That's right, the honest to goodness National Geographic. We didn't plan to meet Johnny Bevira until the end of the week when things changed a bit but personally am so glad we did. He had a lot of solid suggestions and was real about how much the job can take out of a person. As a result of that toll, he also suggested we have something in life that keeps us mentally in check. Like anything, pushing too hard will just create burn-out and then you're useless. Several times this week, it seemed everywhere we went, someone had been sick or was a bit under the weather from the Olympics or the political conventions that have been going on. It just happens.
I can't lie- when I looked up Ken Geiger's name personally, I wished I'd done so sooner because this is one of the links that came up: Field Test: Serengeti Lions. When we're sitting in those grey rooms asking the same questions we've asked all week, which are great to know, I personally forget to think that these people we've met have spent a lot of time outside of the office in some incredible places.
Johnny Bevira at Reuters
"It’s a
lifestyle choice for you…you’re going to have to a balance.
It’s very
rewarding- I’m not sure if many can do it.
Photography
is just a small part of what you can do for your fellow human beings.
It’s
about you and your life- how much you put into it is how much you’re going to
get out of it.
Otherwise
you’re going to miss out on a great deal of your own life because you’re living
your life telling the stories of others.
Having
your own personal (life) is going to help bring you back.
“When
stories nestle in the body the soul comes forth.”
Metzger
Success
isn’t “this is it”- it’s a long process.
“What are
you guys doing out there? You need to be in here!”
Warren Thomas, professor speaking
to John and his friend at Mardi Gras
You guys
should have something fun…
Portrait
market. Things that sell are going to have people in them.
Having
that stuff down the road could be the reason you get hired.
Sometimes
your interests are not known to you: that’s why it’s important to show your
work to other people.
I love
our industry because we’re open to so much cool stuff out there. It’s like
Michael said; it’s like a passport.
Everyone
got sick. We were just working so much.
Actually
take the time to create something beautiful because it’s not about you.
Everything
else can fail but not the quality of the work you produce.
Thirty-
percent of what you take in ever year should go back into marketing yourself.
Fear is
good. Just remember there’s an answer to a lot of issues you run into."
Ken Geiger & Bill Douthitt, National Geographic
Bill
"Sometimes
it’s just caring about something…that’s what actually flies around here…what
really gets you around here.
The world
is not sitting there waiting to say yes- you’re going to get a lot of no’s.
Looking
for someone that’s very passionate and curious about something.
Biggest Mistakes
Ken Geiger
People
that shoot “bang bang” pictures that don’t tell a story. Can you tell a story?
Are you smart enough to string pictures together?
Do you
have images that are interesting enough to have five cover story options and
inside story photos?
Bill
David
Allan Harvey’s first story for National Geographic done on Tangier Is. but the
photos are extremely engaging. He knew how to connect with people.
Sam
Abell’s bleak story in Newfoundland. Jody Cobb’s story in West Virginia.
Really
about your ability to connect- a distinct passion to whatever it is you’re
doing. You can do a good story here."
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