I was at a loss how to connect

[opus]

I went out tonight and met some friends at an upscale bar in town. My friends were being much more outgoing that I was and before I knew it we all were in a big conversation with the other patrons. After awhile, I discovered that one of them is a professional photographer ... works for Getty ... has lived and worked in New York and Chicago for 20 yrs. and just recently moved back to this area.

Anyway, (I had no desire to flirt with him up or anything), but I found myself wanting desperately to connect with him and discuss photography, because it's my interest too, yet at the same time I was aware of this huge chasm between us ... like he was the celebrity and I was just the lowly fan. I felt like anything I might say to him about photography would make me feel really dumb. So I just clammed up and said very little.

How does a non-professional converse with someone who's been doing it for 20 years, whose work is on billboards, advertisements, etc.? What kinds of things could I talk about with him? I'm so bad at stuff like this.

[almo]

I went out tonight and met some friends at an upscale bar in town. My friends were being much more outgoing that I was and before I knew it we all were in a big conversation with the other patrons. After awhile, I discovered that one of them is a professional photographer ... works for Getty ... has lived and worked in New York and Chicago for 20 yrs. and just recently moved back to this area.

Anyway, (I had no desire to flirt with him up or anything), but I found myself wanting desperately to connect with him and discuss photography, because it's my interest too, yet at the same time I was aware of this huge chasm between us ... like he was the celebrity and I was just the lowly fan. I felt like anything I might say to him about photography would make me feel really dumb. So I just clammed up and said very little.

How does a non-professional converse with someone who's been doing it for 20 years, whose work is on billboards, advertisements, etc.? What kinds of things could I talk about with him? I'm so bad at stuff like this.

When I worked a the lab I was in constant contact with pros from every level of photography, and what I learned is that if you approch them like anyone else they will treat you like anyone else. Just act normal and approch the subject from your own standponit. Any pro worth talking to will be as happy to talk shop with you as you are with him/her.

[another view]

Remember that twenty years ago he was in your position.

If he's a nice guy he would probably be glad to talk to you about photography, regardless of who he is or how famous he is. Just ask him a couple of questions to get the conversation started (how did you get started professionally, would you look at my portfolio, etc) and see where it goes. Professional photography ain't easy, and to suceed for many years this guy must have at least decent people skills.

[mtbbrian]

'So I understasnd you are professional photographer?
I am VERY interested in photography, I consider myself an 'advanced amature".
You have a common interest.
I am sure he would be more than willing to talk photography with you.
Just step out of your comfort zone, Kelly and intorduce yourself. The rest will come naturally!
Brian

[berrywise]

You: Wow you have really muscular arms, do you work out?
Him: Actually I just shoot hand held with a 300mm f2.8 a lot.


well maybe that's not the best way to go about it.

[Asylum Steve]

Kelly,

I'm not going to pretend to be in this guy's league, at least when it comes to accomplishments with a camera and career, but I've done this for a long time, and I think I'm very good at it.

I've been published quite a bit, I've had some reasonably high profile gallery shows over the years, and have accumulated a great deal of experience through both my commercial and artistic shooting.

Now you've met me, and hopefully you found me to be a fairly personable guy, but truth is, the amount of patience I have when beginners or advanced amatuers (or even beginning pros) want to "talk shop" with me varies greatly depending on the stuation.

I can't speak for others, but usually the LAST thing I want to to discuss at length is photographic equipment. A little bit is fine, especially when comparing the general advantages and disadvantages of different types of camera and lighting systems, but the less brand or model specific, the better.

What I find very fun and interesting when talking with other photographers of ANY skill level is ideas. What you like to shoot, what projects you might be working on, and what your career goals may be. If asked, I'm always willing to talk about the thing I'm working on, both actual projects as well as the many "back burner" things that constantly seem to be floating around in my head.

Another good topic of conversation would be stories behind images. Most veteran photogs have many stories about how or why they shot something, and they're usually pretty willing to tell you some of them. What was the toughest assignment you had to shoot? What was the most surprising or unexpected photo you ever took? What the most dangerous time you had or the funniest moment trying to take a photo? Things like that...

I also enjoy helping others by giving advice and talking a bit about the business and marketing side of photography. Try talking a bit in general about your experiences and your career (without, of course, droning on and on with uneccessary details or trivial) and asking someone what they did at that point their career and why.

Most people like talking about themsleves, and I'm sure the other person will (at some point) make it clear if they're not interested in what you have to say or how you're saying it.

[opus]

You: Wow you have really muscular arms, do you work out?
Him: Actually I just shoot hand held with a 300mm f2.8 a lot.


well maybe that's not the best way to go about it.

Berrywise, actually (ahem) um I did say something like that ... while I was giving him a neck and shoulder massage ... my friend bragged up my talents and made me take over for her ... yes he appreciated it but it's not like it sounds. Honestly. (My friend is trying to convince me to become a professional massage therapist.) My contact with him was totally innocent.

And that was before I found out he was a photographer. So I really didn't want to display a *whole* lot of fascination with him for fear he'd think I was flirting.

But Steve, those are fantastic ideas! I would guess you are at least in the neighborhood of his league, and yes I found you to be a personable guy, although I think I understood exactly where your patience limits were. They were precisely where I would expect them to be in an accomplished person.

I may run into this group again, and if so I like your idea about asking about stories, and things that might be on the "back burner". I really don't feel he'd be interested in looking at my portfolio. I'm not ready to do anything with it yet, anyway.