How to get noticed as a photographer 

If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff head to my instagram page instagram.com/scottchoucino/

Man, thank you for this video. You mention 10 years, and I've only been at it for four years. I had one rather exciting publication last year, and things just went dead and I sank into depression. A few months ago I got connected with a makeup artist who does so much work and she's constantly being published, and the shoots we've worked together on have been published in six different magazines, and for the last few weeks, things have been cold again. The other night I emailed 8 different galleries in my area with appropriate portfolios for each one, 2 got back to me and said I'm not what they're looking for, and 1 is setting me up for the application process as we speak, and one said "We would love to have you ASAP. I've done a lot of photography in the last four years, from real estate to cars, and portraits. I've found my niche which is natural light portraiture. I've gotten a lot of flack from other photographers that say I need to learn how to use studio lighting. But my first photography instructor told me "Make light look like it should be there." One idea I had was to use a bonfire at the beach during a sunset engagement session in place of a soft box or strobe. That's just my thought process behind lighting, and I'm not saying everyone should do it.

Man, you're a breath of fresh air, I'm 5 years in and only just starting to turn the corner - I can now have 2 poached eggs on toast as opposed to one for my breakfast :) Keep up these vids, I love the transparency and real-world advice you give. Cheers Chris B

This is so inspiring. Today I had an epiphany and discovered why I loved photography in the first place. I sort of lost it when I got caught in the chaotic stream of social media, specifically Instagram. I felt like my work needed to look lol everyone else’s, and man is that a recipe for disaster. I’m finally liberated. I am the story teller, and my photos are a document to that

"There's no short-cut... Most of us have to work for it." Probably THE best advice of any kind (technical or marketing-wise) to every wannabe food/commercial photographer. This. is G.O.L.D. No doubt such advice will save many a lot of unnecessary frustration, weed out those who expect success in such a competitive field overnight (read: < several years of hard. work.) and... produce some incredible photographers - in 2025-2030. ;)

This is the real shit I've been needing to hear. Thank you!

It's such a pleasure watching long takes without jump cuts, even with an occasional pause. Nicely done!

So far I watched around ten of your youtube movies. And you are one of the few who does not only promote himself and or products. I very much appreciate the input you are giving to others and especially the realistic view / take on life. Well done sir.

Great Scott! You are raw and direct to the point and I like it! This kind of content helps a lot the ones like me has started off in product photography to really understand the journey to get noticed and work as a professional photographer. Thanks 🙏

This just really help me out a lot. I haven’t been in the photography world that long only been in it for 8 months and I was feeling a little jealous on how other photographers get notice and I’m over here spending many hours editing and making them turn out nice and get little to no recognition and I was feeling little down about my work but after hear you talk about this. It made me realize it’s not how I finish but it’s about the journey. I appreciate hearing your story and hardship and it just gave me that drive to work even harder. Thank you!

Love that I can watch your videos and not be assaulted with all manner of ads. Love that you end with a quick signoff and not fancy music and splashy trailer-like fluff.

Great video! Very comforting to know that rejection is basically guaranteed until you develop the consistent persistence! Studio looking 👌🏼

The most common sense advices are usually the most overseen ... Creating a style, a personal image, a network and so on takes a lot of work. And yes, it is frustrating to see how a "genius" goes like fish in the water and it hearts to be rejected but what I have learned all my life is that work gives results - when you work long enough, hard enough and put passion in it. Lovely and soul useful video as always. Thank you Scott!

This was exactly what I needed this morning. Thank you Scott. I'm gonna have to watch this again in like a week. Hahaha

Cheers for this series of videos, even though I am in a completely different artistic field (am a production sound mixer, working on doco/advert/film/tv sets capturing the dialogue) I think a lot of what you say is applicable for me too. (such as that fear of rejection, just got to get over it!)

This is reassuring ! Thank you man !

There is a reason this video only has two thumbs down. THIS. IS. GREAT. Brutal honesty and the right advice.

So well said!! Love your explanation on this topic.

Cheers Scott, probably my favourite photographer youtuber right now. Spot on. Still loads of work to do for me!

