothing back.  To be fair, I think 9/10 probably isn't that bad...  Last month, I was sent a direct message on LinkedIn by a creative freelance consultant. I had to Google what that even was. He asked me how my career was going, told me a bit about himself, and how he helps freelancers like me get a constant stream of clients. He sounded super dodgy to me, but he asked "What is your main goal and issue at this stage in your career?" Despite my scepticism, I knew I had nothing to lose by giving him 5 minutes of my time.  So I told him. This was my first year of full-time freelancing. Until this point, my bread and butter was baked and spread through other part-time or full-time jobs. So my main goal right now is finding more clients, while attempting to stay true to my values as a documentary photographer. We chatted about what staying true to my values meant. For me, it's about not saying yes to any old thing, but the things I believe in. Not easy when you're starting out. As the conversation progressed, he gave me bits of advice, one of which was a lightbulb moment for me.  He told me the first question anybody should ask when finding new clients, should be:  What do they need? What is their problem? The only way to make a client see you, is to learn first how to see them. For me, this advice only really requires a simple adjustment to my mindset, when thinking about and approaching new clients. Of course it's not about me, it's about them. How can I help them? And before you freak out, this doesn't mean I have to compromise my values as a photographer, either. It simply means I need to pick and choose the right client - for me. I've carried this advice forward, and even in the short period of time since this conversation was held, I'm pretty certain it's improving 2 things: who I'm approaching, and the response that I'm getting.  I feel a little frustrated that this simple philosophy for finding work wasn't covered, or even alluded to during my 3-year photography degree that boasts about its vocational approach to photography. But I won't go there now. My memories are still fond, and I like it that way. And by the way, I was a bit of a nerd so I'm fairly certain something as key as this wouldn't have slipped passed me.  Whatever your thoughts are about consulting and mentorship, this guy was helpful even just to speak to for 10 minutes. And I know I've mentioned this before, but it only reinforces my feeling that it's important to be open and honest about your worries and anxieties. We spend a lot of time drowning in a false notion of success via social media - Instagram being the biggest culprit, for me at least. And I know I'm as guilty as the next, but screw egos - we need to spend more time telling it how it is. Freelancing is lonely - you're only one human being bouncing ideas around in one brain.  On the flip-side, social media is (of course) totally essential for not going completely bananas. I've established what I consider to be genuine friendships with people I know through social media alone, whether it be through collaborations, such as my book with Iain Sarjeant of Another Place Press, or through contributions I've made. At the beginning of the year I contributed to Grant Scott's A Photographic Life podcast. Grant found my work on Twitter and asked me to contribute. He's since become a mentor and friend. Grant generously gives his time to me, as well as other mentees, and together we've collectively formed a WhatsApp group where we share ideas, concerns and give each other little boosts of encouragement where needed. (I probably need it more than most. Sorry guys.) I haven't met any of these peers, bar one, but we give our time to one another, discussing topics of interest such as pitching, project ideas, exhibitions we like, or rates we’re unsure about. Groups like Photographer's United on Facebook does a similar job, serving as an essential platform for photographers to connect with others in the industry.  I realise I've gone a bit around the houses on this one, so coming back to this idea about the perfect pitch...What's the formula? The answer is, there isn't one. It totally depends on the client. BUT, my feeling (at least for now) is that the key is in asking the right questions.  Who are they? (really interrogate this one) What do they need? What is their problem? How can you solve that problem?  As always, I’m interested to hear your experiences, so feel free to reach out on here, or whichever social platform you desire! 

[amyromer]

Multi-tasking, and Mobi

After pledging to be on time with my monthly blog, I'm definitely a little bit late. But no one's around in August to notice, including me. My summer was split into two photo brains - wild salmon decline and childhood cancer.  A classic combo... As it turns out, I'm not very good at doing two things at once. This is something I don't particularly like admitting, and perhaps I shouldn't admit to it, but I just did, so that's that. The reason being, it is something I want to get better at, so I thought it might be worth talking about. Perhaps some of you are the same, and you'd like to share strategies for what you do when you find yourself deep into multiple projects, and feeling a little dizzy.

