[Leica] David Degners question

["Don Dory" <dorysrus@mindspring.com>]

You wanted to know how to take pictures of the rich?  Really, there are two
ways.  You have such a fabulous style that everyone wants to put your
pictures in their collection.  Or more likely you are on the slow grind of
learning, trying, experimenting, refining, listening to your client and
working to what they want or need even if you are your own client.

You develop an action plan.  Where are the rich in your area? What are your
strengths in photography: sports, theatre, portraiture, still life,
children, documentary or what ?  Why would your potential client want your
images or is this for your personnel work.  If this is for your personal
work you just made your assignment 1000 times harder as there is little
reason or self interest on their part to cooperate with you.  With a firm
grasp of the kind of photography you are good at now address how you can get
your work into the hands of a decision maker or door keeper to move to the
next level.  Is it a school photography teacher, a summer theatre director,
sport coach, or a professional photographer you can apprentice with?  Have
you asked at the area camera store or the "professional" store in your area?

 Do you have a portfolio of great images even if it is only one? Do you let
other people critique your images so you get better or understand why your
critics are wrong?

The simple answer to your question is through their children.  Everybody
wants great images of their children.  Get yourself presentable by their
standards and look into plays, sports, documenting day camps, whatever.  At
first it will be all you can do to just talk your way in: but, with some
great images...  You do create great flattering catch the magic moment
pictures don't you ?  You would never present the edgy, unflattering,
personal statement pictures would you?

So, be kind, be attentive, keep calling, and you will have access, money,
and time for your personal work.

I paid for my first Leica, an MP at 17, by shooting summer theatre and
emphasizing the younger cast members during rehearsals.  By bringing 8X10's
back the next day enough parents bought them and spread the word that
someone had these good pictures that captured their child it was like a bird
feeder and squirrels.

Don