Great words man. I can see from the comments that many can relate. I've nearly given up many times too. I've done all the usual modern things like e-mails and DM's and then even extended to actual written letters with examples and self addressed reply envelopes! Still nothing. But, I am starting, now, after several years, to get the odd person who (as you say) does at least reply, even if its a "We will keep you in mind for when we need a photographer". As you say, small wins! I am more recently getting a bit confident and actually saying to people "I could do your photography" when I am at certain places. But it is a crushing journey of brutal rejection. No doubt about that.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice Tim

You are such a breath of fresh air, Scott! Not only you are a photographer but more so a business professional. Really appreciates your hands-on real-life experience, I've only been doing photography for 2 years, and listening to your life experience makes me even more excited for the future to come!

Great advice and honesty!

Scott, I really love your honest and sincere explanations about the themes you commit to talk about. I'm really struggling to get the ball rolling, and I'm near the 5th year and counting. The hardest part for me is the consistency of creating and releasing content. I'm in the architecture photography industry in Brazil and at the moment we are still in the peak of the corona crisis here. I really dont know what is the right thing to do during these times, but I'm trying to find a safe way to produce new portfolio out there and pitching for clients without being pushy, considering the current situation that we are facing. Anyway, thanks for the valuable information on the video. Cheers!

Great advice, no bullshit, just honest open advice

Awesome video. I’m trying to redefine my work and continue my journey. I had some hardships come up this passed year but I’m trying to put my nose to the ground and work. Your video was very motivating and insightful.

My late Mother always told us growing up that everyone, each and every one of us, has a unique gift to the world. Some of us are socially great, some are athletic, some are creative, some can network, some can sell, some can problem solve, some are musically 🎼 gifted, etc....so true 👍

I've been a photographer for 6 months and am already published. I didn't even try to get in; the universe just worked itself out for me! I've received no rejections thus far; I'm not asking , I'm simply creating my art and it's drawing people in like fish! I don't think it necessarily has to take 10 whole years to start becoming noticed. Im so shocked and over the moon and can't believe I'm already receiving success... I haven't even had my first payed client yet 🤣😍🥰 I think it's officially time to start charging! 😁

This is spectacular. If solar flare wiped out entire RU-vid and there was only your photography education channel left, it would be more than enough!

Hi Scott, thank you very much for sharing all this knowledge in your videos with us. It is informative but brought across in a non-boring way. I can watch it to just get a sense of how you do things, how you think things through and that is something that can be applied to other areas then food photography or photography as well. I've learned from a great artist to always try and give something even if it is something small (if you are asking someone for advice for example). I haven't asked (yet) but you provide us without a question which is awesome. So here is a tiny something I found that might be helpful. The about section on your website might have a little error right between "in-depth" and "understanding". Might because maybe it is intentional to show the depth or something ;) I am often cautious about telling people about something small like that, but since you care a lot about details in your work like tiny dust particles, maybe you care about this pixel particle as well. Thank you for the inspiration, the realness and the beautiful pictures and the engagement in the comments. Something that I haven't seen a video about from you is "What is your why?" On your website you talk about the euphoria you felt when you quit your job. But I haven't found out why (yet). It shows in your videos in the way you do things. And maybe you talk about it in a video that I haven't seen yet as a part of the video but if not that would be very interesting. What about photography made you put in all these hours to get to where you are? How does it feel to do a shooting? What did you do in times where you wanted to stop (if they happened)? If you couldnt take pictures anymore for some reason, what else would you be doing? What are the felt differences in shooting portraits vs shooting food? Etc. Have a good time :)

Thank you for that information I love it

Love it, specially straight to the point message.

Ive been doing photography for 9 months and i havent done solid photography in like 4 months. Gotta get back on it and make that portfolio. Plus its real businesses in my city thats hiring. I let the lack of equipment and not having a car limit my growth.

First comment time. 🙂 Watching as I see this , but congrats on the 10K subs Scott! Hoping for much more informative videos on food photography & how to run a photography business (even though I’m in the US, not the UK), (Might edit if I see more of this premiering video)

This is so true.

Hey man thank you for this. I really needed it

Great stuff. Makes sense.

Thanks for the great advice!

Looking forward to buying some “me not genius” merch

This is great advice, but now it gives me even more pause and consideration if I'm doing the right thing. I'm 37 and a single father with a safe corporate job, it might genuinely be too late for me.

Rejection can be the hardest, but it also the greatest learning tool. Today if an image is rejected I move on. I was told that by a company that they didn't have any vacancies for my particular expertise. Listening to what you said put's a different spin on how I interrupted it.

This is soo helpful

Great tips Scott! Joey L had been shooting for 10 year before he got an agent...