For context, the wild salmon project is a long-term grant I'm working on for National Geographic. The cancer project was a 2-month paid commission from a Vancouver charity. I went into the commission with a plan to continue my salmon work on the side.  I even scheduled time for it, but found that unless I had the opportunity to dedicate a full day, it was next to impossible to split the day and work on both projects. Instead, I'd end up doing more of one, and none of the other. Why is that? It could be a sign that both subjects are a little heavy to be combined. Neither project is particularly easy to dip into. But I'm still shocked at my level of reluctance. It's not a nice feeling for someone who is generally proactive. It's like a positive procrastination - you should be doing this thing, but instead you're avoiding it by doing even more of this other thing. It's also resulted in one month of absolutely no social media, which I don't feel too bad about considering it's August and everyone's on holiday. I've made zero posts. Even the idea of opening the apps on my phone feels totally overwhelming.   It could also be a sign that I'm simply not very good to doing two things at once. Although, to cut myself some slack, I think it's more about how I like to do things, than how many things I do. I like to do things properly. Sometimes I don't know how to not do things properly, to the point it becomes obsessive and irrational. But what that means is, if I can't do it properly, I'm not interested in doing it, which a lot of the time can be a good trait. But I also think this is where the rejection and procrastination comes into play.  A good example has been this week. I've been editing a Nat Geo shoot where Mobi - a friendly spaniel, followed me around on location for the day. I took lots of photos of him because I had a camera in my hand and couldn't help myself. Any other photographer would recognise that these photos are not important and delete them at the point of editing, or put them in a separate folder to be edited another time. Not me. I had to edit every decent image chronologically, even though I knew the images weren't useable for the project. I think it's because I know if I put them in a separate folder of low importance, I'll forget they exist. At least now I'm able to send the pictures to Mobi's owner, which is nice... I'm not sure what I can do to try and be better, or if it's more about recognising strengths and weaknesses. I'm interested to learn about similar experiences, and what you do to stay grounded and focused. 

[amyromer]

Going freelance (also, Welcome.)

I think at this point, I'm welcoming myself more than any of the one of two potential readers "previewing" this blog... Hi Mum. Dad.

I decided to make a monthly blog around 3 months ago. As this is my first actual post, I'd say so far its been fairly unsuccessful, but I plan to be strict and on time! Unfinished is a way for me to share what I've been up to in the field, beyond a few Instagram posts, tweets and tags. It's a way for me to examine my own process and direction with personal projects and commissions, and to share some thoughts and ideas about this weird photo world we live in.

So on that note, if you're not into photography, this blog really isn't for you.

Getting stuff written down on "paper" has always been a triple-win for me. It's how I best absorb information. It takes the pressure off my brain to remember all the stuff. And it makes the stuff I write more tangible and actionable. But in all honestly, most of the stuff I write, never gets read again. It just makes me feel better. So my hope is that through Unfinished, I can at least share some of the unread writing with other like-minded (or not) people, to encourage conversation that might benefit a few of us, rather than none of us.

I thought I'd kick things off by revealing the distant scream inside my head that says: "what the hell were you thinking going freelance?!"

This event happened around 3 months ago, and it's of no coincidence that the idea of creating this blog happened at the exact same time as going freelance. I think I was punched in the face by ALL the ideas about how I would/could/should spend my time in self-employment. This was one of them.

The decision to go freelance wasn't something that came out of the blue. I didn't quit my job and think "what do I do now..." It was part of my plan for 2019. For the past few years I've gotten into the habit of making New Year's Resolutions. I even dedicated a scrapbook to the annual thought challenge - 1 page per year, and in the start of the book there's a timeline of Now until Death, with lifetime goals mapped out onto the timeline  – an idea courtesy of Anastasia Taylor-Lind's psychotherapist Mum -  thanks!). The idea is that you might achieve stuff sooner than you mapped out, relieving a small part of the pain of every day where you feel as though you're not achieving enough. And it kind of works...as long as you don't look at the timeline too often, which I don't.

For example, according to the timeline which I made mapped out in 2015, I wanted to publish a book before I'm 40 in 2029. So technically I'm 10 years ahead of one of my lifetime goals. For another, I wanted to receive a grant for a big project somewhere in the world by 2025. I'm 6 years early. Sweet! I think for me who went to uni as a mature student, it's helpful to remember that your career can span your whole life. It doesn't all need to happen here and now. It's easy to think you're not achieving, but its hard to think you're doing ok. I plan to adjust the timeline next year in 2020, and see what I can achieve in the next 5 years before I adjust again, and again, and so on.

