Matt Dutile

I was searching through some old e-mails trying to dig up a past estimate when I came across a note from a fellow photographer who was imparting a bit of advice to me when I was just getting going in my career. I thought he made a very sagely point, so I wanted to share it with all of you too.

“Some photographers use all sorts of lighting tricks to make a photo ‘edgy’ and ‘creative.’ But they’re just tricks. They’re making the image more about themselves than the person… ‘Look how clever I am!’

It’s never about the photographer.”

It cuts down to a fundamental point about portrait and people photography. Each photographer leaves their own stamp on an image. It’s their perspective of viewing the world. Everything from the style, production, lighting, etc in the image. These are important elements. However, what really cuts down to a great image is the connection with a subject. Without capturing that moment - showing who your subject is or the genuine feeling they’re having - no amount of creative lighting or styling will make up for that missing piece. It is at the core of creating a great image.

Remember, it’s never about the photographer. It’s about the connection with your subject.

Three years ago today I had the good fortune to think about picking up and messing around with a camera as a hobby. Being the impulsive buyer that I am, I went right to the store and grabbed my first DSLR – a Nikon D80. Little did I know how irrevocably my life would change from that day forward.

In the three years since then I can’t even describe how much has changed in my life – many of my values and perspectives, a belief in what I do and of course the more obvious location and career changes. It has been an incredible transformation and I consider myself beyond blessed to have found I want to do for the rest of my life.

Being a photographer – or really any art based career – comes with a lot of sacrifices and frustrations. It comes with giving up a steady paycheck or any form of job security. It comes with heavy equipment and investment expenses. It comes with putting yourself out there as an artist and having to hear “not interested” a lot. It comes with a nagging doubt of yourself and your abilities. It comes with super late nights, way early mornings, not enough time to get it all done and a lot of bumps in the road.

It also comes with some spectacular highs. There’s nothing else quite as rewarding as being able to make a living doing what you are passionate about. Few people have that opportunity.

I’m incredibly thankful to all the friends, family, clients, colleagues and more who have helped me get to where I am today. Their support has helped push me along where I might have not been able to go otherwise. There’s still a lot to be done and so much further to go, but I know I’ll get there with all the help I’ve received.

My advice to those of you who also want to follow your dream would be this – be persistent. Work day and night to make it happen, because it won’t ever just fall into place for you. Never doubt yourself or your dreams. You are worth the effort. If you truly want something, do it. Be relentless in the pursuit of your happiness. You’ll be rewarded so much more than you could expect.