If you are new to the field or are considering becoming a professional photographer, you will be more successful if you find a good mentor.
In order to learn about how to find a photography mentor in Galveston, Texas, we spoke to Daniel Doyle Pleasantville NY. Dan Doyle is a successful professional photographer with a studio in Queens, New York. He specializes in event and studio photography.
Doyle made his name in the Queens area by creating unique headshots for local, up-and-coming entertainers. Doyle, with his 20 years of experience, is a mentor for fellow photographers.
What to Look for in a Mentor
Some of the important traits and skills in a photography mentor include:
- Providing constructive criticism
- Setting goals for your work
- Introducing you to important network contacts
- Training you in new techniques
- Helping you learn the business side of photography,including pricing your work
How to Find a Mentor in Galveston
College Professors: One way to find mentors in the Galveston area is to contact photography professors and ask them to introduce you to local mentors.
Photography Associations: You can meet people if you are active in local chapters of national photography associations.
Some of the most highly recommended national photography associations include:
- Professional Photographers of America
- American Society of Media Photographers
- National Press Photographers Association
- Photographic Society of America
- North American Nature Photography Association
- Society for Photographic Education
- Women in Photography International
In Galveston, there is a chapter of the Professional Photographers of America.
Pay for Mentoring: There are also other independent photographers who mentor budding professional photographers and advertise their mentoring services online. In the case of independent photographers, it is important that you vet their claimed history and experience fully before spending any money in seeking their advice.
Volunteer at Photography Conventions: If you are rubbing elbows with photographers who are successful at a convention, you will be able to find ones that engage in the types of photography that you prefer, and they may be amenable to mentoring you.
Coworking Spaces: Coworking spaces are hubs of creativity and business incubation. Contact the local coworking space providers and see if there are other professional photographers who work out of their space.
You can also meet with mentors in the private conference room at a coworking space. It is best to choose a coworking space provider that has a commitment to providing professional development on how to grow your business.
According to Coworker.com, some of the most highly rated coworking spaces near Galveston include Servcorp, The Work Lodge and WeWork.
Servcorp is a very popular coworking space in Houston. A monthly membership is $200 a month or $450 for a private desk. There are community events and lunches that allow for sharing and growing in your business.
The Work Lodge is pricier, at $299 a month but hosts events and workshops to help budding entrepreneurs build business skills.
According to Daniel Doyle Pleasantville NY, some mentors will travel to specific locales where they have extensive experience, for a fee, and mentor budding photographers on location. Dan Doyle from Queens has traveled in the past to exotic locals to help new photographers learn the ropes in business and improve their technique