What isn't on the timeline is "become freelance" by 2020. This was a NYR I set myself in December 2018. To be honest I thought it was ambitious, but put it down to the mini crisis I was having at the thought of turning 30 in 11 days time. I don't put the decision solely down to the fact I made a bold NYR, but I do believe having something written down and therefore present in your mind alters how you think, and the decisions you're likely to make. Decisions like, "Yeah, why not pretend I can travel to the UK for a job even though I don't have any holiday left to take at work. If I get the job, I'll quit." Or, "Yeah, why not apply for this 2 month photo commission. If I get it, I'll quit my job."

Chasing opportunities = opportunities

And so, I left the safety of my permanent position within the photo world, with free frothy coffee making facilities, health benefits and a regular income, bounced off a spring board, and plopped into an abyss of uncertainty that is now My Future. But oh my does it feel good... The freedom! The flexibility! (the admin!) The challenge! I'm taking a guess that it feels good because right now I have a few jobs on the horizon. I suspect there will be a time in the not so distant future I'll be writing about what an absolute disaster my life is. But that's freelance, right?

I'm keen to hear thoughts and ideas about how you broke into, or are surviving the world of freelance. Or maybe you're thinking about it but have insecurities. Or maybe you're about to give it all up and get a regular job. I know there's not one way of doing anything, which is why I think its so interesting, and important to speak to each other.  

I'll leave you with a helpful Tweet by journalist Samira Shackle, who in January made me feel like maybe I wouldn't drown quite so quickly and inelegantly as I thought I might. I noted down all of her advice (of course), and continue to read it when I feel any creeping sense of unease. Hopefully you might also find it useful. Probably not you Mum and Dad...sorry.  

https://twitter.com/samirashackle/status/1090550148357410817

[amyromer]

From tomorrow until July 10, The Dark Figure* will be on view in a solo exhibition at the Holy Sepulchre London, Holborn Viaduct (opposite the Old Bailey) in collaboration with @a21, to raise awareness of modern slavery in Britain. If you're about, check it out. Open Sunday - Thursday 9:30 - 2:30, and until 7:30 on Tuesday. There are still limited copies of the book available from @anotherplacepress. Link in bio. #thedarkfigure #modernslavery #exhibition #photobook (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzI3qeYAS9j/?igshid=1b866n9kj085s

[amyromer]

For #IndigenousPeoplesDay, I’m sharing photographs made at the Kwantlen first salmon ceremony I was lucky enough to be invited to last month. First salmon ceremonies differ from tribe to tribe, but all have some themes in common. The salmon chief of the tribe will select a fisher to catch the first salmon of the year. This is an honour, and before entering the river the fisher will undergo a blessing, or purification. Once a fish is caught, it’s brought to shore and carefully prepared, cooked and distributed to the people in a ceremony that is unique to the location and tribe. The head of the fish is pointed upriver to show the salmon’s spirit the way home. The bones are carefully cleaned and returned to the river, where it’s believed the salmon will reconstitute itself and continue its journey. There is an underlying theme of respect for the salmon as a gift, and the hope that by properly respecting the fish the salmon king will continue his benevolence through the coming months of salmon returns, and again the following year. Kwantlen’s ceremony felt particularly urgent at a time we are witnessing restrictions on salmon fishing quotas in British Columbia due to frightening declines of Chinook salmon. Could it be that future such ceremonies will cease to exist? It was humbling to be part of such a powerful cultural event, but I left feeling a mixture of wonder and sadness, as I think about the future for our salmon, who seem stuck between a rock and an exceptionally hard place. Thank you to Chief Marilyn Gabriel and Donna Leon for having me along to this special day. Part of my new project The Last Salmon Run, for @insidenatgeo.  #thelastsalmonrun @natgeo (at Kwantlen First Nation) https://www.instagram.com/p/By-1_sFA_Su/?igshid=1646pep542yh

[amyromer]

If you missed out on a copy of my debut photobook The Dark Figure* and fancy some heavy, contemplative reading, fear not! We have a limited supply back in stock...really limited! So grab now. The Dark Figure* confronts modern slavery in Britain through documentary photography.  #thedarkfigure #modernslavery #photobook (at United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByrdSNyAU0s/?igshid=p1l89kwhymfv