This is one of your best videos yet 👍 are there any companies you recommend for compiling a list of agencies and directors to contact? Or do you do that all yourself manually?

I am literally revamping my portfolio and website right now as I am listening to this. Oh the irony.

Thanks brother.cool

Time affects us all just new to you very encouraging . Peace.

If you read all the comments below, its like.....yeah thats it, exactly...and it really is. Its like all the thoughts you have on your career, all the doubt, all the fear, finally spoken out. And this is great...because now you realize that you are not alone in this. You work your ass off, make good to great photos and still other photographers get the jobs you want. And you beginn to think that you are not good enough. But its so true...it dosnt come over night and it takes a lot...A LOT...of patience. Even if the work is great and unique. Thanks for this great video

This is brilliant ! Just made me realise how failure is actually a great thing. Was looking to get a photo pass for the Arctic Monkeys Singapore Concert and miserably failed, no one answered me despite 50 emails, linkedin invits... just gotta keep on grinding. See you in this comment section in 10 years when I'll get one 😊

Thx for the motivation. In year 6 now and feels like year 1

Hi Scott... don't know what to say, 5 years doing wedding photography, thousands of hours in LR, Photoshop, tutorials, creating better myself as a photographer and going for the best portfolio in my country from the very beginning. I do not use Instagram, I do not use FB. And I dont have to. I charge top prices because I deliver top work and top client's journey. It is kind of easy to achieve, but it does take time and commitment. Like crazy lot. I can sign what you have said, great vid, great content, beautiful photography, well done, really. Take care my friend, wish you the very best and sorry for my english, not a native speaker :)) And I forgot the important thing - I do not copy anyone. I make my own presets, my own PS workflow, ideas, I shoot my own style, dont care about an inspiration from others. I respect them highly, but as you said, if you want to be a true artist, you follow your vision.

Hi, your videos are so informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. If you could also discuss how/where to create portfolio, which form should we send it? Pdf or online link? Thanks 😊

Cool video man. RU-vid algorithmen finally found you for me. Newest subscriber here :) My wish - little gear, a lot creative and business videos.

Again, truth.

glad I viewed this video too ...... !!!! (see my comment with your video what is helding us back ...... 😅)

I have been a professional photographer for 30 years here’s some tips meet people especially models that are working if you get to shoot them they will put your name out there or least they’ll be showing your pictures you’ve shot of them on your behalf

OK, I with you on this. Its going to take years to get noticed and build and good customer base. The million dollar question I then think is on every up and coming photographers lips is, how do you but food on the table and pay the rent in the mean time?

It's great!

Congrats for 10k subs! How did you keep the motivation in all zhose years of rejection? Did you know of these different stages of rejection in advance so you knew it would be different maybe someday?

10 thumps up.

Great information as always total inspiration

Once you spend some time in the industry you see that those who got an early break usually have some kind of close family connection. That is just the way the world works. For everyone one else it takes a lot more hard work. Decades.

Great vid 👍

I noticed you because you made a video about being noticed

Loved this video and started going through ur videos in the morning. Also enjoyed the comments and ur replies... i keep looking for a magic formula with marketing and get noticed but u r right its about persistence and maybe doing one platform and then direct pitching.... I m only 2 years into it and find it very frustrating that it is sooo hard to get clients but also not to get demotivated by that. My career before was very different and as u said i might be still living with the result driven expectations to myself. So just need to keep going?! :) I think i might get you to look at my portfolio first to have an external opinion about what i need to have in it to attract :) Any more advice on marketing?!

What’s the best approach to emailing a cold portfolio to people who have never heard of you? Did you just send cold emails, or did you have some sort of connect of mutual contact?

The city I'm from is so damn hot 110 at night and 150-120 for 6 months out of the year. It sucks so bad and taking photos during summer is a no. So its hard to stay motivated😕😪

When you say 10 years, how do you support yourself in the meantime? Is that 10 years of doing this on the side?

I will be known in 2-3 years. I stake my old age on it LOL. Not cocky. Just defiant.

One way to become yourself is to not watch tutorials and replicate people. Just go and do it

What sets your posts apart is the sheer, real-life brutality of being a professional. It's not easy and it's not fun (a lot of the time). All prospective snappers should watch your channel!

Geesh I had forgotten about Joey L

The rejection is so hard.

HOROSCHOP

dont understand your english. please add subtitles to your further videos.

This softbox is so distracting in the background