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VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography
- By David DuChemin
- Published Nov 11, 2009 by New Riders. Part of the Voices That Matter series.
- Copyright 2010
- Dimensions: 8 X 9-1/8
- Pages: 272
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-321-67020-5
- ISBN-13: 978-0-321-67020-5
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Product Author Bios
David duChemin is an assignment photographer specializing in humanitarian projects and world photography. A passionate contributor to the international photography community, duChemin's first book, Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision, received worldwide acclaim for its vision, passion, and depth. Find David online at Pixelatedimage.com.
For those who want to make the transition into the world of vocational photography—staying true to your craft and vision, while fusing that craft with commerce VisionMongers is a great place to begin your journey. With a voice equally realistic and encouraging, photographer David duChemin discusses the experiences he’s had, the lessons he’s learned, and the practices he’s adopted in his own winding journey to becoming a successful working photographer.
When it comes to this personal, honest combination of craft and commerce, there is no single path to success. Everyone’s goals are different, as is everyone’s definition of success. As such, VisionMongers does not prescribe a one size-fits-all program. Instead, duChemin candidly shares ideas, wisdom, and inspiration to introduce you to, and help you navigate, the many aspects of transforming your passion into your vocation. He addresses everything from the anxiety-riddled question “Am I good enough?” to the basics—and beyond—of marketing, business, and finance, as well as the core assumption that your product is great and your craft is always improving.
Along the way, duChemin features the stories of nine other photographers—including Chase Jarvis, Gavin Gough, and Zack Arias—whose paths, while unique, have all shared a commitment and passion for bringing their own vision to market. With VisionMongers, you’ll learn what paths have been taken—what has worked for these photographers—and you’ll be equipped to begin the process of forging your own.
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69 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Good, not Great,
This review is from: VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography (Paperback)
First of all, I am not the target market for this book. This book is written for the enthusiast who is considering going pro and doesn't have a step-by-step plan to make it happen. If that's you, this book is a must read. If instead you're looking for ways to improve your photography, look elsewhere, like duChemin's soon-to-be-classic "Within the Frame." In spite of being "off target" for me, I couldn't put this book down and read it cover-to-cover in just a few days. This speaks well of duChemin's writing and sense of pace.If one were to look at the book for flaws, there are two that come to my mind. First, the pictures are "thrown in" with no context. A brief caption with a little background story could help a lot, as could some technical data. Pictures don't always tell the whole story, and for most of the pictures included, the story is exactly what is missing. The pictures do little more than show that duChemin is capable of great photography. The... Read more
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Going Pro, By
This review is from: VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography (Paperback)
David duChemin's "Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision" was a great hit with many photographers, engaging difficult subjects to write about, vision and creativity. Based on the success of his first book I was eager to read this volume.In it the author approaches some basic questions about making a career in photography from his own perspective as a person who has chosen to make his career mainly doing work for non-governmental organizations. He explains the necessity for being true to oneself as a professional, to work hard, to market, to overdeliver to customers, and even to rely on written contracts. He also discusses the ethics of the profession and financial objectives to keep in mind. The author relies upon anecdotes and episodes from his own career to make his points, as well as the biographies of... Read more
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
A first-rate follow-up to Within the Frame, By
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This review is from: VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography (Paperback)
David duChemin has it figured out and he's not afraid to tell you the secret. In his new book, VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography, he leads us down the path a budding amateur photographer can expect to trod in order to turn his/her passion into a successful vocation.David (not Dave) lays it out plainly and simply that being a professional is not for everyone. It's not just about being talented, original, or well-versed in your craft. It's not even enough to be passionate about what you do--though that's a big contributing factor to success. It's about hard work and paying attention to the business side as much as to the craft of photography. That may mean finding the right people to do some things for you (marketing, finances, legal, etc.), but they have to be done. While scaring the crap out of you (but nicely), he talks about his own path to photography as a vocation and interspersed throughout the book, he describes the journeys of several pro... Read more |
Online Sample Chapter
Making a Life and Living in Photography: Business and Finance
Excerpts
Table of Contents
chapter one Foundations
My Story
Driven by Vision
Sustained by Passion
The Lines Are Blurring
The Rules Are Changing
VISIONMONGERS: Chris+Lynn
chapter two Work, Work, Work
It’s Hard
The First Question
The Benefits of Hobby
Know Thyself. . . . . .
Know Your Market
Know Your Craft
10% Show, 90% Biz . 45
Get Rich Quick! (But Do It Elsewhere)
VISIONMONGER: Kevin Clark
Make a Plan, Stan
Don’t Quit Your Day Job
Find a Mentor
Love Your Fans, but Listen to Your Critics
Join a Gang
Fake It Till You Make It
Get to Work
Too Busy Chopping Wood
You Need Help
Your First Assignment
VISIONMONGER: Darwin Wiggett
chapter three Sounding Your Barbaric Yawp
What Can I Sell You?
How Can I Serve You?
The Four Pillars
Branding Isn’t ( Just) for Cattle
Perception Is Reality
Photographer?
Make Them Love You
More Conversations, More Opportunities
VISIONMONGER: Grace Chon
Word of Mouth
He Said, She Said
You Need a Logo
Hey, Cool Card!
VISIONMONGER: Dave Delnea
Marketing 2.0
VISIONMONGER: Gavin Gough
Making Contact
VISIONMONGER: Karl Grobl
Go Where They Ain’t
Three (Bad?) Metaphors about Competition
chapter four Business and Finance
Contracts
Sponsorships
It’s Not My Job, Man
Scope Creep
Finances: How Not to Be a Moron
VISIONMONGER: Zack Arias
You Are Not Wal-Mart
Negotiations and Love Songs
Take Me, I’m Yours
Dig More Streams
Insurance
VISIONMONGER: Chase Jarvis
chapter five It’s a Brave New World
Appendix
Index
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