[amyromer]

@chris_and_bonsai sampling a Chinook salmon on a field trip dedicated to hunting for viruses in overwintering Chinook. Disease is thought to contribute to declining populations of wild salmon, particularly in increasingly warm waters caused by climate change. Salmon are tough and they work hard, but adding the stress of disease to an already stressful lifecycle could be fatal for this vitally important keystone species. #thelastsalmonrun @insidenatgeo @natgeo (at Quatsino Sound) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByKC_32gD1q/?igshid=1o4vqryhw978s

[amyromer]

Crew member for the International Gulf of Alaska Expedition, January - March 2019. Photo made onboard the Professor Kaganovsky, upon the return of the expedition to North Vancouver, March 2019. #thelastsalmonrun #salmonpeople #IGAexpedition  @insidenatgeo @natgeo @internationalyearofthesalmon (at North Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnrJV2H5EV/?igshid=x723hcqwacxa

[amyromer]

Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park, one year on. We’ve visited this place a number of times over the past year and it never fails to excite me how beautiful it is. 🐟🦅 - #eagle #eagleeye #salmonrun #squamish #squamishriver #britishcolumbia #beautifulbritishcolumbia #landscape #landscapephotography #photooftheday #whistler #winter #nature #wilderness #northamerica #ifyouleave #paperjournalmag #somewheremag #myfeatureshoot #montectistomag #sadmagazine (at Brackendale, British Columbia)

[amyromer]

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Coho salmon pre-journey of their lifetime. - #justkeepswimming #salmonrun #coho #capilanoriverregionalpark #capilanofishhatchery #salmonofinstagram #photooftheday (at Capilano River Fish Hatchery)

[amyromer]

Happy Halloween! 💀🎃👻🕷🦇 - #halloweengardening #spookygardens #insearchforthespook #Kitsilano #photooftheday #halloween #halloween2017 (at Kitsilano)

[amyromer]

🎃One night during our Oregon camping trip we realised we were being swept and swooped by several bats, who were using the light from our head-torches to catch their dinner. So we got excited and took some pictures. 🦇🐛⛺️🔦 - #batbombing #nightlife #camping #nature #oregon #halloween #batsofinstagram #slowdownsoicantakeapictureplease (at Willamette National Forest)

[amyromer]

🎃One night during our Oregon camping trip we realised we were being swept and swooped by several bats, who were using the light from our head-torches to catch their dinner. So we got excited and took some pictures. 🦇🐛⛺️🔦 - #batbombing #nightlife #camping #nature #oregon #halloween #batsofinstagram #slowdownsoicantakeapictureplease (at Willamette National Forest)

[amyromer]

Kitsilano, Vancouver - #kitsIlano #photooftheday #myneighbourhood #shoretoshore #veryvancouver #nature #wildflowers #documentingbc #beautifulbc #landscape #landscapephotography #myfeatureshoot #fisheyelemag #paperjournalmag #aintbadmagazine #burndiary #somewheremagazine #oftheafternoon #anotherplace (at Kitsilano)

[amyromer]

Kitsilano, Vancouver - #kitsilano #photooftheday #myneighbourhood #shoretoshore #veryvancouver #documentingbc #beautifulbc #myfeatureshoot #fisheyelemag #paperjournalmag #aintbadmagazine #burndiary #somewheremagazine #oftheafternoon #anotherplace (at Kitsilano)

[amyromer]

Kitsilano, Vancouver - #kitsIlano #photooftheday #myneighbourhood #shoretoshore #veryvancouver #apartmentdecor #plantpots #greenliving #documentingbc #beautifulbc #landscape #landscapephotography #myfeatureshoot #fisheyelemag #paperjournalmag #aintbadmagazine #burndiary #somewheremagazine #oftheafternoon #anotherplace (at Kitsilano)

[amyromer]

Kitsilano, Vancouver - #kitsIlano #photooftheday #myneighbourhood #shoretoshore #veryvancouver #redsky #sunset #documentingbc #beautifulbc #landscape #landscapephotography #myfeatureshoot #fisheyelemag #paperjournalmag #aintbadmagazine #burndiary #somewheremagazine #oftheafternoon #anotherplace (at Kitsilano)