Interview: If you could ask ONE question...

[Peter Ahrens]

Hi. I'm setting up interviews with some well-known fine-art photographers to publish on my website (coming soon).

I'd like to know what sort of questions you would like answered.

So far, I have the usual tell us a bit about yourself, how did you go about making a living as a professional photographer... That sort of thing.

It'd be cool to have some feedback from other photographers about what you'd like to know about a professional photographer. E.g. marketing, travelling equipment, etc.

Thanks in advance for the advice/suggestions.
Peter

[Gobae]

Since they're "professionals"; how much of their artistic concepts are influenced by the fact they have to sell it, vs producing what they would really like to?

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by Gobae

Since they're "professionals"; how much of their artistic concepts are influenced by the fact they have to sell it, vs producing what they would really like to?

Yeah. Or put less nicely, "How often do you feel like a sell-out?" Gobae's wording is more diplomatic.

A somewhat related question: "Do you still enjoy photography as a hobby, or has it become 'your job'?"

[sk66]

How important is your "gear"? I see a lot of "professionals" using lenses with less than supreme specs, but they get the job done....
I believe the true pros don't care as much about latest greatest as opposed to "what they need"... But sometimes they can afford/justify it.

[Dangelica]

If earning a living and building a reputation as fine as you have were not in the equation any longer, what would your lens spend the most time focussed on?


That is the diplomatic way of asking if they make a living doing what they love or if they just make a living at the cost of what they really love.

[Gobae]

Diplomatic: "If your ability to make this type of art were magically removed from you, what else would you choose to do?"

Blunt: "Do you have any other interests, or are you a narrow/single minded person?" (And if they're that narrow how does THAT influence their artistic style?)