Rejection from an art show - how to move forward? I’ve…
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Rejection from an art show - how to move forward?
I’ve been a photographer for 10 years now. I wouldn’t call myself a professional, I guess… maybe? I’m my own biggest critic. I own pro equipment & a Sony A7iii as a camera. I’ve always specialized in portraits and that’s the area I have most fun in. Since last year, I took up a gig on being a photographer for a local band and it’s been so fun. I don’t really do much real paid work. I would love to but it just never has worked out for me it seems no matter what I tried.
Anyway, there’s an art festival I had entered a photo in. It was a B&W pic of the local band’s lead singer. I chose that one because it felt the most “artsy” and I’m supporting other local artists. I spent a good amount between the registering fee, framing, & printing. Today, I just got the letter that my work wasn’t accepted & I’m not going to lie, I’m getting myself worked up over it. This was my first time entering my work into a show as well. The day I brought my piece in, I ran into a professional concert photographer and he told me not to beat myself up over it if I didn’t get in because the art show is picky when it comes to photography. He had told me that a few years back, he entered a photo he took of Gene Simmons & got denied (his work is fantastic) but then still went to festival to look at the art and the photos were just pics of birds, landscape, etc. No appreciation for portraits.
This is also rather hard on me right now because for the past year, I’ve been struggling with this internal debate whether or not to kinda give up on photography being that I’ve had no business within it/not making any money from it even though I’ve advertised like crazy even offering anywhere from free to $20, $50, $100 sessions… hell I even shot a wedding for $200, my equipment is becoming outdated & there’s no way I’ll be able to invest in any more as I don’t make much money in general, and there are so. many. photographers. out there right now in my area who are much “better” than me, i feel like i cannot compete.
I’m just truly feeling defeated right now. What was once my passion, is now something that’s just overwhelming me. Any advice?
#hobby
source
I’ve been a photographer for 10 years now. I wouldn’t call myself a professional, I guess… maybe? I’m my own biggest critic. I own pro equipment & a Sony A7iii as a camera. I’ve always specialized in portraits and that’s the area I have most fun in. Since last year, I took up a gig on being a photographer for a local band and it’s been so fun. I don’t really do much real paid work. I would love to but it just never has worked out for me it seems no matter what I tried.
Anyway, there’s an art festival I had entered a photo in. It was a B&W pic of the local band’s lead singer. I chose that one because it felt the most “artsy” and I’m supporting other local artists. I spent a good amount between the registering fee, framing, & printing. Today, I just got the letter that my work wasn’t accepted & I’m not going to lie, I’m getting myself worked up over it. This was my first time entering my work into a show as well. The day I brought my piece in, I ran into a professional concert photographer and he told me not to beat myself up over it if I didn’t get in because the art show is picky when it comes to photography. He had told me that a few years back, he entered a photo he took of Gene Simmons & got denied (his work is fantastic) but then still went to festival to look at the art and the photos were just pics of birds, landscape, etc. No appreciation for portraits.
This is also rather hard on me right now because for the past year, I’ve been struggling with this internal debate whether or not to kinda give up on photography being that I’ve had no business within it/not making any money from it even though I’ve advertised like crazy even offering anywhere from free to $20, $50, $100 sessions… hell I even shot a wedding for $200, my equipment is becoming outdated & there’s no way I’ll be able to invest in any more as I don’t make much money in general, and there are so. many. photographers. out there right now in my area who are much “better” than me, i feel like i cannot compete.
I’m just truly feeling defeated right now. What was once my passion, is now something that’s just overwhelming me. Any advice?
#hobby
source
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